POLITICAL ISSUES
Iran
1. Iranian FM arrives on two-day visit to Pakistan
Islamabad, Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Foreign Minister of Iran Ali-Akbar Salehi arrived on two day official visit to Pakistan to discuss regional and international situation with the Pakistani leadership and enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

2. To enhance cooperation with Iran in diverse fields: Naek
Islamabad, Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Chairman of Senate Farooq H. Naek said that Pakistan greatly valued its ties with Iran and was committed to further enhancing mutual cooperation in diverse fields.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

3. Committee formed to share information between SECP, SEO
Islamabad, Wednesday, 7 September 2011
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and Securities and Exchange Organization (SEO) of Iran have formed a committee subsequent to the 2009 signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on facilitating cooperation and sharing of information between the two organizations.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

4. Prime Minister for expediting Pak-Iran gas pipeline
Islamabad, Thursday, 8 September 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani emphasized on the importance of expediting the projects of gas pipeline and import of 1000 MW electricity from Iran to Pakistan.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

5. Prime Minister to visit Iran from Sunday
Islamabad, Thursday, 8 September 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani would visit Iran from September 11 to 13 to hold talks with the Iranian leadership and discuss regional situation.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

6. Hina, Salehi agree to enhance regional connectivity
Islamabad, Thursday, 8 September 2011
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and her Iranian counterpart Dr. Ali Akber Salehi underscored importance of regional connectivity while discussing bilateral relations including measures to strengthen economic cooperation.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

7. Pakistan, Iran to develop strategic alliance
Istanbul, Saturday, 10 September 2011
Former Pakistan Ambassador Shahid Amin said that Iranian Foreign Minister’s visit to Pakistan indicates good relations between Islamabad and Tehran which are in the interests of both nations.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

8. Prime Minister to leave for Tehran on three-day visit
Istanbul, Saturday, 10 September 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani would leave for Tehran on Sunday for a three-day visit for talks with the Iranian leadership on further strengthening bilateral relations and exchanging views on regional issues.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

9. Gilani arrives in Tehran for crucial talks
Tehran, Sunday, 11 September 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani arrived on an official visit to Iran to hold talks with its leadership on ways and means to enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse fields especially economy and trade.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

10. Iran to donate US$ 100 million for rain affected people
Tehran, Sunday, 11 September 2011
Interior Minister of Iran Mostafa Mohammad Najar said Iran would donate US$ 100 million for the rehabilitation of the rain affected people of Sindh.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

11. Iranian cabinet discusses rain devastation in Pakistan
Tehran, Sunday, 11 September 2011
As Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani arrived in Tehran Sunday on an official visit, the Iranian cabinet in its meeting discussed the devastation caused by heavy rains in Pakistan’s Sindh province.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

12. Khar, Iranian FM discuss bilateral issues
Islamabad, Monday, 12 September 2011
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar met her Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi in Tehran and held substantive discussions on bilateral issues and measures to strengthen bilateral economic ties.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

13. Pakistan, Iran vow to expedite gas pipeline project
Tehran, Monday, 12 September 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and First Vice President of Iran Mohammad Reza Rahimi Monday agreed to expedite the gas pipeline and 1000 MW electricity projects.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

14. PM and President agree to give fresh impetus to ties
Tehran, Monday, 12 September 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad exchanged views to give fresh impetus to their existing bilateral cooperation in various fields ranging from trade and economy to security and intelligence sharing.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

15. Agree on exchange of more delegations to foster ties
Tehran, Monday, 12 September 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Ali Larijani agreed that both countries should exchange more delegations of people from various walks of life to bring the two countries closer.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

16. No hurdle acceptable in Pak-Iran relations: Gilani
Tehran, Monday, 12 September 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that no hurdle would be tolerated in enhancing cooperation between Pakistan and Iran for which they had decided to put in place a mechanism to facilitate the collaboration between their two peoples.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

17. To build comprehensive strategic Pak-Iran partnership
Tehran, Monday, 12 September 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi on Monday pledged to deepen bilateral ties in multifarious fields and speed up work on the ongoing joint projects.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

18. PM visits Hazrat Imam Raza’s shrine, offers prayers
Mashad (Iran), Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday visited the shrine of Hazrat Imam Raza and offered prayers there.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

19. Iran to donate US$100 million for reconstruction work
Islamabad, Wednesday, 14 September 2011
The Deputy Interior Minister of Iran Ali Abdullahi has said that his country would donate US$ 100 million aid to Pakistan for the reconstruction of the recently flood devastated areas in Pakistan.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

