ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday held a telephonic conversation with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and exchanged with him greetings of Eid Al-Adha, the Pakistan PM’s office said. 

Millions of Muslims across the globe, including in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and other Arab nations, were celebrating Eid Al-Adha on Saturday, the second major religious festival of Islam, known as the “festival of sacrifice.” Pakistan will commemorate Eid on Sunday. 

PM Sharif conveyed his best wishes to King Hamad for the continued progress and prosperity of the brotherly people of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the PM’s office said in a statement. 

“Reaffirming longstanding fraternal relations between Pakistan and Bahrain, the Prime Minister highlighted that close ties provided significant opportunities for deeper bilateral cooperation in diverse areas, in particular the promotion of bilateral trade and investment,” the statement read. 

Reciprocating the warm Eid greetings from the prime minister, King Hamad extended best wishes to the people of Pakistan on this occasion, according to the statement. 

“He expressed his resolve to broaden mutual cooperation for the benefit of the people of the two countries,” it said. 

Pakistan and Bahrain enjoy longstanding cordial ties, resting on the firm foundation of shared faith and values. The Gulf state is also home to a large number of Pakistani expatriates. 

Separately, PM Sharif congratulated the overseas Pakistanis and the Muslim Ummah as they celebrated Eid in many parts of the world on Saturday. 

“Happy Eid Al-Adha to all Muslim Ummah including Pakistanis abroad. This holy day is a message of self-sacrifice, sacrifice and obedience to God Almighty,” he said on Twitter. 

“The Muslim Ummah must play a collective role in helping the poor and deserving.”