POLITICAL ISSUES
EGYPT
1. Egyptian Minister of Defence and Defence Production called on President
Islamabad, Tuesday, 7 April 2015
President Mamnoon Hussain while talking to Minister of Defence and Defence Production of Egyptian Armed Forces General Sedqy Sobhi Sayed called for further strengthening of bilateral relations, including defence cooperation.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The Dawn, Karachi

IRAN
2. Pakistan-Iran to find peaceful solution to Yemen crisis
Islamabad, Wednesday, 8 April 2015
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif emphasized the need for a political solution than a military one as suggested by Saudi Arabia to the Yemen conflict during his meeting with Prime Minister’s adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Daily Times, Lahore; The Dawn, Karachi

3. PM urged Muslim countries to promote restraint on Yemen’s issue
Islamabad, Thursday, 9 April 2015
Talking to Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called upon all Muslim countries to influence positively on the Yemen issue.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Daily Times, Lahore

OMAN
4. Pakistan, Oman agreed to further strengthen ties in various fields
Islamabad, Wednesday, 8 April 2015
Pakistan and Oman agreed to further increase its cooperation in economy, trade, manpower, defence and security during the fifth round of political consultations.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The Dawn, Karachi

5. Grand Mufti of Sultanate of Oman called on President
Islamabad, Wednesday, 29 April 2015
President Mamnoon Hussain while talking to Grand Mufti of the Sultanate of Oman Sheikh Ahmad Bin Hamad Al-Khalili said that the Muslim community should be united to counter misguided elements.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Daily Times, Lahore

SAUDI ARABIA
6. Army, citizens to protect Saudi integrity, Harmain Shareefain’s sanctity: Pervaiz
Islamabad, Monday, 13 April 2015
Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid said army and Pakistani citizens were committed to protect integrity of Saudi Arabia and sanctity of Harmain Shareefain.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The Nation, Lahore

7. High level visit to Saudi Arabia
Islamabad, Wednesday, 15 April 2015
A delegation led by Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif visited Saudi Arabia for consultations with the Senior Saudi Officials.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The Dawn, Karachi

8. Pakistan welcomed end of air campaign in Yemen
Islamabad, Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Pakistan’s Foreign Office welcomed the announcement by Saudi Arabia regarding the end of four weeks of air campaign in Yemen.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

9. PM met Saudi leadership; President of Yemen
Riyadh, Thursday, 23 April 2015
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met the King of Saudi Arabia Salman along with the Crown Prince, Deputy Crown Prince and Defence Minister. The situation of Yemen and matters of mutual interest were discussed in these meetings. The prime minister also met President of Yemen Mansour Hadi in Riyadh.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Daily Times, Lahore; The Dawn, Karachi

TURKEY
10. Sharif, Davutoglu discussed Yemen’s situation
Ankara, Friday, 3 April 2015
During his day-long visit to Turkey Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met his Turkish counterpart Ahmed Davutoglu and expressed concern over the overthrow of Yemen’s government by non-state actors and pledged to work together for a peaceful solution.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The Dawn, Karachi; The Express Tribune, Karachi; The Nation, Lahore

11. Turkish President telephoned PM
Islamabad, Saturday, 11 April 2015
President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan telephoned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and agreed to resolve the situation of the region through peaceful means. Emphasis was on illegitimate overthrowing of a legitimate government in Yemen and on violation of the territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The Frontier Post, Lahore

12. Pakistan’s envoy, Speaker Turkish Grand National Assembly discussed Pak-Turkey ties
Islamabad, Thursday, 16 April 2015
Pakistan's Ambassador to Turkey Sohail Mahmood called on the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Cemil Cicek and exchanged views on bilateral relations and cooperation between the two parliaments.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Business Recorder, Karachi

13. President arrived in Turkey on four-day official visit
Istanbul, Wednesday, 22 April 2015
President Mamnoon Hussain received warm welcome upon his arrival on a four-day official visit to Turkey.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The News International, Karachi

