Pakistan, Bahrain agree to operationalise joint working groups, expand trade ties

Pakistan and Bahrain have agreed to strengthen the institutional framework of their bilateral relationship by operationalising joint working groups, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday.

Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad alongside his Bahraini counterpart Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Dar said the mechanisms would ensure regular engagement and effective implementation of decisions taken under the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC).

Al Zayani arrived in Islamabad early Thursday on an official visit and was received at the airport by Economic Affairs Division Secretary Muhammad Humair Karim and Additional Secretary (Middle East) Zahid Hussain.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office carrying the text of Dar’s remarks at the joint press stakeout, the third session of the JMC, which Dar co-chaired with Al Zayani, concluded successfully.

Dar said the talks were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, reflecting the deep-rooted bonds of friendship, mutual trust and brotherhood between the two countries, which this year mark the 55th anniversary of their bilateral relations.

The statement said Pakistan remained committed to playing a constructive role in supporting diplomatic efforts for peace and stability in the region. Dar also thanked the Bahraini foreign minister and his delegation for their constructive engagement and contribution to the success of the session, and said Pakistan looked forward to the fourth session of the JMC in Bahrain.

Earlier, the Foreign Office said in a post on X that the two ministers reviewed bilateral relations, expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum in high-level engagement, and discussed expanding cooperation in trade, economic and investment areas, as well as at multilateral forums.

Dar said the two sides signed the protocol of the third session of the JMC, reflecting their shared resolve to deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

“We agreed to enhance cooperation in trade and investment promotion, industrial collaboration, agriculture and food security, skills development, higher education, information technology, logistics and maritime affairs,” he said, adding that both sides welcomed closer engagement between their business communities.

He lauded the Pakistani community in Bahrain as a strong bridge between the two countries and said both sides reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in labour mobility, vocational training and human resource development to create new opportunities for skilled Pakistani professionals and workers.

Regional situation

Dar said the ministers exchanged views on the evolving situation in the Gulf and stressed the importance of restraint, de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy.

“We discussed the need to ensure the safety and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb, given their importance to regional and global food and energy security,” he said.

On Palestine, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled support for the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights, voiced concern over the continued expansion of illegal settlements and attempts to alter the status of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and called for unhindered humanitarian assistance to Gaza and a just and lasting solution in line with relevant UN resolutions.

The talks also covered developments in South Asia, including Afghanistan and the Indus Waters Treaty. “Pakistan underscored the need to ensure that Afghan territory is not used against Pakistan,” Dar said.

He said India’s unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance “constitutes a material breach of international law” and was a “dangerous attempt” to weaponise shared water resources. “Such actions jeopardise the water, food and energy security of Pakistan’s 250 million people,” he added.

Working groups, FTA

Al Zayani thanked the government for its hospitality and said the agreed minutes of the third JMC session covered more than 15 fields.

He said the two sides agreed to set up a joint working group on trade and investment and to convene the joint working group on energy next month to discuss oil, gas and minerals. Cooperation would also be taken forward in food security, IT, law enforcement, media, labour mobility, health, education, culture and sport.

Both countries, he said, remain committed to finalising the GCC-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement, with progress to be reviewed at the fourth JMC session in Bahrain next year.

Al Zayani said Bahrain appreciated Pakistan’s “principled positions” during the ongoing crisis, including its support for UN Security Council Resolution 2817 and its efforts with other partners to facilitate US-Iran dialogue and de-escalation, including by hosting the Islamabad talks.

Attacks on Saudi Arabia condemned

The Bahraini minister strongly condemned the October 6 and 7 terrorist attacks on Abha International and King Khalid International airports in Saudi Arabia, which killed and injured citizens and residents. He also condemned Houthi attacks on civilians and civilian facilities in the Kingdom, as well as on the holy sites of Makkah and Madinah.

He said Bahrain stood in full solidarity with Saudi Arabia, whose security was an integral part of Bahrain’s and the GCC’s security, and extended condolences to the victims’ families.

Al Zayani said the two sides also discussed continued attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb, underscoring freedom and safety of navigation and respect for international law.

“As fellow non-permanent members of the Security Council, we will continue close coordination with our brothers and between the permanent missions in New York,” he said.

Dar said Pakistan and Bahrain were committed to taking trade and economic ties to new heights, describing the friendship between the two nations as “strong and forward-looking.”