Pakistan and Bahrain have agreed to double bilateral trade to $1 billion within three years by strengthening cooperation in trade, investment and other key sectors.
The agreement was reached during the third session of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Islamabad, co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Bahraini counterpart, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.
Speaking at a joint press conference on Thursday, Dar said both countries had signed the session’s protocol and agreed to expand cooperation in agriculture, food security, information technology, industrial development, education, energy, logistics and maritime affairs.
He stressed the need to strengthen government-to-government and business-to-business links to achieve the trade target.
The two sides also agreed to promote vocational training, labour mobility and employment opportunities for skilled Pakistani workers. Around 134,000 Pakistanis are currently residing in Bahrain.
Al Zayani said the countries would establish a joint working group on trade and investment and hold an energy working group meeting next month to discuss oil, gas and minerals. Both sides also pledged to advance the Pakistan-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Free Trade Agreement.
The two foreign ministers also discussed regional developments, including Afghanistan, the Indus Waters Treaty and the evolving situation in the Gulf, emphasising dialogue and diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.
Al Zayani appreciated Pakistan’s role in facilitating talks in Islamabad and promoting regional de-escalation. He also expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and condemned attacks on its airports and civilian infrastructure
