Pakistan Bahrain JMC Agrees to Double Trade to $1 Billion

Pakistan & Bahrain – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – The Pakistan Bahrain JMC ended in Islamabad on Thursday. Both countries agreed to speed up their efforts and double bilateral trade to $1 billion within three years.

Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani reached Pakistan on Wednesday night for a two-day visit. He co-chaired the third Joint Ministerial Commission session with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

The two sides signed the protocol of the session. Dar said it shows their shared wish to widen cooperation. Several joint working groups will now begin work so that decisions are followed up properly.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 co-chaired the 3rd Session of the Pakistan–Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission with his Bahraini counterpart, H.E. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.

The two sides reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation and agreed to deepen collaboration in trade and investment, energy, agriculture and food security, information technology, health, education and labour. They also discussed measures to strengthen connectivity and promote people-to-people exchanges.

The DPM/FM underscored the importance of translating the longstanding and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Bahrain into tangible benefits for their people. He stressed effective implementation of the agreed outcomes through Joint Working Groups, institutional partnerships and regular follow-up.

The JMC was attended by high-level delegations from both sides. The Pakistani delegation included the Secretary of the Economic Affairs Division, the Acting Foreign Secretary, the Secretary SIFC and senior officials from relevant ministries and departments. Senior Bahraini officials and representatives of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry also participated.

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 8, 2026

Both countries will work together on trade, investment, industry, agriculture and food security. They also agreed to cooperate on skills training, higher education, information technology, logistics and maritime affairs.

Dar said around 134,000 Pakistanis live in Bahrain. He stressed the need to make it easier for skilled workers to move there, and both sides promised more support for vocational training.

Al Zayani said a new working group on trade and investment will be formed. The energy group will meet next month to discuss oil, gas and minerals. Both sides also promised to finalise the GCC-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement.

Dar also spoke about South Asia, including Afghanistan and the Indus Waters Treaty. He said India’s decision to put the treaty in abeyance breaks international law and uses water as a weapon.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a cordial meeting with H.E. Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.

The two Ministers reviewed Pakistan–Bahrain relations and expressed satisfaction at the positive momentum in high-level engagement between the two countries. They discussed ways to further expand bilateral cooperation across areas of mutual interest, particularly in trade, economic and investment relations, as well as through engagement at multilateral fora.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest and underscored that dialogue and diplomacy remain the most viable means of addressing challenges and resolving disputes.

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 8, 2026

The Bahraini minister condemned the October 6 and 7 attacks on Abha and King Khalid airports in Saudi Arabia. He said Saudi security is closely linked to Bahrain’s own. He also thanked Pakistan for promoting dialogue under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.