Bahrain National Guard chief praises Pakistan military role in regional stability

RAWALPINDI: Bahrain National Guard Commander General Shaikh Mohammad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa met Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters on Tuesday, where the two sides reviewed the regional security situation and discussed ways to deepen bilateral defence and security cooperation, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The military’s media wing said the meeting covered matters of mutual interest, the evolving regional environment and opportunities to expand defence collaboration. Both sides expressed satisfaction over what it described as the longstanding brotherly ties between Pakistan and Bahrain and stressed the importance of strengthening military-to-military engagement.

According to the ISPR, the visiting Bahraini commander appreciated the professionalism and operational preparedness of Pakistan’s armed forces and praised their contribution to regional peace and stability. The statement also said he commended the military’s modernisation efforts and indigenous capabilities, and showed interest in expanding cooperation in training, emerging technologies and capacity-building initiatives.

Separate meetings with naval and air chiefs

The ISPR said General Shaikh Mohammad also held separate meetings with Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu.

At Naval Headquarters, discussions centred on bilateral defence cooperation and regional security developments. The Bahraini commander, according to the ISPR, acknowledged the Pakistan Navy’s role in promoting cooperative maritime security in the region and appreciated its role as "the regional maritime security stabiliser".

During the meeting at Air Headquarters, the air chief outlined the Pakistan Air Force’s modernisation programme, including capability enhancement, infrastructure development, indigenisation and reforms in advanced training, the ISPR said. The talks also covered new defence technologies, including drones, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, advanced sensors and digital innovation, as well as changing air defence challenges and integrated defence architectures.

Broader regional context

The ISPR said the Bahraini commander’s visit reflected the durable defence partnership between Pakistan and Bahrain and was expected to help advance bilateral military cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries.

The discussions took place amid tensions in the Middle East. A three-month war between the United States and Iran remains unresolved despite a fragile ceasefire, and said Pakistan has played a mediatory role by hosting one round of talks between the two sides in Islamabad in April.

President Asif Ali Zardari met Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Manama in January, where he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding cooperation in political, economic, defence and cultural fields. It further recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a two-day visit to Bahrain in November last year, had reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to closer ties with the kingdom.

Earlier on Tuesday, Lebanese Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief General Rodolphe Haykal also called on Field Marshal Munir at GHQ, according to the ISPR. The military said the two sides discussed regional security, defence cooperation and ways to strengthen bilateral military relations. The visiting commander was presented with a guard of honour by a tri-services contingent on arrival, and that the talks focused on professional exchanges, training cooperation and institutional linkages between the armed forces of both countries.