Pakistan’s Envoy Meets Khaleda Zia: A Look at BNP’s History

On December 3, 2024, Syed Ahmed Maroof, the Pakistani High Commissioner to Bangladesh, visited Khaleda Zia, the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), at her home in Gulshan, Dhaka. This meeting was significant as Khaleda Zia is a key figure in Bangladeshi politics and a rival to Sheikh Hasina, the current Prime Minister.

During the visit, some important BNP leaders, Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain and Shama Obaed, were also present. The BNP has a long history with Pakistan, dating back to its founder, Ziaur Rahman. After Bangladesh gained independence in 1971, Ziaur Rahman changed the country’s secular policies and brought Islamic principles into the BNP’s agenda. This shift also allowed for partnerships with Islamic political groups like Jamaat-e-Islami (JI).

These relationships became important during times when the BNP had issues with India. In the past, the BNP has faced criticism for not doing enough to support minority communities, especially Hindus, when they were in power.