Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Manama on Wednesday for a two-day official visit aimed at advancing Pakistan’s strategic partnership with Bahrain. The visit marks a renewed push to expand cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, energy, technology, education and cultural exchanges.
Upon landing at Bahrain International Airport, Prime Minister Shehbaz received a warm welcome from Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Bahrain’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani, along with senior officials, was also present. A static guard from the Bahrain Armed Forces presented a formal salute, underscoring the significance of the visit.
Prime Minister Shehbaz is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani and senior government officials. Their presence reflects Islamabad’s commitment to a results-focused dialogue with Manama.
During his stay, the prime minister will hold high-level engagements with Bahrain’s top leadership, including King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa. These meetings will focus on strengthening economic ties, enhancing defence and security cooperation, accelerating investment flows and improving connectivity between the two nations.
According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the visit aims to reinforce the long-standing warmth between Pakistan and Bahrain while identifying new avenues for partnership. The expected discussions will also emphasise technology cooperation, educational linkages and cultural collaboration, building on the deep people-to-people ties already shared by the two countries.
The leadership of both nations is also expected to review regional developments and align positions on shared challenges. Officials familiar with the visit say that both sides are keen to translate political goodwill into concrete outcomes, including potential agreements in trade facilitation, renewable energy, digital transformation and workforce collaboration.
Pakistan’s large expatriate community in Bahrain remains an integral pillar of bilateral relations, and discussions on improving labour mobility and skills development are also expected.
Prime Minister Shehbaz’s visit highlights Pakistan’s continued diplomatic outreach in the Gulf region. With Bahrain emerging as a proactive economic player under its national development vision, Islamabad seeks to broaden cooperation in a mutually beneficial and forward-looking manner.