Pakistan, Bahrain to further boost ties

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesdays said the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) was an important forum for collaboration between the two countries in a number of fields.

He said this during a meeting with Bahrain Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa. The two sides agreed to work in close collaboration in the areas of mutual interest, the foreign minister said in a series of tweets.

The foreign minister, who arrived in Bahrain on a two-day official visit of the kingdom earlier in the day, said that on the occasion he shared Pakistan’s focus on geo-economics, connectivity and as a partner for peace and development.

They also discussed bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest. “FM Qureshi underlined the importance Pakistan attaches to its fraternal ties with Bahrain & highlighted that JMC is an important forum for collaboration between the two countries in a number of fields,” the Foreign Office spokesperson quoted FM as saying in a tweet.

FM Qureshi said: “Pakistan is committed to promoting bilateral cooperation with Bahrain in areas of economic, trade and mutual interest.” He thanked Bahrain for supporting Pakistan on the FATF issue.

Bahrain’s deputy PM said: “Pakistanis living in Bahrain are playing an important role in the development of Bahrain.”

FM Qureshi also had a separate meeting with his Bahrain counterpart Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani ahead of the JMC. In another tweet, Qureshi said that the two countries shared a similar outlook in their desire to further expand bilateral engagements with a particular focus on trade, investment, energy and culture.

Earlier upon arrival in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, the foreign minister was received at the Manama International Airport by Bahrain’s FM and Pakistan’s Ambassador Muhammad Ayub. The FM will attend the second meeting of the Pak-Bahrain JMC in Manama and will lead the Pakistani delegation.

He will also address the second meeting of the Pak-Bahrain JMC where both the countries would sign an agreement for enhancing the bilateral trade and economic connectivity.
During his visit to Bahrain, the foreign minister will hold meetings with the Bahraini top leadership, including his counterpart. Bilateral relations and the promotion of cooperation in various fields of mutual interest will be discussed.

He will also hold talks with local and international media representatives in Bahrain and present Pakistan’s views on important regional and global issues.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP & NEWS DESK)