Political issues
Bahrain
1. Pakistan keen to strengthen ties with Bahrain: PM
Islamabad, Thursday, 16 June 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan values its brotherly relations with Bahrain and desired to further strengthen cooperation in all spheres. He expressed confidence that the fifth meeting of the Pakistan-Bahrain Joint Economic Commission would be held soon to promote the bilateral links.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

2. President for stronger trade, defence ties with Bahrain
Islamabad, Thursday, 16 June 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari said that enhanced trade and defence ties with Bahrain and expanded bilateral cooperation in labour and manpower would further strengthen ties between the two countries.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

3. Commander National Guards Bahrain calls on General Khalid Shameem Wynne
Rawalpindi, Friday, 17 June 2011
Lieutenant General Sheikh Mohamed Bin Isa Bin Al-Khalifa, Commander National Guards of Bahrain, called on General Khalid Shameem Wynne, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) at Chaklala and discussed matters of mutual interest.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Kuwait
4. PNS ‘Alamgir’ to hold joint exercises with Kuwait Navy from July 2
Islamabad, Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Pakistani Naval Ship (PNS), Alamgir will hold joint exercises with Kuwait Navy during a good-will visit to Kuwait from July 2 to 6.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan
http://ftpapp.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=143507

Iran
5. Iranian Governor calls on Senate Chairman
Islamabad, Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Dr. Mahmoud Salahi, Governor General of Khorasan Razavi Province of Iran and members of his delegation met with Senate Chairman Farooq H. Naek at the Parliament House. Talking to the members of Iranian delegation, Naek said that the current level of trade between Pakistan and Iran stands around US$ 1 billion. The two countries have committed to raise it to US$ 4 billion by 2015.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

6. Joint Commission recommends opening of two more crossing points on Pak, Iran border
Islamabad, Tuesday, 7 June 2011
Pakistan-Iran Joint Commission on Road Transportation recommended that both countries should open two additional international crossing points at Pishin-Mand as well as Gabd-Reemdan for promoting trade and commerce between the two counties.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

7. Pakistan plays down Iranian warning on nuclear assets
Islamabad, Thursday, 9 June 2011
Pakistan sought to play down Iranian warning that the United States was planning to sabotage its nuclear facilities by emphasising that its atomic programme was safe and secure.
Source: The Dawn, Lahore

8. Zardari, Ahmadinejad pledge to continue collaboration for regional peace
Astana, Wednesday, 15 June 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressed their determination to continue close collaboration to further regional peace and stability. During a meeting on the sidelines of the summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the two leaders held fruitful discussion on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

9. Senate informed about successful electricity agreements with Iran
Islamabad, Thursday, 23 June 2011
The upper house of the parliament was informed about the successful agreements of importing electricity from Iran on low rates.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

10. President arrives in Tehran to attend anti-terrorism conference
Tehran, Friday, 24 June 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari arrived on a two-day official visit to Tehran to attend an anti-terrorism conference and to meet the Iranian leadership.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

11. Zardari, Ahmedinejad agree to strengthen bilateral cooperation
Tehran, Friday, 24 June 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad agreed to further strengthening bilateral cooperation and mutual engagement in diverse fields for socio-economic development of the people of two countries besides promoting stability, peace, development and shared prosperity of the region. They also expressed the resolve for enhancing mutual coordination for countering terrorism, narcotics control and human trafficking besides sanitizing the borders from the terrorists.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

12. President Zardari, Iran’s supreme leader discuss challenges faced by Muslim Ummah
Tehran, Saturday, 25 June 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari called on the Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei and discussed various challenges faced by the Muslim Ummah and the need to bring unity in their ranks to effectively tackle the problems.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

13. Tehran anti-terror conference confers award on late Benazir
Tehran, Saturday, 25 June 2011
The International conference on global fight against terrorism posthumously awarded former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto for her leading role in fight against militancy.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

