ISLAMABAD: The commander of the Bahrain National Guard called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday to discuss bilateral trade and defense cooperation, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
Pakistan, which enjoys fraternal relations with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries including Bahrain, also has strong defense and trade ties with them. The South Asian country routinely holds military exercises with friendly states to foster combat skills.
In September last year, Pakistan signed a preliminary free trade agreement (FTA) with the GCC to bolster its trade relations with the region’s countries.
General Sheikh Mohammad Bin Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Bahrain National Guard’s commander, called on PM Sharif in Islamabad to convey the greetings of Bahrain’s king and crown prince, the PMO said.
“He [Sharif] said Pakistan and Bahrain enjoyed longstanding brotherly relations,” the PMO said. “The two countries had excellent defense cooperation, and the visit of His Highness would enhance these relations even further.”
Sharif noted that once the Pakistan-GCC FTA comes into effect, the existing bilateral trade volume of $1 billion per annum would have the potential to enhance manifold.
The two discussed Israel’s war on Gaza, which has claimed over 31,000 Palestinian lives since October last year.
“The situation in Gaza was also discussed and both sides called for an immediate ceasefire and ensuring urgent provision of humanitarian assistance to the innocent Palestinians, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan,” the PMO said.
