Bahrain has officially announced that 1,800 Pakistani security forces are active in its guard. This announcement came especially following the visit of Abdullatif Al-Zayani, the Bahraini Foreign Minister, to Pakistan and the statements of his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar. According to Ishaq Dar, in addition, 50 other forces have joined the Bahraini Coast Guard.
Dimensions of Security Cooperation between Bahrain and Pakistan
This security cooperation between Bahrain and Pakistan, particularly in terms of ensuring security and countering internal protests in Bahrain, has once again drawn international attention. In recent years, Bahrain has become dependent on foreign forces due to political and social unrest, and the use of Pakistani forces in this context has faced serious criticism.
Bahraini opposition groups, especially in cyberspace, have repeatedly raised this issue and consider the presence of Pakistani security forces as a sign of a lack of independence in managing their own affairs. They also cite statements from Pakistani officials and view this cooperation as a sign of concerning alliances between the two countries.
The Role of Foreign Security Forces and Its Consequences
Human rights organizations have also frequently criticized the role of Pakistani forces in suppressing protests and mistreating political prisoners in Bahraini prisons. These criticisms, particularly regarding human rights violations, have also been noted by international bodies. Many observers believe that the use of foreign forces in this context could exacerbate tensions and unrest in Bahrain.
Moreover, this security cooperation between Bahrain and Pakistan may have profound political and social consequences for both countries. While Bahrain is trying to secure its safety by using foreign forces, this issue could be perceived as a sign of weakness in the internal management of the country and lead to greater public distrust in the government.
Given the current situation, it seems that Bahrain needs to find a solution to reduce its dependence on foreign forces and strengthen its internal security institutions to help improve the security and social conditions of the country.