14. Turkish President, other leaders met President
Istanbul, Thursday, 23 April 2015
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan along with other world leaders met President Mamnoon Hussain during the Peace Conference held on the occasion of the centenary remembrance of Canakkale Battles in Turkey and exchanged pleasantries.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Business Recorder, Karachi

15. Pakistan, Turkey called for early resolution of Yemen crisis
Islamabad, Saturday, 25 April 2015
President Mamnoon Hussain in a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his concerns over Yemen’s situation and emphasized early resolution of the crisis while mentioning Pakistan’s commitment to Saudi Arabia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The two leaders also discussed on economic collaborations.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The Frontier Post, Lahore

ECONOMIC ISSUES
IRAN
16. Pakistan offered PTA to Afghanistan, FTA to Iran: Khurram
Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan said that Pakistan offered Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to Iran for enhancing trade with both the countries.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Business Recorder, Karachi

TURKEY
17. Pak envoy for enhancing cooperation with Turkey in agriculture livestock
Islamabad, Wednesday, 15 April 2015
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Sohail Mahmood in a meeting with Turkish Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock Mehmet Mehdi Eker noted the progress on the on-going joint projects in the agriculture sector and called for further development.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The Express Tribune, Karachi

18. Pakistan, Turkey to collaborate in agricultural sector, agro-based industry
Islamabad, Monday, 20 April 2015
Pakistan and Turkey in the second meeting of the Turkey-Pakistan Agricultural Steering Committee in Ankara decided to collaborate in agriculture sector, agro-based industry, livestock improvement programmes and designing rural development projects.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The Nation, Lahore

DEFENCE ISSUES
EGYPT
19. Egyptian Defence Minister visited Joint Staff Headquarters
Rawalpindi, Tuesday, 7 April 2015    
Minister of Defence and Defence Production General Sedqy Sobhi Sayed visited Joint Staff Headquarters Chaklala and called on the Chairperson of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmood. He also held meetings with Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanvir.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

20. Egyptian Defence Minister called on General Raheel Sharif
Rawalpindi, Tuesday, 7 April 2015    
Egyptian Minister of Defence and Defence Production General Sedqy Sobhi Sayed visited General Headquarters and called on Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif to discuss matters of mutual interest, regional security and military-to-military bilateral relations.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The Dawn, Karachi

21. Defence Secretary held meeting with Egyptian Army Chief
Rawalpindi, Monday, 20 April 2015
Federal Secretary Defence, Lt. General (Retd.) Muhammad Alam Khattak held one-on-one meetings with Egyptian Army Chief Mehmood Hegazi and Minister of Defence and Defence Production General Sedqi Sobhi Sayed in Cairo on the sidelines of the 9th Military Cooperation Committee meeting.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: Daily Times, Lahore

IRAN
22. Iranian FM, COAS discussed evolving situation in Middle East    
Rawalpindi, Thursday, 9 April 2015
Iran’s Foreign Minister Javed Zarif met with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif and discussed regional security including the evolving situation in the Middle East, Pak-Iran border management and defence and security cooperation.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The News International, Karachi; Business Recorder, Karachi

JORDAN
23. Jordanian Air Force Commander called on General Raheel Sharif
Rawalpindi, Monday, 27 April 2015
Commander of the Royal Jordanian Air Force Major General Mansour Salim Aljobour called on the Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif while visiting Pakistan General Headquarters and discussed matters of mutual interest.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also: The News International, Karachi

SAUDI ARABIA
24. Pakistan's delegation reached Riyadh for talks with leadership of Saudi Arabia
Islamabad, Wednesday, 1 April 2015
Pakistan’s delegation, headed by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif committed to deploy limited number of troops inside Saudi Arabia in case its territorial integrity comes under threat following its decision to stay away from the military coalition against Houthi rebels in Yemen as it may complicate Pakistan’s relation with Iran.
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