MANAMA; 29 July 2021 – The 2nd Meeting of the Bahrain-Pakistan Joint Ministerial Commission was held on 28-29 July 2021 in Manama. The Bahraini side was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdullatif Bin Rashid Al Zayani, while the Pakistani side was chaired by the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shah Mahmood Qureshi. For establishment of Joint Ministerial Commission, an Agreement was signed between the two countries in 2014.
Dr. Al Zayani welcomed the Pakistani delegation and expressed his keen interest in furthering the deep-rooted bilateral relationship between the two countries. He recalled the visit of the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa to Pakistan in February 2017, co-chairing the 1st Joint Ministerial Commission meeting held in Islamabad; during which a range of bilateral and regional matters of mutual interest were discussed with the Pakistani senior leadership.
Dr. Al Zayani underlined the importance of establishing an open and enabling environment for business and economic cooperation, so that the potential for development between the two countries could be fully harnessed. He also highlighted the two countries’ efforts in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, from its very outset, as an outstanding example of their close and effective cooperation, noting the efficient work to repatriate citizens back in 2020, the free access to vaccination for the Pakistani expatriate community, and the ongoing care and assistance provided to Pakistanis in Bahrain.
Mr. Qureshi thanked the Bahraini side for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to His Excellency and his delegation. He highlighted the longstanding relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, characterized by a spirit of friendship and solidarity. He further observed that the experience and expertise acquired by both countries in many spheres over time could be shared for their mutual benefit. He emphasized the need to expand economic ties between the two countries.
The two sides highlighted the importance of the regular meetings of established bilateral mechanisms and high-level bilateral visits, recalling the successful visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain by His Excellency Mr. Imran Khan, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on 16 December 2019, and the landmark State visit of His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa to Pakistan in February 2014, which laid a strong foundation to build a close partnership between the two countries, and the visit of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain to Pakistan in December 2006.
The meeting focused on bilateral cooperation in various sectors including political, economic, commerce, finance & banking, industry, public health, overseas employment, higher education, science & technology, information, culture & arts, agriculture & livestock and technical cooperation.
Both countries held fruitful discussions and agreed to work together for B2B interaction between businessmen of two sides, finalization of MoU between Trade Development Authority Pakistan and Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority, cooperation for joint investment in industrial sector and holding expert level meetings of joint working groups in agriculture, Trade & Investment, labour and manpower, oil and gas sector and IT sector.
On the sidelines of JMC, an MoU between Bahrain Development Board(EDB) and Board of Investment of Pakistan was also signed to promote bilateral investment between the two friendly countries.
Both sides resolved to implement the decisions reached during the 2nd Session expeditiously and finalize at the earliest, the MoUs/Agreements under consideration. Both sides agreed in principle to hold the 3rd Meeting of Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission in Islamabad in 2022.
King of the Kingdom of Bahrain
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called on His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in Manama today.
The Foreign Minister conveyed the warm regards of the President and the Prime Minister to His Majesty, as well as best wishes for the continued progress and prosperity of the brotherly people of Bahrain. His Majesty reciprocated the sentiments.
Foreign Minister Qureshi said that Pakistan attached importance to its close relations with the Kingdom of Bahrain and remained committed to expand this relationship in all spheres of bilateral cooperation. The Foreign Minister expressed deep gratitude to the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting a large number of Pakistani citizens.
The Foreign Minister expressed gratitude for inviting Prime Minister Imran Khan as Guest of Honour at the National Day of Bahrain in December 2019 and decorating him with Bahrain’s prestigious award “King Hamad Order of the Renaissance”.
Thanking His Majesty for the generous gift of King Hamad Nursing University and Associated Medical Sciences Hospital in Islamabad, Foreign Minister Qureshi said that the facility would be a symbol of enduring friendship between the two countries. He said that the project reflects the special and deep relations between the countries.
His Majesty the King expressed appreciation for the contribution made by the Pakistani expatriate community towards Bahrain’s progress and economic development. His Majesty underlined that Bahrain valued its historic relationship with Pakistan and desired to further augmenting the bilateral relationship for mutual benefit.
The Foreign Minister extended the invitation, on behalf of the President and Prime Minister, to His Majesty to visit Pakistan at the earliest convenience.
Pakistan and Bahrain enjoy traditionally close and fraternal ties, rooted deep in common faith and shared values. Bilateral relations with Bahrain have been following an upward trajectory since Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain in December 2019, on the invitation of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called on His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in Manama today.
On behalf of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Qureshi conveyed sincere congratulations and best wishes to the Crown Prince on the appointment as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Crown Prince reciprocated the warm sentiments extended by the Prime Minister.
Recalling the close bilateral ties between Pakistan and Bahrain, the Foreign Minister underlined that the relations were deeply rooted in shared history and cultural affinities, sustained and nourished through growing economic linkages and close people-to-people contacts.
The Foreign Minister underlined that strong political and security linkages between the two countries should supplement to strengthen cooperation in economic and trade sector. He also stressed for exploring new areas of cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.
His Royal Highness expressed appreciation for the contribution made by the Pakistani expatriate community towards Bahrain’s progress and economic development. He also highlighted the close cooperation extended by Pakistan in the development of Bahrain’s defence and security capabilities.
The Foreign Minister extended the invitation, on behalf of the Prime Minister, to His Royal Highness to visit Pakistan at the earliest convenience.
Pakistan and Bahrain remain committed to further augmenting the bilateral relationship for mutual benefit.
Interior Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met H.E. General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, the Interior Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Manama today.
During the meeting, the two Ministers exchanged views on issues of mutual interest. Foreign Minister Qureshi lauded the Kingdom’s earnest efforts to contain Covid-19 pandemic. He thanked the Government of Bahrain for administering COVID-19 vaccines to Pakistanis living in Bahrain.
The Foreign Minister also appreciated the active role of the Ministry of Interior in facilitating the Pakistan community in Bahrain during the testing times of COVID-19 pandemic, by launching Visa Amnesty Scheme; waiver of fines; and repatriation of pardoned prisoners, stranded individuals and families to Pakistan.
Foreign Minister Qureshi said that Pakistan attached importance to its close relations with the Kingdom of Bahrain and remained committed to expand this relationship in all spheres of bilateral cooperation.
Recalling the strong defence and security cooperation between the two countries, Foreign Minister highlighted that these bonds provided significant opportunities for deeper bilateral cooperation in diverse areas, in particular the promotion of bilateral trade and investment.
The Interior Minister extended warm welcome to the Foreign Minister and underscored the importance Bahrain attaches to its fraternal relations with Pakistan. The Bahraini Interior Minister expressed his satisfaction over the strength contributed to the bilateral relationship through close cooperation in defence and security areas.
Acknowledging the important contribution of Pakistani expatriate community in the development of Bahrain, the Interior Minister reiterated the commitment of the Government of Bahrain to provide safe and secure environment to Pakistanis expatriates in Bahrain.
Pakistan and Bahrain enjoy traditionally close and fraternal relations that are deeply rooted in common faith and history. Bahrain’s strategic location makes it significant for international peace and stability.
