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

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

Key points

• News Desk Published October 8, 2026 Updated October 8, 2026 08: 45pm.
• The Bahrain FM remarked he would additionally meet with PM Shehbaz, President Zardari and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir during his visit.
• 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 continued 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.
• According to The minister, more than 140, 000 Pakistanis in Bahrain contributed to its progress and "form a living bridge between our peoples".

News Desk Published October 8, 2026 Updated October 8, 2026 08: 45pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel.

Bahrain on Thursday remarked it was working to "speed up" the approval of a free trade agreement between Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

In practice, 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 observed that the JMC gathering covered "more than 15 fields".

As well as to convene the joint working group on energy next month on oil, gas and minerals, he remarked both sides agreed to establish a joint working group on trade and investment.

They additionally 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 remarked, referring to the potential agreement that was noted to be near finalisation in late 2025.

According to The minister, 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 continued 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 continued.

Highlighting recent bilateral exchanges between their countries, FM Al Zayani remarked: "We have a highly 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 remarked, "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 backing in March for a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Iranian attacks on GCC countries.

In practice, the minister additionally praised Pakistan's "efforts alongside other partners to facilitate US-Iran dialogue and de-escalation, including by hosting the Islamabad Talks" in April.

Meanwhile, 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 additionally 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".

In practice, the Bahrain FM remarked he and Dar additionally 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 continued.

Al Zayani vowed Bahrain and Pakistan will continue "close coordination" at the UNSC and between their Missions in New York.

Furthermore, the visiting FM observed that the two countries will mark 55 years of diplomatic relations on Oct 14.

According to Al Zayani, 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.

Notably, the Bahrain FM remarked he would additionally meet with PM Shehbaz, President Zardari and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir during his visit. Gulf situation, Palestine, IWT discussed.

In his remarks, Dar thanked Al Zayani and his delegation for "their constructive engagement and their very valuable contribution to the success of today's JMC session".

Noting that the discussions were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, he remarked both sides "reaffirmed our shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation across a broad spectrum of sectors".

"A key outcome of the session was the strengthening of our institutional framework through the operationalisation of several joint working groups, " Dar remarked, adding that these mechanisms will assist ensure effective implementation of the decisions taken by the JMC.

"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."

They "particularly welcomed closer engagement between the business communities of the two countries", the deputy premier continued.

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.

According to Dar, he and Al Zayani additionally exchanged views on the "evolving situation in the Gulf and emphasised 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-Mandab, given their importance to regional and global food and energy security."

For context, the ministers additionally discussed the "grave situation in Palestine" and expressed concern over the "continued expansion of illegal settlements and attempts to alter the status of Al-Quds Al-Sharif".

Dar additionally raised the problem of India's unilateral decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, terming it a "material breach of international law".

"Such actions jeopardise the water, food and energy security of Pakistan's 250 million people, " the deputy premier stressed.

"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 affirmed.

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".

As both sides will try to hold the meetings every year, dar remarked Islamabad looked forward to the convening of the JMC's fourth session in Bahrain in 2027. President Zardari meets Bahrain FM.

For now, bahrain working to ' speed up' approval of Pak-GCC free trade pact, foreign remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.