ISLAMABAD, April 25: Pakistan and Bahrain will shortly ink Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which would boost trade between the two countries.

“The Early Harvest Agreement in this regard is being negotiated”, Ambassador of Pakistan in Bahrain Iftikhar Hussain Kazmi said while speaking to a team of Pakistani journalists on Monday in Mina Suleman. He said drafts had already been exchanged with the GCC in this regard.

He said a memorandum of understanding between Pakistan and Bahrain on the export of manpower was also in the pipeline. He, however, said that there was a demand of skilled, semi-skilled labour, doctors and engineers and there was no need of unskilled workers.

Asked as to what difficulties the Pakistanis living in Bahrain face, he said most of the Pakistanis complain about the land grabbing mafia in Pakistan.

He said his embassy had written a number of letters to the concerned ministries and divisions highlighting the complaint but, he regretted, the response was not very positive.

The ambassador was of the view that if the confidence of overseas Pakistanis were shattered it would be very difficult to regain it once again.

Talking about investment opportunities in Pakistan, the ambassador said the businessmen of Bahrain had shown their keen interest in the development of Gwadar Port and other projects in the country.

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...