Summary Two sides discussed improving coordination on matters of mutual interest at multilateral international forums
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Pakistan and Bahrain have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and economic relations, with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressing Islamabad’s desire to take economic ties with the Gulf kingdom to a new level.
Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, who arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday for a two-day visit, co-chaired the third session of the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) with Dar in Islamabad.
Speaking at a joint press briefing, Dar thanked his Bahraini counterpart and his delegation for their constructive participation in the JMC meeting.
He described Pakistan and Bahrain as brotherly countries with longstanding relations and said the two sides regularly cooperate on international platforms.
“Pakistan-Bahrain friendship remains strong and forward-looking,” Dar said, expressing Islamabad’s commitment to building a more prosperous future with Bahrain and taking bilateral trade and economic ties to “a new height”.
The deputy prime minister also said Pakistan was looking forward to hosting the next JMC session in Bahrain in 2027. He noted that the latest meeting had taken place after a gap of five years and said the next session should be convened within the coming year.
Dar said Pakistan remained committed to increasing bilateral trade with Bahrain to the target of $1 billion. He pointed out that the two countries had aimed to double trade within three years, with one year of the period already having passed.
Referring to the challenging regional environment, Dar said any delay in achieving the target could be attributed to the “very turbulent” period the region had experienced.
The foreign minister also highlighted the potential of a free trade agreement between Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), saying the agreement was close to completion.
According to Dar, the GCC secretary general had informed him that the agreement was “almost ripe”, although one member state was yet to give its approval.
He said the conclusion of the Pakistan-GCC FTA would help expand trade and facilitate greater imports and exports between the sides.
Dar stressed that government-to-government initiatives needed to be complemented by stronger business-to-business engagement to achieve greater economic gains.
He also called for greater cooperation in human resource development, urging Bahrain to facilitate the recognition of Pakistani academic degrees and professional qualifications. He further sought increased opportunities for the movement of skilled workers between the two countries.
Bilateral meeting
Before the JMC session, Dar and Al Zayani held a separate meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to review bilateral relations and discuss areas of mutual interest.
The Foreign Office said the two ministers expressed satisfaction over the positive momentum in high-level engagement between Pakistan and Bahrain.
The officials discussed ways to expand cooperation, particularly in trade, investment and economic relations, while also considering closer coordination at multilateral forums.
H.E. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, was received by the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today. The two leaders will hold a bilateral meeting and co-chair the third session of the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 8, 2026
They exchanged views on regional and international developments and agreed that dialogue and diplomacy remained the most effective means of addressing challenges and resolving disputes.
The Foreign Office said the JMC meeting would cover a broad range of bilateral issues, including trade, investment, economic cooperation, defence and security, labour and manpower, and cultural exchanges.
It described relations between Pakistan and Bahrain as close and brotherly, based on shared faith, common values, mutual respect and longstanding people-to-people links.
Dar and Al Zayani had most recently met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September, where they discussed bilateral relations and preparations for the JMC meeting.
