ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday congratulated Rabi Lamichhane and Balendra Shah of the Rastriya Swatantra Party following their victory in the 2026 elections in Nepal.
In a message shared on the social media platform X, the premier praised the electoral outcome and described it as a strong sign of public confidence in the country’s emerging leadership.
“My heartiest congratulations to Rabi Lamichhane and Balendra Shah of the Rastriya Swatantra Party on their remarkable victory in the 2026 elections in Nepal,” Sharif said.
Sharif also highlighted the importance of ties between the two countries, saying Pakistan is eager to work with Nepal’s incoming leadership to deepen bilateral relations.
“Pakistan looks forward to working closely with the newly elected Government of Nepal to further strengthen our historic friendship and cooperation,” he said.
Historic election win
Shah’s centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) appears set to form the next government in Nepal after securing a commanding lead in parliamentary elections, with only around two percent of votes left to be counted.
According to preliminary results, the party has already secured a majority in the 275-member House of Representatives, marking one of the most dramatic political shifts in recent Nepali politics.
The 35-year-old Shah, a rapper-turned-politician who previously served as mayor of Kathmandu, is now widely expected to become Nepal’s next prime minister. His rise caps a bold political gamble and follows a wave of support among younger voters.
The March 5 parliamentary vote was the first national election since deadly youth-led anti-corruption protests toppled the government in September last year.
In a major upset, Shah defeated veteran four-time prime minister KP Sharma Oli in his own constituency. Oli’s Marxist-led government had been ousted amid the unrest that swept the country in 2025.
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