By Zahid Karani
KARACHI: The government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas had appointed Asad Ur Rehman Khan as its Honorary Consul General Karachi, marking a new step in diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
The appointment was formally recognized by the government of Pakistan after the issuance of an exequatur signed by the president, completing the legal and diplomatic requirements for Khan to assume his role. Based in Karachi, Asad Khan was tasked with representing and promoting the interests of the Bahamas in Pakistan at a time when both countries were seeking to broaden their international partnerships beyond traditional regions.
His responsibilities were expected to include facilitating consular services for Bahamian nationals, supporting official engagements, and acting as a bridge between public and private sectors in both countries. Officials familiar with the appointment said Khan’s mandate would place a strong emphasis on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in areas of trade, investment and economic cooperation.
With Pakistan viewed as an emerging market in South Asia and the Bahamas positioning itself as a gateway to the Caribbean and the wider Americas, the honorary consulate was seen as an opportunity to explore new commercial linkages. These included potential collaboration in tourism, financial services, maritime affairs and education.
The role was also expected to promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges, with an aim to deepen mutual understanding between the two societies. Diplomats said such exchanges often played a quiet but significant role in strengthening long-term relations, especially between countries with limited historical interaction.
The appointment reflected the Bahamian government’s broader strategy of expanding its diplomatic footprint and enhancing its presence in South Asia. Officials in Nassau indicated that honorary consulates were an effective way to build relationships, support nationals abroad and identify new areas of cooperation without establishing full diplomatic missions.
