POLITICAL ISSUES
Algeria
1.  Zardari urges envoys to pursue country’s economic interests abroad
Islamabad, Friday, 8 April 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari stressed economic diplomacy by all diplomats for promoting economic interests of the country. Talking to Pakistan’s ambassador-designate to Algeria Mohammad Aslam, Zardari called for encouraging the business community in countries of their posting to avail Pakistan’s liberal incentives package and investment friendly policies.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Iran
2. Pakistan and Iran had age-old relations: Shakeri
Islamabad, Thursday, 7 April 2011
Islamic Republic of Iran “had age-old relations, based on cultural, ethnic, and spiritual links” with Pakistan and there are Islamic and brethren relations between the peoples of both countries. This was stated by Iranian ambassador to Pakistan Masha’allah Shakeri in Islamabad on Thursday at the National Language Authority (NLA).
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

3. Ambassador of Iran meets Rehman Malik
Islamabad, Wednesday, 13 April 2011
On Wednesday Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan Masha’allah Shakeri met Interior Minister Rehman Malik and discussed various matters related to Pak-Iran border atmosphere.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

4. Rehman Malik leaves for Iran as special envoy of President Zardari
Islamabad, Tuesday, 19 April 2011
On Tuesday Interior Minister Rehman Malik left for Iran as a special envoy of President Asif Ali Zardari. He will meet President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and convey a special message from Zardari.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

5. Rehman Malik meets Iranian counterpart
Islamabad, Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Minister for Interior Rehman Malik met with his Iranian counterpart Mustafa Muhammad Nijar and discussed the matters of mutual interests. Currently he is undertaking an official visit to Tehran
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

6. Rehman Malik, Shakiri discuss bilateral ties
Islamabad, Saturday, 23 April 2011
On Sunday Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan Masha’allah Shakeri called on Interior Minister Rehman Malik and discussed bilateral relations besides various matters related to Pak-Iran border.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

7. Pakistan, Iran enjoy cultural, religious bonds: Dr Firdous
Islamabad, Thursday, 28 May2011
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Awan said that Pakistan and Iran enjoy strong cultural, religious, historic, economic, political and geographical relations which bind them in eternal friendship and brotherhood during her meeting with Iranian ambassador to Pakistan Masha’allah Shakeri.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Israel
8. UN report on Gaza conflict stands unchanged: Hina Jilani
London, Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Leading Pakistani human rights activist Hina Jilani, who was a member of UN Fact Finding mission on 2008-09 Gaza Conflict, has insisted that Judge Goldstone report stands unchanged despite Israeli calls to revisit the report that accused the Jewish State of possible war crimes.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Libya
9. 5828 Pakistani nationals evacuated from Libya return home: FO
Islamabad, Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Some 5828 Pakistani nationals evacuated from Libya have returned to Pakistan so far, said a press statement issued by Foreign Office on Tuesday.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

OIC
10. Hina hails OIC’s consistent support for legitimate struggle of Kashmiri people
Islamabad, Thursday, 21 April 2011
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar received Special Representative of the OIC Secretary General on Jammu and Kashmir Ambassador Abdullah Abdulrahman Alim in the Foreign Office .The Minister of State, while welcoming the Special Representative’s visit to Pakistan, appreciated OIC’s consistent support for the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Palestine
11. Pakistan urges UNSC, Mideast Quartet to help create sovereign Palestinian state
United Nations, Friday, 22 April 2011
With prospects for the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations fading, Pakistan told the UN Security Council Thursday that the Palestinian Authority’s “impressive march” towards Statehood was the only ray of hope in the pessimistic scenario for Middle East peace. “Attainment of the goal of a Palestinian State by September 2011 is well within our grasp,” Raza Bashir Tarar, Pakistan’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, said in the course of the 15-member Council’s quarterly debate on the Middle East question.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Qatar
12. PM approves delegation for visit to Qatar
Islamabad, Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday approved a delegation to visit Qatar for holding of the first meeting of Joint Committee.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