14. Pak-Iran project’s gas not meant for domestic consumers: Secretary
Islamabad, Thursday, 30 June 2011
During a briefing of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources, Secretary Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources Muhammad Ejaz Chaudhry said that domestic consumers would not be able to afford Pak-Iran project’s gas.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Iraq
15. Pak-Iraq to have joint ventures in higher education sector
Islamabad, Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Iraq and Pakistan will have joint ventures for promoting higher education and research activities to further strengthen the cordial ties between both the countries.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Oman
16. Commander Royal Navy of Oman calls on CJCSC
Rawalpindi, Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Rear Admiral Abdullah Bin Khamis Bin Abdullah Al-Raisi, Commander of Royal Navy of Oman, called on General Khalid Shameem Wynne, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) at Chaklala and discussed matters of professional interest.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Qatar
17. Envoy presents credentials to Qatar Government
Islamabad, Tuesday, 14 June 2011
The newly appointed ambassador to Qatar Muhammad Sarfraz A. Khanzada presented credentials to Qatar’s Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Saudi Arabia
18. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia strategic partners, says Salik
Islamabad, Tuesday, 7 June 2011
The Consul General of Pakistan Abdul Salik Khan said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were strategic partners and the two countries share common strategic vision.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

19. Saudi envoy calls on Malik
Islamabad, Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Saudi ambassador to Pakistan Abdul Aziz Bin Ibrahim called on Interior Minister Rehman Malik and discussed issues related to bilateral ties and mutual interest.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

20. Ambassador of Saudi Arabia meets Hina Rabbani Khar
Islamabad, Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Ambassador of Saudi Arabia Abdul Aziz bin Ibrahim met Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and discussed bilateral relations and means to strengthen the existing cooperation between the two brotherly countries in various fields.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

21. PNS Babar on goodwill, training cruise to Jeddah
Islamabad, Wednesday, 27 June 2011
A Pakistan Navy Ship Babar was visiting the port of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia from June 25 to 28, on a goodwill-cum-training cruise.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

22. Pakistan attaches great importance to its ties with Saudi Arabia: Rehman
Islamabad, Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Abdul Aziz Bin Ibrahim called on Interior Minister Rehman Malik and discussed with him matters relating to mutual interest.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

23. Malik for resolving passport problems of Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia
Islamabad, Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Interior Minister Rehman Malik directed the Director General (DG) Passport to address passport issues of Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia on a priority basis.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Turkey
24. Gilani phones Erdogan to greet over electoral victory
Islamabad, Monday, 13 June 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani telephoned his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to felicitate him over his party’s successive victory in the Turkish parliamentary elections.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

25. Ambassador Shaukat presents credentials to Turkish President
Islamabad, Wednesday, 22 June 2011
The newly appointed Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey, Muhammad Haroon Shaukat presented his credentials to President of Turkey Abdullah Gul in a ceremony held at Cankaya Presidential Palace in Ankara.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

26. Turkish anti-piracy ships to visit Karachi from July 1
Islamabad, Thursday, 30 June 2011
Turkish Maritime Task Group (TMTG), that is conducting anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, will visit Karachi from July 1-4.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Economic Issues
Saudi Arabia
27. Saudi company to hire 20,000 Pakistani workers
Islamabad, Monday, 13 June 2011
A  Saudi construction company has communicated to the government of Pakistan its intention of hiring 20,000 skilled workers from Pakistan for one of its projects in Jeddah.
Source: The Dawn, Lahore

28. PIFJ delegation visits Pakistan to enhance Pak-Saudi trade ties
Islamabad, Wednesday, 15 June 2011
A five-member delegation of Pakistan Investors Forum Jeddah (PIFJ) visited Pakistan from June 9 to 14 to enhance trade ties between both of the countries.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

UAE
29. Workers’ remittances from UAE expected to reach $ 3.8 bln: Envoy
Islamabad, Monday, 20 June 2011
Pakistan’s Ambassador in UAE Jamil Ahmad Khan has stated that the remittances from UAE have been increasing and are expected to rise from US$ 2.2 billion to US$ 3.8 billion this year, a 50 per cent increase.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Miscellaneous
30. Pakistan desirous of hosting OIC Information Ministers meeting: Dr Firdous
Islamabad, Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that Pakistan was desirous of hosting next meeting of Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) Information Ministers in the Federal Capital next year.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

31. Egyptians thank their govt and Pakistan
Cairo, Monday, 25 June 2011
Eleven Egyptians who were part of the crew aboard M.V. Suez and released along with their colleagues thanked Pakistan for its efforts in securing their freedom.
Source: The Dawn, Lahore

32. Closer cooperation among OIC member states must to tackle challenges: Hina Rabbani Khar
Astana, Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar called for closer cooperation among the OIC member states to tackle various challenges including terrorism and to ensure their sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

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