President Asif Ali Zardari Conferred with Sheikh Isa Award, Holds One-on-One Meeting with King of Bahrain
Manama: King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain has conferred the country’s highest civilian honor, the Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa First Class Award, on President Asif Ali Zardari in recognition of his outstanding contributions to strengthening relations between Pakistan and Bahrain.
President Zardari met King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Wednesday at Qudaibiya Palace, where the two leaders held comprehensive discussions aimed at further deepening the close and brotherly ties between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Bahrain. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to giving practical momentum to cooperation across various fields.
President Zardari was accompanied by the First Lady, Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, and Balochistan Minister for Agriculture Mir Ali Hassan Zehri. Upon arrival at the palace, the President was presented with a guard of honor and formally awarded Bahrain’s top national honor. He also signed the visitors’ book at Qudaibiya Palace.
Prior to the expanded talks, President Zardari and the King of Bahrain held a one-on-one meeting to review the overall state of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction with their steady progress. The President thanked the Bahraini monarch for the warm welcome and exceptional hospitality extended to him and his delegation, and appreciated Bahrain’s longstanding goodwill toward Pakistan. He also reiterated his invitation to King Hamad to pay an official visit to Pakistan.
During the detailed meeting, both sides discussed practical ways to enhance cooperation in trade and investment. President Zardari said Pakistan aims to translate strong political ties into increased trade and deeper investment partnerships. He invited Bahraini investors to explore opportunities in priority sectors including agriculture and food security, IT and digital services, healthcare, tourism, and infrastructure, while highlighting the role of Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council.
The President described Bahrain as an important economic partner for Pakistan and emphasized that closer cooperation could create mutually beneficial opportunities. He also highlighted Pakistan’s economic potential, strategic connectivity, and skilled workforce, encouraging joint ventures between the two countries.
President Zardari underscored the long-standing defense and security cooperation between Pakistan and Bahrain as a key pillar of bilateral relations and expressed the desire to further strengthen this partnership. Discussing regional and global developments, he noted that the world is facing an era of uncertainty and rapid change, stressing the need for unity, tolerance, wisdom, and restraint to collectively address emerging challenges.
The President also acknowledged the Pakistani community in Bahrain as a strong bridge between the two nations, thanking the Bahraini leadership for providing respect, opportunities, and facilities to more than 116,000 Pakistanis residing in the kingdom. He appreciated their positive contribution to Bahrain’s development. He further described the establishment of King Hamad University for Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences in Islamabad as a valuable gift from the King of Bahrain and a lasting symbol of friendship between the two countries.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to peace, stability, and multilateral cooperation, emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy for resolving regional issues. They also agreed to work jointly on matters concerning the Muslim Ummah at international forums, including the United Nations.
Addressing a banquet hosted in honor of President Zardari, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa described Pakistan and Bahrain as countries bound by historical, Islamic, and brotherly ties. He termed the President’s visit a significant milestone in bilateral relations and reiterated his commitment to expanding cooperation in various sectors. The King also praised the role of the Pakistani community and commended Pakistan’s support for issues facing the Arab and Islamic world, as well as its efforts for regional peace and stability.
The event was attended by Bahrain’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Mohammed Ibrahim Abdulqader, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Bahrain, Saqib Rauf. The Bahraini delegation included Commander of the Bahrain National Guard Sheikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.
