Overview
- President Asif Ali Zardari began a January 13–16 official visit to Bahrain with a high-level delegation.
- He met King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at Al-Qudaibiya Palace, received a guard of honour, and was conferred the Sheikh Isa Award.
- Discussions focused on expanding trade, investment, defence and security cooperation, along with support for the Pakistani community in Bahrain.
- Measures under review include port-to-port links between Karachi and Gwadar and Khalifa bin Salman Port, progress toward a Pakistan–GCC free trade agreement, and recent visa easing.
- The visit follows a November 2025 goal to raise bilateral commerce to $1 billion within three years from a level above $550 million, with a meeting planned with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.