Political Issues
Algeria
1. Algerian Ambassador donates US$ 2 million to PM Flood Relief Fund
Islamabad, Thursday, 20 January 2011
Dr. Ahmed Benflis, the Algerian Ambassador to Pakistan presented the Pakistani Foreign Minister Mehmood Qureshi a cheque of US$ 2 million for flood victims in Pakistan. The Foreign Minister expressed his gratitude to the government and people of Algeria.  
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Bahrain
2. President for enhancing trade, defence ties with Bahrain
Islamabad, Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Speaking to the Commander of the National Guards of Bahrain, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari emphasized increasing trade and defence ties and greater cooperation in labor and manpower between the two countries.
Source: The Nation, Lahore

3. Red tape blocking Pakistan flood aid
Manama, Sunday, 30 January 2011
Funds collected for Pakistan’s flood victims by the Pakistan Club in Bahrain with the permission of the Social Development Ministry are yet to be transferred to Pakistan to build a new village in Punjab because the same Ministry has still not approved of the money transfer.
Source: Gulf Daily News, Manama

Egypt
4. Pakistan, Egypt to strengthen higher education links
Islamabad, Wednesday, 12 January 2011
The Egyptian Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology met Pakistan’s Chairperson of the Higher Education Commission in Islamabad and both agreed to promote joint research between higher education institutions of the two countries.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

5. Egyptian Assistant FM calls on Foreign Minister Qureshi
Islamabad, Tuesday, 18 January 2011
The Assistant Foreign Minister of Egypt met with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister to discuss a variety of bilateral issues and the present situation in the region.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

6. Pakistan plans evacuation of nationals from Egypt
Islamabad, Monday, 31 January 2011
The Foreign Office claimed that arrangements had been made to evacuate Pakistani nationals from Egypt if the situation in the country worsened. The embassy has asked for a military C-130 aircraft to be on standby in case the need for evacuation arises.
Source: Gulf News, Dubai

Iran  
7. Pakistani Senate chairman to visit Iran
Tehran, Sunday, 2 January 2011
Pakistan’s Senate Chairman Farooq Naek is to visit Iran on 26 January to hold talks with Iranian officials to enhance bilateral ties between the two countries.
Source: Tehran Times, Tehran

Israel
8. Pakistan asks Israel to stop new settlements in occupied lands
United Nations/New York, Thursday, 20 January 2011
Pakistan denounced the demolition of the historic Shepherd Hotel in Jerusalem for a Jewish settlement and claimed that Israel should stop settlement activities in occupied territories as this was the reason for the impasse in the peace process.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Oman
9. Oman, Pakistan Navy seek partnerships
Muscat, Thursday, 13 January 2011
Three Pakistani Navy ships and one submarine arrived in Muscat for joint exercises with the Royal Navy of Oman. This would be the 10th joint exercise between the two navies and it takes place annually in both the countries.
Source: Zawya, Dubai

Palestinian National Authority
10. PM greets Palestinian counterpart on Revolution Day
Islamabad, Saturday, 1 January 2011
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Yousuf Gilani, sent his greetings to the Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority, Dr. Salam Fayyad, for the 46th anniversary of the Palestinian Revolution. He expressed Pakistan’s continuing support for the Palestinian cause.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Saudi Arabia
11. Flood relief: sixth Saudi convoy to arrive on 17 January
Islamabad, Saturday, 15 January 2011
The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia announced that the sixth convoy of winter relief for flood victims would arrive in Pakistan on Monday (17 January).
Source: Business Recorder, Karachi

12. Andrabi is new Pakistani ambassador
Riyadh, Sunday, 16 January 2011
Pakistan appointed Ishtiaq Hussain Andrabi, currently an additional foreign secretary, as its new ambassador to Saudi Arabia, replacing Umar Khan Alisherzai.
Source: Arab News, Jeddah

13. Pak Hajj mission accounts frozen
Jeddah/Lahore, Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Saudi Arabia froze Pakistan Hajj Mission’s account for failure to comply with a warning issued by the Saudi government to withdraw money from the account in Jeddah till 30 Muharram.
Source: The Nation, Lahore

