President Zardari receives Bahrain’s highest honor to strengthen bilateral ties

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa awarded the Order of Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa (First Class), the Kingdom’s highest award, to President Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of his services and contribution to strengthening bilateral relations between the two brotherly Islamic countries.

On arrival at the Al-Qudaibiya Palace, President Zardari was accorded a guard of honor where he wrote his remarks in the visitor’s book. First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and Balochistan Agriculture Minister Mir Ali Hassan Zehri accompanied the President, the Presidential Secretariat said in a statement.

President Zardari met King Hamad at Al-Qudaibiya Palace and held extensive discussions on various mutual interests. The talks reflected a joint decision to deepen cooperation and give practical momentum to bilateral engagement. The two leaders reviewed the overall state of Pakistan-Bahrain relations and expressed satisfaction with their positive trajectory.

President Zardari expressed appreciation for the warm and extraordinary hospitality extended to him and his delegation and acknowledged the King’s enduring goodwill towards Pakistan. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expand cooperation across political, economic, defense and cultural fields and invited the King to pay an official visit to Pakistan.

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, IT and digital services, healthcare, tourism and infrastructure, and highlighted the facilitating role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council in supporting foreign investors.

President Zardari emphasized that Pakistan regards Bahrain as an important economic partner and expressed confidence that closer cooperation 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.

The President also highlighted the long-standing defense and security cooperation between the two countries, describing it as a pillar of the bilateral relationship. He further noted the close institutional links 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 noted that the international community was in a difficult period characterized by uncertainty and rapid change.

He emphasized that nations must stand together to face the challenges of the new global order. Emphasizing unity, endurance, wisdom and restraint as essential virtues in the coming period, he said that through collective determination, countries could not only endure but also prosper.

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 for more than 116,000 Pakistanis living and working in the Kingdom and appreciated their positive contribution to Bahrain’s development and to people-to-people ties.

He also acknowledged the establishment of the King Hamad University for Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences in Islamabad as a gracious gift from the King, considering it a lasting symbol of friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and Bahrain. The two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, stability and multilateralism and stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing regional challenges.

Both sides agreed on the need for coordinated efforts in international forums, including the UN, especially in matters of common interest to the Ummah. Speaking at the banquet held in honor of President Zardari, King Hamad described Pakistan and Bahrain as brotherly countries, bound by historical relations rooted in mutual respect, Islamic brotherhood and common interests.

The King termed President Zardari’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 development fields.

He appreciated Pakistan’s consistent support to Bahrain, praised the positive contribution of the Pakistani community to the Kingdom’s development and 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.

Bahrain Ambassador to Pakistan Muhammad Ibrahim Abdul Qadir and Pakistan Ambassador to Bahrain Saqib Rauf were also present on the occasion. From Bahrain’s side, the head of the Bahrain National Guard Sheikh Muhammad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani also in the meeting.