ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Bahrain on Wednesday leading a high-level delegation for a two-day visit, aiming to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, energy and other sectors, the foreign ministry said.
Pakistan enjoys cordial ties with Bahrain, with both nations establishing diplomatic ties in 1971. The two countries maintain close political, trade and defense links through regular high-level visits and security collaboration.
Sharif and his delegation were received at the airport in Manama by Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and Deputy PM Shaikh Khalid Bin Abdullah Alkhalifa, Sharif’s office said in a statement.
“During the visit, the prime minister will hold high-level engagements with the leadership of Bahrain to further enhance bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, energy, technology, education and culture,” the statement added.
It said Sharif’s visit will also strengthen Pakistan’s cordial ties with Bahrain, open new avenues of partnership and deepen people-to-people contacts between the two countries.
Sharif will hold talks with Bahrain’s King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, the crown prince and the deputy prime minister during his visit to the Gulf country.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers and senior government officials are also part of the prime minister’s delegation.
Bahrain is also a valuable source of foreign remittances for Pakistan, where more than 120,000 Pakistanis live and contribute to the Gulf state’s economy, serving as a bridge in bilateral relations.
Both nations have stepped up cooperation in the past few months, with Pakistani firms signing $13 billion worth of contracts at the inaugural Pakistan and Bahrain investment summit in May.
Pakistan and Bahrain also vowed in July to boost security cooperation and curb the illegal use of drugs and human smuggling.
