Manama, January 26, 2026: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday met Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Manama, where the two leaders discussed bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and defence, along with key regional and global issues.
President Zardari, accompanied by First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, arrived in the Bahraini capital on Tuesday on a four-day state visit. According to a post shared on the Presidency’s official X account, the president was accorded a guard of honour upon his arrival at the royal residence, Al-Qudaibiya Palace, where the meeting took place.
“Talks covered trade and investment, defence cooperation, support for the Pakistani community, and regional and global issues,” the post said.
During the meeting, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa also conferred the Sheikh Isa Award on President Zardari in recognition of his contributions to strengthening bilateral relations.
According to the Foreign Office, President Zardari is also scheduled to meet Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who also serves as the Prime Minister. The discussions are expected to focus on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest.
“The visit aims 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,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
State broadcaster PTV News reported that President Zardari will also address a reception at the headquarters of Bahrain’s Economic Development Board in Manama.
Earlier, upon his arrival in the capital, the president met Bahrain National Guard Commander Sheikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Pakistan and Bahrain have witnessed growing high-level engagements in recent years. In November last year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a two-day visit to Bahrain, reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to further deepening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in trade and investment, particularly in the context of the Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement.
In September, Bahrain’s interior minister also visited Pakistan, during which both countries agreed to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism, anti-narcotics, and immigration-related matters.
