Bahrain Pakistan Relations: Confers Highest Honor on PM Shehbaz Sharif, Strengthens Bilateral Ties
King of Bahrain Awards PM Shehbaz Sharif with Order of Bahrain (First Class)
King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain conferred the Order of Bahrain (First Class)—the highest honor granted to heads of state and government—on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a meeting in Manama. The prestigious award recognizes Sharif’s leadership and Pakistan’s strong diplomatic relations with Bahrain.
During the meeting, both nations agreed to expand cooperation in political, economic, defense, and cultural fields. PM Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties, emphasizing the shared faith and mutual respect between the two countries.
Bahrain’s Support for Pakistan Highlighted
PM Shehbaz expressed gratitude for Bahrain’s generous assistance, including the establishment of the King Hamad University for Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences in Islamabad, inaugurated in September 2024. He also thanked Bahrain for its solidarity following recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan.
On economic collaboration, Sharif highlighted the potential for enhanced trade and investment, particularly with the Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement in its final stages of negotiation. He invited Bahraini investors to explore opportunities in food security, IT, construction, mining, tourism, and healthcare through Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
Strengthening Defense and Addressing Regional Issues
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to defense cooperation, agreeing to expand collaboration in training, logistics, manpower, and defense production. Additionally, they discussed the escalating crisis in Gaza, agreeing that lasting peace and stability were urgently needed for the region’s suffering population.
King Hamad also shared a historic connection, recalling that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah once served as Bahrain’s legal representative. He remarked, “Muhammad Ali Jinnah remained Bahrain’s lawyer for a long time,” underscoring the deep-rooted ties between the two nations.
