King of Bahrain vows to enhance military cooperation at JSHQ

[Edevelop]

ISLAMABAD: King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa of Bahrain along with his delegation made an unprecedented visit to the Joint Services Headquarters (JSHQ) in Rawalpindi, said a press release issued by ISPR on Wednesday night.

The king is on a three-day official visit to Pakistan, leading a 21-member delegation which includes his top defence and internal security chiefs.

Upon his arrival, King Hamad was received by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmood. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt were also present on the occasion.

The ISPR press release said that both sides discussed “brotherly relations between the two countries and vowed to further enhance military cooperation.”

“Paying rich tributes to Pakistan's Military for its valour and sacrifices in defence of the motherland, His Majesty particularly praised professionalism, quality of training and commitment of Pakistan's Armed Forces,” it added.

King Hamad was also presented a guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent of tri-services.

Pakistan has been looking at the visit as an opportunity for expanding trade and promoting investment links but Bahrain appears more interested in bolstering defence relationship.

A Bahraini official said that in his talks with Pakistani leaders the king would touch upon current “regional and international developments as well as issues of mutual interest.”

It is routine for Pakistani services chiefs to pay courtesy calls on foreign heads of state and government while visiting Islamabad, but a trip by a foreign leader to the JSHQ is exceptional.

A source told Dawn that the king was expected to discuss reinforcement of defence cooperation between the two countries during his visit to the JSHQ.

Pakistan had in 2011 helped Bahrain quell an uprising against the monarchy by sending security personnel recruited through military’s welfare wings – Fauji Foundation and Bahria Foundation.

Moreover, Pakistan had previously aided Bahrain in setting up its naval forces and 18 per cent of the Gulf state’s air force comprises Pakistani personnel. It is estimated that over 10,000 Pakistanis are serving in security services of Bahrain.

The Bahrain government had in the past expressed interest in procuring defence equipment from Pakistan.

The king had begun his visit on Tuesday by meeting Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House.

Sharif said Pakistan and Bahrain enjoy “close and cordial relations based on mutual trust and understanding.”


King of Bahrain vows to enhance military cooperation at JSHQ - DAWN.COM

 

[tarrar]

Military relation with Bahrain? There is nothing for Pakistan military to benefit from Bahrain military. All they are asking for is rented & disposable man power from Pakistan, nothing more.

We all saw young Pakistani boys leaving Bahrain's National Guard & protesting in Islamabad against Bahrain because none of the promises were fulfilled & they were treated badly by incompetent officers & so on who think are from heavens.

Brotherly relation my a$$.

 

[Devil Soul]

Bilateral relations: Pakistan, Bahrain weigh options to strengthen defence ties
By Our Correspondent
Published: March 20, 2014

Premier Nawaz Sharif exchanges views with the Bahrain king at the Joint Services Headquarters. PHOTO: PPI

ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and Bahrain discussed expanding their existing defence cooperation after high-level talks held at the Joint Staff headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

King of Bahrain Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, visited the Joint Staff headquarters where he was received by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif along with the chiefs of the three services, including Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif.

During their formal talks, the countries discussed options to strengthen their defence and security cooperation. Historically, Pakistan and Bahrain enjoy strong defence ties. Pakistan had reportedly helped Bahrain set up its naval forces and 18 per cent of the Gulf state’s air force comprises Pakistani personnel.

It is estimated that almost 10,000 Pakistanis are serving in security services of Bahrain. During the Arab Spring, Bahrain is believed to have hired the services of retired military and police officials to quell the revolt.

According to the official statement issued after the talks, the King of Bahrain lauded the professional competence, training and courage of the defence forces of Pakistan. He said Pakistani armed forces have rendered matchless sacrifices for the defence of the country.

Meeting with the president

In his other engagements, the Bahraini King also met President Mamnoon Hussain. According to an official statement released after the meeting, the president said Pakistan attaches great importance to its close and fraternal ties with Bahrain.

He said the two countries have always stood by each other in testing times and appreciated the assistance extended by the Kingdom of Bahrain to Pakistan in difficult times, including the natural calamities the country has witnessed over the years.

Discussing bilateral trade ties, the president said economic relations between the two countries have been gradually improving, however, there was still a lot of untapped potential.

He urged the need to regularly hold meeting of the Joint Commission as it provides a good platform for reviewing the status of bilateral economic and trade cooperation. The chambers of commerce and industry of both countries need to be encouraged to have regular interaction and revitalise the Joint Business Council, the president stated.

