POLITICAL ISSUES
Egypt
1. Aircraft being sent to evacuate Pakistanis
Islamabad, Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Prime Minister Gilani ordered a special aircraft to be sent to Cairo to evacuate non-essential staff of the Pakistani embassy along with any other Pakistani national who wished to leave the country.
Source: Dawn, Karachi

2. PIA cancels flights for Pakistanis
Karachi, Sunday, 6 February 2011
PIA cancelled two flights to Cairo on the advice of the Foreign Ministry due to the uncertain situation there.
Source: Dawn, Karachi

Iran  
3. Iran-Pakistan ties stronger than ever, says CG
Karachi, Friday, 11 February 2011
On the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the Iranian Consul General emphasized the close relations between Pakistan and Iran, among other things, with trade having increased to US$ 1.3 billion between the countries.
Source: Dawn, Karachi

Iraq
4. Pak Embassy in Iraq to be functional soon: Malik Amad
Islamabad, Thursday, 3 February 2011
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs informed the National Assembly that the ambassador to Iraq had been appointed and the embassy there would start functioning soon.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Kuwait
5. Gilani, Amir of Kuwait discuss bilateral ties, regional situation
Kuwait, Monday, 14 February 2011
Prime Minister Gilani and the Emir of the State of Kuwait met at the Bayan Palace to discuss matter of mutual interest between the countries and bilateral ties.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

6. Kuwait hints at reviewing visa restrictions on Pakistanis    
Kuwait, Tuesday, 15 February 2011
The Kuwaiti Minister for Social Welfare and Labour informed Prime Minister Gilani that the Kuwaiti government would review visa restrictions imposed on Pakistanis in order to improve trade and economic relations between the two countries.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

7. President Zardari to pay two-day visit to Kuwait
Islamabad, Thursday, 24 February 2011
President Zardari was to pay a two-day visit to Kuwait due to Kuwait’s 50th Independence Day celebrations. The visit would also be to promote bilateral ties.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

8. Zardari joins world leaders on Kuwait’s golden jubilee celebrations
Kuwait City, Saturday, 26 February 2011
President Zardari was one of the 40 heads of state and government present in Kuwait to witness Kuwait’s 50th Independence Day celebrations.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

9. National Day of Kuwait observed
Islamabad, Monday, 28 February 2011
The Ambassador of Kuwait hosted a grand reception in Islamabad to celebrate Kuwait’s golden jubilee and the Federal Minister for Railways was the chief guest for the occasion.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Libya
10. Pakistanis living in Libya are safe: Envoy
Islamabad, Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Ali Javed, Pakistan’s acting Ambassador to Libya claimed that the embassy was in touch with Pakistani nationals and had been assured that they were safe.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

11. Pak military not involved in Libya’s turmoil, says FO
Islamabad, Saturday, 26 February 2011
Pakistan strongly denied the presence of any Pakistani military personnel in Libya, an accusation made by the Arab media.
Source: Dawn, Karachi

12. Progress made to repatriate Pakistanis stranded by Libya crisis: FO
Islamabad, Monday, 28 February 2011
The Foreign Office asserted that progress had been made in the effort to evacuate Pakistanis from Libya. The Interior Minister, Rehman Malik, issued an order to provide travel documents for Pakistanis stranded in Libya free of charge. Embassy officials were negotiating with local authorities in Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt and Turkey to help facilitate the evacuation.
Source: Dawn, Karachi

Oman
13. Pak-Oman agree for cooperation in S & T sector
Islamabad, Monday, 21 February 2011
The Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman called on Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Science and Technology and they agreed to cooperate in the fields of Science and Technology, Oceanography and the enhancement of human resource development.    
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Saudi Arabia
14. Saudi envoy calls on CM
Islamabad, Sunday, 27 February 2011
The Saudi Arabian ambassador called on the Chief Minister of Punjab to discuss mutual interests and the latter thanked Saudi Arabia for its aid to flood affected regions of the country.
Source: Dawn, Karachi

Turkey
15. CAA resolves issue of Turkish flights on directive of PM
Islamabad, Sunday, 6 February 2011
On the instruction of Prime Minister Gilani, the Civil Aviation Authority resolved the issue of the frequency of Turkish Airlines flights to Karachi since it had been brought up during his visit to Turkey.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

16. Unwavering Turkish support for the oppressed people of Kashmir
Ankara, Tuesday, 8 February 2011
The Pakistani Ambassador to Turkey organized a seminar to commemorate Kashmir Solidarity Day and the participants expressed their support for the people of Kashmir and their right to self-determination.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

17. Turkish nation always join hands with Pakistani brothers: Mustafa Babur
Islamabad, Thursday, 10 February 2011
The Ambassador of Turkey to Pakistan asserted the brotherly relations between the countries and said that the relief goods were a gift to the people affected by the floods.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

18. Turkey gives US$ 2 mln medical equipment for seven hospitals
Islamabad, Tuesday, 15 February 2011
The Turkish Health Ministry provided medical equipment and material worth US$ 2 million to seven hospitals in Pakistan. Turkey is also donating two field hospitals.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

