POLITICAL ISSUES
BAHRAIN
1. King of Bahrain hosted banquet for PM Sharif
Manama, Wednesday, 7 January 2015
King Hamad hosted a banquet for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who was on a two-day visit to Bahrain.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

2. PM met King of Bahrain, discussed bilateral ties
Manama, Wednesday, 7 January 2015
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met King of Bahrain Hamad and discussed efforts to strengthening of bilateral relations.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The News International, Karachi

3. Pakistan keen to improve trade, economic ties with Bahrain: PM
Manama, Wednesday, 7 January 2015
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in delegation-level talks with Bahraini Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa emphasized on improvement of bilateral economic relations. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the status of defence and security cooperation between the two countries. After the talks, the two prime ministers witnessed signing of a number of agreements and MoUs
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The Nation, Lahore; Daily Times, Lahore; Business Recorder, Karachi

4. PM offered Bahrain for manpower export
Manama, Thursday, 8 January 2015
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a meeting with Bahrain's Labour Minister Jameel bin Mohammad Ali Humaidan offered to provide manpower to Bahrain to meet its requirements.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Business Recorder, Karachi

5. Pakistan, Bahrain agreed to enhance cooperation in diverse areas
Islamabad, Thursday, 8 January 2015
Pakistan and Bahrain have agreed to enhance cooperation in sectors like energy, youth and sports, advancement of women, social works and human resource development, agriculture, marine resources, cattle breeding, poultry and fish-farming.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Business Recorder, Karachi

6. PAF chief called on King of Bahrain in Manama
Islamabad, Tuesday, 27 January 2015
Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force Tahir Rafique Butt called on King Hamad and discussed regional and international issues.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The News International, Karachi; The Dawn, Karachi

IRAN
7. Pakistan to participate in NAM Ministerial Conference to be held in Iran
Islamabad, Friday, 9 January 2015
During a meeting with Iranian Ambassador Alireza Hagighiain in Islamabad, Minister for Science and Technology and Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain said Pakistan would participate in Non-Alignment Movement member countries' conference on science and technology.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Daily Times, Lahore

SAUDI ARABIA
8. Nisar, Saudi ambassador discussed bilateral matters
Islamabad, Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Acting Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Jassem Al-Khaledi called on Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and discussed matters of mutual interest.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Daily Times, Lahore

9. PM arrived in Saudi Arabia on two-day visit
Riyadh, Thursday, 15 January 2015
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived on a two-day private visit to Saudi Arabia to inquire the health of King Abdullah and he would also meet Crown Prince Salman and Deputy Crown Prince Muqrin.
Source: Business Recorder, Karachi

10. PM, Saudi Crown Prince discussed bilateral ties
Riyadh, Thursday, 15 January 2015
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Salman and discussed bilateral relations, situation in the Middle East and issues facing the Muslim world.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The Dawn, Karachi

11. King Abdullah’s funeral prayer in absentia offered
Islamabad, Saturday, 24 January 2015
The funeral prayer late Saudi King Abdullah was offered at Faisal Mosque and was organized by International Islamic University Islamabad and led by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Business Recorder, Karachi; The Nation, Lahore

12. PM felicitated King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz
Islamabad, Friday, 23 January 2015
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif felicitated the newly crowned King of Saudi Arabia Salman and Crown Prince Muqrin.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

13. President felicitated King Salman bin Abdul Aziz
Islamabad, Saturday, 24 January 2015
President Mamnoon Hussain felicitated the newly crowned King of Saudi Arabia Salman.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Daily Times, Lahore

14. Senate offered Fateha for departed soul of Saudi King
Islamabad, Friday, 30 January 2015
Pakistan Senate offered Fateha led by State Minister Abdul Ghafoor Haideri for the late King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Business Recorder, Karachi

TURKEY
15. NA Speaker called on Turkish president
Islamabad, Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq called on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara and briefed him about the proceedings of the 10th session of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Daily Times, Lahore; The Dawn, Karachi

16. Pakistan, Turkey agreed to further boost parliamentary relations
Islamabad, Thursday, 22 January 2015
Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Cemil Cicek met on the sidelines of the 10th session of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states and agreed to enhance interaction between the parliamentarians of the two countries and share legislative experience.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Daily Times, Lahore

UAE
17. Pakistani envoy, UAE Health Minister discussed cooperation in health field
Islamabad, Tuesday, 27 January 2015
Pakistan’s Ambassador Asif Durrani met the UAE Minister for Health, Salem Abdul Rahman Al Darmaki in Dubai and discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of health.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

ECONOMIC ISSUES
BAHRAIN
18. PM's Bahrain visit to attract more foreign investment: Miftah
Islamabad, Thursday, 8 January 2015
Chairperson of the Board of Investment Miftah Ismail while talking to PTV termed the recent visit by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Bahrain as  “highly successful and would help attract more foreign investment in the country.”
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Business Recorder, Karachi

19. PM invited Bahrain's investment in energy sector
Manama, Thursday, 8 January 2015
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a meeting with Bahrain’s Energy Minister Abdul Hussain Bin Ali Mirza said that Pakistan was looking forward to early establishment of Pakistan Energy Fund to help overcome its acute energy shortage and invited Bahrain’s investors for joint ventures in energy sector.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Daily Times, Lahore

SAUDI ARABIA
20. Saudi Arabia would provide Riyal 206 million for Muzaffarabad road project
Islamabad, Wednesday, 7 January 2015
Jassim Al Khaldi, Charge d'affaires in the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, informed Finance Minister Ishaq Dar that Saudi Arabia would provide Pakistan loan of Riyal 206 million for constructing Chehlla Bandi road in Muzaffarabad.
Source: Daily Times, Lahore

DEFENCE ISSUES
BAHRAIN
21. PM visited Headquarters of Bahraini Defence Forces
Manama, Thursday, 8 January 2015
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited the Headquarters of Bahrain Defence Forces and held meeting with its Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Daily Times, Lahore

22. PAF Chief visits Bahrain Defence Forces' Headquarters in Manama
Islamabad, Monday, 26 January 2015
Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt visited the General Headquarters of Bahrain Defence Forces in Manama on the official invitation of Royal Bahrain Air Force.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The Nation, Lahore

SAUDI ARABIA
23. Pak-Saudi Arabia to expand cooperation in military training, exercises
Rawalpindi, Wednesday, 7 January 2015
The Deputy Commander of Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Nassir Maghlouth, called on Secretary of Defence Lieutenant-General Muhammad Alam Khattak (retired) and discussed defence collaboration between the two countries.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Business Recorder, Karachi

MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES
TURKEY
24. Pakistan to set up Imam Hatim schools on pattern of Turkey: Yousaf
Islamabad, Saturday, 3 January 2015
Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Muhammad Yousaf said while talking to a two-member Turkish delegation that Pakistan wanted to set up Imam Hatim Schools System on pattern of Turkey for imparting religious education.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The News International, Karachi

25. Role of Pak-Turk School System in education lauded
Islamabad, Wednesday, 7 January 2015
Deputy Chairperson Sabir Ali Baloch hosted a reception for a delegation from the Pak-Turk International School and praised the role of the school for imparting quality education in Pakistan.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Daily Times, Lahore

26. Turkish officials commemorate Peshawar terrorist attack victims
Islamabad, Wednesday, 7 January 2015
Mayor of Kecioren Multiplicity of Ankara, Justice and Development Party, its Youth Wing and Pakistan Embassy officials in Turkey have planted trees to pay homage to the school-children and staff who died in a terrorists’ attack in the Army Public School, Peshawar.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Daily Times, Lahore

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