ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Bahrain agreed on Thursday to form a joint working group on trade and to push for an early conclusion of the long-pending free trade agreement between Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The understanding was reached at the third session of the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Trade Tops the Agenda: Pakistan Bahrain trade
Trade and economic cooperation dominated the commission’s deliberations. The two sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and discussed ways to expand cooperation in investment, defence and security, labour and manpower, and cultural exchanges, alongside an exchange of views on regional and international developments.
Bilateral trade between the two countries currently stands above $550 million, and both sides have set a target of taking it to $1 billion within three years. More than 150,000 Pakistanis live and work in Bahrain, and their remittances remain an important link between the two economies.
The two foreign ministers also agreed to keep up the momentum through regular high-level exchanges and closer coordination at multilateral forums.
GCC Free Trade Agreement in Focus
A renewed push for the Pakistan-GCC free trade agreement was a key outcome of the talks. The agreement has been under negotiation for years, with the framework first signed in 2004 and talks revived in 2021.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said during his visit to Bahrain in November 2025 that the deal was nearly finalised and would significantly increase Pakistan’s commerce with GCC states. Thursday’s session built on that understanding, with both sides agreeing to press for its early conclusion.
Two-Day Visit Concludes
Al Zayani arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday for a two-day official visit at Dar’s invitation. He was received at the airport by Secretary Economic Affairs Division Muhammad Humair Karim and Additional Secretary (Middle East) Zahid Hussain.
The two foreign ministers last met in September on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where they reviewed bilateral ties and prepared for the JMC session. The previous JMC session was held in Bahrain in July 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission?
It is the principal bilateral mechanism for reviewing and guiding Pakistan-Bahrain relations across trade, investment, defence, labour, and culture. The third session was held in Islamabad on October 8, 2026, co-chaired by the two foreign ministers.
What did Pakistan and Bahrain agree on trade?
The two sides agreed to form a joint working group dedicated to trade and to push for an early conclusion of the Pakistan-GCC free trade agreement, with a shared target of raising bilateral trade to $1 billion within three years.
How large is trade between Pakistan and Bahrain?
Bilateral trade currently stands above $550 million. Pakistan’s exports to Bahrain include rice, textiles, and other goods, while the two countries are working to diversify the trade basket.
What is the status of the Pakistan-GCC free trade agreement?
The agreement has been under negotiation for years. Pakistan’s prime minister said in November 2025 that it was nearly finalised, and Thursday’s JMC session agreed to press for its early conclusion.
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Writer’s note: Briefing-based draft. The source article’s full text could not be verified directly (Tribune blocks automated article fetch); facts were corroborated via the Tribune Pakistan section listing, the Foreign Office curtain raiser of October 7, and contemporaneous coverage of the visit. No quotes were available from the outcome session, so none are used.
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Originally reported by The News.