13.  Ambassador designate calls on President
Islamabad, Wednesday, 20 April 2011
On Wednesday Ambassador designate to Qatar Mohammad Sarfraz Khanzada called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr and discussed matters relating to his new assignment.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Saudi Arabia
14. Ambassador’s appointment abruptly withdrawn
Islamabad Monday 4 April 2011
There was an abrupt withdrawal of Ishtiaq Hussain Andrabi, the ambassador to Saudi Arabia and he was replaced by Additional Secretary (Administration) Naeem Khan, who is a close confidant of Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir.
Source: Dawn

15. Senate body for early release of 3 Pakistanis from Saudi jails
Islamabad, Saturday, 16 April 2011
The Senate Standing Committee on Interior asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to use diplomatic channels and legal ways to secure the early release of three Pakistanis who were given death sentence on March 29 by the Saudi government despite paying of Diyat.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

16. Pak students studying in Saudi Arabia to be hired as ‘Khuddam’
Islamabad, Saturday, 16 April 2011
The Ministry of Religious Affairs will hire 900 Pakistani students studying in Saudi Arabia as Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj for this year’s pilgrimage.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

17. Saudi Arabia keen to invest in energy, agriculture sectors: Hafeez Shaikh
Islamabad, Monday, 18 April 2011
Saudi Arabia is interested in investing in Pakistan’s energy and agriculture sectors, Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said after meeting his Saudi counterpart.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

18. Firdous Awan to visit Saudi Arabia as state guest
Islamabad, Monday, 18 April 2011
The Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Abdul Aziz Al-Ghadeer expressed the hope that upcoming visit of the Information Minister Dr. Firdous Awan would help explore new avenues and opportunities of cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

19. Saudi Prince Bandar desires to further cement ties with Pakistan
Islamabad, Friday, 22 April 2011
Saudi Prince Bandar Bin Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, expressed warm sentiments of friendship between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and reiterated his desire to further strengthen these relations in all areas of mutual interest.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

20. MoS Hina Rabbani to visit Saudi Arabia on April 24-25
Islamabad, Saturday, 23 April 2011
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar will pay an official visit to Saudi Arabia from 24-25 April “to strengthen the existing bonds of friendship and brotherhood”, Foreign Office said.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

21. Warmth is back in ties with Saudi Arabia?
Islamabad, Sunday, 24 April 2011
There is a consensus among political observers that after the inception of the PPP-led government in 2008, Islamabad’s ties with Riyadh had lost the warmth that had defined their partnership for the past six decades. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar’s visit is to bring back the warmth between the two countries.
Source: Dawn

22. Pakistan values its cordial relations with Saudi Arabia: Zardari
Islamabad, Monday 25 April 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari told Vice-Admiral Dakheel Allah Bin Ahmed Al Waqdani, Commander Royal Saudi Naval Forces, that Pakistan values its cordial and friendly relations with Saudi Arabia. The President further emphasized the augmenting socio-economic, trade and defence ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

23. Saudi Naval Commander calls on Noman Bashir
Islamabad, Monday 25 April 2011
Vice-Admiral Dakheel Allah Bin Ahmed Al Waqdani, Commander Royal Saudi Naval Forces, called on Chief of the Naval Staff at his office and held detailed discussion on professional matters.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

24. Hina Khar, Saudi FM agree to strengthen bilateral ties
Riyadh, Monday, 25 April 2011
On Monday Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Saud Al Faisal agreed to further strengthen their existing bilateral ties.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

25. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia agree to enhance ties
Riyadh, Monday, 25 April 2011
A meeting between Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and her Saudi counterpart Dr Nizar bin Obaid Madani agreed that concrete steps would be taken to dispel an impression that there was a ‘chill’ in ties between the two countries.
Source: Dawn

26. Pakistan keen to expand relations with Saudi Arabia: Ahmed Mukhtar
Islamabad, Tuesday, 26 May 2011
Vice-Admiral Dakheel Allah Bin Ahmed Al Waqdani, Commander Royal Saudi Navy Forces along with a delegation of Royal Navy called on the Federal Minister for Defence, Ch. Ahmad Mukhtar in the Ministry of Defence. During the meeting Ch .Ahmad Mukhtar said both the countries enjoy brotherly relations and the people of Pakistan pray for the health King Abdullah and looked forward for his guidance and support.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

