Key Takeaways
- Pakistan and Bahrain held their third Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) session in Islamabad.
- Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed commitment to increase bilateral trade to $1 billion.
- Pakistan raised concerns over India's decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.
Pakistan and Bahrain have taken steps to strengthen their trade and economic ties, with the third session of their Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) held in Islamabad. The meeting, co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, aimed to boost bilateral cooperation.
During the session, Dar emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to building a more prosperous future with Bahrain, stating, 'We are brotherly nations, with long fraternal ties, cooperating on international forums and meeting very frequently wherever we get an opportunity like brothers.'
The deputy premier also highlighted the target of increasing bilateral trade to $1 billion, aiming to double trade in three years, with one year already elapsed. He quipped, 'But God forbid, if we miss [the target by] a few months, we have a great excuse that this period has been very turbulent.'
Pakistan raised concerns over India's unilateral decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, terming it a 'material breach of international law.' Dar stressed, 'Such actions jeopardise the water, food and energy security of Pakistan’s 250 million people.'
In his address, Dar also referred to a potential free trade agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), noting that the GCC secretary general told him the deal was 'almost ripe,' barring one country, which still needed to give a green light.
The deputy premier stated, 'I’m sure the signing of the free trade agreement between the GCC and Pakistan will surely help us in achieving our goals,' adding that it would lead to an increase in imports and exports.
The meeting also focused on facilitating greater mobility of skilled labour between the two countries and recognizing degrees and professional qualifications. Dar requested the Bahraini side to work towards these goals.
Prior to the JMC, the two foreign ministers held a separate meeting, reviewing Pakistan–Bahrain relations and expressing satisfaction at the positive momentum in high-level engagement between the two countries.
The two sides discussed ways to further expand bilateral cooperation across areas of mutual interest, particularly in trade and economic sectors.
Pakistan-Bahrain friendship remains strong and forward-looking, and we are brotherly nations, with long fraternal ties, cooperating on international foras and meeting very frequently wherever we get an opportunity like brothers.
Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan
Such actions jeopardise the water, food and energy security of Pakistan’s 250 million people.
Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan
