Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain on Wednesday, where he was awarded the prestigious Order of Bahrain.

During the meeting, the Bahraini monarch highlighted that Pakistan’s founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, had represented Bahrain legally, citing historical records.

PM Shehbaz Sharif praised Bahrain’s leadership for promoting peace, tolerance, and coexistence in the region.

The two leaders reviewed the encouraging pace of bilateral relations and agreed to enhance cooperation across political, economic, defence, and cultural sectors.

The prime minister expressed gratitude for Bahrain’s support in establishing the King Hamad University for Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences and other collaborative initiatives.

PM Shehbaz Sharif also emphasised Pakistan’s interest in expanding trade and investment opportunities, inviting Bahraini investors to explore sectors such as food security, IT, construction, mining, tourism, and healthcare through Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council.

The prime minister appreciated the facilities and hospitality extended to over 150,000 Pakistanis in Bahrain and thanked King Hamad for facilitating the repatriation of Pakistani prisoners.

Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of long-standing defence cooperation and agreed to strengthen collaboration in technical training, logistics, manpower, and defence production.

Earlier, upon their arrival in Manama, Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Deputy Supreme Commander of the Bahraini Forces, Deputy Prime Minister Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, and other senior Bahraini officials warmly received the Pakistani delegation led by PM Shehbaz.

The visit, scheduled from November 26 to 27, includes high-level meetings with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.

The Pakistani delegation includes Federal Ministers Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Information and Broadcasting Minister Atta Ullah Tarar, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kiyani, and senior officials.

According to officials, the visit reflects Pakistan’s longstanding cordial relations with Bahrain and aims to advance a results-oriented and strategic partnership.