20. Iranian envoy calls on Interior Minister
Islamabad, Monday, 20 September 2011
Iranian Ambassador to Islamabad, Mashaullah Shakeri called on Interior Minister, Rehman Malik on Monday and discussed issues of bilateral interests.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

21.  President appeals to assist flood-victims
Tehran, Thursday, 22 September 2011
Iranian President Ahmadinejad appealed to the world community to assist the flood-affected people of Pakistan, who had been badly affected by the recent rains and flood in south of the country.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

22. Naek for enhanced Pak-Iran ties
Islamabad, Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Chairman Senate Farooq H. Naek said Pakistan is strongly committed to working closely with Tehran to enhance cooperation between the two countries in diverse fields.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

23. Enhanced Pak-Iran ties for regional development
Islamabad, Wednesday, 28 September 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari said promotion of intra-regional and inter-regional connectivity was a key to the socio-economic development and stressed that Iran has a major role to play along with Pakistan due to their geo-strategic locations.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

24. To cooperate on security, border management
Islamabad, Wednesday, 28 September 2011
The Interior Ministers of Pakistan and Iran vowed to work together for regional peace and stability and agreed to cooperate on the issues of security and border management.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

25. To work together for regional peace
United Nations, Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and Iran vowed to work together for peace and stability in the region after a discussion of the prevailing situation in their talks at UN Headquarters in New York.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

26. Gilani urges expediting energy projects with Iran
Islamabad, Thursday, 29 September 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday called for expediting energy projects already agreed upon in cooperation with Iran to help the country meet its energy requirements.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

27. Cooperation for elimination of terrorism
Islamabad, Thursday, 29 September 2011
Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that Pakistan and Iran would continue their collective efforts for elimination of the scourge of terrorism from the region.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Saudi Arabia
28. Saudi de-radicalization policy to be followed: Malik
Karachi, Thursday, 1 September 2011
Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that the government would follow the policy of de-radicalization pursued by Saudi Arabia.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

29. Jeddah forms committee for flood relief activities
Islamabad, Monday, 12 September 2011
Consul General of Pakistan in Jeddah, Abdul Salik Khan said that Pakistan has been severely affected by flood caused by heavy monsoon rains in the country.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

30. Khar discusses Afghanistan, Middle East
United Nations, Thursday, 22 September 2011
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbai Khar conferred with her Saudi counterpart Prince Saud Al Faisal on the sidelines of the 66th Session of the UN General Assembly.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

31. Finance ministers to strengthen trade investment ties
Washington, Thursday, 22 September 2011
Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh discussed advancing economic cooperation with his Saudi Arabian counterpart Dr Ibrahim Al-Asaf as the two countries agreed to further bolster bilateral ties.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

32. Pak-Saudi Armed Forces’ Joint Exercise
Rawalpindi, Friday, 23 September 2011
A three-week long Joint Exercise (AL-SAMSAAM-IV-2011) between Pakistan Army and Royal Saudi Land Forces would be conducted by end of this month near Jhelum.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

33. Pak-Saudi forces joint exercise begins
Rawalpindi, Monday, 26 September 2011
An impressive opening ceremony to start the three-week long joint Exercise (Al-Samsaam-IV-2011) between Pakistan Army and Royal Saudi Land Forces was held near Jhelum.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

34. Pakistanis, Saudis bound in brotherhood: Firdous
Islamabad, Monday, 26 September 2011
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that the religious and cultural identities of Pakistani and Saudi Arabian people were associated principally and bound in brotherhood beyond geographical boundaries.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

35. Pakistan desires to further strengthen ties
Islamabad, Monday, 26 September 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari said that Pakistan valued its close and cordial bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia and wishes to promote their relationship.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Syria
36. Pakistan hopes Syria will be able overcome crisis
United Nations, Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar hoped that Syria would be able to overcome the current crisis in line with its people’s aspirations when she met her Syrian counterpart Walid Al-Moualem on the sidelines of the 66th Session of the UN General Assembly.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Turkey
37. Turkey to host FoDP workshop
Islamabad, Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Senator Syeda Sughra Imam would lead a Pakistani delegation to the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) workshop on institutional capacity building hosted by Turkey in Ankara from 8-9 September.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

38. US $138m Turkish to build homes for flood-hit
Muzaffargarh, Saturday, 17 September 2011
Turkish people have raised funds to help their flood-hit Pakistani brethren and a sum of US$ 138 million would be spent to construct 4620 homes in flood-hit parts of the country in South Punjab, Sindh and Baluchistan.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

