ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Bahrain have agreed to deepen security cooperation, making the PakistanBahrain Joint Security Committee more effective.

The understanding was reached during a meeting of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi with his Bahraini counterpart Gen Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah AlKhalifa in the capital of Bahrain, Manama, on Saturday.

The discussion centred around collaboration in counterterrorism, anti-human trafficking and antinarcotics, besides regional and global challenges.

According to the interior ministry, both sides appreciated their coordination and cooperation in security and other sectors and emphasised the need to `further strengthen their security collaboration`.

Shaikh Rashid said Mr Nagvi`s visit presented an opportunity to solidify security relations. Bahrain highly valued security cooperation and coordination, he said.

Mr Naqvi said that enhancing cooperation between the Bahraini and Pakistani interior ministries in combating narcotics and human trafficking was the need of the hour.

He later invited his Bahraini counterpart to visit Pakistan. He also recorded his remarks in the visitors` book at the Bahraini Ministry of Interior.

Bahrain`s Deputy Interior Minister MajorGeneral Adel bin Khalifa bin Hamad, chief of public security, senior military officers, Pakistan`s ambassador to Bahrain, deputy head of mission, and other senior diplomatic officials were also present on the occasion.

Earlier on his arrival at the airport on a daylong official visit, Mr Naqvi was warmly welcomed by his Bahraini counterpart.

A guard of honour was presented to him when he later arrived at Manama Fort, the headquarters of Bahrain`s interior ministry.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf had met Bahrain`s topcivil and military leadership during an official visit to the kingdom in December 2024. A month later, Chief of the Army St af f (COAS) Asim Munir met King of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa.

In February, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had expressed the desire to increase the trade volume between the two countries in a meeting with a parliamentary delegation from Bahrain.

Next month, Field Marshal Asim Munir met Commander of the National Guard Gen Shaikh Mohamed bin Isa bin Salman Al-Khalifa.