Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday evening for a two-day visit, where he is expected to co-chair the third session of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), the Foreign Office (FO) said.

According to the FO, Al Zayani was received at the airport by Economic Affairs Division Secretary Muhammad Humair Karim and Additional Secretary (Middle East) Zahid Hussain.

“The visit reflects the close, cordial and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Bahrain and underscores the shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation,” it added.

In an earlier statement, the FO said that Bahrain’s top diplomat will be visiting the country at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

“The two sides will review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and discuss ways to further strengthen cooperation across diverse areas of mutual interest, including trade, investment, economic cooperation, defence and security, labour and manpower, and cultural exchanges,” it said.

The two sides would also exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest and cooperation at multilateral forums, the FO added.

“Pakistan and Bahrain enjoy close, brotherly relations founded on shared faith, common values, mutual respect, and longstanding people-to-people links,” it noted.

The FO further stated that the two countries maintain regular high-level exchanges and close cooperation across a wide range of areas.

“The visit reflects the strong momentum in Pakistan-Bahrain relations and the shared commitment of both countries to further deepen bilateral cooperation and advance mutually beneficial ties,” it said.

Earlier this month, Dar chaired an inter-ministerial meeting to review preparations for the Pakistan-Bahrain JMC, which he will co-chair with his Bahraini counterpart.

The deputy premier had directed the ministries concerned to finalise preparations in close coordination and pursue concrete outcomes from the Bahrain FM’s visit.

Dar and Al Zayani last met in September on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where they discussed bilateral relations, including preparations for the forthcoming JMC session.

They also exchanged views on regional and international developments, with Al Zayani appreciating Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.

Following the last JMC session in July 2021, which was held in Manama, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to promote business between the two countries.

Islamabad and Manama had agreed to establish the JMC in 2014, when King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa paid a three-day visit to Pakistan.