PAKISTAN enjoys very warm brotherly relations with all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, rooted in history and religion.
The GCC region has remained a crucial pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Pakistan maintains a sustained interest in geopolitical, geostrategic and geoeconomic developments—positive or negative—in the region. It also enjoys well-established trade, defense and people-to-people ties with all regional countries. Bahrain is one of the important GCC nations. Pakistan and Bahrain have established a Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) at the Foreign Ministers’ level to discuss comprehensive trade and economic ties, take agreed decisions and supervise their implementation. So far, five sessions of the JMC have been held, the last in July 2021. Pakistan and GCC countries not only ensure continuity in brotherly relations but also strategically strengthen an already time-tested partnership.
In this context, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s recent two-day official visit to Bahrain assumed special significance. Upon his arrival in Manama, the PM received a warm welcome. His meeting with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was meaningful and productive, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to further elevating bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. During in-depth bilateral discussions, the PM and the Bahraini King reviewed the strength of their longstanding partnership and reiterated their commitment to deepen ties grounded in shared faith and mutual respect. They agreed to broaden cooperation in political, economic, defense and cultural fields. On this occasion, the PM reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to further enhance bilateral relations. He expressed appreciation for Bahrain’s support in establishing King Hamad University in Islamabad and highlighted Pakistan’s desire to expand trade and investment. He emphasized readiness to advance bilateral trade under the GCC Free Trade Agreement and thanked Bahrain’s leadership for continued hospitality toward over 150,000 Pakistanis residing and working in various sectors in Bahrain.
Both leaders emphasized the significance of their longstanding defense cooperation and agreed to strengthen collaboration in technical training, logistics, manpower and defense production. Economic cooperation featured prominently during the visit, with the PM meeting Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to strengthen bilateral ties. The PM also praised Bahrain’s facilitation during its election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for two years.
Highlighting prospects for enhancing bilateral trade, the PM stated that Pakistan aims to raise the current US$500 million trade volume to US$1 billion within the next three years. While reviewing defense and security cooperation, both Pakistani and Bahraini leaders agreed to expand collaboration in training, cybersecurity, defense production and information exchange. Addressing Bahraini investors and business leaders, the PM presented Pakistan’s comprehensive economic overhaul blueprint and invited them to explore opportunities in food security, IT, construction, mining and minerals, healthcare, renewable energy and tourism.
Historically, the brotherly warmth in Pakistan-Bahrain relations has never been questioned. The discussions in Manama, focused on expanding bilateral trade, investment, defense partnerships and cultural ties, signal a future-oriented approach aligned with sustainable development goals and economic cooperation envisioned by the top leadership of both countries. The PM highlighted the contribution of Pakistanis in Bahrain’s economy and emphasized the potential to export more manpower not only to Bahrain but across the Gulf region. Pakistan and Bahrain can develop a collaborative framework to train Pakistani workers in specialized fields. Currently, the Pakistani community in Bahrain includes doctors, engineers, bankers, businessmen and workers engaged in diverse sectors.
It is noteworthy that the JMC between Pakistan and Bahrain was established to discuss trade and economic ties and oversee implementation of agreed decisions. However, it has met only twice since its establishment, the last session being in July 2021. To further promote and strengthen bilateral relations, it is imperative that the JMC be activated and hold regular sessions that are mutually beneficial for both countries and their peoples. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has undertaken visits to friendly regional countries and beyond to attract trade and investment in different sectors of Pakistan, aiming to stabilize the national economy at the earliest. His productive visit to Bahrain augurs well for future collaboration and it is expected that Bahraini investors and businessmen will visit Pakistan to explore investment and joint partnership opportunities across multiple sectors.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s ties with Bahrain reflect continuity, trust and strategic partnership. The recent high-level engagements during the PM’s visit underscore the shared vision for economic growth, defense cooperation and cultural collaboration. By activating institutional mechanisms like the JMC and fostering private-sector partnerships, both countries are poised to elevate bilateral relations to new heights, creating opportunities for mutual economic growth, regional stability and the welfare of their people.
—The writer is a Lahore-based freelance journalist, columnist and retired Deputy Controller (News), Radio Pakistan, Islamabad.
