ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday invited his Bahraini counterpart and the Gulf state’s crown prince, Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, to visit Pakistan, the prime minister’s office said.
The Bahraini crown prince called PM Khan over the phone to inquire about his health as the Pakistani premier had recently tested positive for the coronavirus.
“Reaffirming the strong bonds of amity that always existed between the leadership and people of the two countries, Prime Minister Imran Khan invited the Crown Prince to visit Pakistan and hoped that the brotherly ties between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Bahrain will continue to prosper and strengthen in the years ahead,” the PM’s office said in a statement.
The two leaders also discussed the current pandemic situation, as Pakistan is experiencing a third wave of COVID-19.
Pakistan and Bahrain enjoy close diplomatic relations and their top leaders have frequently visited each other in the past.
In December 2019, Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa conferred the state’s highest civilian recognition on Khan.
In January this year, Pakistan’s army chief, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, received Bahrain’s top military award from the crown prince.
The two countries have largely built their relationship on trade, foreign direct investment and defense cooperation.
Bahrain also provides employment opportunities to Pakistani laborers who play an important role in their nation’s economy by sending remittances to their homeland.