Amb. Waheed Ahmad (Former Diplomat): The third session of the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Ministerial Commission is very important because both sides have reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation across a broad spectrum of sectors. Actually, Bahrain is an important member of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and key regional player. Bahrain wants smooth and open navigation through Straits of Hormuz. No one has right to close or block navigation through straits. A huge Pakistani diaspora is part of key government departments or organizations like police, customs, navy and others of Bahrain. Moreover, Pakistani diaspora can further increase its presence on Bahrain in future. Pakistan and Bahrain strategic and defence ties will further strengthened in future. In this regard, Pakistan’s role can further be enhanced in Bahrain if Bahrain joins Makkah Agreement. Now Pakistani IT experts may also join Bahraini economic sectors. In this regard, Pakistanis present in Bahrain can also become a strong reference for youth’s inclusion in Bahraini markets.  

Dr. Shafqat Munir (Economic Expert):Pakistan’s partnership with Gulf countries especially with Bahrain has been important in the past and will remain very important in future too. Pakistan’s bilateral ties with these countries have ben diverse and multidimensional. A lot of Pakistanis are serving in labour markets of these countries. So far as new partnership between Pakistan and Bahrain is concerned, I think that both sides have immense potential of boosting existing cooperation in IT, energy, economic and other sectors. Pakistani IT equipped and skilled youth is already serving IT companies of Middle East and other countries including Bahrain. Pakistan and Bahrain have also decades’ old and time tested security and strategic partnership. Bahraini market is also very important for Pakistan so Pakistan-Bahrain partnership is very significant for both countries. Energy sector is also very important for both countries for future bilateral cooperation. Bahrain is opening up economy so Pakistani youth may have lion’s share from this market by dint of IT skills.