27. Close brotherly ties with Saudi Arabia Source of strength for Pakistan: PM
Islamabad, Wednesday, 27 May 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that the people, the Parliament and the Government of Pakistan look towards Saudi Arabia to work for the unity and solidarity of the Muslim Ummah. He said this to Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, who called on him to brief him on her recent visit to Saudi Arabia and meetings with the Saudi leadership
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

28. Saudi Arabia assures Pakistan to continue assistance in all fields: Hina Rabbani
Islamabad, Thursday, 28 May 2011
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar said Saudi leadership has assured that it will continue its cooperation and assistance to Pakistan in all the fields and agreed to enhance bilateral trade.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Turkey
29. Operationalization of Pakistan-Turkey Goods Train reviewed
Islamabad, Saturday, 2 April 2011
Federal Minister for Finance Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh asked the concerned officials of the Ministry of Railways to come out with a concrete marketing plan in consultation and coordination with the trade bodies of the countries, to materialize the concept of Pak-Turkey goods train project.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

30. President Zardari to visit Turkey on April 11
Islamabad, Thursday, 7 April 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari will pay a four-day official visit to Turkey from April 11. Besides bilateral relations, recent developments in the Middle East are expected to figure in consultations between leaders of the two countries.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

31. President Zardari arrives in Turkey on official visit
Ankara, Monday, 11 April 2011
On Monday evening President Asif Ali Zardari arrived on a four day official visit to Turkey and will hold talks with Turkish leadership to further cooperation and strengthening existing bilateral ties. President Zardari was warmly received by Turkish State Minister Mehmet Aydin, Governor Ankara Alaattin Yuksel and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Tariq Azizuddin at Esenboga International Airport.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

32. Pakistan admires Turkey’s democratic consolidation, economic achievements: Zardari
Ankara, Tuesday, 12 April 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari said that Pakistan admires Turkey’s progress in democratic consolidation and economic achievements and its positive role in resolving regional issues.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

33. Turkish media gives extensive coverage to President Zardari’s visit
Ankara, Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Turkish media has given an extensive coverage to the official visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to Turkey. According to the Turkish media, the visit of President Asif Ali Zardari will further promote economic and trade ties between the two countries
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

34. President visits mausoleum of Ataturk, pays homage to Turkish leader
Ankara, Tuesday, 12 April 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari visited the mausoleum (Anitkabir) of the founder of modern Turkey Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and paid homage to the leader of Turkish war of independence
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

35. Zardari, Gul vow to work hand in hand to create vibrantly growing economies
Ankara, Wednesday, 13 April 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul resolved to continue working hand in hand to exploit the vast potential in industrial, energy, communication and infrastructure sectors of their countries to create vibrantly growing economies.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

36. President Zardari, Speaker Turkish National Assembly to work for democracy
Ankara, Wednesday, 13 April 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari and Speaker of Turkish Grand National Assembly Mehmet Ali Sahin expressed the resolve that Pakistan and Turkey would work jointly to strengthen democracy as it was the best way to build peaceful and stable societies
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

37. Zardari acted as statesman in promoting ties with Turkey: Citation
Ankara, Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Turkish President Abdullah Gul conferred on President Asif Ali Zardari the highest Turkish State Order Medal Devlet Nishan at an impressive investiture ceremony on Wednesday.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

38. Pak-Turkish unique friendship has no parallel: President Zardari
Ankara, Wednesday, 13 April 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday said Pakistan and Turkey enjoy special relations and a unique friendship, which has no parallel and is unmatched.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

39. Pakistan, Turkey agree to upgrade Islamabad-Istanbul railway line
Ankara, Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Pakistan and Turkey on Wednesday took a joint leap forward in economic collaboration, when the Presidents of the two countries formally agreed to upgrade the existing Islamabad-Istanbul Railway Line, open up five Turkish bank branches in Pakistan and a currency swap arrangement to bolster trade and commerce
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

40. Zardari, Erdogan pledge to focus on building strategic partnership
Ankara, Thursday, 14 April 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan renewed a pledge to build a strategic partnership focusing on achieving economic prosperity and strengthening political ties.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

