Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa have agreed to raise bilateral trade to US$1 billion within three years — a significant step toward strengthening economic and strategic cooperation.
The agreement was reached during a meeting at Qasr Al-Qudaibiya in Manama, where both leaders placed economic partnership at the forefront. Current trade stands at over US$550 million, with momentum expected to grow through the near-finalisation of the Pakistan–GCC Free Trade Agreement and recent visa relaxations aimed at boosting business mobility.
PM Shehbaz invited Bahraini investors to explore opportunities across food security, IT, construction, mining and minerals, renewable energy, tourism, and health sectors. He also proposed enhancing port-to-port connectivity between Karachi or Gwadar and Khalifa bin Salman Port to streamline trade flows. Defence and security cooperation was also reviewed, with both sides expressing intent to expand collaboration in training, cybersecurity, defence production, and information sharing.
The prime minister thanked Bahrain for its consistent support to the more than 150,000 Pakistanis living in the kingdom and reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to send more skilled workers. He also appreciated Bahrain’s contributions to King Hamad University in Islamabad and its assistance in the release and repatriation of Pakistani nationals. PM Shehbaz congratulated Bahrain on its election to the UN Security Council for 2026–27, offering Pakistan’s support during its tenure.
Both leaders also discussed the situation in Gaza, expressing hope that progress toward stability would ease the suffering of its people. Earlier, PM Shehbaz received a guard of honour upon his arrival at the palace.
Meeting with King Hamad
Later, PM Shehbaz held talks with King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, reaffirming the commitment to deepen cooperation in political, economic, defence, and cultural domains. Both sides underscored the value of the longstanding defence partnership, agreeing to enhance collaboration in training, logistics, manpower, and defence production.
The premier highlighted that bilateral trade and investment are poised to grow significantly once the Pakistan–GCC Free Trade Agreement is concluded. Discussions again touched on Gaza, with both leaders emphasising the urgent need for peace and stability.
PM Shehbaz thanked the monarch for Bahrain’s enduring support, including the establishment of King Hamad University for Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences, inaugurated in September. King Hamad also recalled that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah once represented Bahrain as a legal adviser, praising Pakistan’s historical ties with the kingdom.
In recognition of his contributions, King Hamad conferred the Order of Bahrain (First Class) on PM Shehbaz — the highest honour awarded to heads of state and government.
The prime minister is accompanied by Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, and senior officials.
Story by Khalid Mehmood
