Pakistan’s president calls for translating ties with Bahrain into ‘economic partnership’

In this screengrab, taken from a handout video released by President’s office, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari (R) meets General Sheikh Mohammad bin Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa (2L), the commander of the National Guard of Bahrain, at the President House in Islamabad on March 19, 2024. (Photo courtesy: X/@PresOfPakistan)

• Commander of Bahrain’s National Guard calls on President Asif Ali Zardari in Islamabad 
• Both discuss bilateral relations, trade, defense and other matters of mutual interest 

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday said Pakistan attached great value to its fraternal ties with Bahrain, stressing the need for both countries to translate their relationship into a “mutually rewarding economic partnership,” a statement from his office said.
The statement followed a meeting between Zardari and General Sheikh Mohammad bin Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, the commander of the National Guard of Bahrain, who called on him at the presidency in Islamabad. 
Zardari said Pakistan and Bahrain enjoyed excellent relations, which needed to be further strengthened in areas of mutual interest. 
“He [Zardari] highlighted the need to translate the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bahrain into a mutually rewarding economic partnership,” the president’s secretariat said. 
Zardari told Al-Khalifa it was his firm belief that Pakistan would grow stronger as it had immense potential to become a prosperous country. Al-Khalifa congratulated the president on assuming office for a second time and hoped the South Asian country would move forward under his leadership, the statement said. 
The Bahraini official noted that both countries enjoy excellent defense cooperation, reiterating the Gulf country’s continued support for Pakistan. Al-Khalifa invited Zardari to visit Bahrain, the president’s secretariat said. 
Al-Khalifa met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last Wednesday to discuss bilateral trade, defense cooperation and the developing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 
Pakistan enjoys fraternal relations with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries including Bahrain. Islamabad also has strong defense and trade ties with them and routinely holds military exercises with friendly states to enhance combat skills.
Cash-strapped Pakistan set up the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a hybrid civil-military forum, in June 2023. The SIFC was established to attract international investment, particularly from Gulf countries, in the country’s key economic sectors. The council was set up as Pakistan faced tough economic challenges amid dwindling forex reserves and a rapidly depreciating national currency.