Sudan
14. PM greets President of Sudan on Independence Day
Islamabad, Saturday, 1 January 2011
On the Independence Day of the Republic of Sudan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan Yousuf Gilani greeted their President for the occasion. He emphasized the good relations between the two countries and hoped to see it progress in the future.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Syria
15. Cooperation in higher education, science with Syria discussed
Islamabad, Thursday, 13 January 2011
The Education Minister of Syria Dr. Ghais Barkat met Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Education Sardar Aseff Ahmed Ali to talk about expanding cooperation in the area of higher education and science. Exchange of students and teachers as well as making facilities available for them was discussed.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Turkey
16. Turkey always helps Pak in need of hour: Shahbaz
Lahore, Monday, 3 January 2011
Punjab’s Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif met with a Turkish delegation comprising representatives of various welfare organizations working on rehabilitation activities in flood affected areas of the province. He proclaimed that Turkey had always come to Pakistan’s aid in their hour of need and was grateful for the support provided by Turkey for the flood victims.  
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

United Arab Emirates
17. Overseas Pakistanis need to get united to promote national cause: Says Pak envoy
Dubai, Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Pakistan’s ambassador to UAE asserted in a speech at a welcome ceremony organized by Pakistan Social Centre that Pakistanis living overseas should be united and leave aside sectarian and religious differences in order to ensure the nation’s progress.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

18. Commerce ministry clears UAE consignment for flood victims
Islamabad, Saturday, 15 January 2011
UAE’s flood relief cargo was cleared by the Ministry of Commerce as it had earlier been stopped in Karachi for containing some items of Indian origin.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

19. Zardari to address World Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi on Monday
Abu Dhabi, Sunday, 16 January 2011
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari was arriving in Abu Dhabi to address the World Future Energy Summit on 17 January as one of the key speakers. He would also meet the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in a bilateral meeting.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

20. Pak-UAE reaffirm resolve to boost their bilateral ties
Abu Dhabi, Monday, 17 January 2011
Pakistan’s President and UAE’s Prime Minister met in Abu Dhabi and expressed their desire to strengthen bilateral ties. The President thanked UAE for its generous contribution to counter the impact of the flood.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Multilateral
21. Asian aid ship sets sail with supplies for Gaza
Damascus, Monday, 3 January 2011
An aid ship carrying supplies worth US$ 1 million and activists from Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Japan left the Syrian port of Latakia for the Egyptian port of al-Arish where the aid would be unloaded and taken across the border to Gaza.
Source: The Daily Star, Beirut

22. Pak-Afghan-Iran conduct four joint operations against drug barons
Islamabad, Friday, 7 January 2011
Under a framework of trilateral cooperation, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan conducted four joint operations against drug trafficking rings.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

23. Gilani urges Muslim Ummah for joint efforts in science & technology
Islamabad, Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Pakistan’s Prime Minister addressed the inaugural session of the 14th General Assembly meeting of the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation and recommended that the Muslim Ummah should initiate projects in science and technology to face the challenges of the 21st century.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

24. OIC SG for long term floods rehabilitation help to Pakistan
Islamabad, Thursday, 13 January 2011
The Secretary General of the OIC Dr. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said that long-term measures were required to overcome the effect of the floods in Pakistan. He highlighted the humanitarian assistance and funds provided by the OIC for the victims of the disaster.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

25. OIC panel meet declaration mentions Kashmir at Pak. insistence
Islamabad, Thursday, 20 January 2011
The Kashmir issue was included in the declaration adopted by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) after it was raised by Fehmida Mirza, the speaker of the lower house of the Parliament of Pakistan, who led the Pakistani delegation at the meet.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

Economic Issues
Egypt
26. Egyptian companies can take advantage of Pakistan’s liberal investment policies: Farooq H. Naek
Islamabad, Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Farooq Naek, the Acting President, told the visiting Egyptian Assistant Minister for Asian Affairs that Egyptian companies should invest in Pakistan’s infrastructure, agriculture, tourism etc. because of Pakistan’s liberal investment policies. He also thanked Egypt for providing assistance for Pakistani flood victims.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Iran
27. Iran for active private sector to boost trade
Islamabad, Thursday, 13 January 2011
The Iranian Commerce Minister addressed a joint gathering of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry wherein he emphasized a greater role for the private sector to boost trade and social and cultural relations between the countries.
Source:  The Dawn, Karachi

28. Pakistan, Iran agree to triple trade volume
Islamabad, Friday, 14 January 2011
At the end of the 6th meeting of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Trade Committee both the countries decided to triple their bilateral trade by formulating a five-year strategic plan to implement reduction in duty and taxes on more items on the operational preferential trade agreement list.
Source: The Dawn, Karachi