39. Turkey to start food assistance for flood affected people
Ankara, Monday, 19 September 2011
The Turkish Red Crescent Society (Turk Kizilayi or Kizilay) will start distribution of food, tents, and hygiene items in the flood affected areas of Southern parts of Pakistan shortly.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

40. Pakistan-Turkey joint exercise
Rawalpindi, Thursday, 29 September 2011
The closing ceremony of a weeklong Pakistan-Turkey joint training exercise ATTATURK-VII-2011 was held at Cherat.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

UAE
41. Outgoing UAE envoy calls on Foreign Minister
Islamabad, Wednesday, 14 September 2011
The outgoing Ambassador of United Arab Emirates Ali Saif Sultan Al-Awani called on Foreign Minister Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

42. Fehmida calls on UAE Minister of Foreign Trade
Islamabad, Thursday, 15 September 2011
Speaker of the National Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza called on United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Trade Shaikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi in Abu Dhabi.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

43. Rehman thanks UAE for flood victim help
Islamabad, Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Minister for Interior Rehman Malik expressed his gratitude on behalf of people of Pakistan for the assistance provided by UAE government and its organizations for relief of flood victims in his country.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

44. Pakistan intends to expand bilateral ties with UAE
Islamabad, Thursday, 22 September 2011
Chairman of the Senate Farooq H Naek said that Pakistan is interested in further expanding bilateral cooperation with UAE in the field of manpower.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

45. UAE Ambassador pays farewell call on PM
Islamabad, Thursday, 22 September 2011
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have special fraternal ties and will continue their close multidimensional cooperation in various fields. He was talking to the outgoing UAE ambassador.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

46. Ambassador Jamil welcomes Al Noaimi’s appointment
Islamabad, Monday, 26 September 2011
Ambassador to the UAE Jamil Ahmed Khan said the appointment of Essa Abdullah Al Noaimi as UAE’s new ambassador to Pakistan would help to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

47. Ambassador-designate of UAE arrives in Islamabad
Islamabad, Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Essa Abdulla Al Basha Al Noaimi, a seasoned diplomat and Ambassador-designate of the UAE to Pakistan arrived in Islamabad.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Economic Issues
Kuwait
48. Pakistan expatriates in Kuwait pledge for flood victims
Islamabad, Wednesday, 28 September 2011
The representatives from prominent business groups and associations on Wednesday met with Ambassador of Pakistan to Kuwait Iftikhar Aziz and pledged to donate Rs. two million for the ongoing flood relief efforts in Pakistan.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Saudi Arabia
49.  Al-Tuwairqi Holding Company to make investments
Islamabad, Friday, 9 September 2011
Chairman of the Al-Tuwairqi Holding Company of Saudi Arabi Dr. Hilal Hassan Al-Tuwairqi called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani here on Friday and offered that his company was ready to undertake heavy investment in Pakistan despite the perception of security situation in the country
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Iran
50. Pakistan, Iran agree to promote bilateral trade
Islamabad, Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Pakistan and Iran would sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further promote bilateral relations in the field of agricultural products trade.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

51. Pak-Iran Joint Economic Commission kicks off
Islamabad, Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs Dr. Abdul Hafiz Shaikh is leading the Pakistani delegation to the two-day 18th Session of Pak-Iran Joint Economic Commission.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

52. Pak-Iran agree to enhance bilateral trade
Islamabad, Thursday, 8 September 2011
Pak-Iran Joint Economic Commission (JEC) concluded with a resolve to increase bilateral trade to US$5 billion by exploiting their potentials and resources during next three years besides timely completion of Pakistan-Iran Gas Pipeline project.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

53. Zardari stresses on working hand in hand with Iran
Karachi, Thursday, 8 September 2011
President Asif Ali Zardari Thursday emphasised on Pakistan and Iran working hand-in-hand for socio-economic development of the people and called for substantially increasing the quantum of trade between the two countries.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Sports Issues
Kuwait
54. Pakistan football squad leaves for Kuwait on Saturday
Islamabad, Friday, 9 September 2011
The Pakistan team will be leaving for Kuwait to participate in Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-16 Championship 2012 qualifiers from September 12-22. Pakistan has been placed in Group-B with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Yemen, Kuwait, Maldives and Afghanistan.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Iran
55. Pak Kabaddi team to leave for Iran on Thursday
Islamabad, Monday, 19 September 2011
A 15-member Pakistan squad will leave for Iran to participate in the first circle style Asian Kabaddi Championship that will be held from September 24 to 28 in Tabriz.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Compiled by Dipanwita Chakravortty

Dipanwita Chakravortty is an Intern in MEI@ND. 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