ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday met King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the Al-Qudaibiya Palace at Manama in Bahrain and held discussions aimed at further strengthening the close and fraternal relationship between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The talks reflected a shared resolve to deepen cooperation and give practical momentum to bilateral engagement. First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and Agriculture Minister Balochistan Mir Ali Hassan Zehri accompanied the president. Upon arrival at the palace, the president was accorded a Guard of Honour.
King Hamad conferred upon Zardari the Order of Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa First Class, the highest award of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in recognition of his services and contribution to strengthening Pakistan-Bahrain relations. The president wrote his remarks in the visitors’ book at the Al-Qudaibiya Palace. The president first held a one-on-one meeting with King Hamad. The two leaders reviewed the overall state of Pakistan-Bahrain relations and expressed satisfaction over their positive trajectory. Zardari conveyed appreciation for the warmth and extraordinary hospitality extended to him and his delegation and acknowledged the king’s enduring goodwill towards Pakistan. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to broadening cooperation across political, economic, defence and cultural fields and reiterated the invitation for the king to undertake an official visit to Pakistan.
This was followed by an extended meeting, during which both sides discussed concrete ways to enhance trade and investment cooperation. The president emphasised Pakistan’s desire to translate strong political relations into increased trade and deeper investment linkages. He invited Bahraini investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan’s priority sectors, including agriculture and food security, IT and digital services, healthcare, tourism and infrastructure, and highlighted the facilitative role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council in supporting foreign investors.
He underlined that Pakistan viewed Bahrain as an important economic partner and expressed confidence that closer collaboration could unlock mutually beneficial opportunities. He noted Pakistan’s economic potential, connectivity and skilled workforce and encouraged joint ventures that contribute to sustainable growth and shared prosperity. He highlighted the longstanding defence and security cooperation between the two countries, describing it as a pillar of the bilateral relationship. He noted the close institutional linkages between the armed forces of Pakistan and Bahrain and reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen this partnership. Exchanging views on regional and international developments, Zardari observed that the international community was passing through a difficult period marked by uncertainty and rapid change. He stressed that nations must stand together to face the challenges of an emerging global order, noting that instability affecting one could have wider consequences for others. He underlined unity, perseverance, wisdom and restraint as essential virtues in the period ahead, and said that through collective resolve, countries could not only endure but also prosper. He paid tribute to the Pakistani community in Bahrain, describing them as a vital bridge between the two nations.
He thanked the Bahraini leadership for the respect, opportunities and support extended to more than 116,000 Pakistanis living and working in the kingdom, and appreciated their positive contribution to Bahrain’s development and people-to-people ties. He acknowledged the establishment of the King Hamad University for Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences in Islamabad as a gracious gift from the king.
Speaking at a banquet hosted in honour of President Zardari, King Hamad described Pakistan and Bahrain as brotherly countries bound by historic relations rooted in mutual respect, Islamic brotherhood and shared interests. He termed the president’s visit a significant milestone in further strengthening bilateral ties and reaffirmed Bahrain’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Pakistan across political, economic, commercial and developmental fields. He appreciated Pakistan’s consistent support for Bahrain, lauded the positive contribution of the Pakistani community to the kingdom’s development, and acknowledged Pakistan’s role in supporting the causes of Arab and Islamic nations, as well as its efforts to promote regional and international peace and stability.
