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Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa awards the Order of Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa First Class to President Asif Ali Zardari in Manama. Photo: PPI
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and Bahrain on Wednesday reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, stability and multilateralism and stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve regional challenges.
During a meeting between President Asif Zardari and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the two leaders agreed on the need for coordinated action in international forums, including the United Nations, on issues of common concern to the Muslim Ummah.
President Zardari, who arrived in Manama on Tuesday evening, called on King Hamad at the Al-Qudaibiya Palace in Manama and held extensive discussions aimed at further strengthening the close and brotherly relationship between the two countries.
During the meeting, Zardari, according to a press release issued by the Presidential Secretariat’s Media Wing, emphasized unity, perseverance, wisdom and restraint, terming them essential virtues in the coming period. Through collective determination, he continued, countries could not only endure but prosper.
Noting that the international community was passing through a difficult period characterized by uncertainty and rapid change, he stressed that nations must stand together to meet the challenges of a growing global order. Instability that affects one can have wider consequences for others, he warned.
The president emphasized the long-standing defense and security cooperation between the two countries. He noted the close institutional links between the armed forces of Pakistan and Bahrain and reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen this partnership.
Zardari was accorded a guard of honor upon arrival at the Al-Qudaibiya Palace. King Hamad also awarded the kingdom’s highest award, the ‘Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa First Class’ order, to President Zardari for his contribution to strengthening relations between Pakistan and Bahrain.
Earlier, the president held a one-on-one meeting with the king. The two leaders reviewed the overall state of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction with their positive progress. Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation across various fields.
Later, an extended meeting took place between the two sides, where they discussed concrete ways to strengthen trade and investment cooperation. The President emphasized Pakistan’s desire to translate strong political relations into increased trade and deeper investment links.
He invited Bahraini investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan’s priority sectors, including agriculture and food security, information technology (IT) and digital services, healthcare, tourism and infrastructure.
President Zardari paid tribute to the Pakistani community in Bahrain, describing them as an important bridge between the two nations. He thanked Bahrain’s leadership for the respect, opportunities and support extended to more than 116,000 Pakistanis living and working in the Kingdom.
Later, King Hamad hosted a banquet for President Zardari. Speaking on the occasion, King Hamad described Pakistan and Bahrain as brotherly countries bound by their historical ties rooted in mutual respect, Islamic brotherhood and common interests.
The King termed the President’s visit as 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 and the cause of Arab and Islamic nations, as well as Islamabad’s efforts to promote regional and international peace and stability. He praised the positive contribution of the Pakistani community to the development of the kingdom.
The President was accompanied by First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and Balochistan Agriculture Minister Mir Ali Hassan Zehri. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Bahrain Saqib Rauf was also present on the occasion.
From Bahrain’s side, the Commander of the Bahrain National Guard Sheikh Muhammad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani and Bahrain’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Ibrahim Abdul Qadir also in the meeting.
