President Zardari arrives in Bahrain’s capital on 4-day official visit
President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday arrived in Bahrain’s capital Manama on a four-day official visit.
In a post on X, the Presidency said President Zardari was received by Bahrain National Guard Commander Sheikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani upon their arrival.
The video shared with the post showed that First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari was also accompanying the president.
State broadcaster PTV said on X that in addition to meeting Bahrain’s king and crown prince, President Zardari will also address a reception held at the headquarters of the Economic Development Board in Manama.
Shortly after arriving, President Zardari met with the commander of Bahrain’s National Guard.
The Foreign Office said earlier this week that during the visit, the president will hold meetings with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who is also the prime minister.
“The discussions will focus on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest,” the FO said.
“The visit seeks to reinforce Pakistan’s longstanding cooperation with the brotherly Gulf nation while expanding opportunities for collaboration in trade and economic partnership, defence and security, and people-to-people ties,” it added.
Last year in November, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a two-day visit to Bahrain, had reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to deepening ties with the kingdom.
Discussing economic relations, the prime minister had underlined Pakistan’s desire to expand trade and investment and said bilateral trade was set to grow with the Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement.
Earlier in September, Bahrain’s interior minister had visited Pakistan, with the two countries agreeing to enhance cooperation in the fields of counter-terrorism, anti-narcotics, and immigration.
