POLITICAL ISSUES

IRAN

Pakistan’s first woman envoy meets Iranian President

Quetta, Saturday, 2 February 2019

Riffat Masood, Pakistan’s first woman envoy to Iran formally met President Hassan Rouhani and discussed cultural, religious, historical affinities between the two neighbouring states.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

Iran’s envoy discusses trade prospects with Balochistan

Quetta, Thursday, 14 February 2019

Iran’s envoy Mehdi Honardoost expressed Tehran’s interest in enhancing trade and business cooperation with Balochistan, during his interaction with President of Pak-Iran Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry Haji Noorzai at the Quetta Chamber of Small Traders and Industries.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

ISRAEL

Foreign minister confirms absence of ties with Israel

Islamabad, Monday, 25 February 2019

In an address to the National Assembly, Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi clarified that Pakistan’s Israel policy remains consistent and unchanged. The clarification came after Qureshi was quoted to have expressed interest in normalising ties with Israel on the sidelines of Munich Security Conference from 15-17 February.  

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad, Rabwah Times, Islamabad

LEBANON

Islamabad, Beirut to enhance cooperation

Dubai, Sunday, 10 February 2019 

Prime Minister Imran Khan held a meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Saad Rafik Al-Hariri, on the sidelines of World Government Summit in Dubai, and invited Lebanese companies to explore investment avenues. 

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

ORGANISATION OF ISLAMIC COOPERATION (OIC)

Pakistan objects to India’s participation at OIC, labels the decision painful  

Islamabad, Wednesday, 27 February 2019

Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani, in a meeting with President of the Emirates Policy Centre, Ebtesam Al-Kebti and UAE’s envoy Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi, protested against OIC’s decision to invite the Indian Foreign Minister for participation in the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers as a guest of honour.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi media delegation meets Finance Minister 

Islamabad, Tuesday, 12 February 2019     

Saudi media delegation called on Finance Minister Asad Umar to discuss the evolving macroeconomic situation and ongoing bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

Saudi Crown Prince visits Pakistan   

Islamabad, Thursday, 14 February 2019  

In his first state-level visit to Pakistan since he assumed the position of Crown Prince in April 2017, Mohammad Bin Salman held meetings with important dignitaries including Pakistan’s President, Prime Minister and Army Chief, and signed a number of agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs).

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad, Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad, Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad, Radio Pakistan, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad

Pakistan to transform on the pattern of Saudi Arabia, says Information minister

Islamabad, Saturday, 16 February 2019   

Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Hussain, in an interview with a Saudi TV channel, shared Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision to transform Pakistan on the pattern of State of Madina and expressed the desire to culminate a strong strategic partnership with Riyadh.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

Saudi energy minister visits Pakistan  

Islamabad, Monday, 18 February 2019     

Saudi Minister for Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid Al Falih paid an official visit to Islamabad to establish a Joint Working Group (JWG) to finalise the terms of establishment of an oil refinery and petrochemical complex at the Gwadar deep seaport city.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

TURKEY

State Interior minister visits Istanbul for Budapest process meet

Islamabad, Tuesday, 19 February 2019

Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi led a national delegation to the 6^th Ministerial Conference of the Budapest Process in Istanbul from 19 to 21 February where he lauded Turkey’s treatment of Syrian refugees, and discussed other matters of common concern including terrorism and illegal migration.  

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad      

Islamabad, Ankara sign vocational training MoU

Islamabad, Wednesday, 27 February 2019

Pakistan’s National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) signed an agreement for establishment of Center of Excellence for Hospitality & Construction at National Skills University in Islamabad.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

Ankara lauds Islamabad’s efforts of de-escalation post-Pulwama attack

Islamabad, Thursday, 28 February 2019

President Erdogan, in a telephonic conversation with Pakistan’s President Alvi admired Islamabad’s handling of the situation and its efforts for de-escalation after a JEM-led terror attack in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on 14 February led to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.  

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Imran Khan visits Dubai for World Government Summit

Islamabad, Monday, 11 February 2019     

Prime minister Imran Khan attended the 7^th edition of World Government Summit held in Dubai as a keynote speaker and held meetings with the officials from UAE to review the bilateral ties.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad  

UAE, Pakistan discuss bilateral ties

Islamabad, Wednesday, 20 February 2019           

United Arab Emirates’s envoy to Pakistan Salem Alzaabi called on Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani to discuss avenues for bilateral cooperation.  

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad  

ECONOMIC ISSUES

TURKEY

Economic framework meeting held in Islamabad 

Islamabad, Tuesday, 12 February 2019     

Pak-Turkey Strategic Economic Framework meeting was held in Islamabad to finalise the terms of bilateral collaboration in the field of energy, aviation, tourism and trade, and forward the proposed recommendations to the Turkish side.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad 

DEFENCE ISSUES

QATAR

President confers Qatari Naval Commander with military award  

Islamabad, Monday, 25 February 2019     

Qatar’s Naval Forces Commander, Staff Major General (Sea) Abdullah Al-Sulaiti was conferred the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) by President Arif Alvi in a ceremony held at Presidential palace in Islamabad.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Pakistan, UAE conduct joint naval exercise

Islamabad, Saturday, 23 February 2019

Pakistan Navy flotilla visited Abu Dhabi to participate in second series of bilateral naval exercise ‘NASL AL BAHR’ and international Defence Exhibition (IDEX)/ Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX): a leading defence technology trade show

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad

MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES

SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi embassy holds photography exhibition in Islamabad

Islamabad, Tuesday, 12 February 2019     

Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani inaugurated a cultural exhibition organised by Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Pakistan to highlight Saudi Arabia’s contribution in preserving Islamic archaeological and cultural heritage.

Source: Radio Pakistan, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

UAE to open field hospital in Balochistan

Islamabad, Friday, 22 February 2019        

Fatima Mubarak – wife of United Arab Emirates’ founder Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered setting up of field hospital and mobile clinics in the villages of Balochistan for the medical treatment of women and children.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan, Islamabad