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

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa conferred the Order of Sheikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa (First Class), the Kingdom’s highest decoration, on 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 received a guard of honor where he wrote his comments in the visitors’ book. 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 with King Hamad at Al-Qudaibiya Palace and held extensive discussions on various mutual interests. The talks reflected a shared determination to deepen cooperation and give practical impetus to bilateral engagement. The two leaders reviewed the overall state of relations between Pakistan and Bahrain and expressed satisfaction over its positive trajectory.

President Zardari expressed his gratitude for the warmth and extraordinary 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 extended an invitation to the king to pay an official visit to Pakistan.

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

President Zardari underlined that Pakistan considers Bahrain an important economic partner and expressed confidence that closer collaboration could unlock 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, calling it a pillar of the bilateral relationship. Furthermore, he highlighted the close institutional ties between the armed forces of Pakistan and Bahrain and reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen this partnership.

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

He stressed that nations must remain united to face the challenges of the emerging global order. He highlighted unity, perseverance, wisdom and moderation as essential virtues in the period ahead, 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 the leadership of Bahrain for the respect, opportunities and support provided to more than 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 acknowledged the establishment of King Hamad University of Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences in Islamabad as a kind gift from the king, considering it a lasting symbol of friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and Bahrain. The two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, stability and multilateralism and underlined the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to address regional challenges.

Both sides agreed on the need for coordinated efforts in international forums, including the United Nations, particularly on issues of shared interest to the Ummah. Speaking at the banquet organized in honor of President Zardari, King Hamad described Pakistan and Bahrain as brother countries united by historic relations based on mutual respect, Islamic brotherhood and shared interests.

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

He appreciated Pakistan’s continued support for Bahrain, praised 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.

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