ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Bahrain information minister have resolved to strengthen state media ties between the two countries, Pakistani state media reported on Friday.
The development came during Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar’s meeting with his Bahraini counterpart, Ramadan bin Abdullah Al-Noaimi, in Riyadh, on the sidelines of the Saudi Media Forum.
The two figures discussed relations between Pakistan and Bahrain, which were rooted in common faith, history and culture, the state-run Pakistan Television (PTV) broadcaster reported.
“Attaullah Tarar said exchange of media delegations is crucial for further strengthening cooperation in the field of media,” the report read.
“He suggested the sharing of news between Bahrain News Agency (BNA) and Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).”
Bahrain is one of the important countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and a favorite destination for the Pakistani workforce since the early 1970s, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.
Both countries have established Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) at the level of the foreign ministers, and the Pakistan-Bahrain trade volume has ranged between $500 million and $1 billion in recent years.
Tarar told his Bahraini counterpart that Pakistan’s economy, bolstered by a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, was moving in the right direction, saying there were excellent opportunities for global investors to invest in Pakistan.
“Bahrain’s Minister for Information said they value their relationship with Pakistan,” the PTV report read. “He reiterated Bahrain’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation in the media.”
Pakistan, Bahrain information ministers vow to strengthen media ties
https://arab.news/gmegx
Pakistan, Bahrain information ministers vow to strengthen media ties
- Bahrain is an important Gulf Cooperation Council member and a favorite destination for Pakistani workforce since the 1970s
- Attaullah Tarar says Pakistan’s economy is moving in the right direction and offers excellent opportunities for global investors
Pakistan’s PIA enters into cargo deal with Air France-KLM to boost exports
- As per agreement, PIA’s freight division will gain access to Air France-KLM’s network of European, American cities
- Exporters will be able to use both PIA, Air France–KLM’s networks under a single air waybill, says Pakistani airline
KARACHI: The recently privatized Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced on Wednesday that it has entered into a cargo agreement with global aviation group Air France-KLM to expand its global outreach and push Pakistani exports to more international markets.
The PIA said its agreement with Air France-KLM came into force on Jan. 15. Air France-KLM operates in 320 destinations and is a global aviation player in passenger, cargo and maintenance businesses.
As per the agreement, PIA Cargo, the airline’s freight division, will gain access to Air France–KLM’s global network. Through the deal, PIA Cargo will gain access to Air France–KLM’s global network via Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam.
Air France-KLM’s network includes major European cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Düsseldorf, and New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles, the PIA said.
“Significant improvement is expected in the exports of Pakistani products and access to global markets,” the PIA said in a statement.
Exporters will be able to use both the PIA’s and Air France–KLM’s networks under a single air waybill, the airline said.
An air waybill is a document used in international air shipping that serves as a legal, non-negotiable contract between the shipper and the airline.
In November 2025, PIA and Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed a Cargo Interline Special Agreement to expand cargo business and augment bilateral trade. The partnership aims to minimize logistical complexities in transporting commodities.
The PIA was Pakistan’s national flag carrier until a Pakistani consortium, led by the Arif Habib Group, secured a 75 percent stake in the airline in December for Rs135 billion ($482 million). Pakistan had previously attempted to reform the debt-ridden airline, which had accumulated more than $2.8 billion in financial losses over the years.
PIA’s new owner Arif Habib announced last week that the airline is in talks with aerospace manufacturers Boeing and Airbus as it plans to revamp service and expand its current fleet.
The PIA has said it plans to increase the airline’s fleet to 64 aircraft from the current figure of 19 over the next eight years.
