Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani in Islamabad to discuss expanding bilateral trade, energy, and economic cooperation. The meeting took place alongside the third session of the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission aimed at deepening economic and diplomatic relations.
ISLAMABAD, October 8: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Kingdom of Bahrain across trade, investment, energy, and human resource development during a meeting on Thursday with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.
The Bahraini foreign minister called on the prime minister during his official visit to Islamabad, where he co-chaired the third session of the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission alongside Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
According to a press statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif welcomed the visiting foreign minister and conveyed his best wishes to the leadership and people of Bahrain. The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the current trajectory of bilateral ties, noting that the relationship between the two nations remains rooted in shared values, mutual trust, and strong historical bonds.
During the meeting, Foreign Minister Al Zayani extended greetings from Bahrain’s leadership to the Pakistani prime minister and reaffirmed Manama’s commitment to expanding cooperation in mutually beneficial sectors. The two sides exchanged views on broader regional and international developments, highlighting the necessity of sustained bilateral consultations and diplomatic coordination on matters of mutual concern.
Al Zayani praised Pakistan’s constructive role and diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability across the region. Prime Minister Sharif expressed confidence that the conclusion of the third Joint Ministerial Commission session would provide additional momentum to bilateral economic engagement and further solidify multifaceted cooperation between the two partner states.
The Joint Ministerial Commission session in Islamabad marked a renewed push by both governments to enhance structured economic collaboration after a five-year hiatus between commission sessions. Official proceedings led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Foreign Minister Al Zayani resulted in the signing of a formal protocol covering bilateral trade targets, investment promotion, agriculture, information technology, and labor mobility.
Bahrain Foreign Minister Meeting Highlights Economic and Diplomatic Ties
The meeting between the prime minister and Foreign Minister Al Zayani coincided with wider institutional agreements between the two nations aimed at establishing concrete trade and economic mechanisms. As part of the outcomes of the Joint Ministerial Commission, both governments agreed to form a dedicated joint working group on trade and investment to coordinate commercial strategy and facilitate business-to-business engagement.
Official discussions during the foreign minister’s visit focused on expanding annual bilateral trade toward a mutually agreed target of $1 billion. To support this target, officials from both countries outlined plans to convene a specialized energy working group tasked with exploring partnership opportunities in oil, gas, and mineral exploration.
Human resource development and labor mobility formed a significant component of the institutional dialogue. Over 140,000 Pakistani expatriates reside and work in Bahrain, serving as a critical demographic link between the two nations. During the ministerial proceedings, Pakistani officials called for expanded labor mobility frameworks, vocational certification alignment, and formal recognition of Pakistani professional qualifications to enable skilled workers to participate in Bahrain’s economic sectors.
The diplomatic engagement comes as Pakistan and Bahrain prepare to mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations on October 14. High-level diplomatic momentum between Islamabad and Manama has accelerated following previous state-level engagements, including visits by Prime Minister Sharif to Bahrain in late 2025 and President Asif Ali Zardari in early 2026.
Regional security issues were also addressed during the bilateral delegation meetings in Islamabad. Discussions touched upon the situation in the Middle East, maritime security in vital regional waterways including the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab-el-Mandeb, and the defense of freedom of navigation essential for global trade. Pakistani officials also briefed the Bahraini delegation on regional developments in South Asia, including water security issues and stability in neighboring Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister’s Office noted that Thursday’s meeting concluded in a warm atmosphere, reflecting the historical partnership and shared strategic interests of both countries. Both governments agreed to follow up on the decisions made during the Joint Ministerial Commission through regular institutional meetings and working group consultations.
Read More:Pakistan Bahrain Trade Expansion Highlighted at Joint Ministerial Commission
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