MANAMA, Bahrain: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday arrived in Bahrain’s capital Manama on a four-day official visit to the Kingdom.
In a post on X, the Presidency said President Zardari was received by Bahrain National Guard Commander Sheikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani upon their arrival.
The video shared with the post showed that First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari was also accompanying the president.
Pakistan’s state broadcaster PTV posted on X that in addition to meeting Bahrain’s King and Crown Prince, President Zardari will also address a reception held at the headquarters of the Economic Development Board in Manama.
President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Manama on a four-day official visit to Bahrain. He was received by Commander of the Bahrain National Guard Sheikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. pic.twitter.com/BK5BZtp146
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) January 13, 2026
Shortly after arriving, President Zardari met with the commander of Bahrain’s National Guard.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office said earlier this week that during the visit, President Zardari will hold meetings with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who is also the prime minister.
“The discussions will focus on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest,” the Foreign Office said.
“The visit seeks 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 Foreign Office added.
🔊PR No.1️⃣6️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Curtain Raiser: Visit of the President to Bahrain 13-16 January, 2026 https://t.co/60auEXgcGG
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/H9cM0t7RlF— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) January 12, 2026
In December 2025, General Shaikh Mohammad Bin ISA Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Commander Bahrain National Guard, called on Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in Rawalpindi.
During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security, and bilateral defence cooperation were discussed. They reaffirmed their resolve to further enhance existing military-to-military ties between the two countries, a military statement said.
In November last year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid a two-day visit to Bahrain, aiming to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, energy, and other sectors. PM Sharif had reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to deepening ties with Bahrain.
Discussing economic relations, Prime Minister Sharif had underlined Pakistan’s desire to expand trade and investment and said bilateral trade was set to grow with the Pakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement.
Earlier in September, Bahrain’s interior minister had visited Pakistan, with the two countries agreeing to enhance cooperation in the fields of counter-terrorism, anti-narcotics, and immigration.
Pakistan enjoys cordial ties with Bahrain, with both nations establishing diplomatic ties in 1971. Bahrain is also an important source of foreign remittances for Pakistan, with over 120,000 Pakistanis residing there and contributing to the Gulf state’s economy while serving as a vital bridge in bilateral relations.
In recent months, both countries have intensified cooperation, highlighted by Pakistani companies signing contracts worth $13 billion at the inaugural Pakistan–Bahrain Investment Summit held in May.
In July, Pakistan and Bahrain further pledged to enhance security cooperation and work jointly to prevent drug trafficking and human smuggling.
President Asif Ali Zardari, in December last year, invited Bahraini investors to explore business opportunities in Pakistan’s priority sectors, including food security, information technology, and tourism.
