POLITICAL ISSUES
BAHRAIN
1. National Assembly Speaker for enhancing parliamentary contacts with Bahrain
Islamabad, Friday, 7 January 2014
During his meeting with the Ambassador of Bahrain Mohamed Ebrahim Mohamed Abdulqader, the Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that interaction between the parliamentarians of both the countries could help in developing the existing relations and providing opportunities for exchange of views and experiences.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

LIBYA
2. Libyan delegation called on Finance Minister
Islamabad, Thursday, 30 January 2014
During a meeting between the Managing Director of Libyan Foreign Investment Company and Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Ishaq Dar, issues of bilateral interest such as making further investments in Pakistan specially public sector entities and training of Libyan personnel by financial institutions in Pakistan were discussed.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

PALESTINE
3. Palestinian President appreciated Pakistan's consistent support
Islamabad, Wednesday, 19 January 2014
During his telephonic conversation with Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas thanked the people and government of Pakistan for their support. Aziz informed Abbas of Pakistani assistance to Palestine through capacity building programmes and activities on a wide range of issues such as education and training in medical, engineering, diplomacy, and other disciplines.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

4. Pakistan urged Palestine & Israel to take courageous decisions to resolve conflict
United Nations, Tuesday, 21 January 2014
Speaking on the situation in the Middle East, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Masood Khan said that a halt in engagement between Israel and Palestine was better than a breakdown of the peace process.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

QATAR
5. Member of Qatar Royal family called on Shahbaz
Lahore, Monday, 27 January 2014
Matters of mutual interest and bilateral relations such as opportunities for investment in livestock farming were discussed in a meeting between Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and a member of the royal family of Qatar Sheikh Abdul Rehman-Bin-Jasim-Bin-Abdul Aziz Al-Sani.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

SAUDI ARABIA
6. Govt. keen to take Pak-Saudi ties to new heights: Nisar
Islamabad, Tuesday, 4 January 2014
Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan welcomed the expansion of bilateral ties between India and Pakistan in a meeting with Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Abdul Aziz Ibrahim Al-Ghadeer.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See also: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

7. Saudi Foreign Minister arrived on a two day visit to Pakistan
Islamabad, Thursday, 6 January 2014
Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Saud Al-Faisal was on a two-day official visit to Pakistan.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See also: The News International, Karachi; Dawn.com, Karachi

8. Visit of Saudi Foreign Minister to reinvigorate bilateral ties
Islamabad, Saturday, 8 January 2014
The visit of Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal would help in the reactivation of forums like the Joint Business Commission, bringing forth a new phase in Saudi-Pakistan relations. The activation of such forums would open up new opportunities for joint ventures between public and private sectors in infrastructure development, housing and energy, former Finance Minister of Pakistan Shaukat Tareen said.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

9. PM urged new era of strategic relationship with Saudi Arabia
Islamabad, Thursday, 20 January 2014
Appreciating Saudi Arabia's role in implementing the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif emphasized on the need to start a new era of strategic relationship to further broaden and deepen the existing cordial bilateral relations. He expressed these views in a meeting with Saudi Deputy Defence Minister Prince Salman Bin Sultan.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

10. Saudi Deputy Defence Minister, COAS discussed regional security
Rawalpindi, Thursday, 20 January 2014
Saudi Deputy Defence Minister Prince Salman Bin Sultan in a meeting with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif discussed matters of mutual interest, regional security, and enhancing bilateral defence collaboration including training exchange programmes.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

11. JMCC, MCC to improve Pak-Saudi defence cooperation: Saudi minister
Islamabad, Thursday, 20 January 2014
Saudi Deputy Defence Minister Prince Salman Bin Sultan said that the establishment of Joint Military Cooperation Committee and a Military Cooperation Committee between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan would prove beneficial to their defence cooperation. He also displayed keen interest in products being made at Pakistan's defence industries in a meeting with Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

12. Royal Prince of Saudi Arabia visited Pakistan Ordinance Factories
Wah Cantt., Tuesday, 21 January 2014
Royal Prince Salman Bin Sultan, who holds the portfolio of Deputy Defence Minister of Saudi Arabia, on his visit to Pakistan’s Ordinance Factories, anticipated further strengthening of defence relations. He showed keen interest in the manufacturing process of arms and ammunition and appreciating the high standards of equipment produced.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

13. Saudi Delegation visited Pakistan Air Force Air Defence Command
Islamabad, Wednesday, 22 January 2014
On a three-day visit to the country, a 17-member Saudi delegation led by Prince Salman Bin Sultan visited the Air Defence Command of the Pakistan Air Force.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See also: The News International, Karachi

14. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia signed Hajj agreement 2014
Jeddah, Wednesday, 22 January 2014
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Mohammad Yousaf and Saudi Hajj Minister Bandar Al Hajjar signed the Hajj agreement for 2014.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

UAE
15. UAE spends US$300 million on health, educational projects in Pakistan: said envoy
Islamabad, Wednesday, 5 January 2014
Ambassador of the UAE Essa Abdullah Al Basha Al Noaimi said that his country had spent nearly US$300 million on health and educational projects to help Pakistan deal with the impact of the flash flood in 2011 on its infrastructure.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

