Gilani meets Chairman of Bahrain’s Consultative Council

Liaquat Ali

Islamabad: Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, met with the Chairman of the Consultative Council of Bahrain on the sidelines of the 150th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The meeting reaffirmed the enduring brotherly ties and mutual commitment to strengthening bilateral and parliamentary relations between Pakistan and Bahrain, said a news release received here.

Gilani extended warm wishes to King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa on behalf of the leadership and people of Pakistan, expressing appreciation for the longstanding historical, cultural, and religious bonds between the two nations.

Discussions centered on enhancing parliamentary cooperation, economic engagement, and regional connectivity. Both sides acknowledged the need for regular parliamentary exchanges, collaboration through joint committees, and knowledge-sharing platforms to deepen institutional ties.

The Chairman recalled his previous engagements with Bahraini leadership during his tenure as Prime Minister, which laid the foundation for ongoing collaboration in defence, trade, and labour sectors. He reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to strengthen strategic dialogue and cooperation across these fields.

Highlighting economic diplomacy as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy, Chairman Gillani proposed the establishment of a Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Business Council, emphasizing opportunities in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), infrastructure, IT, and tourism. He also welcomed enhanced private-sector linkages to foster sustainable trade and investment partnerships.

The two sides acknowledged the importance of defence cooperation, with Pakistan reaffirming its openness to collaboration in training and capacity building. Labour relations were also discussed, with Chairman Gillani encouraging Bahrain to continue expanding employment opportunities for skilled Pakistani workers who contribute to Bahrain’s economic growth.

Regional and multilateral collaboration was also a key focus. The Chairman emphasized the shared interest in promoting peace and development through forums like the IPU, OIC, and ECO and stressed the need for joint action on global challenges such as climate change, food security, and economic resilience.

Cultural and educational exchanges were proposed to further strengthen people-to-people connections, including student exchange programs and academic collaborations.

Gilani by reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for the rights of the Palestinian and Kashmiri people, called for joint advocacy at international forums for justice and human rights.

He expressed confidence in the continued growth of Pakistan-Bahrain relations and extended an invitation for future high-level parliamentary visits to Pakistan.