ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Bahrain’s army generals have inaugurated the King Hamad Institute of Nursing and Associated Medical Sciences (KHINAMS) in Islamabad to uplift medical education and produce competent health care professionals, the Pakistani military said on Wednesday.

The opening of KHINAMS, a joint initiative reflecting deepening Pakistan-Bahrain ties, is expected to not only raise the bar for nursing and allied sciences in Pakistan but also underscore the commitment to expanding cooperation beyond defense and into education and health care.

The ceremony was attended by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza as the chief guest, and Bahrain National Guard Commander General Shaikh Mohammed Bin Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, among others.

“CJCSC, while thanking His Majesty and His Royal Highness, underscored the strong bilateral relation between Pakistan and Bahrain,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

More than 120,000 Pakistanis live in Bahrain and contribute to the Gulf state’s economy, serving as a bridge in bilateral relations.

Both countries established diplomatic ties in 1971 and have since maintained close political, trade and defense links through regular high-level visits and security collaboration.

Pakistan and Bahrain have stepped up cooperation this year, with Al Khalifa calling on Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in March to discuss bilateral cooperation.

This was followed by Pakistani firms signing $13 billion worth of contracts at the inaugural Pakistan and Bahrain investment summit in May.

Both countries also vowed in July to boost security cooperation and curb the illegal use of drugs and human smuggling.

Later in September, the Bahrain Air Force also expressed its interest in learning from the multi-domain operational expertise of the Pakistan Air Force.

The Pakistan Navy has also agreed with Bahrain to boost naval training and joint operations between the two countries.