29. Pakistan, Iran to sign MoU to enhance Cupertino in various sectors
Islamabad, Wednesday, 26 January 2011
The Iran-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission is meeting on 26 and 27 January to finalize negotiations before the two countries sign a Memorandum of Understanding “to safeguard mutual interests in international economic and financial organizations and institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) along with enhancing Cupertino in many other sectors.”
Source: Business Recorder, Karachi

30. Pakistan-Iran border opens for local trade
Quetta, Thursday, 27 January 2011
Iranian authorities reopened Zero-Point, a mutual trade way between Iran and Pakistan. It had been shut down on 15 July 2010 because of a suicide attack at a mosque in Zahidan. This adversely affected the livelihood of people on both sides of the border.
Source: Pakistan Today, Lahore

Kuwait
31. Dr.Hafeez Shaikh meets with Commerce minister of Kuwait, heads of business organizations
Kuwait, Monday, 17 January 2011
At the Third session of the Pakistan-Kuwait Joint Ministerial Commission, Pakistan’s Finance Minister met Kuwait’s Minister of Commerce and Industry to discuss ways of enhancing cooperation in trade, commerce, industry and numerous other sectors.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Turkey
32. Turkish investment to help improve transport
Lahore, Friday, 14 January 2011
Lahore’s urban transport sector will be reformed with Turkish investment that will provide for state-of-the-art infrastructure.
Source: The Nation, Lahore

33. Turkey to raise antidumping duty on garments, fabrics
Karachi, Monday, 17 January 2011
Turkey’s decision to increase its antidumping duty from 9.5% to 52% on garments and from 6.4% to 35% on fabrics for many countries including Pakistan in order to protect its domestic industry has caused great concern for Pakistan since its exports will be adversely affected by such a decision.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Multilateral
34. Islamic microfinance network set up
Lahore, Friday, 21 January 2011
An Islamic Microfinance Network (IMFN) has been created to bring together various international Islamic microfinance organizations in one forum, which will provide Shariah guidelines and appropriate methodologies to help reinforce the industry.
Source: Pakistan Today, Lahore

Energy Issues
Iran
35. Iran will supply 70MW electricity to Afghanistan, Pakistan
Islamabad, Monday, 3 January 2011
The Managing Director of Iran’s state-run Power Supply and Distribution Company announced that Iran would supply 70 MW to Afghanistan and Pakistan by the end of the Iranian year, which is 20 March, through Iran’s south-eastern Sistan and Balouchestan province.
Source: The Nation, Lahore

Yemen
36. Pakistani private sector proposes US$100 mn investment in Yemen LPG project
Karachi, Saturday, 1 January 2011
At the 6th session of the Pakistan-Yemen Joint Ministerial Commission, Pakistan’s private sector proposed an investment of about US$ 100 million for an LPG extraction project in Yemen in order to export gas to Pakistan.
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Multilateral
37. Zardari for concerted efforts to develop renewable energy
Abu Dhabi, Monday, 17 January 2011
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari delivered the keynote address at the opening session of the World Future Energy Summit. He asserted that in order to make energy available and affordable for the masses, global partnership was required for renewable energy in both the public and private sectors.   
Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

Miscellaneous
Oman
38. Pakistan tremor felt in Sultanate
Muscat, Thursday, 20 January 2011
Sultan Qaboos University’s Earthquake Monitoring Centre recorded the magnitude of the earthquake in south-west Pakistan to be 7.2 on the Richter scale. The tremor was also felt along the coastal belt between Muscat and Jaalan as well as Musandam in Oman.
Source: Oman Daily Observer, Muscat

Qatar
39. Spot-fixing hearing begins, Pakistani trio’s careers on the line
Doha, Thursday, 6 January 2011
The hearing of a Special Tribunal from the International Cricket Council for three Pakistani cricketers accused of spot fixing opened in Doha on Thursday.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

Multilateral
40. 4,000 Pakistanis languishing in Mideast jails, minister tells NA
Islamabad, Saturday, 1 January 2011
Pakistan’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs informed the National Assembly that there were more than 4,000 Pakistani prisoners in jails across the Middle East. Saudi Arabia accounts for the largest number of detainees.
Source: Dawn, Karachi

Compiled by Shubha Kamala-Prasad

Shubha Kamala Prasad is a Graduate student at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. Email

As part of the policy, the MEI@ND standardizes spellings and date format 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