News Desk |
On Monday, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, H.E Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa landed in Pakistan for a two-day visit on the invitation of Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. He was received by FM Qureshi and the two held detailed discussions on strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Bahrain, and regional stability.
FM Qureshi and Bahrain’s Foreign Minister conveyed their satisfaction over the harmonious course of bilateral relations between their two countries and reinstated their resolve to further strengthen relations and extend cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. Qureshi thanked Bahrain for the generous grant of the King Hamad University of Nursing and Associated Medical Sciences, and he hoped that the project will soon enter the construction phase.
FM H.E Shaikh Khalid commended Pakistan’s efforts for exercising restraint in the face of Indian aggression to maintain peace and stability in the region, and also lauded Islamabad’s contributions to the Afghan peace process.
Foreign Minister H.E Shaikh Khalid was informed of Pakistan’s apprehensions at the lurking threat of another act of Indian aggression, and FM Qureshi emphasized Pakistan’s strong disapproval of India’s inclusion and any kind of appointment in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The statement issued by Ministry Of Foreign Affairs notes, “Expressing deep appreciation for Bahrain’s support to Pakistan’s Resolution on “Maintenance and Promotion of Regional Peace and Security in South Asia” at the 46thCFM, the Foreign Minister underscored Pakistan’s strong reservations at assigning India any role in the OIC.”
Bahrain’s Foreign Minister H.E Shaikh Khalid was also briefed on the regional situation and India’s aggressing posturing given that the Lok Sabha elections had drawn closer. Qureshi warned that “If India chose the path of aggression, Pakistan would fully respond”.
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FM Qureshi also briefed FM H.E Shaikh Khalid on Pakistan’s role in the ongoing negotiations between the US peace representative and the Afghan Taliban. FM H.E Shaikh Khalid commended Pakistan’s efforts for exercising restraint in the face of Indian aggression to maintain peace and stability in the region, and also lauded Islamabad’s contributions to the Afghan peace process.
Pak-Bahrain Bilateral Relations: Trade & Investment
Foreign Minister H.E Shaikh Khalid expressed Bahrain’s desire to strengthen bilateral relations with Pakistan, particularly in the fields of trade and investment. He mentioned Prime Minister Imran Khan’s invitation to the Prime Minister of Bahrain to visit Islamabad, and expressed hope that this visit would soon be arranged and scheduled for an early date.
Pakistan and Bahrain have signed Memorandum of Understandings regarding promotion of bilateral trade and investment, avoidance of double taxation and prevention of tax evasion.
The two foreign ministers agree to schedule a second round of the Joint Ministerial Commission, which is expected to be scheduled during the later half of 2019, in Manama. They signed three Memorandum of Understandings that focus on improving bilateral trade and investment, prevention of tax evasion and avoidance of double taxation.
MOFA informs that the two leaders inked a Protocol on Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion, which will allow Bahrain and Pakistan to eliminate challenges for traders and investors. Pakistan and Bahrain have signed Memorandum of Understandings regarding promotion of bilateral trade and investment, avoidance of double taxation and prevention of tax evasion.
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On Tuesday, the Foreign Minister of Bahrain Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa is expected to call on President Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan, followed by a meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Mina Jahangir with additional input by News Desk.