King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain awarded Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif the Order of Bahrain (First Class) during a meeting in Manama. This prestigious award is the highest honor given to heads of state and government. The ceremony underscored the strong ties between the two nations and their shared commitment to deepening bilateral relations.
During the meeting, both leaders discussed expanding cooperation in key areas such as politics, economics, defense, and culture. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s dedication to strengthening ties with Bahrain based on mutual respect and shared faith. He thanked King Hamad for Bahrain’s support, especially for the establishment of the King Hamad University for Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences in Islamabad.
Prime Minister Sharif also expressed gratitude for Bahrain’s solidarity with Pakistan following recent terrorist incidents. He highlighted ongoing efforts to boost economic relations, noting that the Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement is nearing completion. The Prime Minister invited Bahraini investors to explore opportunities in sectors such as food security, IT, construction, and healthcare through the Special Investment Facilitation Council.
Both leaders also reaffirmed their strong defense partnership, agreeing to enhance cooperation in training, logistics, manpower, and defense production. The discussion also touched on recent developments in Gaza, where both leaders agreed that peace and stability for the people of Gaza were long overdue.
In a moment of historical reflection, King Hamad reminded Prime Minister Sharif that Bahrain had once been represented by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah at a legal forum. King Hamad shared his pride in Jinnah’s legacy and Bahrain’s long-standing relationship with the founder of Pakistan.
