PM Shehbaz pushes bold new Pakistan-Bahrain ties

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for stronger cooperation between Pakistan and Bahrain in trade, investment, energy and human resource development.

He made the remarks during a meeting with Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani in Islamabad on Thursday. Al Zayani is visiting Pakistan to co-chair the third session of the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

Shehbaz welcomed the Bahraini foreign minister and expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum in bilateral relations. He said Pakistan remained committed to expanding the longstanding and brotherly ties between the two countries.

The two leaders discussed regional and international developments and agreed on the importance of continued consultations on issues of mutual interest. Al Zayani appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability.

During the Joint Ministerial Commission meeting, Pakistan and Bahrain agreed to establish a joint working group on trade and investment. They also decided to strengthen cooperation in energy, food security, information technology, health, education, labour, law enforcement, culture and sports.

The two sides also agreed to work towards finalising the Gulf Cooperation Council-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement. Bahrain said it would use its GCC presidency to help accelerate progress on the agreement.

Pakistan and Bahrain have also set a target of doubling bilateral trade over the next three years. Cooperation in industrial development, logistics, maritime affairs, vocational training and higher education will also be expanded.

Dar highlighted the contribution of the Pakistani community in Bahrain and said the two countries would continue working together on labour mobility and skills development.

The ministers also discussed the ongoing US-Iran tensions and stressed restraint, dialogue and diplomacy as the preferred means of resolving regional disputes. They emphasised the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb safe and open for navigation because of their importance to global energy and food supplies.

The Bahraini foreign minister expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran. Dar reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to supporting regional peace and stability.

On Palestine, Pakistan reaffirmed its support for the rights of the Palestinian people and called for urgent and unhindered humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The two sides also discussed Afghanistan and regional security.

Dar raised concerns over India’s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, describing it as a violation of international law and a threat to Pakistan’s water, food and energy security.

The two countries also agreed to maintain coordination at the United Nations, where both are currently serving as non-permanent members of the Security Council.

The Bahraini foreign minister noted that October 14 would mark 55 years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Bahrain. He also highlighted the contribution of more than 140,000 Pakistanis living and working in Bahrain.