16. PM discussed bilateral ties with President of UAE
Islamabad Tuesday, 11 January 2014
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif discussed bilateral and regional matters and ways to further expand bilateral ties with UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See also: Dawn.com, Karachi

17. Mamnoon wished UAE's President good health
Islamabad, Monday, 27 January 2014
Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain in a letter to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed satisfaction over a speedy recovery from surgery following a stroke on 24 November 2014 and wished him good health and a long life.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

18. Ambassador designate to UAE called on Finance Minister
Islamabad, Wednesday, 29 January 2014
Ambassador designate to UAE Asif Durrani called on Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar at the Finance Ministry. Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan enjoys close relations with UAE and further intends to expand economic and bilateral ties.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

19. Pakistan, UAE ties stood the test of time: Pakistan envoy
Islamabad, Wednesday, 29 January 2014
Addressing a ceremony marking the arrival of PNS Alamgir at Port Rashid, Dubai, Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai Javed Jalil Khattak emphasized on the continuation and further strengthening of bonds between Pakistan and UAE. The Consul General also declared that both countries aim to fight terrorism, smuggling, piracy, and all such crimes under international laws.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

ECONOMIC ISSUES
YEMEN
20. President urged early arrangements for LNG import from Yemen
Islamabad, Friday, 7 January 2014
In a meeting with visiting Yemeni Minister for Industry and Trade Dr. Saadaldeen Ali Salim Talib, Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain invited investments from Yemen in energy, oil and gas sectors.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The Express Tribune, Karachi

21. Pakistani, Yemen Joint Ministerial Commission reviewed steps to boost economic ties
Islamabad, Friday, 7 January 2014
The Pakistan and Yemen Joint Ministerial Commission in its 7th session, co-chaired by Minister for Industries and Production Ghulam Murtaza Khan Jatoi and Yemeni Minister for Industry and Trade Dr. Saadaldeen Ali Salim Talib reviewed steps to expand bilateral cooperation in sectors of economy, trade, investment, oil and gas.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES
SAUDI ARABIA
22. Saudi delegation satisfied over poultry standard in Pakistan
Islamabad, Monday, 3 January 2014
A four-member Saudi Food and Drug Authority delegation expressed satisfaction over the standard of poultry facilities in Pakistan which in 2005-2006 suspended import of hatching eggs and day-old chicks from Pakistan due to the eruption of bird flu.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

23. IIUI to confer honorary degree on King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud
Islamabad, Friday, 31 January 2014
King Abdullah was conferred a Doctor of Philosophy in Politics and International Relations Honoris Causa by International Islamic University, Islamabad in recognition of his contributions to the welfare of the people of Saudi Arabia, the Muslim Ummah, education, humanity and international peace and tranquillity.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

24. Legal status of 950,000 affected Pakistanis regularized in Saudi Arabia
Islamabad, Wednesday, 29 January 2014
The legal status of more than 950,000 affected Pakistani workers was regularized, Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan said.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

UAE
25. UAE experts inspecting poultry infrastructure to lift ban
Islamabad, Saturday, 8 January 2014
Due to the ban imposed by UAE on the import of poultry products from Pakistan owing to eruption of bird flu, UAE would send a team of experts to inspect Pakistan's poultry infrastructure and system and to look into the possibility of lifting the imposed ban.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

26. KCCI to send trade delegation to Dubai
Karachi, Friday, 7 January 2014
Acting upon a request by Commercial Counsellor of the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai Saeed Qadir, the Chairman of International Affairs Sub-Committee Junaid Esmail Makda decided to send a Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry delegation to Dubai to promote Pakistani products and services.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

YEMEN
27. Yemen Air Force delegation visited PAF academy
Islamabad, Tuesday, 21 January 2014
A six-member delegation of Yemen Air Force headed by Major General Rashed Naseer Al-Janad, Commander Yemen Air Force and Air Defence, arrived in Pakistan on a two-day visit. They went to various PAF bases and installations.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The News International, Karachi

TURKEY
28. President confers Nishan-i-Imtiaz (military) on Turk Air Force commander
Islamabad, Tuesday, 28 January 2014
In a special investiture ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain conferred the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (military) upon the Turkish Air Force Commander General Akin Ozturk in recognition of his role and outstanding services in promoting the bonds of friendship between Pakistan and Turkey.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

29. Turkish Air Force Commander visited Aeronautical Complex
Islamabad, Wednesday, 29 January 2014
A delegation of the Turkish Air Force headed by General Akin Ozturk, Commander of Turkish Air Force, visited the Pakistan Air Force Academy in Risalpur and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

30. Pakistan, Turkey pledged to promote defence cooperation
Islamabad, Thursday, 30 January 2014
In talks held between Federal Defence Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain with his Turkish counterpart Ismet Yilmaz in Ankara, both sides pledged to intensify defence cooperation and to include transfer of technology, possibility of export of defence equipment and services, and exploring opportunities for joint ventures. The two ministers also discussed the progress on ongoing defence projects including the midlife up-gradation of Pakistan's F-16 fighter aircraft at Turkish Aerospace Industries.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The Express Tribune, Karachi

COMPILED BY PAULAMI SANYAL

Paulami Sanyal is a doctoral candidate at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.  Email

As part of its editorial policy, the MEI@ND standardizes spelling and date formats 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