POLITICAL ISSUES
BAHRAIN
1. Bahrain’s Minister called on Tariq Fatemi
Islamabad, Tuesday, 18 March 2014
Bahrain’s Minister of Royal Court, Ahmed Attiullaha Al-Khalifa called on the Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and discussed bilateral relations.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

2. King of Bahrain arrived on three-day visit
Islamabad, Tuesday, 18 March 2014
King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain along with a high level delegation, including cabinet members, government officials and businessmen arrived on a three-day official visit to Pakistan.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The News International, Karachi

3. Prime Minister invited Bahraini investors to invest in Pakistan
Islamabad, Tuesday, 18 March 2014
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif invited Bahraini investors to invest in Pakistan while welcoming King Hamad.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

4. Pakistan, Bahrain signed six bilateral agreements, MoUs
Islamabad, Tuesday, 18 March 2014
Pakistan and Bahrain signed six bilateral agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for enhancing cooperation in trade, energy, investment, agriculture and aviation.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The Express Tribune, Karachi

5. King of Bahrain visited Joint Staff Headquarters
Rawalpindi, Wednesday, 19 March 2014
King Hamad and his delegation visited Joint Staff Headquarters and discussed about bilateral relations and enhancing of military cooperation.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The Nation, Lahore; The Dawn, Karachi

6. Ishaq Dar called on Bahraini King
Islamabad, Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar called on King Hamad and briefed him about economic situation of the country. The focus of this meeting was to encourage bilateral trade and investment in Pakistan.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

7. Pakistan wishes to strengthen ties with Bahrain: Chaudhry Nisar
Islamabad, Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Minister for Interior of Pakistan Nisar Ali Khan stated that Pakistan valued its close ties with Bahrain and hoped for strengthening the relationship in all fields particularly in cyber crime, border security, civil defence and international crime while talking to his Bahraini counterpart Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The News International, Karachi

8. Pakistan, Bahrain discussed cooperation in defence, training
Islamabad, Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Defense Minister of Pakistan Khawaja Muhammad Asif called on King Hamad and discussed matters of mutual cooperation in the field of defence and defence trainings and regional security with a special focus on Afghanistan.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The News international, Karachi

9. President for enhanced, consolidated Pak-Bahrain trade ties
Islamabad, Wednesday, 19 March 2014
President Mamnoon Hussain during his meeting with King Hamad urged the need for regular holding of the Joint Commission’s meetings, invited Bahrain’s investors and businessmen to avail the investment opportunities and the incentive packages and sought Bahrain’s support in early conclusion of a free trade agreement between Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

10. Sartaj Aziz called on King Hamad
Islamabad, Wednesday, 19 March 2014
King Hamad while talking to Pakistan’s Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, wished to enhance trade and investment between the two countries.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The News International, Karachi

11. Bahrain desires to further strengthen ties with Pakistan: Khalid bin Ahmed
Islamabad, Thursday, 20 March 2014
While addressing a news conference along with Minister of Transportation Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed, Bahraini Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa said that Bahrain wanted to further promote relations with Pakistan in different fields including defence and security.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The Dawn, Karachi

LIBYA
12. Libya wants to expand bilateral ties with Pakistan: Charge d’ affaires
Islamabad, Saturday, 12 March 2014
Charge d’ Affaire of Libyan Embassy Abdul Wahid Abo Gaila said that Libya wanted to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in different sectors including economic, political and other fields. He made this statement while addressing a seminar on “Pak-Libya Relations: Challenges & Opportunities” organized by Department of Politics and International Relations of International Islamic University (IIU).
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

SAUDI ARABIA
13. Ayaz sought Saudi, Kazakh support for Pakistan’s candidate for IPU secretary general-ship
Islamabad, Tuesday, 18 March 2014
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly sought support from Saudi Arabia for Pakistan’s candidature in Secretary General-ship of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) during a meeting on sidelines of the 130th IPU General Assembly meeting in Geneva. Both the counterparts assured their support and cooperation.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

14. Pak-Saudi Arabia agreed to work for unity, welfare of Muslim Ummah
Islamabad, Tuesday, 18 March 2014
A six-member delegation of Saudi Arabia met with the Pakistan Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter faith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and agreed to work for the unity and welfare of Muslim Ummah.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

TURKEY
15. Turkish delegation called on Prime Minister
Lahore, Thursday, 6 March 2014
A two-member Turkish delegation called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and discussed investment opportunities in Pakistan.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

16. Turkey-Afghanistan-Pakistan held Trilateral Political Consultations
Islamabad, Tuesday, 18 March 2014
Turkey-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral political consultations at the technical-level were held and discussed recent economic and political developments on the region and ways of enhancing cooperation in the areas of economy, trade, energy and infrastructure.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

