Pakistan, Bahrain set sights on US$1b trade target

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa have agreed to raise Pakistan–Bahrain bilateral trade to US$1 billion within three years, setting one of the strongest economic goals between the two countries in recent years.

The commitment was made during a meeting at Qasr Al-Qudaibiya in Manama, where both leaders placed economic cooperation at the centre of their discussions. Current trade between the two nations stands at more than US$550 million, with both sides expressing readiness to accelerate growth through the nearly finalised Pakistan–GCC Free Trade Agreement and recent visa relaxations aimed at improving business mobility.

PM Shehbaz invited Bahraini investors to explore opportunities in food security, IT, construction, mining and minerals, renewable energy, health, and tourism. He also proposed enhanced port-to-port connectivity between Karachi or Gwadar and Khalifa bin Salman Port to facilitate smoother trade flows. The two leaders reviewed defence and security ties, agreeing to expand cooperation in training, cybersecurity, defence production, and information exchange.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in delegation level talks with Bahrain’s leadership at the Al-Qudaibiya Palace. Photo: APP

The premier thanked Bahrain for its longstanding support to the more than 150,000-strong Pakistani community and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to supplying more skilled workers. He also acknowledged Bahrain’s assistance in constructing King Hamad University in Islamabad and in facilitating the release and repatriation of Pakistani nationals.

PM Shehbaz also congratulated Bahrain on securing a two-year non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2026–27 term, expressing Pakistan’s readiness for close coordination during its tenure.

Both sides also exchanged views on developments in Gaza, expressing hope that recent steps toward stability would bring long-awaited relief to its people. The meeting concluded with optimism that the renewed dialogue would deliver tangible progress across strategic, economic, security, and people-to-people ties.

Earlier, upon his arrival at the palace, the premier was presented with a guard of honour.

Meeting with King Hamad

Later, the prime minister met with King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, and the two countries agreed to deepen cooperation across political, economic, defence, and cultural spheres.

Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of Pakistan and Bahrain’s longstanding defence partnership and agreed to further strengthen cooperation in training, logistics, manpower, and defence production.

Touching upon the economic cooperation, the premier underscored Pakistan’s intention to boost trade and investment, noting that bilateral commerce is set to expand once the Pakistan–GCC Free Trade Agreement—now in its final stages—is concluded.

They also exchanged views on developments in Gaza, agreeing that peace and stability for its people were long overdue.

The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties anchored in shared faith and mutual respect. He thanked the monarch for Bahrain’s longstanding support, including the establishment of the King Hamad University for Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences in Islamabad, inaugurated in September.

PM Shehbaz welcomed recent high-level exchanges and expressed gratitude for Bahrain’s solidarity following recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

King Hamad informed the prime minister that Bahrain once had the privilege of being represented at a legal forum by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, noting that Pakistan’s founding father served as Bahrain’s lawyer for many years.

During the meeting, King Hamad conferred the Order of Bahrain (First Class) on PM Shehbaz— the kingdom’s highest award presented to heads of state and government.

Earlier in the day, upon landing at Bahrain International Airport, the premier was received by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani, and senior Bahraini officials.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, and senior officials are accompanying the prime minister on the visit.