41. Turkey, Pakistan should achieve shared prosperity by pooling resources: Zardari
Ankara, Thursday, 14 April 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari said fraternal relations between Pakistan and Turkey should be converted into tangible joint projects by taking advantage of the natural resources, human capital and high end production available in the two countries
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

42. Gul train strong symbol of forward looking ties of Turkey, Pakistan
Islamabad, Sunday, 17 April 2011
Gul cargo train traversing 6,500 kilometres from Islamabad, Tehran to Istanbul will become a symbol of things to come between Pakistan and Turkey in coming years said Foreign Office.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

43. Newly commissioned Pakistan frigate in Turkey
Islamabad, Thursday, 21 April 2011
Pakistan Navy’s Frigate PNS ALAMGIR (FFG-260) started its visit on Thursday at Golcuk Naval Base, Turkey and will depart on April 24.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

UAE:
44. Rehman Malik meets UAE Vice Prime Minister
Islamabad, Monday, 4 April 2011
Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik held a meeting with Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Prime Minister and Interior Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Abu Dhabi
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

45. Pakistan desires peace; security, stability in Middle East: President
Islamabad, Thursday, 7 April 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari said to Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister of United Arab Emirates (UAE) that Pakistan desired peace, security and stability in Middle East and added that any violent move to destabilize the system would be harmful for the regional peace and stability.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

46. 65,831 Pakistani deported from UAE in five years: NA told
Islamabad, Wednesday, 13 April 2011
As many as 65,831 Pakistani were deported from United Arab Emirate (UAE) during the last five years due to different reasons. In a written reply, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar informed the National Assembly on Wednesday that the deported Pakistani either did not possess legal entry visa or failed to legalise their stay in the UAE.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

47. Hina, UAE Minister discuss bilateral ties
Islamabad, Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar met the Foreign Minister of United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai on Tuesday on the sidelines of an international conference on piracy.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

ECONOMIC ISSUES
Turkey
48. Pak-Turkey trade target can be achieved with little efforts: Economist
Ankara, Thursday, 14 April 2011
Pakistan is blessed with a lot of natural potentials in the field of agriculture and assistance of Turkey would definitely help the country further achieve food self-sufficiency goals, said Dr. Zaffar Moin, an economist.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

49. President Zardari pledges full support to Turkish investors in setting up banks, energy projects
Ankara, Thursday, 14 April 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari invited Turkish businessmen to set up banks and invest in energy, infrastructure and food processing projects with the full support and incentives by the government of Pakistan.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

UAE
50. UAE allocates $26 million for revival of educational infrastructure in KPK, FATA
Islamabad, Wednesday, 20 April 2011
The UAE government has allocated US$ 26 million for the revival of educational infrastructure that includes construction, maintenance and rehabilitation of 51 projects in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, South Waziristan and Bajaur.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

MISCELLANEOUS
51. PM directs PIA to bring back Pakistanis from Tunisia who crossed over from Libya
Islamabad, Saturday, 2 April 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani directed the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to operate a special flight to bring back Pakistanis from Tunisia, who have crossed over from Libya.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

52. UAE Airways supports Pakistan Special Olympics team
Islamabad, Monday, 11 April 2011
The national airline of United Arab Emirates will be the exclusive official carrier for the Pakistan Special Olympics team participating in the upcoming “Special Olympics World Summer Games 2011” being held this year in Athens, Greece.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

53. Iranian envoy warns against any attempt to hijack objectives of in North Africa, ME movements
Islamabad, Thursday, 14 April 2011
Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, Masha’allah Shakeri warned against any attempt to hijack objectives of the movements in the Middle East because of the vested interests of western countries. He was addressing a round table discussion on “Awakening of Muslim Ummah”.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

54. National interest drives stance on ME crisis: Hina
Islamabad, Friday, 29 April 2011
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar unwittingly conceded on Thursday that Pakistan might be taking sides in a `neo-cold war` between Iran and the Arab world.
Source: Dawn

Compiled by Dipanwita Chakravortty

Dipanwita Chakravortty 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