ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said here on Tuesday that Pakistan and Bahrain enjoyed close and cordial relations based on mutual trust and understanding.

Welcoming King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa at the PM House, he said the institutional framework of political consultation between the foreign ministries of the two countries provided a useful mechanism to review relations.

“We would deeply appreciate Bahraini support for early finalisation of a free trade agreement between Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council,” he said.

The prime minister said the Pakistani community residing in Bahrain served as a bridge between the two countries and had played a positive role in the development of Bahrain as well as contributed to Pakistan’s economy.

Pakistan had skilled manpower which could play their role in different economic sectors of Bahrain, he added.

Earlier, on his arrival here on a three-day official visit, the leader of Bahrain was accorded a warm welcome by the prime minister and members of his cabinet at the Nur Khan Airbase.

The services chiefs and Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif were also present on the occasion. A contingent of the three services presented a guard of honour.

The two countries signed six documents relating to cooperation in various sectors, including promotion and protection of investment, cooperation in food security, an air services agreement, cooperation between interior ministries, and cooperation in the fields of power and water.

Delegations of both countries also met under the leadership of the prime minister and the Bahrain king.

Pakistan’s delegation included Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Mohammad Asif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi. Bahrain’s delegation comprised Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Mohammad bin Mubarak bin Hamad Al Khalifa; Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Dhahrani, Chairman of the House of Representatives; Ali bin Saleh, Chairman of Shura Council; Lt Gen Shaikh Muhammad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Salman Al Khalifa.

Later, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif hosted a dinner in honour of the visiting delegation.