Bahrain on Thursday said it was working to “speed up” the approval of a free trade agreement between Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The remarks came after 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 Dar, the Bahraini minister noted that the 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 that was said to be near finalisation in late 2025.
The minister 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.
Furthermore, 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.
Gulf situation, Palestine, IWT discussed
In his remarks, Dar thanked Al Zayani and his delegation for “their constructive engagement and their very valuable contribution to the success of today’s JMC session”.
Noting that the discussions were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, he said both sides “reaffirmed our shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation across a broad spectrum of sectors”.
“A key outcome of the session was the strengthening of our institutional framework through the operationalisation of several joint working groups,” Dar said, adding that these mechanisms will help ensure effective implementation of the decisions taken by the JMC.
“Both sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in trade and investment promotion, industrial collaboration, agriculture and food security, skills development, higher education, information technology, logistics and maritime affairs, among many other areas.”
They “particularly welcomed closer engagement between the business communities of the two countries”, the deputy premier added.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in labour mobility, vocational training and human resource development, with a view to creating new opportunities for skilled Pakistani professionals and workers.
Dar noted that he and Al Zayani also exchanged views on the “evolving situation in the Gulf and emphasised the importance of restraint, de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy”.
“We discussed the need to ensure the safety and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab, given their importance to regional and global food and energy security.”
The ministers also discussed the “grave situation in Palestine” and expressed concern over the “continued expansion of illegal settlements and attempts to alter the status of Al-Quds Al-Sharif”.
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.
“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 affirmed.
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.
President Zardari meets Bahrain FM
Separately, President Zardari met with the Bahrain foreign minister, who called on him at the President House.
According to a press release by the president’s secretariat, the two leaders first held a restricted meeting, which was followed by a delegation-level meeting.
Zardari, in conversation with Al Zayani, said that Pakistan was “keen to translate strong bilateral political relations into deeper trade and investment ties”, according to the statement.
Noting that the country attached “great importance” to its relations with Bahrain, he expressed the desire to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, highlighting opportunities for this cooperation in “food security, IT and digital services, construction, mining, port handling, research and development, tourism and healthcare”. He also encouraged greater business-to-business engagement between the two countries.
“The president appreciated Bahrain’s warm welcome of the Islamabad MoU and the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and its recognition of Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace, security and stability,” the press release said.
It added that President Zardari also appreciated Bahrain’s support and opportunities for over 134,000 Pakistanis residing in the kingdom, and welcomed continued cooperation on matters regarding the Pakistani diaspora.
“The president said Pakistan and Bahrain share a long-standing and trusted defence partnership, reflected in joint exercises, high-level exchanges and institutional cooperation,” it said, adding that he expressed Pakistan’s readiness to further strengthen cooperation in manpower, logistics, training and defence hardware.
On the topic of the regional situation, he expressed Pakistan’s commitment to constructive engagement with all parties to “build trust, bridge gaps and promote lasting peace, security and stability in the region”.
During the meeting, Al Zayani conveyed the greetings of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the crown prince and prime minister of Bahrain, to the president, the statement added.
He termed the JMC meetings “highly productive” and noted that the president’s visit to Bahrain had left “a significant and positive impact on bilateral relations”.
He commended Pakistan’s courageous efforts to mediate amid the current regional situation and bring warring parties to the table, saying that Pakistan’s actions had “helped save many lives”. He appreciated Pakistan’s peace efforts and congratulated it on its successful tenure as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Meeting with PM Shehbaz
The foreign minister also called on PM Shehbaz, who warmly welcomed him and conveyed his best wishes to the leadership and people of Bahrain, according to a press release by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s “deep appreciation for the longstanding and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Bahrain, founded on shared values, mutual trust, and close people-to-people ties”, the PMO said.
PM Shehbaz expressed his satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral relations. He emphasised Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation with Bahrain in diverse fields, “including trade, investment, energy, and human resource development”.
FM Al Zayani, meanwhile, conveyed the greetings and well-wishes of the leadership of Bahrain to the premier, and reaffirmed Bahrain’s commitment to further enhancing bilateral cooperation across mutually beneficial areas.
“The two sides exchanged views on regional and international developments and emphasised the importance of continued consultations and coordination on issues of mutual interest,” the statement said.
Al Zayani “appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role and mediation efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region”, the PMO added.
The prime minister expressed confidence that the JMC session would provide “further impetus” to bilateral cooperation and help deepen the relationship between the two countries.
“The meeting was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, reflecting the close and longstanding fraternal ties between Pakistan and Bahrain,” the statement added.
Meeting with CDF Munir
The visiting dignitary also called on Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
During the meeting, the two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest, including the regional security situation and bilateral defence and security, according to a press release issued by the ISPR.
CDF Munir “underscored the longstanding fraternal relations between Pakistan and Bahrain, rooted in shared values and mutual respect”, the statement said.
“He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in the defence and security domains,” it added.
The press release added that Al Zayani appreciated the “professionalism and operational preparedness” of Pakistan Armed Forces, reiterated Bahrain’s resolve to further enhance bilateral cooperation, and acknowledged Pakistan’s contributions towards regional peace and stability.
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, the 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 the potential Pakistan-GCC FTA, noting that the GCC secretary general told him the deal was “almost ripe”, with one country yet to give a green light to it.
“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.
He requested the Bahraini side to work towards recognising degrees and professional qualifications, while facilitating greater mobility of skilled labour between the two countries.
The two ministers also signed a protocol recording the minutes of the JMC session at the foreign ministry, according to the FO.
“The minutes record understandings on cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture and food security, oil, gas and minerals, maritime affairs, information technology and telecommunications, health, education and labour, among other areas,” the FO said in a separate statement.
It added that both sides agreed to establish a joint working group on trade and investment at the government level, as an institutional mechanism for “regular consultations, coordination and cooperation on bilateral trade and investment”.
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”, the 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,” the 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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