Bahrain working to 'speed up' approval of Pak-GCC free trade pact, foreign minister says

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Bahrain says it is working to accelerate approval of a free-trade agreement between Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council, following a bilateral ministerial commission meeting in Islamabad. The countries also agreed to expand cooperation in trade, investment, energy, food security and other fields, while discussing regional security and de-escalation.

Bahrain on Thursday said it was working to “speed up” the approval of a free trade agreement between Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The remarks came after the two countries held the third session of their Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Islamabad. Bahrain’s FM Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani — who arrived in Pakistan last night on a two-day visit — co-chaired the JMC session along with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Addressing a joint press briefing with Dar, the Bahraini minister noted that the JMC meeting covered “more than 15 fields”. He said both sides agreed to establish a joint working group on trade and investment, as well as to convene the joint working group on energy next month on oil, gas and minerals. They also agreed to take forward cooperation in food security, information technology, law enforcement, media, labour mobility, health, education, culture and sports. “We also committed to finalising the GCC-Pakistan free trade agreement,” he said, referring to the potential deal that was said to be near finalisation in late 2025. The minister said that Bahrain, having the GCC presidency, was working to “speed up the signing or the approval of the GCC-Pakistan FTA”. Responding to a query, the visiting dignitary described the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Bahrain as “very healthy and strong”. He added that it was “radiant and well-looked after” by Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. “It is really valued by the people of Bahrain,” he added. Highlighting recent bilateral exchanges between their countries, FM Al Zayani said: “We have a very truthful relationship; we are so frank with each other. We understand the constraints on each other and work accordingly.” Emphasising the consistency in their ties, with no “ups and downs”, he said, “We are consistent and growing. We feel safe in this relationship.” Al Zayani expressed Manama’s appreciation for Islamabad’s “principled positions on the ongoing crisis”, including its support in March for a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Iranian attacks on GCC countries. The minister also praised Pakistan’s “efforts alongside other partners to facilitate US-Iran dialogue and de-escalation, including by hosting the Islamabad Talks” in April. The Bahrain FM went on to strongly condemn the recent deadly “terrorist attacks” on Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport. He also condemned the “Houthi terrorist militia’s attacks on civilians and civilian facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its assault” on the holy cities of Makkah and Madina. Noting that targeting of civilian facilities was a “flagrant violation” of international law, Al Zayani affirmed Bahrain’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia “whose security is an integral part of our own and of the GCC”. The Bahrain FM said he and Dar also discussed the crises in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab, where “commercial vessels continue to come under attack”. They underscored the importance of freedom and safety of navigation and respect for international law, he added. Al Zayani vowed Bahrain and Pakistan will continue “close coordination” at the UNSC and between their Missions in New York. Furthermore, the visiting FM noted that the two countries will mark 55 years of diplomatic relations on Oct 14. Al Zayani remarked that the “bonds of brotherhood, trust and solidarity […] gained fresh momentum with the official visits to Bahrain” of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in November 2025 and of President Asif Ali Zardari in January this year. The minister noted that more than 140,000 Pakistanis in Bahrain contributed to its progress and “form a living bridge between our peoples”. The Bahrain FM said he would also meet with PM Shehbaz, President Zardari and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir during his visit. Dar thanked Al Zayani and his delegation for “their constructive engagement and their very valuable contribution to the success of today’s JMC session”. “Pakistan-Bahrain friendship remains strong and forward-looking, and we are brotherly nations, with long fraternal ties, cooperating on international foras and meeting very frequently wherever we get an opportunity like brothers,” the DPM said. He expressed Pakistan’s commitment to “building an even more prosperous future together, God-willing, and taking the trade and economic ties to a new height”. Dar said Islamabad looked forward to the convening of the JMC’s fourth session in Bahrain in 2027 as both sides will try to hold the meetings every year. “My brother has taken a commitment from me that, unlike today’s session which has been held after five years, I have to find a day for the next one in 365 days during 2027.” Dar also raised the issue of India’s unilateral decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, terming it a “material breach