A new BD1 million ($2.65 million) Pakistan embassy will open for consular services in Bahrain on September 5.

The embassy, which will move to its new premises in Hoora, will continue operating at its existing location in Zinj until August 31.

"We are closing our visa and councillor 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 attaché.

"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 have opened 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 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.

Officials earlier said it would help the embassy better serve the community by providing a larger and more welcoming environment in an accessible location.

Yathreb Contracting Company was awarded the contract to complete the project. Andalus Engineering Consultancy had been involved in the designing of the complex, while Ansari Engineering Services was the sub-consultant for Pakistan-based Nespak Consultancy.

Its contact details, including telephone number, fax and e-mail, will remain the same. – TradeArabia News Service