ISLAMABAD: Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa has welcomed growing defense cooperation with Islamabad during a meeting with Pakistan’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of Gen. Nadeem Raza, Bahrain’s state news agency reported on Thursday.
Gen. Raza arrived in Bahrain on Sunday.
He was received by Commander in Chief of the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) Field Marshal Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa and met the chief of the National Guard, Gen. Mohammed bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the king’s brother, to discuss bilateral military relations.
On Wednesday, Gen. Raza met the Bahraini king.
“His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa hailed strong relations binding the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, stressing steadily-growing ties on all levels, particularly military and defense cooperation,” Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.
Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa (centers) speaks to Pakistan’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of Gen. Nadeem Raza (4th from L) in Manama, Bahrain on Nov 25, 2021. (Bahrain News Agency)
BNA added that the king “stressed Pakistan’s honorable stances to maintain regional security and stability” and “the importance of such visits which reflect mutual keenness on further bolstering joint cooperation.”
The South Asian nation enjoys close ties with Bahrain, which is home to some 120,000 Pakistani expats.
A delegation of Bahrain’s Council of Representatives visited Islamabad last week. In a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan, the visiting officials have agreed to further strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in the fields of trade and investment.
The prime minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to forge closer ties with the kingdom and invited its leadership to Islamabad.
