KING OF BAHRAIN DUE IN PAKISTAN ON TUESDAY FOR THREE-DAY VISIT

ISLAMABAD, Mar 17, 2014 (Xinhua via COMTEX News Network) — King of Bahrain, Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, is scheduled to visit Pakistan from March 18-20 on the invitation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for bilateral talks, which will focus on economic ties, officials said Monday.

It would be the first official visit of the king of Bahrain to Pakistan in four decades.

The king would be leading a high-level delegation including members of the Cabinet, government officials and important businessmen, the Foreign Ministry said.

During his stay in Islamabad, Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa would hold talks with the president and the prime minister of Pakistan on bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual interest.

The two sides will also discuss ways to increase export of Pakistani manpower to Bahrain and to facilitate the 100,000-strong Pakistani community residing in Bahrain, a Foreign Ministry statement said.

The accompanying Bahraini businessmen will meet their Pakistani counterpart to explore ways to boost trade relations.

“The visit would also provide a good opportunity to explore ways and means to further strengthen cooperation in diverse areas of interest particularly in expanding bilateral trade and enhance investments in Pakistan,” it said.