Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa underlined strong relations of cooperation and friendship between Bahrain and Pakistan and their development mainly in the military field, Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.
The King was speaking as he received at Safriya Palace on Monday Pakistan’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood who conveyed to him the greetings of Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as well as their best wishes of more progress and prosperity to Bahrain and its people.
The King welcomed General Zubair Mahmood and asked him to convey his greetings to the Pakistani President and Premier as well as his best wishes of further development and prosperity to the Pakistani people. He voiced Bahrain’s keenness on stronger cooperation with Pakistan in the military field, stressing the importance of exchanging experience in promoting Islamic fraternal ties binding both countries.
King Hamad further underscored the importance of exchanging such visits and maintaining coordination to serve the interests of both countries and peoples. He lauded the unwavering stances of Pakistan in supporting Bahrain and its strong cooperation with the GCC countries to ward off threats and preserve regional security and stability.
He praised the role of the Pakistani community in Bahrain's development in all areas. He also discussed the latest regional and international developments and issues of common interest.
For his part, the Pakistani Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee commended the role of HM the King in fostering bilateral relations and cooperation mainly in the defense field, stressing respect and appreciation of the Pakistani leadership and people to Bahrain.
Meanwhile, Bahrain’s National Guard Commander Lieutenant General Sheikh Mohammed bin Isa Al Khalifa received at the National Guard Command at Sakhir Palace the Pakistani Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood and his accompanying delegation.
Both sides also reviewed military cooperation between the National Guard and the Pakistani army.
General Zubair Mahmood listened to a briefing on the duties of the National Guard and development of its military and administrative units, especially after a celebration held marking the 20th anniversary of the National Guard during which His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa handed over the flags of new units which became operational in his prosperous era.
Both sides held an official discussion session under the chairmanship of the National Guard Commander and the Pakistani Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. It was attended by National Guard Staff Director Major General Abdulaziz bin Saud Al Khalifa, senior officers and Pakistani Ambassador to Bahrain Javed Malik.
General Zubair Mahmood got informed about the weapons museum which contains many rare items. He wrote in the Visitors Book. Then, commemorative gifts and shields were exchanged.
The National Guard Commander held a lunch banquet in the Shooting Range Complex hall in honor of General Zubair Mahmood and his accompanying delegation. It was attended by the Pakistani ambassador and senior National Guard officers.
Earlier, Bahrain’s Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and the Chief of Staff of the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF), Lieutenant-General Dheyab bin Saqr Al-Nuaimi, separately met on Sunday with the visiting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee in Pakistan