19. Pak-Turkey enjoy exemplary bilateral relations
Islamabad, Thursday, 17 February 2011
The Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey and the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan met in Ankara and agreed to strengthen cooperation in their fight against terrorism.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

20. Zardari, Turkish President agree on bolstering ties in diverse fields
Kuwait, Saturday, 26 February 2011
The President of Turkey and the President of Pakistan agreed to increase joint ventures in the private sector for trade and communication when they met during the golden jubilee celebrations of Kuwait’s 50th Independence Day. President Zardari asserted that bilateral trade should be US$ 2 billion or more by 2012.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

UAE
21. Pakistan developing capability in defence production: Ambassador
Abu Dhabi, Thursday, 24 February 2011
After visiting the Pakistani pavilion at the International Defence Exhibition 2011, the Pakistani ambassador made a statement affirming the improved indigenous capabilities in Pakistan to produce sophisticated weapons systems and equipment. He highlighted the advantages of their cost-effectiveness and easy accessibility due to the proximity of Pakistan to the Gulf region.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Multilateral
22. OIC calls on Libyan govt to cease violence against people
Geneva, Friday, 25 February 2011
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN said that the members of OIC had called on the Libyan authorities to end the violence against innocent civilians immediately. At the 15th Special Session of the Human Rights Council he asserted that the demands of the Libyan people had to be met peacefully and the international community should provide aid and relief.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

ECONOMIC ISSUES
UAE
23. UAE group keen in rice, building material
Karachi, Friday, 25 February 2011
The Chairman of FAM holding, a UAE conglomerate, stated that they were interested in buying rice, building material and sanitary-ware in large quantities from Pakistan.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

24. 22 Pakistani Companies to participate in Gulf Food Exhibition
Islamabad, Saturday, 26 February 2011
The Gulf Food Exhibition in Dubai from 27 February to 2 March included 22 Pakistani companies under the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. Since the Gulf region is a net importer of food, the exhibition serves as a platform to establish the companies’ presence.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Turkey
25. Turkish textile importers support Pakistan’s point
Karachi, Tuesday, 1 February2011
In a meeting with the Chief Executive of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Tariq Puri, Turkish businessmen affirmed their support for the Pakistani position that Turkish anti-dumping duties on fabric and denim were unjust. Tariq Puri will meet with the Minister of Commerce and the Minister for Finance to convey Pakistan’s position.
Source: Dawn, Karachi

ENERGY
Iran
26. Pak-Iran project Survey to lay gas pipeline under way
Islamabad, Thursday, 3 February 2011
The physical survey to lay the gas pipeline from Iran’s border to areas in Pakistan under the Pak-Iran was underway according to the Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources.
Source: Dawn, Karachi

27. 50 MW wind power farm to be set up in Thatta
Karachi, Tuesday, 8 February 2011
The Chief Minister of Sindh handed over the land allotment documents to the representative of the Iran-Pakistan Wind Power Limited in order to set up a 50 MW wind power project in Thatta.
Source: Dawn, Karachi

Kuwait
28. Pakistan to get US$ 2 bn worth of oil from Kuwait
Islamabad, Saturday, 26 February 2011
An agreement by Kuwait to give US$ 2 billion worth of oil on deferred payment to Pakistan was anticipated to be signed in the next 10 days.
Source: Dawn, Karachi

MISCELLANEOUS
29. Iran, UoP ink MoU to promote culture
Peshawar, Tuesday, 1 February 2011
The University of Peshawar and the Cultural Centre of the Iranian Consulate signed a Memorandum of Understanding to begin a partnership in joint information service delivery in order to further cultural relations between the two countries.
Source: Dawn, Karachi

30. Iranian delegates visit universities
Lahore, Sunday, 6 February 2011
A delegation from the Fahim Research Institute in Iran visited universities in Lahore to explore opportunities for academic and technological partnerships, amongst other things.
Source: Dawn, Karachi

31. Hajj expenses to be reduced to Rs 1,90,000: Khursheed Shah
Islamabad, Wednesday, 23 February 2011
The Minister for Religious Affairs claimed that efforts were being made to reduce the cost of Hajj expenses from Rs. 2,36,000 to Rs. 1,90,000 per pilgrim for 2011 and made assurances to provide maximum facilities for pilgrims.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

32. UAE provides $ 1.35 mn grant for children used as camel jockeys
Islamabad, Monday, 28 February 2011
The UAE government gave US$ 1,352,500 for children that had been smuggled from Pakistan to UAE in the past to be used as camel jockeys.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Compiled by Shubha Kamala-Prasad

Shubha Kamala Prasad is a Graduate student at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. Email

As part of the policy, the MEI@ND standardizes spellings and date format to make the text uniformly accessible and stylistically consistent. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views/positions of the MEI@ND. Editor, MEI@ND P R Kumaraswamy