Pakistan and Bahrain agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, technology, logistics and maritime affairs at the third session of their Joint Ministerial Commission in Islamabad. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani signed the protocol recording the meeting’s minutes on October 8. According to the Foreign Office, the countries agreed to improve institutional coordination through working groups and encourage closer business-to-business contact. Progress towards a free trade agreement between Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council was also discussed. Bahrain’s stated intention to accelerate the approval process must not be confused with finalisation or implementation of the agreement. No new tariff preference should be presented as available until the relevant approvals are completed. The talks also covered higher education, skills development and food security. Dar noted the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The signed commission protocol is the immediate confirmed outcome; specific investments and trade concessions remain matters for future implementation and verification.
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