President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Bahrain and expressed the desire to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, economic engagement and security.
The President said this during his meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr today.
The two leaders first held a restricted meeting, which was followed by a delegation-level meeting.
Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani is on a visit to Pakistan to attend the 3rd Session of the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC).
Talking to him President Zardari said Pakistan is keen to translate strong bilateral political relations into deeper trade and investment ties.
He highlighted opportunities for cooperation in food security, IT and digital services, construction, mining, port handling, research and development, tourism and healthcare. He also encouraged greater business-to-business engagement between the two countries.
The President appreciated Bahrain’s warm welcome of the Islamabad MoU and the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and its recognition of Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace, security and stability.
The President said Pakistan and Bahrain share a long-standing and trusted defence partnership, reflected in joint exercises, high-level exchanges and institutional cooperation. He expressed Pakistan’s readiness to further strengthen cooperation in manpower, logistics, training and defence hardware.
The President also appreciated Bahrain’s support and opportunities for more than 134,000 Pakistanis residing in the Kingdom and welcomed continued cooperation on matters concerning the Pakistani diaspora.
Talking about the regional situation, the President said Pakistan remains committed to constructive engagement with all parties to build trust, bridge gaps and promote lasting peace, security and stability in the region.
Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani conveyed the greetings of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, to the President. He said the Pakistan-Bahrain JMC meetings had remained highly productive, covering several important areas of cooperation, and noted that the President’s visit to Bahrain has left a significant and positive impact on bilateral relations. Discussing the regional situation, he commended Pakistan’s courageous efforts to mediate and bring the warring parties to the table, saying that Pakistan’s actions had helped save many lives. Referring to the Quranic teaching that saving one life is akin to saving all humanity, he appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for peace. He also congratulated Pakistan on its successful tenure as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
During the delegation-level meeting, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani was accompanied by Ambassador of Bahrain to Pakistan Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed Abdulqader, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs Hamad Ali Al Mannai, Major General Abdulaziz Mayoof Al-Rumaihi, Director-General of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science, Ministry of Interior, Shaikh Hamad bin Salman Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary for Domestic and Foreign Trade, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Eng. Mohammed Mirza Al-Oraibi, Assistant Undersecretary for Agriculture Affairs, Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, and Yousif Salahuddin Ibrahim Salahuddin, First Vice Chairman, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
From the Pakistani side, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Syed Naveed Qamar MNA, Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs and other senior officials were present.
