POLITICAL ISSUES
EGYPT
1. Morsi gets a rousing welcome
Islamabad, Monday, 18 March 2013
After arriving on a day long visit to Pakistan Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi received a rousing welcome. President Zardari and his Egyptian counterpart had a one-on-one meeting, which was followed by delegation level talks and luncheon.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

2. President hosts luncheon for Egyptian President Morsi
Islamabad, Monday, 18 March 2013
President Asif Ali Zardari hosted a luncheon reception in honour of visiting President of Egypt Morsi which was attended by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, former Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, some members of the federal cabinet.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

3. Pakistan, Egypt vow to bolster bilateral trade ties to new heights
Islamabad, Monday, 18 March 2013
In their two rounds of talks President Asif Ali Zardari and Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional and international issues and the situation in the Middle East. Both agreed to hold bilateral summit on biennial basis alternatively in Pakistan and Egypt and to the holding of the 4th session of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Islamabad later this year. The two Presidents also witnessed the signing of five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and one Executive Programme for further promoting cooperation between the two countries. The two leaders reiterated their well-known support for the Palestinian cause in line with their backing of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973) and called for a negotiated solution resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable, contiguous and united State of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan; See Also Associated Press of Pakistan

4. Imran seeks Morsi’s role in bridging West, Muslim World
Islamabad, Monday, 18 March 2013
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan held a meeting with Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi where he asked the Egyptian President to play his role in deescalating the situation in Syria and the tensions between the Ummah which were mainly due to the gulf between the leadership of Muslim states. Egyptian President praised the efforts of Imran Khan for raising voice against corruption.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

IRAN
5. Pak-Iran gas pipeline to meet country’s energy needs: Zardari
Lahore, Monday, 4 March 2013
President Asif Ali Zardari, while inaugurating three separate projects at the Governor House, said that the Pakistan-Iran pipeline project was motivated by the need to meet the country’s growing energy needs and was not against any other country. He also said Pakistan was a sovereign country and had every right to pursue projects in national interest and did not intend to offend anyone.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

6. President to visit Iran on Monday to perform ground-breaking of gas pipeline project
Islamabad, Thursday, 7 March 2013
President Asif Ali Zardari would be visiting Iran to perform the ground-breaking ceremony of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project. Foreign Office spokesman also said that discussions are also going on with Iran about setting up of an oil refinery at Gwadar.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

7. Zardari, Ahmadinejad perform ground-breaking ceremony of Iran- Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project
Chahbahar, Monday, 11 March 2013
President Asif Ali Zardari and Iranian President Dr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad performed the ground-breaking ceremony of $7.5 billion Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project. Both the leaders expressed the hope that the project would promote peace, security and progress in both the countries and the region and would help enhance economic, political and security ties between Tehran and Islamabad.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan; See Also Associated Press of Pakistan

8. Iran exports 21m cm/day gas to Pakistan via peace pipeline
Islamabad, Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Managing Director of National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) said that Iran plans to export 21 million cubic meters gas per day initially to Pakistan through the pipeline whereas Pakistanis favour increasing the ceiling of mutual contract to 30 million cubic meters per day. He also said that the project is commissioned fully by Iranian experts and is estimated to be completed in December 2014.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

9. President Zardari for early convening of Pakistan-Iran-Afghanistan trilateral summit
Ashgabat, Thursday, 21 March 2013
President Asif Ali Zardari called for early convening of the fourth Pakistan-Iran-Afghanistan Trilateral Summit and assured that Pakistan was fully supportive of the reconciliation process in Afghanistan. The three countries have been holding trilateral summits since 2009 to expand socio-economic cooperation and the last one was held in Islamabad on 17 February 2012.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

JORDAN
10. Gen Kayani to leave for Jordan on Sunday
Rawalpindi, Saturday, 23 March 2013
Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani would a two-day official visit to Jordan on 24 March 2013.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

11. Gen Kayani holds talks with Jordanian CJCSC
Rawalpindi, Monday, 25 March 2013
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani called on the Jordanian Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and discussed matters of mutual interest. They agreed on the need to improve existing ties between the two armed forces.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

QATAR
12. FM holds consultations with Qatari PM
Doha, Sunday, 3 March 2013
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar held bilateral consultations with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar. During the meeting the two leaders reviewed various aspects of bilateral cooperation and discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest including the situation in Afghanistan. She emphasized on building a mutually beneficial economic and trade relations between the two countries and hiring more Pakistani workers. Talking about the situation in Afghanistan, the Foreign Minister said that Pakistan fully supported the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan; See also: Associated Press of Pakistan

SAUDI ARABIA
13. Saudi Ambassador calls on Prime Minister
Islamabad, Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan called on Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had close brotherly relations, which were deeply rooted in historic and Islamic bonds. Both the countries have commonality of views on various issues of regional and global importance, added the Prime Minister.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

TURKEY
14. Pakistan, Turkey agree to enhance defence cooperation
Islamabad, Friday, 1 March 2013
A Pakistani defence delegation led by Federal Minister for Defence is visiting Ankara on the invitation of his Turkish counterpart. While receiving the delegates Turkish President, Abdullah Gul has stressed that the existing strategic partnership between Pakistan and Turkey provides an excellent opportunity for joint ventures between the defence industries of the two countries. The Turkish Defence Minister referred to the project of midlife up-gradation of F-16 aircrafts of Pakistan undertaken by Turkish Aerospace Industries and termed it as a symbol of excellent defence cooperation. Syed Naveed Qamar referred to a recent agreement of building a fleet tanker for Pakistan Navy by STM of Turkey and said this is a best model for our future defence cooperation.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

