President Zardari receives Bahrain’s top honour for boosting bilateral ties

Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa conferred the Order of Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa (First Class), the highest award of the Kingdom, upon President Asif Ali Zardari in recognition to his services and contribution to strengthening the bilateral relations between the two brotherly Islamic countries.

Upon arrival at the Al-Qudaibiya Palac, President Zardari was accorded a guard of honour where he wrote his remarks in the visitors’ book. First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and Balochistan Agriculture Minister Mir Ali Hassan Zehri accompanied the president, the President’s Secretariat said in a statement.

President Zardari met King Hamad at Al-Qudaibiya Palace and held comprehensive discussions on various mutual interests. The talks reflected a shared resolve to deepen cooperation and give practical momentum to bilateral engagement. The two leaders reviewed the overall state of Pakistan–Bahrain relations and expressed satisfaction over their positive trajectory.

President Zardari conveyed appreciation for the warmth and extraordinary hospitality extended to him and his delegation and acknowledged the king’s enduring goodwill towards Pakistan. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to broadening cooperation across political, economic, defence and cultural fields and extended an invitation to the king to undertake an official visit to Pakistan.

The president emphasised Pakistan’s desire to translate strong political relations into increased trade and deeper investment linkages. He invited Bahraini investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan’s priority sectors, including agriculture and food security, IT and digital services, healthcare, tourism and infrastructure, and highlighted the facilitative role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council in supporting foreign investors.

President Zardari underlined that Pakistan views Bahrain as an important economic partner and expressed confidence that closer collaboration could unlock mutually beneficial opportunities. He noted Pakistan’s economic potential, connectivity and skilled workforce and encouraged joint ventures that contribute to sustainable growth and shared prosperity.

The president also highlighted the long-standing defence and security cooperation between the two countries, describing it as a pillar of the bilateral relationship. He further noted the close institutional linkages between the armed forces of Pakistan and Bahrain and reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthening this partnership.

While exchanging views on regional and international developments, President Zardari observed that the international community was passing through a difficult period marked by uncertainty and rapid change.

He stressed that nations must stand together to face the challenges of emerging global order. He underlined unity, perseverance, wisdom and restraint as essential virtues in the period ahead, and said that through collective resolve, countries could not only endure but also prosper.

President Zardari paid tribute to the Pakistani community in Bahrain, describing them as a vital bridge between the two nations. He thanked the Bahraini leadership for the respect, opportunities and support extended to more than 116,000 Pakistanis living and working in the kingdom, and appreciated their positive contribution to Bahrain’s development and to people-to-people ties.

He also acknowledged the establishment of King Hamad University for Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences in Islamabad as a gracious gift from the king, regarding it as a lasting symbol of friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and Bahrain. The two leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, stability and multilateralism and underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in addressing regional challenges.

Both sides agreed on the need for coordinated efforts at international forums, including the United Nations, particularly on issues of shared concern to the Ummah. Speaking at the banquet hosted in honour of President Zardari, King Hamad described Pakistan and Bahrain as brotherly countries bound by historic relations rooted in mutual respect, Islamic brotherhood and shared interests.

The king termed President Zardari’s visit a significant milestone in further strengthening bilateral ties and reaffirmed Bahrain’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Pakistan across political, economic, commercial and developmental fields.

He appreciated Pakistan’s consistent support for Bahrain, lauded the positive contribution of the Pakistani community to the kingdom’s development, and acknowledged Pakistan’s role in supporting the causes of the Arab and Islamic nations, as well as its efforts to promote regional and international peace and stability.

Ambassador of Bahrain to Pakistan Muhammad Ibrahim Abdul Qadir and Ambassador of Pakistan to Bahrain Saqib Rauf were also present on the occasion. From the Bahraini side, Commander of the Bahrain National Guard Sheikh Muhammad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani also attended the meeting.