POLITICAL ISSUES
EGYPT
1. Pak-Egypt bilateral ties highlighted at the 64th Anniversary celebrations of Egyptian Revolution at Egyptian embassy in Islamabad
Islamabad, Friday, 22 July 2016   
The Egyptian embassy in Pakistan held a reception to commemorate the 64th anniversary of Egyptian revolution of 1952. Prominent guests included Punjab Governor Rafiq Rajwana and Leader of the House in Senate Zafarul Haq.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also:  Times of Islamabad, Islamabad

IRAQ
2. Terrorist attack in Central Baghdad condemned by Pakistan
Islamabad, Sunday, 3 July 2016   
Pakistan’s Foreign Office strongly condemned the deadly suicide attack in Shia district of Karrada in central Baghdad on 3 July. Islamic State took the responsibility of the suicide attack which left over 300 dead and thousands injured.
Source: Daily Times, Lahore; See Also:  The News International, Karachi

SAUDI-ARABIA
3. Terror attacks in Saudi Arabia condemned by Pakistan Army Chief
Islamabad, Tuesday, 5 July 2016   
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Army Chief Raheel Sharif criticized the series of three separate terrorist attacks across Saudi Arabia and these attacks resulted in four casualties and left one wounded.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also:  Business Recorder, Karachi

TURKEY
4. Pakistan condemned the coup attempt; Turkish people and government lauded for foiling the attempt
Islamabad, Saturday, 16 July 2016   
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the coup attempt in Turkey made on 16 July and expressed support for President Erdogan. Other officials appreciated the national unity, courage and spirit of the Turkish people.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also:  Daily Times, Lahore

5. Pakistanis stranded in Turkey in the aftermath of coup attempt evacuated; special flights arranged by government 
Islamabad, Monday, 16 July 2016   
On directions of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, special assistance efforts were made by Pakistan embassy in Turkey to evacuate Pakistani citizens held up in the aftermath of an unsuccessful military coup attempt on 15 July. Two emergency helpline numbers were operationalized and aircrafts of Turkish Airlines were deployed to ensure evacuation.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad;  APP; See Also:  The News International, Karachi

DEFENCE ISSUES
EGYPT
6. Egypt lauded Pakistan’s role in anti-terrorism, both nations to enhance military cooperation
Islamabad, Monday, 25 July 2016   
Pakistan’s Army Chief Raheel Shareef held separate meetings with Egyptian President, Army Chief and Egypt’s Defence Minister during his two-day visit to Cairo on 25-26 July. Pakistan Army’s role in anti-terrorism was acknowledged by Sisi during their meeting and enhancement of military cooperation and training was discussed with other officials.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also:  Daily Times, Lahore

TURKEY
7. Pakistan-Turkey to sign three deals in defence production
Islamabad, Friday, 15 July 2016   
Pakistan and Turkey have agreed to sign three deals in defence production which include supply of trainer jets, Super Mashshaks to Turkey and development of fleet tanker for Pakistan Navy. They intend to strengthen military cooperation and generate foreign exchange. 
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also:  Dawn, Karachi

ECONOMIC ISSUES
BAHRAIN
8. First Pak-Bahrain Business opportunities conference scheduled in September
Islamabad, Wednesday, 13 July 2016   
Shaikha Rana, Assistant Under-Secretary for Arab and Afro Asian Affairs and Dastgir Khan, Pakistan’s Commerce Minister met to finalize the agenda for the first Pak-Bahrain Business Opportunities Conference likely to be held on 27 September in Pakistan. The conference would focus on enhancing investments in agriculture, banking and textiles, and constituting Pakistan-Bahrain business council.
Source: Dispatch News Desk, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Lahore; See Also:  The News International, Karachi

TURKEY
9. Third round of Free Trade Agreement negotiations held between Pakistan and Turkey
Islamabad, Thursday, 28 July 2016   
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between Pakistan and Turkey were held from 25 to 27 July in Ankara. Primary focus of this third session of deliberations was to finalize tariffs, custom facilitation and investment mechanisms for trade in goods and services and discuss the text of final draft agreement.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also:  Radio Pakistan, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad; The Nation, Lahore

MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES 
BAHRAIN
10. 82 Pakistani prisoners released in Bahrain
Islamabad, Monday, 4 July 2016   
Bahrain’s King Hamid Al Khalifa granted a royal pardon to 82 Pakistanis stranded in the Central prison on the occasion of Eid ul fitr on 4 July.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also:  Press Information Department, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad

EGYPT
11. Pakistan family feared dead in Nile mishap
Islamabad, Wednesday, 7 July 2016   
Four members of a Pakistani family including two children lost their life when their boat hit a bridge over Nile and sunk on 6 July. Six other Pakistanis on the boat survived without injuries.
Source: The News International, Karachi; See Also:  Dawn, Karachi

12. Four players from Pakistan participated in snooker championship in Egypt; victory retained
Islamabad, Wednesday, 20 July 2016   
Four players represented Pakistan at the International Billiards and Snooker Federation 6-Red Ball and Team Snooker Championship held at Sharm-el-Sheikh in Egypt from 20 July to 30 July. Pakistan maintained the victory against Hong Kong, UAE and Egypt in the event which witnessed participation of 145 players and 65 teams from 26 countries.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; See Also:  Pakistan Observer, Islamabad

IRAN
13. Iran-Pakistan signed MoU in Public sector auditing
Islamabad, Monday, 25 July 2016   
Auditor General of Pakistan Assad Amin signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Senior President, Audit Court of Iran Hossein Rahimi on 24 July in Tehran to encourage training programs and cooperative audits in the area of border management, mutual environmental issues and electricity transmission lines.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

MULTILATERAL
14. Pakistan embassies in Turkey and U.A.E. observe Black Day to condemn human rights violations in Indian Kashmir
Islamabad, Wednesday, 20 July 2016   
Black day was observed in the Embassies of Pakistan in Ankara, Turkey and Abu Dhabi, as a protest against the alleged atrocities committed in the Indian Kashmir, particularly after elimination of Mujahedeen leader Burhan Wani by Indian forces. Pakistani community in these countries also attended the event.  
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad; APP

COMPILED BY DIVYA MALHOTRA

Divya Malhotra is a Doctoral candidate in 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