Bilateral Security Cooperation
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a high-level meeting with his Bahraini counterpart, General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, in Manama to explore ways of deepening security cooperation between Pakistan and Bahrain.
The meeting, which took place at the Interior Ministry headquarters at Manama Fort, focused on a range of shared concerns including counter-terrorism, human trafficking, narcotics control, and regional security.
According to a statement released by Radio Pakistan, both leaders reviewed the progress of existing bilateral initiatives and agreed to enhance cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening coordination between their respective interior ministries, particularly in areas directly affecting internal and regional security.
During the meeting, Interior Minister Naqvi underscored the urgent need to step up joint efforts in combating transnational crimes, particularly drug smuggling and human trafficking, which pose serious challenges to both countries. He also stressed the importance of modernizing intelligence sharing and operational coordination mechanisms between the two nations.
In this context, Naqvi proposed revitalizing the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Security Committee, suggesting it could play a crucial role in shaping a comprehensive framework for future cooperation.
His Bahraini counterpart, General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, warmly welcomed these proposals and praised Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and security.
He described Naqvi’s visit as a timely and valuable opportunity to further consolidate strategic relations between the two nations, especially given the evolving security landscape in the Middle East and South Asia. The Bahraini minister also commended the level of trust and coordination already present between Pakistan and Bahrain’s security institutions.
To solidify this growing partnership, Naqvi extended a formal invitation to the Bahraini interior minister to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience. The offer was positively received, with both sides agreeing that frequent exchanges and dialogue are essential for maintaining momentum in bilateral relations.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from both countries, including Bahrain’s Deputy Interior Minister and Chief of Public Security, as well as Pakistan’s Ambassador to Bahrain, Saqib Rauf, and other members of the Pakistani diplomatic mission.
Earlier, Naqvi was accorded a warm welcome at Bahrain International Airport and received a ceremonial guard of honour upon his arrival at the Interior Ministry headquarters.
