A new Pakistan embassy will open for consular services in Bahrain on September 5. The embassy, which will move to its new premises costing $2.65 million in Hoora, will continue operating at its existing location in Zinj until August 31. "We are closing our visa and consular section for two days (on September 1 and 2) to transfer from New Zinj to the Diplomatic Area," said Rana Muhammad Rafeeq Khan, community welfare attache.
"But our lines will remain open and we will be working as normal. People can call us on the same number in case of emergencies and we will be able to help them." The new embassy was due to open in July last year, but was put back until November. The project was behind schedule because contractors had not been getting enough cement and steel required. Cement supplies from Saudi Arabia remained suspended in 2008 and delays continued on and off until May, bringing the construction industry to a virtual standstill and shutting down the country's readymix concrete plants. The new complex, next to the Oman Embassy, includes a chancery building and ambassador's residence.