Pakistan and Bahrain have agreed to accelerate efforts to double bilateral trade to $1 billion within three years as the two countries held the third session of their Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Islamabad. Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, who arrived in Pakistan for a two-day visit, co-chaired the JMC session with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Addressing a joint press briefing with Al Zayani on Thursday, DPM Dar said that both countries have signed the protocol of the third session of the Joint Ministerial Commission, reflecting the shared resolve to further strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
He mentioned that a key outcome of the session was the strengthening of the institutional framework through the operationalisation of several joint working groups. He said these mechanisms will help ensure regular engagement and effective implementation of the decisions taken by the Joint Ministerial Commission.
The deputy prime minister said both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in trade and investment promotion, industrial collaboration, agriculture and food security, skills development, higher education, information technology, logistics and maritime affairs, among other areas. DPM Dar further said that the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in labour mobility, vocational training and human resource development with a view to creating new opportunities for skilled Pakistani professionals and workers.
Addressing the presser, Dar said he discussed developments in South Asia, including Afghanistan and the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), with his Bahraini counterpart. On the IWT, he underscored that India's unilateral decision to place the treaty in abeyance constitutes a material breach of international law and represents a dangerous attempt to weaponise shared water resources.
Dar said that they also exchanged views on the evolving situation in the Gulf and emphasised the importance of restraint, de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy. In his remarks, the Bahraini minister noted that both sides have agreed to establish a joint working group on trade and investment, to convene the joint working group on energy next month on oil, gas and minerals, and to take forward cooperation in food security, information technology, law enforcement, media, labour mobility, health, education, culture and sport.
He said the two sides also committed to finalising the GCC-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement. Responding to a question, Al Zayani remarked that the Pakistan-Bahrain relationship is very strong and the two countries have to double their trade in three years.
Meanwhile, during the third JMC meeting, DPM Dar said Pakistan and Bahrain have set a target to increase bilateral trade volume to $1 billion. He said efforts are being made to further strengthen bilateral ties and enhance cooperation in various sectors.
The deputy prime minister stressed that both countries must make concerted efforts to achieve the trade targets through business-to-business and government-to-government connections. Dar said approximately 134,000 Pakistanis reside in Bahrain, and there is a need to further facilitate the mobility of skilled Pakistani manpower.
Concluding the briefing, Bahrain's foreign minister strongly condemned attacks on international airports and civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, reaffirming his country's steadfast solidarity with the Kingdom and appreciating Pakistan's constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.