Remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar during Joint Press Stakeout with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain Dr. Abdullatif Bin Rashid Al-Zayani on 8 October 2026

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset, I am pleased to once again welcome His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as his accompanying delegation, to Pakistan in connection with the 3^rd Session of the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission, which has just concluded successfully. I had the honour of co-chairing the session with His Excellency.

Our discussions were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, reflecting the deep-rooted bonds of friendship, mutual trust and brotherhood that characterize Pakistan-Bahrain relations. It is our 55^th anniversary of bilateral relations. We reaffirmed our shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation across a broad spectrum of sectors.

I am pleased to announce that we have signed the Protocol of the 3^rd Session of the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission, reflecting our shared resolve to further strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

A key outcome of the session was the strengthening of our institutional framework through the operationalization of several Joint Working Groups. These mechanisms will help ensure regular engagement and effective implementation of the decisions taken by the Joint Ministerial Commission.

Both sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in trade and investment promotion, industrial collaboration, agriculture and food security, skills development, higher education, information technology, logistics and maritime affairs, among many other areas. We particularly welcomed closer engagement between the business communities of the two countries.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We also acknowledged the valuable contribution of the Pakistani community in Bahrain, which continues to serve as a strong bridge between our two brotherly countries. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in labour mobility, vocational training and human resource development, with a view to creating new opportunities for skilled Pakistani professionals and workers.

We also exchanged views on the evolving situation in the Gulf and emphasized the importance of restraint, de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy. We discussed the need to ensure the safety and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb, given their importance to regional and global food and energy security. Pakistan remains committed to playing a constructive role in supporting diplomatic efforts for peace and stability in the region.

We also discussed the grave situation in Palestine. Pakistan reaffirmed its principled support for the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights. We expressed concern over the continued expansion of illegal settlements and attempts to alter the status of Al-Quds Al-Sharif. We stressed the urgent need for unhindered humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza and reiterated our support for a just and lasting solution in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions.

Our discussions also focused on developments in South Asia, including Afghanistan and the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan underscored the need to ensure that Afghan territory is not used against Pakistan.

On the Indus Waters Treaty, I underscored to my brother that India’s unilateral decision to place the Treaty in abeyance constitutes a material breach of international law and represents a dangerous attempt to weaponize shared water resources. Such actions jeopardize the water, food and energy security of Pakistan’s 250 million people.

I thank His Excellency the Foreign Minister of Bahrain and the distinguished Bahraini delegation for their constructive engagement and valuable contribution to the success of the JMC session. We look forward to the convening of the 4^th Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Pakistan-Bahrain friendship remains strong and forward-looking, and we are committed to building an even more prosperous future together.

Thank you.

Islamabad
08 October 2026