MANAMA: Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met Crown Prince of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa here at the Al-Qudaibiya Palace and emphasised on enhanced bilateral economic cooperation between the two friendly nations.
The prime minister was presented a guard of honor upon his arrival at the Al-Qudaibiya Palace. Prime Minister Sharif during the call on with the Crown Prince, thanked him for the warm hospitality and commended Bahrain’s leadership in strengthening bilateral ties.
The PM 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.
Pakistani PM to visit Bahrain on November 26-27
The meeting focussed on economic cooperation, where the prime minister highlighted the potential to increase bilateral trade, currently over USD 550 million, to USD 1 billion within three years, supported by the Pakistan–GCC Free Trade Agreement, which is at advanced stage of finalisation and recently eased visa requirements.
He invited Bahraini investors to explore opportunities in food security, IT, construction, mines and minerals, healthcare, renewable energy, and tourism. He also proposed enhanced port-to-port connectivity between Karachi/Gwadar and Khalifa Bin Salman Port.
The prime minister acknowledged Bahrain’s support for the over 150,000-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.
Defence and security cooperation were also discussed, with both sides agreeing to further expand collaboration in training, cybersecurity, 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.-APP
NNI adds: Pakistan and Bahrain have agreed to further enhance cooperation in political, economic, defence, and cultural fields.
This understanding was reached at a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa in Manama Wednesday.
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.
The King informed the Prime Minister that the kingdom of Bahrain had the privilege of being represented at a legal forum by none other than Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Muhammad Ali Jinnah remained Bahrain’s lawyer for a long time, the King remarked.
Both sides reviewed the encouraging momentum in bilateral relations and agreed to further enhance cooperation in political, economic, defence, and cultural fields. 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.
The Prime Minister also welcomed recent high-level exchanges and expressed gratitude for Bahrain’s solidarity following the recent terrorist incidents in Pakistan.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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