Pakistan, Bahrain agree to further enhance cooperation in diverse sectors

Pakistan and Bahrain have agreed to further enhance cooperation in political, economic, defence, and cultural fields, reproted 24NewsHDTV channel.

This understanding was reached at a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa in Manama today. The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan's commitment to deepening bilateral ties based on shared faith and mutual respect. 

He thanked the King for Bahrain's generous support, including the establishment of the King Hamad University for Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences in Islamabad, inaugurated in September this year. Shehbaz Sharif also welcomed recent high-level exchanges and expressed gratitude for Bahrain's solidarity following the recent terrorist incidents in Pakistan.

Discussing economic relations, the Prime Minister highlighted Pakistan's desire to expand trade and investment. He said that bilateral trade is poised to grow with the Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement, which is currently in the last stages of finalization. He invited Bahraini investors to explore opportunities through the Special Investment Facilitation Council, especially in food security, IT, construction, mining, tourism, and healthcare.

Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of the longstanding defence partnership and agreed to continue strengthening cooperation in training, logistics, manpower, and defence production.

Both leaders discussed the recent developments in Gaza, and agreed that the establishment of peace and stability was long overdue for the people of Gaza who have suffered for decades.

King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa informed the Prime Minister that Bahrain had the privilege of being represented at a legal forum by none other than Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He remarked that Muhammad Ali Jinnah remained Bahrain's lawyer for a long time.  

During the meeting the King of Bahrain conferred upon Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif the Order of Bahrain (first class), which is the highest award given by Bahrain to Heads of States and governments.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited Bahraini investors to explore opportunities in food security, IT, construction, mines and minerals, healthcare, renewable energy, and tourism sectors. He was talking to Crown Prince of Bahrain at the Al-Qudaibiya Palace in Manama today. On the occasion, the Prime Minister also proposed enhanced port-to-port connectivity between Karachi, Gwadar and Khalifa Bin Salman Port.

He acknowledged Bahrain's support for the over 1570,000-strong Pakistani community and reaffirmed Pakistan's readiness to provide more skilled manpower. He welcomed further collaboration in higher education, technical training, and digital governance, building on the King Hamad University initiative, and thanked Bahrain for facilitating the release and repatriation of Pakistani nationals.

The Prime Minister highlighted the potential to increase bilateral trade, currently over 550 million dollars, to one billion dollars within three years, supported by the Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement, which is at advanced stage of finalization and recently eased visa requirements.

Shehbaz Sharif also congratulated Bahrain on its success for the UN Security Council non-permanent membership for a 2 year term 2026-2027 and expressed Pakistan's readiness for close coordination during its tenure.

Defence and security cooperation were also discussed, with both sides agreeing to further expand collaboration in training, cyber security, defence production, and information sharing.

Both leaders discussed the recent developments in Gaza, and agreed that the establishment of peace and stability was long overdue for the people of Gaza who have suffered for decades.

The meeting concluded with confidence that the discussions will translate into tangible outcomes and further elevate Pakistan-Bahrain relations across strategic, economic, security and people-to-people domains.

Earlier upon arrival at the place, the Prime Minister was presented a guard of honour.

Shehbaz Sharif thanked the Crown Prince for the warm hospitality and commended Bahrain's leadership in strengthening bilateral ties.

Reporter Anwer Abbas