17. Pakistan and Turkey close relations benefiting two people: Turkish minister
Islamabad, Tuesday, 25 March 2014
At a reception to honour Pakistan National Day, Turkish Minister for Environment and Urbanization Idris Gulluce stated that Pakistan and Turkey had close political, commercial and military relations.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

UAE
18. Pakistan ambassador to UAE presented credentials
Islamabad, Monday, 3 March 2014
Ambassador of Pakistan to UAE, Asif Durrani presented his credentials to Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

19. Pakistan’s Ambassador called on UAE Foreign Minister
Islamabad, Thursday, 13 March 2013
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE Asif Ali Khan Durrani called on Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Foreign Minister of the UAE and discussed ways of enhancing bilateral relations.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

ECONOMIC ISSUES
BAHRAIN
20. FPCCI proposed FTA with Bahrain
Islamabad, Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) suggested that Bahrain should partner with Pakistan in business opportunities with a special focus on project-based financing and Islamic banking. President of FPCCI Zakaria Usman also focused on having a trade treaty.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

21. Pakistan, Bahrain signed 15 MoUs, 2 agreements to boost trade and investment
Islamabad, Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Pakistan and Bahrain signed 15 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and two agreements to increase bilateral trade and investment relations in different sectors at the conclusion of a day-long Pakistan-Bahrain Business Forum.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

SAUDI ARABIA
22. Poultry import to Saudi Arabia to boost economy: PPA
Islamabad, Sunday, 16 March 2014
Chairperson of the Pakistan Poultry Association Muhammad Aslam said that the permission to import Pakistani poultry products to Saudi Arabia was given after the Saudi delegation’s visit to Pakistan and this decision would help enhancing investments in this sector.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

TURKEY
23. Turk energy company delegation met Shahbaz Sharif
Lahore, Tuesday, 18 May 2014
Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif welcomed investment by Turk investors in various sectors while talking to a three-member delegation of Seul Energy Company of Turkey.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES
IRAN
24. Iran, Pakistan discussed enhancement of road transportation
Islamabad, Monday, 17 March 2014
Iranian and Pakistani officials emphasized on increasing road transportation between the two states. The Iranian official referred to setting up of Taftan border terminal and providing service facilities along with facilitating customs formalities and road transportation, less control and extra checking as provisions of the mutual agreement.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

OMAN
25. Pak-Oman agreed to promote culture of tolerance
Islamabad, Tuesday, 25 March 2014
A four-member delegation of Oman met with Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf and discussed about ways to develop bilateral relations and promote culture of tolerance through Islamic teachings.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

QATAR
26. Pak ‘A’ to play visiting Qatar cricket team
Lahore, Tuesday, 25 March 2014
Pakistan ‘A’ cricket team had a T-20 series with Qatar in Lahore on 26 March 2014. This would be the first home series in Pakistan after 2009.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

SAUDI ARABIA
27. Saudi Arabia to launch relief projects for calamity hit people in Pakistan
Islamabad, Thursday, 20 March 2014
Saudi Arabia announced that it would initiate several relief and construction projects to help calamity hit districts of Pakistan. The relief projects include 23 tons of food items for drought affected families in Sindh.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

TUNISIA
28. 58th National Day of Tunisia celebrated
Islamabad, Thursday, 20 March 2014
The 58th National Day of Tunisia was celebrated in Islamabad and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid and Minister of State for Interior Baleegh-ur-Rehman were present along with Tunisian Ambassador in Islamabad.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The News International, Karachi

TURKEY
29. Anusha assured complete support to Turkish telecom investors
Islamabad, Tuesday, 4 March 2014
Minister of State for Information and Technology of Pakistan Anusha Rahman stated that support would be given to Turkish delegation of Mobile Operators who would visit Pakistan to study market in context of forthcoming auction. This was stated in a meeting with Turk Cell delegation on the sideline of Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

30. Turkish band to perform as part of Punjab Youth Festival
Lahore, Thursday, 20 March 2014
Sports Board Punjab hosted a special event to strengthen Pak-Turkey friendship at Al-Hamra Cultural Complex near Qaddafi Stadium where a Turkish Military Band performed.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

UAE
31. Pakistan’s cultural diplomacy in UAE
Islamabad, Wednesday, 12 March 2014
While being the chief guest at a special art exhibition organized in the UAE Prime Minister’s special envoy Ambassador Javed Malik observed that Pakistani art, cultural heritage and rich traditions could be excellent mediums for Pakistan’s soft and positive image to the world.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

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