Pakistan committed to boosting defence, economic cooperation with Bahrain: President Zardari

• President Zardari meets Bahrain's king in Manama.
• King confers Bahrain’s highest award on Zardari. 
• He invites Bahraini investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan.
  

President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening ties with Bahrain across political, economic, defence, and cultural fields.

The president reaffirmed the resolve during his meeting with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain in Manama. 

President Zardari, accompanied by First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and others on Tuesday reached Manama on a four-day official visit. 

King Hamad conferred upon President Zardari the Order of Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa First Class, the highest Award of Bahrain, in recognition of his services and contribution to strengthening Pakistan-Bahrain relations.

President Zardari first held a one-on-one meeting with Bahrain’s king. The two leaders reviewed the overall state of Pakistan-Bahrain relations and expressed satisfaction over their positive trajectory.

The president conveyed appreciation for the warmth and extraordinary hospitality extended to him and his delegation and acknowledged the King's enduring goodwill towards Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reported. 

He 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.

He highlighted the facilitative role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council in supporting foreign investors.

The president underlined that Pakistan views Bahrain as an important economic partner and expressed confidence that closer collaboration can 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.

President Zardari also highlighted the long-standing 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.

While exchanging views on regional and international developments, President Zardari underlined unity, perseverance, wisdom and restraint as essential virtues in the period ahead.

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 over 116,000 Pakistanis living and working in the Kingdom. He appreciated Pakistani community's positive contribution to Bahrain's development and to people-to-people ties.

The two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, stability and multilateralism and underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing regional challenges.

Both sides agreed on the need for coordinated efforts at international forums, including the United Nations, particularly on issues of shared concern to the Muslim Ummah.

Speaking at the banquet hosted in honour of the president, King Hamad described Pakistan and Bahrain as brotherly countries bound by historic relations rooted in mutual respect, Islamic brotherhood and shared interests.

The King termed the President's visit a significant milestone in further strengthening bilateral ties.

 He 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. 

He also acknowledged Pakistan's role in supporting the causes of the Arab and Islamic nations, as well as its efforts to promote regional and international peace and stability.