Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Bahrain on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, for a two-day official visit to hold talks with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and top leaders on boosting trade, investment, and counter-terrorism efforts.
This PM Shehbaz Bahrain visit November 2025 holds significance for South Asia by reinforcing Pakistan’s economic lifelines to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Remittances from Bahrain sustain over 100,000 Pakistani expatriates, while enhanced trade could inject stability into Pakistan’s fragile economy. It also counters regional isolation amid tensions with neighbours, positioning Islamabad as a reliable partner in energy security and maritime cooperation across the Arabian Sea.
Shehbaz Sharif Bahrain Official Visit Launches with Royal Receptions
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif touched down in Manama on November 26, 2025, greeted by Bahraini officials at Bahrain International Airport. The Shehbaz Sharif Bahrain official visit centres on high-level deliberations to elevate Pakistan-Bahrain relations.
The delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers for foreign affairs, commerce, and information, plus senior bureaucrats. This composition reflects the multifaceted agenda, blending diplomacy with economic imperatives.
During the PM Shehbaz Bahrain visit November 2025, Sharif will engage in bilateral meetings. The itinerary features a core audience with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at Al-Safriya Palace. Subsequent discussions involve Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, alongside Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.
“This official visit signifies the longstanding cordial relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Pakistan, with the aim of promoting a result-oriented and strategic partnership between the two countries,” stated the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad.
The Foreign Office echoed this sentiment. “The visit reaffirms the longstanding and multifaceted relationship between the two brotherly countries,” it noted in a press release. These engagements aim to chart pathways for mutual growth.
Pakistan Bahrain Bilateral Ties Shehbaz Targets: Trade Surge and Energy Deals
At the heart of the Pakistan Bahrain bilateral ties Shehbaz agenda lies economic expansion. Current trade volumes hover between USD 500 million and USD 1 billion annually, per Ministry of Foreign Affairs data. Pakistan exports rice, textiles, leather goods, and surgical instruments to Bahrain, while imports include aluminium and petroleum products.
Prime Minister Sharif seeks to double this figure through targeted incentives. Discussions will explore joint ventures in renewable energy, given Bahrain’s Vision 2030 push for sustainability. Pakistan offers solar and wind expertise, potentially securing USD 200 million in initial investments.
In February 2025, Sharif urged Bahrain to ramp up imports of Pakistani meat and rice during a virtual summit. “Pakistan is keen to expand cooperation with Bahrain in trade and investment,” he remarked then, as reported by official channels.
The visit builds on September 2025 pledges. Then, both sides vowed deeper collaboration in anti-narcotics and immigration control. Memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on extradition, mutual legal assistance, and specialised police training are slated for signing. These instruments stem from joint military exercises like Al-Badar VII, conducted earlier this year.
Bahrain’s role as a GCC hub amplifies these stakes. Enhanced Pakistan Bahrain bilateral ties Shehbaz fosters could facilitate broader free trade access, leveraging Bahrain’s agreements with the US and EU.
Bahrain King Hamad Meets PM Shehbaz: Security and People-to-People Bonds
The Bahrain King Hamad meets PM Shehbaz session anchors the security pillar. Talks will review coastguard operations, border management, and counter-terrorism protocols. Bahrain’s strategic Gulf position complements Pakistan’s maritime capabilities, vital for countering piracy in the Arabian Sea.
“The visit will strengthen the traditionally warm and cordial relations, chart new avenues for partnership, and deepen people-to-people connections, which will contribute to mutually beneficial cooperation,” the Prime Minister’s Office added.
Cultural exchanges feature prominently. Initiatives include scholarships for Pakistani students in Bahraini universities and joint festivals celebrating shared Islamic heritage. With over 100,000 Pakistanis in Bahrain’s workforce, mainly in construction and services, welfare schemes top the list. Recent data shows 939 Pakistanis migrated for jobs in Q1 2025 alone, underscoring labour mobility.
This PM Shehbaz Bahrain visit November 2025 revives momentum from historical precedents. Diplomatic ties date to 1971, with Bahrain hosting Pakistan’s embassy in Manama and a consulate in Karachi. In 2014, King Hamad’s Pakistan trip yielded six pacts on defence, health, and culture. Recent phone calls, including an Eid Al Adha exchange in June 2025, have sustained warmth.
Background: Enduring Pakistan-Bahrain Fraternity
Pakistan and Bahrain share deep-rooted bonds, forged in mutual support during regional upheavals. Bahrain backed Pakistan’s UN bids in the 1970s, while Islamabad provided military training post-independence. Trade has grown steadily, from USD 200 million in 2010 to current levels.
Key milestones include the 2014 agreements on investment protection and air services. The September 2025 ministerial commission session furthered these, focusing on technology transfer. Bahrain’s USD 1 billion sovereign wealth fund eyes Pakistani infrastructure, aligning with Islamabad’s USD 50 billion privatisation drive.
These foundations ensure the Shehbaz Sharif Bahrain official visit yields tangible results, beyond rhetoric.
What’s Next: Post-Visit Momentum
Following the November 27 wrap-up, follow-up committees will monitor MoU implementation. A reciprocal Bahraini delegation to Islamabad is under consideration for Q1 2026. Energy pacts could materialise by mid-2026, targeting LNG supplies to ease Pakistan’s USD 20 billion import bill.
The PM Shehbaz Bahrain visit November 2025 marks a pivotal moment in fortifying enduring partnerships, promising sustained prosperity for both nations.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, November 26th, 2025
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