ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that the defence of Pakistan is in strong hands and the government will continue its support for the promotion and betterment of defence production industry. He said this during a visit to Wah on Monday, where he inaugurated the upgradation project of Wah Brass Mills. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) Chairman Lt General Umar Mehmood Hayat welcomed the premier upon his arrival. The premier, along with Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanvir Hussain, inaugurated the upgradation project. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was also present on the occasion. In the wake of its recent upgradation, Wah Brass Mills is now reckoned to be a major name in brass producing industry of South Asia. It is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and facilities to set a new quality benchmark for brass products. Nawaz visited various parts of the facility and also witnessed brass making. He was briefed by the officials on the processing, technology, and quality of products being produced at the facility. The premier hoped that the team of Wah Brass Mills would continue its efforts and play a vital role in the economic augmentation of Pakistan. He appreciated the quality of products being manufactured there as well as the passion of the POF workforce. On the recommendation of the interior minister, the premier announced a 25 percent allowance and two annual increments for the staff of the POF. Earlier, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa called on Nawaz Sharif at the PM’s House. The foreign minister is visiting the country with a high-level delegation, which also includes members of the royal family of the kingdom. He conveyed the special greetings of King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa to the premier. The visit by the Bahraini foreign minister highlights the growing bilateral relations between the two countries. The premier was informed that relations between both the countries had been upgraded to the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), and the first session of the commission was being held in Islamabad, in which both countries would have comprehensive discussions to expand diplomatic, economic, trade, strategic, and cultural ties. The premier welcomed the important step of establishing the JMC and said that this “sends a strong message that Pakistan values its ties with Bahrain”. He underscored the importance of expanding bilateral trade between the two countries. Later, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Bahrain, Javed Malik, called on the premier and briefed him on the growing relations between the two countries. He said that the Bahraini foreign minister’s visit would be instrumental in expanding bilateral ties. The Premier appreciated the performance of Javed Malik and expressed his confidence that relations would continue to grow between the two countries.