ISLAMABAD: Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani is arriving in Pakistan today for a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation between the two countries.
The visit, taking place from October 7 to 8, comes at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar. Al Zayani will co-chair the third session of the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) with his Pakistani counterpart.
According to the Foreign Office, the two sides will review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and discuss measures to enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The talks are expected to focus on trade, investment, economic cooperation, defence and security, labour and manpower, as well as cultural exchanges.
Pakistan and Bahrain will also exchange views on regional and international developments and discuss cooperation at multilateral forums.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan and Bahrain enjoy close and brotherly relations based on shared faith, common values, mutual respect and longstanding people-to-people links.
The ministry noted that both countries maintain regular high-level exchanges and cooperate in a wide range of fields.
The Bahraini foreign minister’s visit is expected to provide fresh momentum to bilateral ties and create opportunities for expanding economic and commercial cooperation.
Earlier this month, Ishaq Dar chaired an inter-ministerial meeting to review preparations for the upcoming JMC session.
During the meeting, the deputy prime minister directed the relevant ministries to complete preparations in close coordination and work towards achieving concrete outcomes from the Bahraini foreign minister’s visit.
Dar and Al Zayani last met in September on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. During their meeting, the two foreign ministers discussed bilateral relations and preparations for the forthcoming JMC session.
They also exchanged views on regional and international developments. Al Zayani appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.
The upcoming JMC session will be the third meeting of the mechanism established by Pakistan and Bahrain to strengthen institutionalised bilateral cooperation.
The previous JMC session was held in Manama in July 2021. Following that meeting, Pakistan and Bahrain signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at promoting business and strengthening commercial ties between the two countries.
Islamabad and Manama had agreed to establish the Joint Ministerial Commission in 2014 during the visit of Bahrain’s King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa to Pakistan.
The latest visit is expected to further strengthen the institutional framework of Pakistan-Bahrain relations, particularly in trade, investment, defence, labour and economic cooperation.
Officials from both sides are expected to use the JMC platform to identify areas for practical collaboration and explore ways to enhance mutually beneficial ties.
The visit also reflects continued high-level engagement between Pakistan and Bahrain and comes amid efforts by both countries to broaden cooperation across political, economic and diplomatic fronts.
