Pakistan PM to visit Bahrain today to explore new avenues of partnership, strengthen ties

• Shehbaz Sharif to lead high-level delegation of federal ministers, officials on two-day official visit, says PM’s Office
• Pakistani premier to meet Bahrain’s King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, crown prince and deputy PM during his visit

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will undertake a two-day visit to Bahrain today, Wednesday, with a high-level delegation aiming to open new avenues of partnership and strengthening bilateral ties, his office said.

Pakistan enjoys cordial ties with Bahrain, with both nations establishing diplomatic ties in 1971. The two countries maintain close political, trade and defense links through regular high-level visits and security collaboration.

In September, Pakistan and Bahrain’s army generals inaugurated the King Hamad Institute of Nursing and Associated Medical Sciences (KHINAMS) in Islamabad. The institute was formed to uplift medical education and produce competent health care professionals in Pakistan.

“This official visit reflects Pakistan’s longstanding and friendly relations with the Kingdom of Bahrain and aims to promote a results-oriented and strategic partnership between the two countries,” the foreign office said in a statement.

“The visit will strengthen the traditionally warm and cordial ties, open new avenues of partnership, and deepen people-to-people contacts, contributing to mutually beneficial cooperation.”

The foreign office said Sharif will meet Bahrain’s King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Deputy PM Shaikh Khalid Bin Abdullah Alkhalifa during his visit.

The statement said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers and senior government officials are also part of the prime minister’s delegation.

Bahrain is also a valuable source of foreign remittances for Pakistan, where more than 120,000 Pakistanis live and contribute to the Gulf state’s economy, serving as a bridge in bilateral relations.

Both nations have stepped up cooperation in the past few months, with Pakistani firms signing $13 billion worth of contracts at the inaugural Pakistan and Bahrain investment summit in May.

Pakistan and Bahrain also vowed in July to boost security cooperation and curb the illegal use of drugs and human smuggling.