King of Bahrain Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa thanked the president, the prime minister and the Government of Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his accompanying delegation, adding that Pakistan was like a second home to him.

Foreign ministers meet

Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz also met his Bahraini counterpart Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa.

The two foreign ministers reviewed the status of the bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international matters. Underscoring the importance of institutional mechanism for cooperation, they welcomed the formation of the Joint Ministerial Commission and the revitalisation of bilateral political consultations between the two countries.

The two foreign ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding on labour and occupational training.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20th, 2014.

 

[Cheetah786]

Brotherly Nation My A$$ Bilateral trade between the two countries is meager $170 million in 2012-2013 . Only thing ''Brotherly Nation'' want is mercenaries till the job is done.

 

[SQ8]

Lets keep the language CIVIL!

And what are those pretty stripes on the Kings Uniform for?? What did he do? And they are literally one single patch!..

These pacts are essentially useless for all else except defence and security. Its simple, the Saudis support the King.. the King is sunni.. the majority is Shia.. and Iranis run the Shia.. so in order to keep the Iranians out , Pakistanis are hired to be commanded by the Saudis in Bahrain and beat the Shia into suppression there whilst minimizing Iranian influence. For their own accord, the Iranians are no saints and are busy pumping Shias everywhere in the world.. for e.g. most of the Media houses in Pakistan.

 

[Donatello]

Lets keep the language CIVIL!

And what are those pretty stripes on the Kings Uniform for?? What did he do? And they are literally one single patch!..

These pacts are essentially useless for all else except defence and security. Its simple, the Saudis support the King.. the King is sunni.. the majority is Shia.. and Iranis run the Shia.. so in order to keep the Iranians out , Pakistanis are hired to be commanded by the Saudis in Bahrain and beat the Shia into suppression there whilst minimizing Iranian influence. For their own accord, the Iranians are no saints and are busy pumping Shias everywhere in the world.. for e.g. most of the Media houses in Pakistan.

Yaar kya bakwas hai yeh. What non-sense all this Gulf countries opening up to Pakistan. We have a dirty laundry to fix at home. Why should we meddle in their affairs, and above all jeopardize our relationship with Iran.

 

[IceCold]

These Muslim countries treat Pakistani's like piece of shit. Heck they give Indians special preference. For example in Dubai Indians are not required to give finger prints while Pakistanis are. So brotherly relations...........(If Oscar hadn't warned, i would had use better language) to describe the so called brotherly relations.
These Kings are no good, Pakistan should look at its own interests. We should not be mercenaries for hire. If its in Pakistan interest to protect the kingdom, ok fine deploy our forces directly under our command but not Arabs. Its an insult to be working under incompetent bunch of morons.

 

[SQ8]

Yaar kya bakwas hai yeh. What non-sense all this Gulf countries opening up to Pakistan. We have a dirty laundry to fix at home. Why should we meddle in their affairs, and above all jeopardize our relationship with Iran.

Look at it this way.. what if some Russian Mafia guy saved you from drowning..and then one day they come calling at you to repay them.Mian Nawaz Sharif may not be completely "guilty" in this matter. He is stuck between a rock and a hard place. In case anyone noticed.. he is losing hair again

 

[Harris007]

Pray for the bright future

 

[Donatello]

Look at it this way.. what if some Russian Mafia guy saved you from drowning..and then one day they come calling at you to repay them.Mian Nawaz Sharif may not be completely "guilty" in this matter. He is stuck between a rock and a hard place. In case anyone noticed.. he is losing hair again

Managing Pakistan in that position, anyone will lose their hair or sanity.

 

[Thorough Pro]

Pakistanioon kay karttot bhi aisay he hain

These Muslim countries treat Pakistani's like piece of shit. Heck they give Indians special preference. For example in Dubai Indians are not required to give finger prints while Pakistanis are. So brotherly relations...........(If Oscar hadn't warned, i would had use better language) to describe the so called brotherly relations.
These Kings are no good, Pakistan should look at its own interests. We should not be mercenaries for hire. If its in Pakistan interest to protect the kingdom, ok fine deploy our forces directly under our command but not Arabs. Its an insult to be working under incompetent bunch of morons.

 

[IceCold]

Pakistanioon kay karttot bhi aisay he hain

Baat to such hai magar baat hai ruswai ki...