Shehbaz targets $1bn Pakistan–Bahrain trade in 3 years
“Shehbaz Sharif set a $1bn trade target with Bahrain and pitched port-to-port connectivity and sectoral investment.”
Key points
- Shehbaz Sharif set a $1bn trade target with Bahrain and pitched port-to-port connectivity and sectoral investment.
- The visit also saw Bahrain confer its top order on the PM and both sides pledge closer coordination.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, meeting Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa in Manama, set a goal to lift Pakistan–Bahrain trade from roughly $550 million to $1 billion within three years. He invited Bahraini investors to explore food security, IT, construction, minerals, healthcare, renewables and tourism, and proposed direct port-to-port links between Karachi/Gwadar and Khalifa Bin Salman Port.
The Prime Minister’s Office said the plan would be underpinned by progress on the Pakistan–GCC free trade agreement and recent visa facilitation steps. Shehbaz congratulated Bahrain on winning a UN Security Council non-permanent seat for 2026–27 and offered close coordination during its tenure.
He also thanked Bahrain for supporting the Pakistani diaspora and signalled readiness to send more skilled workers. During the visit, King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa conferred the Order of Bahrain (First Class) on the premier, with both sides expressing confidence that the talks would translate into concrete outcomes.
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