President Zardari receives Bahrain’s highest honor for strengthening bilateral relations

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has awarded the Order of Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa (First Class), the Kingdom’s highest honor, to President Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of his services and contribution to strengthening bilateral relations between the two brotherly Islamic countries.

Upon arrival at Al-Qudaibiya Palace, President Zardari was given a guard of honor where he recorded his remarks in the guestbook. First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and Balochistan Agriculture Minister Mir Ali Hassan Zehri accompanied the President, the President’s Secretariat said in a statement.

President Zardari met King Hamad at Al-Qudaibiya Palace and held in-depth discussions on various mutual interests. The discussions reflected a common determination to deepen cooperation and provide practical impetus to bilateral engagement. The two leaders reviewed the overall state of relations between Pakistan and Bahrain and expressed satisfaction over their positive trajectory.

President Zardari expressed his appreciation for the extraordinary warmth and hospitality extended to him and his delegation and acknowledged the King’s enduring goodwill towards Pakistan. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding cooperation in political, economic, defense and cultural fields and invited the King to undertake an official visit to Pakistan.

The president highlighted Pakistan’s desire to translate strong political relations into increased trade and deeper investment ties. He invited Bahraini investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan’s priority sectors, including agriculture and food security, IT and digital services, health, tourism and infrastructure, and highlighted the facilitating role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council in supporting foreign investors.

President Zardari stressed that Pakistan considers Bahrain an important economic partner and expressed confidence that closer collaboration could open up mutually beneficial opportunities. He highlighted Pakistan’s economic potential, connectivity and skilled workforce and encouraged joint ventures that contribute to sustainable growth and shared prosperity.

The president also highlighted the long-standing defense and security cooperation between the two countries, describing it as a pillar of the bilateral relationship. He further highlighted the close institutional ties between the armed forces of Pakistan and Bahrain and reaffirmed Pakistan’s keenness to further strengthen this partnership.

While exchanging views on regional and international developments, President Zardari observed that the international community was going through a difficult period marked by uncertainty and rapid change.

He stressed that nations must come together to meet the challenges of the emerging world order. He highlighted unity, perseverance, wisdom and restraint as essential virtues in the coming period, and said that through collective determination, countries could not only endure but also prosper.

President Zardari paid tribute to the Pakistani community in Bahrain, describing it as a vital bridge between the two nations. He thanked Bahraini leaders for the respect, opportunities and support extended to over 116,000 Pakistanis living and working in the kingdom, and appreciated their positive contribution to Bahrain’s development and people-to-people ties.

He also recognized the establishment of King Hamad University for Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences in Islamabad as a gracious gift from the King, considering it an enduring symbol of friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and Bahrain. The two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, stability and multilateralism and stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to address regional challenges.

Both sides agreed on the need to coordinate efforts in international forums, including the United Nations, particularly on issues of common concern to the Ummah. Speaking at the banquet held in honor of President Zardari, King Hamad described Pakistan and Bahrain as brotherly countries bound by historic relations anchored in mutual respect, Islamic brotherhood and shared interests.

The King described President Zardari’s visit as an important step in strengthening bilateral relations and reaffirmed Bahrain’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Pakistan in the political, economic, trade and development fields.

He appreciated Pakistan’s continued support to Bahrain, hailed the positive contribution of the Pakistani community to the development of the kingdom and recognized Pakistan’s role in supporting the causes of Arab and Islamic nations, as well as its efforts to promote regional and international peace and stability.

Bahraini Ambassador to Pakistan Muhammad Ibrahim Abdul Qadir and Pakistani Ambassador to Bahrain Saqib Rauf were also present on the occasion. From the Bahraini side, Commander of the Bahrain National Guard, Sheikh Muhammad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain, Sheikh Dr Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani, also attended the meeting.