POLITICAL ISSUES
Bahrain
1. Machine readable passport for Pakistanis in Bahrain soon
Islamabad, Saturday, 7 May 2011
On the demand of the Pakistani ambassador and community in Bahrain to issue machine readable passport there, Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik asked Director General, Passport to immediately deploy staff in Bahrain to do the needful.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Iran
2. 66 illegal Pak immigrants deported from Iran
Dalbandin, Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Iranian authorities arrested 66 illegal Pakistani immigrants and handed them over to Pakistani officials at the Taftan border on Monday
Source: The International News, Karachi 

3. Iranian Ambassador calls on State minister for Foreign Affairs
Islamabad, Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar received Ambassador Mashallah Shakeri of Iran at her Chamber in the Parliament House on Tuesday. The Minister of State stressed that Pakistan-Iran relations were based on common history, religion, culture and traditions. The entire range of bilateral relations was reviewed.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

4. President phones Ahmadinejad, discusses bilateral ties
Islamabad, Saturday, 21 May 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari telephoned Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Saturday evening and discussed bilateral relations, economic cooperation and situation in the region.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

5. Iranian Advisor for better bilateral relations between Pak-Iran
Islamabad, Saturday, 28 May 2011
Advisor to the President of Iran on Women and Family Affairs, Dr. Masooma Muhammadi said to journalists on Saturday that people to people contact and exchange of delegations between Iran and Pakistan will increase relations and help further cement ties.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Jordan
6. PM greets Jordanian counterpart on Independence Day
Islamabad, Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has sent a message of greetings to Prime Minister of Jordan Marouf Al Bakhit on their independence day falling on May 25.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Kuwait
7. Zardari arrives in Kuwait
Kuwait, Saturday, 7 May 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari was accorded a red-carpet welcome as he arrived on Saturday evening for a two-day official visit to hold talks with the Kuwaiti leadership for further bolstering the multi-faceted ties between the two brotherly countries.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

8. Speaker Kuwait National Assembly calls on Zardari
Kuwait, Sunday, 8 May 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari met the Speaker of the National Assembly of Kuwait Jassem Mohammad Al-Khorafi at Bayan Palace. He discussed matters of mutual interest, with particular reference to parliamentary exchanges between the two countries.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

9. Zardari, Sabah agree to set up special body for joint ventures in Pakistan
Kuwait, Sunday, 8 May 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari and Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah agreed on Sunday to set up a high-powered committee, which will meet immediately to identify areas of investment in Pakistan by Kuwaiti entrepreneurs.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan; See also: The Dawn, Lahore

Lebanon
10. PM greets caretaker PM of Republic of Lebanon on Independence Day
Islamabad, Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has greeted the Caretaker Prime Minister of the Republic of Lebanon Saad Hariri on their Independence Day falling on Wednesday (May 25).
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Saudi Arabia
11. Saudi King, Rehman Malik discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties
Riyadh, Saturday, 7 May 2011
Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik called on Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz here on Saturday and discussed ways to strengthen the existing fraternal relations between the two countries.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan; See also, The Dawn, Lahore; The International News, Karachi

12. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia have similar stance against Terrorism: Malik
Islamabad, Sunday, 8 May 2011
Federal Minister for Interior, Rehman Malik said on Sunday that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had similar stance on war against terrorists as both wanted to get rid of the menace at all costs.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

13. Attack on the Saudi Consulate, Karachi
Karachi, Thursday, 12 May 2011
Two men on a motorcycle hurled two hand-grenades on the Saudi Consulate in Karachi on Wednesday, causing low-intensity explosions.
Source: The Dawn, Lahore; See also: The International News, Karachi

14. Saudi Diplomat gunned down in Karachi
Karachi, Tuesday, 17 May 2011
A Saudi diplomat was gunned down in the DHA area of the Karachi city on Monday morning, days after two grenades were lobbed at the Saudi Consulate building. Taliban claimed responsibility. Saudi Arabia asked for more security for their diplomatic missions in Pakistan.
Source: The Dawn, Lahore; See also: The International News, Karachi

15. Saudi Arabia a times tested friend of Pakistan: Dr. Firdous
Islamabad, Sunday, 22 May 2011
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that Saudi Arabia is a time tested friend of Pakistan. She said that the purpose of her visit to Saudi Arabia is to express solidarity of the people and the Government of Pakistan with King Abdullah and his government.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

16. Persons involved in assassination of Saudi diplomat to be brought to justice: Dr. Firdous
Islamabad, Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Tuesday that persons found guilty of assassinating Saudi diplomat Hassan Al Qahtani will be brought to justice soon.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

17. Saudi Arabia will stand by Pakistan: Saudi envoy
Islamabad, Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Pakistan Abdul Aziz bin Ibrahim Al-Ghadeer on Tuesday said that the assassination of Saudi diplomat Hassan Al Qahtani would not affect relations between the two countries. He added that he had complete trust in the justice system of Pakistan to catch the culprit.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Syria
18. Syrian president condoles with President Zardari over father’s death
Islamabad, Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Syrian president Bashar al Assad on Tuesday expressed condolence to President Asif Ali Zardari on the death of his father.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Turkey
19. Turkey always supported Pakistan in difficult time: Governor
Lahore, Sunday, 1 May 2011
Governor of Punjab province Sardar Latif Khosa, talking to a Turkish political party delegation headed by BB Party’s Chairman Yalcin Topgu said that the brotherly Islamic country Turkey has always stood with Pakistan in times of difficulty.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

