Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, and Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, conducted a joint press conference after the third meeting of the Bahrain-Pakistan Joint Ministerial Committee.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the discussion emphasized the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations, highlighting agreements to expand cooperation across various sectors, including economic, trade, industrial, food security, health, and technology. The officials also stressed the vital importance of ensuring freedom of navigation through strategic waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb to protect energy security, food supplies, and international trade.
Dr. Al Zayani extended greetings from Bahrain's monarch, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, expressing hopes for Pakistan's continued prosperity. He noted the upcoming 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries on October 14, reflecting their longstanding ties in political, defense, security, economic, and development areas. Visits by notable Pakistani leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in November 2025 and President Asif Ali Zardari in January 2026, were mentioned as further strengthening these relations.
The committee's program, agreed upon at the meeting, spans over 15 areas, such as establishing a joint trade and investment working group and convening an energy working group meeting next month to further cooperation in oil, gas, and minerals. The countries also committed to boosting collaboration in key sectors and advancing a free trade agreement between the GCC and Pakistan, with progress to be reviewed at the next committee meeting in Bahrain in 2027.
Dr. Al Zayani commended Pakistan for its principled stance during regional crises, its support for UN Security Council Resolution 2817, and efforts in facilitating dialogue between the US and Iran, including hosting talks in Islamabad. He condemned ongoing Houthi militia attacks against Saudi Arabia, reaffirming Bahrain's solidarity with Saudi Arabia and underscoring the inseparability of their security.
The discussions also addressed maritime security threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb, emphasizing the need to maintain freedom of navigation and ensure uninterrupted maritime trade in accordance with international law. As non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, Bahrain and Pakistan will continue to coordinate closely at their missions in New York.
Dr. Al Zayani concluded by affirming that the visit reinforced the strategic partnership between Bahrain and Pakistan, as well as their commitment to advancing peace, stability, and prosperity for both their peoples and the region.