UAE
15. Al Rumaithy calls on Gen. Kayani
Rawalpindi, Friday, 22 March 2013
Chief of Staff of the UAE Lieutenant General Al Rumaithy called on Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and discussed matters of professional interest.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

ECONOMIC ISSUES
KUWAIT
16. ‘Kuwait potential state for Pak exports’
Lahore, Wednesday, 27 March 2013
Officials of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry discussed with Ambassador- designate to Kuwait about new methodology to increase Pakistan’s exports to Kuwait. Chairperson of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry said Halal food products, coal and solar energy sector, export of rice, textile are some important area where Kuwait and Pakistan should have more trade.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

UAE
17. Fahim for boosting trade relations with UAE
Islamabad, Wednesday, 13 Mar 2013
Matar Ali Al Mansoori, First Secretary , Charge de Affairs in the UAE Embassy in Pakistan called on Federal Minister of Commerce and discussed ways and means to boost trade and investment relations. Federal Minister of Commerce said that the Emirates have become a great trade partner of Pakistan with export to UAE from Pakistan reaching US $ 2292.3 million in 2011-12.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

MISCELLENIOUS ISSUES
EGYPT
18. NUST awards honorary doctorate degree to Egyptian President Morsi
Islamabad, Monday, 18 March 2013
The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Monday awarded degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) to the visiting Egyptian President Dr. Mohammad Morsi at a special convocation ceremony in recognition of his achievements and significant contribution towards promotion of peace and harmony in the world and for strengthening relations with the Muslim countries specially Pakistan.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

IRAN
19. Pakistan Day observed in Tehran
Tehran, Saturday, 23 March 2013
Pakistanis, living in Iran and official of Pakistan’s embassy, celebrated Pakistan Day on Saturday, 23 March 2013. Referring to Pak-Iran relations, the officials said that Pakistan and Iran share six decades of close fraternal relations and called upon the members of Pakistani community to play their effective role in promoting positive image of Pakistan in Iran and bringing the peoples of the two countries closer.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

KUWAIT
20. Tenpin bowling team leaves for Kuwait
Islamabad, Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Pakistan tenpin bowling team on Tuesday flew to Kuwait to feature in the 10th Kuwait Open International Tenpin Bowling Championship 2013. The Championship is the sixth leg of the PBA-WTBA World Bowling Tour 2013 and would also be the qualifying round for the ABF Tour Kuwait 2013.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

QATAR
21. Commander Qatar Air Force calls on Vice Chief of Naval Staff
Islamabad, Wednesday, 6 March 2013
Commander of Qatar Emiri Air Force called on Vice Chief of Naval Staff and held detailed discussion on professional matters.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

SAUDI ARABIA
22. Saudi Arabia to appoint medical professionals through OEC
Islamabad, Monday, 11 March 2013
Saudi Arabian authorities would appoint a large number of medical professionals from Pakistan through Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) in different fields of medical including general surgery, neonatology, anaesthesia, orthopaedic, radiology, neuro-surgery, internal medicine, nephrology, and paediatrician.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

23. Saudi Arabia launches school bag distribution project in Pakistan
Islamabad, Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Saudi Arabia launched ‘The School Bag Distribution Project’ in Pakistan to provide 15,000 school bags to deserving students living in different areas of the country. Saudi Ambassador said the project was being launched to help lessen burden on parents facing difficulty to continue the studies of their children in the areas hit by natural calamities in recent years.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

24. Pakistan day celebrated in Riyadh
Islamabad, Monday, 25 March 2013
The embassy of Pakistan in Riyadh held a grand reception to celebrate Pakistan’s 73rd National Day. The chief guest was Governor of Riyadh Region and was attended by a large number of Saudi officials, businessmen and prominent citizens, heads of missions and other diplomats, and prominent members of Pakistani expatriate community.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

TURKEY
25. President confers Sitara-i-Imtiaz (M) upon Commander Turkish Naval Force
Karachi, Friday, 8 March 2013
President Asif Ali Zardari conferred Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) on Commander of Turkish Naval Forces Admiral for his prominent role in promoting Pak-Turkey bilateral relations and expanding mutual cooperation between the two navies Pakistan and for strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two nations.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

26. Pakistan Day celebrated in Turkey
Ankara, Saturday, 23 March 2013
Pakistan Embassy in Ankara celebrated Pakistan Day in Ankara on 23 March 2013. Pakistani ambassador urged the members of the Pakistani community and students to continue playing their active role in bringing Turkey and Pakistan further closer. This year’s reception has an added significance as it would also mark the launching of Pakistan’s Cultural Year in Turkey.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

UAE
27. Pakistani community celebrates Pakistan Day in UAE
Abu Dhabi, Saturday, 23 March 2013
The Pakistan Community living in UAE celebrated the 73rd National Day of Pakistan on Saturday, 23 March 2013. Speaking about Pak-UAE relations, Ambassador Jamil expressed his delight at the upward trajectory of the bilateral relations. UAE, he said is one of the largest sources of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Pakistan and appreciated the continued interest of the investors in Pakistan particularly in the petroleum, banking and telecommunication sectors. Consul General of Pakistan Tariq Iqbal Soomro pointed out that more than 1.2 million Pakistanis live in the UAE hence making UAE the second biggest expatriate community in the country.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan; See Also Associated Press of Pakistan

Compiled by PAULAMI SANYAL

Paulami Sanyal is pursuing research at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.  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