By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Bahrain have agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, energy, agriculture, food security, information technology, health, education and labour, as the two countries seek to translate longstanding ties into greater economic benefits.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani co-chaired the third session of the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission at Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday.

The two sides reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation and discussed measures to strengthen economic and institutional ties, improve connectivity and promote people-to-people exchanges.

Dar stressed the importance of turning the “longstanding and fraternal ties” between Pakistan and Bahrain into tangible benefits for the two countries’ populations.

He called for effective implementation of agreements reached through the commission, including through joint working groups, institutional partnerships and regular follow-up.

The discussions placed particular emphasis on expanding trade, economic and investment relations between the two countries.

The meeting was attended by senior Pakistani officials, including the secretary of the Economic Affairs Division, acting foreign secretary, secretary of the Special Investment Facilitation Council and representatives of relevant ministries and departments.

Senior Bahraini officials and representatives of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry also participated.

The Joint Ministerial Commission provides a mechanism for Pakistan and Bahrain to review bilateral economic cooperation and identify areas for new collaboration.

Dar separately held talks with Al Zayani, with the two ministers expressing satisfaction over what they described as positive momentum in high-level engagement between Pakistan and Bahrain.

They discussed ways to further expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including economic and investment relations, as well as coordination at multilateral forums.

The foreign ministers also exchanged views on regional and international developments.

Both sides emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy remain the most viable means of addressing challenges and resolving disputes.

The talks come as Pakistan seeks to strengthen economic partnerships with Gulf countries and attract greater foreign investment, while Bahrain continues to expand engagement with South Asian economies.