20. Pakistan’s Judicial delegation visits Turkey
Ankara, Tuesday, 24 May 2011
A 13-member group of senior judicial officers from Pakistan paid a five-day visit to Turkey as part of in-service training programme through the International Islamic University. The visiting delegation held meetings with under-secretary of Turkish Ministry of Justice where they were briefed about the data processing of legal cases that has facilitated speedy justice in Turkey.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

21. Ahmed Mukhtar reaches Istanbul to attend International Defence Industry Fair
Rawalpindi, Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Federal Minister for Defence Ch.  Ahmad Mukhtar has reached Istanbul to lead the Pakistani delegation in the 10th International Defence Industry Fair, starting from Tuesday, at the TAYAP Fair Center.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Yemen
22. PM greets Yemeni counterpart on National Day
Islamabad, Sunday, 22 May 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has greeted his Yemeni counterpart on their national day falling on Sunday (May 22).
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

ECONOMIC ISSUES
Kuwait
23. President Zardari Invites Kuwaiti Entrepreneurs to invest in Pakistan
Kuwait, Sunday, 8 May 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari while assuring full protection to foreign investments, on Sunday invited the Kuwaiti businessmen and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the investment-friendly policies.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

24. Kuwaiti Fund to participate in financing of Bhasha Dam
Kuwait, Sunday, 8 May 2011
The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) on Sunday announced to participate in the financing of Bhasha Dam and desilting of Tarbela Dam projects in Pakistan.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Turkey
25. Turkish firms keen to invest in Pakistan
Lahore, Saturday, 7 May 2011
Turkish-Pakistan Business Council (TPBC) Chairman Huseyin Akin has said in Lahore that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) would get a considerable boost soon as a number of Turkish companies are working out sector-specific investment through joint ventures with their Pakistani counterparts.
Source: The Dawn, Lahore

26. Pakistan, Turkey to take bilateral trade to $2 billion by 2012
Ankara, Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Tariq Azizuddin in a meeting with a visiting delegation of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) said efforts are underway to further boost existing annual bilateral trade between Turkey and Pakistan from the present US$ 997 million to US$ 2 billion by 2012.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

UAE
27. UAE earmarks $100 million to help Pakistan rebuild infrastructure
Islamabad, Wednesday, 11 May 2011
United Arab Emirates has earmarked US$ 100 million to help Pakistan reconstruct its infrastructure for providing educational and clean drinking water facilities to the areas affected by flash floods last year.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

28. Dubai Businessmen looking for investment in marble and granite sector
Islamabad, Wednesday, 18 May 2011
A delegation of businessman from Dubai visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Wednesday and held meetings with entrepreneurs having common interest in various fields.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

ENERGY
Kuwait
29. President Zardari seeks Kuwaiti Support to overcome energy shortage
Kuwait, Sunday, 8 May 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday urged the Kuwaiti financial and investment giants to help Pakistan overcome its energy shortages through financing and investments in major energy and infrastructure projects.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Iran
30.  Iran ready to export electricity to Pakistan: envoy
Islamabad, Thursday, 19 May 2011
The Iranian Ambassador Masha`Allah Shakeri while speaking on `Pak-Iran relations in the context of emerging regional and global scenario` at the Institute of Policy Studies in Islamabad on Wednesday said that Iran is willing to export electricity to Pakistan to help it come out of its energy crisis.
Source: The Dawn, Lahore

MISCELLANEOUS
31. Yemeni caught in “mid-level Al-Qaeda operative”
Karachi, Wednesday, 18 May 2011
A Yemeni al Qaeda militant arrested in the Pakistani city of Karachi was a "mid-level" operative and explosives expert involved in plotting attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan, security officials alleged on Wednesday.
Source:  Reuters

32. Arab uprising: West’s selective response surprises experts
Islamabad, Friday, 20 may 2011
Speakers at a conference in Islamabad on Thursday traced the social and economic causes behind the Arab unrest and expressed surprise over the selective response of the West that was trying to channelize the direction of the change. The conference, `Middle East developments: trends and future prospects` was organized by Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) in collaboration with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) of Iran at a local hotel.
Source: The Dawn, Lahore

33. Saudi Arabia, UAE financing extremism in south Punjab
Lahore, Sunday, 22 May 2011
A US official in a cable sent to the State Department stated that “financial support estimated at nearly 100 million USD annually was making its way to Deobandi and Ahl-i-Hadith clerics in south Punjab from organizations in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates ostensibly with the direct support of those governments.” This information was revealed by WikiLeaks.
Source: The Dawn, Lahore

34. Don’t provide Iran with a foothold, US told Pak
Lahore, Tuesday, 24 May 2011
A US State Department official in a meeting urged President Asif Ali Zardari against accepting Iran’s offer of concessional oil for Pakistan and providing Iran with a foothold in Pakistan, a ‘Secret’ American diplomatic cable made available to Dawn reveals. The meeting between Richard Boucher, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia during the Bush administration, and President Zardari took place on October 18, 2008 at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, during which Mr Zardari apprised the visiting official of the Iranian offer that the President “did not believe he could refuse.”
Source: The Dawn, Lahore

35. Reduction of Hajj stay to 30 days proposed
Lahore, Friday, 27 May 2011
The Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs proposed to the religious affairs ministry in Islamabad on Thursday to consider reducing the obligatory stay in Saudi Arabia for Hajj pilgrims to 30 days from 40 in order to decrease the expenses.
Source: The Dawn, Lahore

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