Pakistan on Thursday pledged to take trade and economic ties with Bahrain to “new heights” as the two countries held the third session of their Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Islamabad.
Bahrain’s FM Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani — who arrived in Pakistan last night on a two-day visit — co-chaired the JMC session along with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Addressing a joint press briefing with the Bahrain FM, Dar thanked Al Zayani and his delegation for “their constructive engagement and their very valuable contribution to the success of today’s JMC session”.
“Pakistan-Bahrain friendship remains strong and forward-looking, and we are brotherly nations, with long fraternal ties, cooperating on international foras and meeting very frequently wherever we get an opportunity like brothers,” the DPM said.
He expressed Pakistan’s commitment to “building an even more prosperous future together, God-willing, and taking the trade and economic ties to a new height”.
Dar said Islamabad looked forward to the convening of the JMC’s fourth session in Bahrain in 2027 as both sides will try to hold the meetings every year.
“My brother has taken a commitment from me that, unlike today’s session which has been held after five years, I have to find a day for the next one in 365 days during 2027.”
Dar also raised the issue of India’s unilateral decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, terming it a “material breach of international law”.
“Such actions jeopardise the water, food and energy security of Pakistan’s 250 million people,” the deputy premier stressed.
Responding to a query, FM Dar said Islamabad and Manama were “connected on all international foras, [and] work and consult with each other”.
In his remarks, the Bahraini minister noted that today’s JMC meeting covered “more than 15 fields”.
He said both sides agreed to establish a joint working group on trade and investment, as well as to convene the joint working group on energy next month on oil, gas and minerals.
They also agreed to take forward cooperation in food security, information technology, law enforcement, media, labour mobility, health, education, culture and sports.
“We also committed to finalising the GCC-Pakistan free trade agreement,” he said, referring to the potential deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council that was said to be near finalisation in late 2025.
The minister further said that Bahrain, having the GCC presidency, was working to “speed up the signing or the approval of the GCC-Pakistan FTA”.
Responding to a query, the visiting dignitary described the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Bahrain as “very healthy and strong”.
He added that it was “radiant and well-looked after” by Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. “It is really valued by the people of Bahrain,” he added.
Highlighting recent bilateral exchanges between their countries, FM Al Zayani said: “We have a very truthful relationship; we are so frank with each other. We understand the constraints on each other and work accordingly.”
Emphasising the consistency in their ties, with no “ups and downs”, he said, “We are consistent and growing. We feel safe in this relationship.”
Al Zayani expressed Manama’s appreciation for Islamabad’s “principled positions on the ongoing crisis”, including its support in March for a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Iranian attacks on GCC countries.
The minister also praised Pakistan’s “efforts alongside other partners to facilitate US-Iran dialogue and de-escalation, including by hosting the Islamabad Talks” in April.
The Bahrain FM went on to strongly condemn the recent deadly “terrorist attacks” on Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport.
He also condemned the “Houthi terrorist militia’s attacks on civilians and civilian facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its assault” on the holy cities of Makkah and Madina.
Noting that targeting of civilian facilities was a “flagrant violation” of international law, Al Zayani affirmed Bahrain’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia “whose security is an integral part of our own and of the GCC”.
The Bahrain FM said he and Dar also discussed the crises in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, where “commercial vessels continue to come under attack”.
They underscored the importance of freedom and safety of navigation and respect for international law, he added.
Al Zayani vowed Bahrain and Pakistan will continue “close coordination” at the UNSC and between their Missions in New York.
The visiting FM noted that the two countries will mark 55 years of diplomatic relations on Oct 14.
Al Zayani remarked that the “bonds of brotherhood, trust and solidarity […] gained fresh momentum with the official visits to Bahrain” of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in November 2025 and of President Asif Ali Zardari in January this year.
The minister noted that more than 140,000 Pakistanis in Bahrain contributed to its progress and “form a living bridge between our peoples”.
The Bahrain FM said he would also meet with PM Shehbaz, President Zardari and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir during his visit.
JMC meeting
During the JMC meeting, Islamabad and Manama “agreed to deepen collaboration in trade and investment, energy, agriculture and food security, information technology, health, education and labour”, FO said.
They also discussed measures to strengthen connectivity and promote people-to-people exchanges.
Dar “underscored the importance of translating the longstanding and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Bahrain into tangible benefits for their people”.
He further stressed effective implementation of the agreed outcomes through joint working groups, institutional partnerships and regular follow-up, FO added.
The JMC was attended by high-level delegations from both sides.
The Pakistani team included the secretaries of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the Economic Affairs Division, along with the acting foreign secretary. The Bahraini side included senior officials and representatives of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In his address to the JMC meeting, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to increase bilateral trade with Bahrain to the $1 billion target set earlier.
Noting the target of doubling trade in three years, of which one has already elapsed, Dar quipped, “But God forbid, if we miss [the target by] a few months, we have a great excuse that this period has been very turbulent.”
Dar also referred to a potential free trade agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), noting that the GCC secretary general told him the deal was “almost ripe”, barring one country, which still needed to give a green light.
“I’m sure the signing of the free trade agreement between the GCC and Pakistan will surely help us in achieving our goals,” the deputy premier said, adding that it would lead to an increase in imports and exports.
“What we need is to complement government-to-government efforts with business-to-business,” the minister stressed.
He requested the Bahraini side to work towards recognising degrees and professional qualifications, while facilitating greater mobility of skilled labour between the two countries.
Bilateral meeting
Prior to the Pakistan-Bahrain JMC, the two foreign ministers also held a separate meeting after Al Zayani’s arrival at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a post on X about the “cordial” meeting, the Foreign Office (FO) said the two ministers “reviewed Pakistan–Bahrain relations and expressed satisfaction at the positive momentum in high-level engagement between the two countries”.
“They discussed ways to further expand bilateral cooperation across areas of mutual interest, particularly in trade, economic and investment relations, as well as through engagement at multilateral fora.”
The two sides also exchanged views on “regional and international developments of mutual interest and underscored that dialogue and diplomacy remain the most viable means of addressing challenges and resolving disputes”, FO added.
According to an earlier FO statement, the two sides were to “review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and discuss ways to further strengthen cooperation across diverse areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, economic cooperation, defence and security, labour and manpower, and cultural exchanges”.
“Pakistan and Bahrain enjoy close, brotherly relations founded on shared faith, common values, mutual respect, and longstanding people-to-people links,” FO noted.
Dar and Al Zayani last met in September on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where they discussed bilateral relations, including preparations for the JMC session.
They also exchanged views on regional and international developments, with Al Zayani appreciating Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.
Pak-Bahrain exchanges
Islamabad and Manama had agreed to establish the JMC in 2014, when King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa paid a three-day visit to Pakistan.
Following the last JMC session in July 2021, which was held in Manama, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to promote business between the two countries.
Earlier this month, Dar chaired an inter-ministerial meeting to review preparations for the Pakistan-Bahrain JMC and directed the ministries concerned to pursue concrete outcomes from the Bahrain FM’s visit.
The Pakistani leadership has also undertaken official visits to the Gulf kingdom in recent years.
PM Shehbaz, accompanied by Dar, made a two-day trip to Bahrain in November 2025, during which he met with the king and crown prince there.
Then, in January this year, President Zardari made a four-day trip to the kingdom, where he highlighted economic opportunities that Pakistan offers.
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