- President Zardari meets King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, conferred Bahrain’s top civilian award
- Two leaders focus on trade, investment, defence cooperation, and regional issues
- Zardari highlights opportunities in agriculture, IT, healthcare, tourism, and infrastructure
- Describes Pakistani community of 116,000 as vital bridge between the two nations
- Both leaders reaffirm defence and security cooperation; Crown Prince Salman meeting also scheduled
MANAMA/ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday held high-level talks with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in Manama, focusing on trade, investment, defence cooperation, and regional and global issues.
The president, accompanied by First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, arrived in Bahrain on Tuesday for a four-day state visit. He was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour at the royal residence, Al-Qudaibiya Palace, where the discussions took place.
According to a post on the Presidency’s X account, the talks “covered trade and investment, defence cooperation, support for the Pakistani community, and regional and global issues.”
Pres Asif Ali Zardari met 🇧🇭 King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at Al-Qudaibiya Palace, Manama. He was accorded a guard of honour. Talks covered trade & investment, defence coop, support for the 🇵🇰 community and regional & global issues. The King conferred Sheikh Isa Award on him. pic.twitter.com/vuMl9atUCn
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) January 14, 2026
During the visit, President Zardari was conferred the Order of Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa First Class, Bahrain’s highest civilian award, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.
The discussions at Al-Qudaibiya Palace centred on expanding cooperation across political, economic, defence, and cultural sectors. President Zardari stressed the need to translate strong political ties into enhanced trade and investment, highlighting opportunities in agriculture, information technology, healthcare, tourism, and infrastructure. He also invited Bahraini investors to Pakistan and underscored the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council in promoting a business-friendly environment.
Manama: 14 January 2026 — President Asif Ali Zardari addressing delegates at a banquet at Al-Qudaibiya Palace, with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari also present.@AAliZardari @AseefaBZ pic.twitter.com/gp1BAV7hq3
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) January 14, 2026
The two leaders reviewed defence and security collaboration, reaffirming institutional links between their armed forces. They also discussed regional and international developments, with President Zardari stressing the importance of unity, restraint, and collective resolve in times of global uncertainty.
Manama, 14 January 2026: His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa conferring the Order of Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa First Class on President Asif Ali Zardari at Al-Qudaibiya Palace.@AAliZardari @AseefaBZ pic.twitter.com/wgCtN4jRMR
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) January 14, 2026
Highlighting the Pakistani community in Bahrain, the president thanked the Bahraini leadership for hosting over 116,000 Pakistanis, calling them a vital bridge between the two nations. He also acknowledged the King’s gift of the King Hamad University for Nursing and Allied Medical Sciences in Islamabad as a symbol of enduring friendship.
President Zardari was accompanied by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Balochistan Agriculture Minister Mir Ali Hassan Zehri, and ambassadors Muhammad Ibrahim Abdul Qadir and Saqib Rauf. Bahrain’s National Guard Commander Sheikh Muhammad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani were also present.
According to the Foreign Office, the president is also scheduled to meet Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who also serves as Bahrain’s prime minister, to discuss bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest.
Manama: 14 January 2026 — President Asif Ali Zardari and First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari receiving the guard of honour at Al-Qudaibiya Palace.@AAliZardari @AseefaBZ pic.twitter.com/CL367qYs8m
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) January 14, 2026
“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 FO said.
State broadcaster PTV News reported that President Zardari will address a reception at the headquarters of the Economic Development Board in Manama.
During his visit, the president also met with Bahrain National Guard Commander Sheikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa.
The visit builds on a series of engagements between the two countries: in November last year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Bahrain, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening ties. He underscored Pakistan’s goal to expand trade and investment, noting that bilateral trade would grow under the Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement.
In September, Bahrain’s interior minister visited Pakistan, during which both countries agreed to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism, anti-narcotics, and immigration.
