ISLAMABAD: Bahrain has conferred its highest state award on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as both countries move to deepen political, economic and defense cooperation, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
In a meeting in Manama, King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa presented Pakistani PM with the Order of Bahrain (First Class), described by the PMO as “the highest award Bahrain confers on heads of state and government.”
The PMO said PM Sharif thanked the King for the warm reception and for what he called Bahrain’s “longstanding goodwill and friendship toward Pakistan.” He also commended “His Majesty’s leadership in promoting peace, tolerance and coexistence.”
According to the PMO, King Hamad told Sharif that Bahrain had “the privilege of being represented at a legal forum by none other than Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah,” adding that Pakistan’s founding father “remained Bahrain’s lawyer for a long time.”
Both sides reviewed the “encouraging momentum” in bilateral ties and agreed to strengthen cooperation in political, economic, defense and cultural fields.
The PMO quoted PM Sharif as reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to deepening relations “based on shared faith and mutual respect.”
The prime minister thanked the King for Bahrain’s continued support, including the establishment of the King Hamad University for Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences in Islamabad, inaugurated in September 2025.
He also expressed gratitude for Bahrain’s solidarity following recent terrorist incidents in Pakistan.
On economic ties, the PMO said the prime minister highlighted Pakistan’s desire to expand trade and investment, noting that bilateral commerce is expected to grow with the upcoming Pakistan–GCC Free Trade Agreement, now in its final stages.
He invited Bahraini investors to explore opportunities through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), particularly in food security, IT, construction, mining, tourism and healthcare.
The PMO added that PM Sharif expressed appreciation for Bahrain’s support to the more than 150,000 Pakistanis living in the Kingdom and thanked King Hamad for pardoning Pakistani prisoners.
Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of the defense partnership and agreed to continue cooperation in training, logistics, manpower and defense production.
They also discussed developments in Gaza, agreeing that peace and stability are “long overdue for the people of Gaza,” the PMO said.
At the end of the meeting, the PMO noted that both sides expressed confidence that the visit would “further consolidate the enduring friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and Bahrain.
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