Ties at new high

The visit by Pakistan Premier Imran Khan to the Kingdom is all set to take the relations to new heights. Bahrain–Pakistan relations are extremely strong and cordial. Bahrain maintains an embassy in Islamabad and a Consulate-General in Karachi. Both countries are members of the OIC and G 77.

The visit of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to Pakistan has opened a new chapter in the relationship between Pakistan and Kingdom of Bahrain. Various co-operation agreements were signed between the both countries. The foreign policies of both nations give special emphasis on consolidating, strengthening and enhancing relations between both countries with a focus on economic and trade relations.

In July 2016, Pakistan and Bahrain held their first bilateral consultations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad, with a view to agreeing a roadmap aimed at expanding and enhancing the relations between both countries. Mr Khan is visiting the Kingdom on the invitation of His Majesty to attend the National Day of Bahrain as guest of honour. Prime Minister will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including members of the cabinet and senior government officials. This is Prime Miniser Imran’s first visit to Bahrain since assuming office in August 2018.

During the visit, he will have one-on-one meeting with His Majesty and will hold delegation-level talks with HRH the Crown Prince. The exchange of views would cover the entire gamut of bilateral relations and matters pertaining to regional and international issues. Bahrain’s highest civil award will also be conferred upon the prime minister. “The Prime Minister’s visit to Bahrain will enable the two sides to explore ways and means to further deepen bilateral trade and investments ties.

The visit is of special significance and will impart a strong impetus to both sides’ endeavours to forge a closer, multifaceted bilateral relationship,” according to Pakistan Foreign Ministry. “Pakistan and Bahrain enjoy close cordial ties based on commonalities of faith and culture marked by mutual trust and understanding. The bilateral relationship is broadbased and multifaceted, covering diverse fields including political, trade, commercial, defence, people-to-people contacts,” it said. The frequent high-level exchanges are a hallmark of the relationship.

Pakistan and Bahrain closely coordinate in multilateral fora including the UN, OIC and GCC. The two countries have established institutional mechanisms, including Bilateral Political Consultations and Joint Ministerial Commission, to bolster bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.

The two countries also enjoy close inter-parliamentary cooperation. Over 100,000 Pakistani expatriate community which contributes to the socio-economic development of Bahrain, acts as a strong human bridge between the two countries. Both Bahrain and Pakistan have been boosting their relations in the defence sector. Bahrain’s National Guard Commander General His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, on the sidelines of his visit to Pakistan, met Pakistan’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, and discussed co-operation relations and topics of joint interest, chiefly at military level. 

The National Guard Commander praised the level of military co-operation between the two sides and the Pakistani forces’ role in promoting security and stability in the region.  For his part, His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa, President of the National Guard, also met Pakistan Armed Forces Commander General Qamar Javed Bajwa in his office at the Pakistani Armed Forces General Command HQs in Rawalpindi.