Saudi Arabia aims to promote itself as an attractive touristic destination owing to its diverse landscape and archaeological treasure, currently little known owing to decade-old lack of state interest. In years to come, Riyadh plans to gradually introduce tourist visa to people of all nationalities, with the condition that the visitors will respect the local culture and traditions. Currently, eight million religious tourists visit the country to perform umrah and hajj.

The training topics include China’s political, cultural, media and economic studies amongst others. Other activities will include touring China, covering major political activities at the National People’s Congress and other major events like the BRICS economic summit slated. The development studies and media exchange is being organized by Renmin University of China (RUC) based in the capital, Beijing. 

State-to-state relationships are not grounded in emotions, but based on shared interests. No one is a friend or a foe forever; the convergence or divergence of mutual interests decides the nature of the relationship between two countries. Though relations between Russia and Pakistan remained turbulent over the years, they have been warming up over the last decade, with top political and diplomatic meetings. 

Turkey and Pakistan marked the 70th year of exemplary diplomatic relations, with both countries aiming to advance relations to strategic cooperation. [...] Relations between Pakistan and Turkey have also witnessed notable growth and dynamism in recent years, ranging from enhanced economic ties to deepening defense collaboration, and growing educational and cultural links. 

Education USA at the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) celebrated International Education Week (IEW) in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi as part of their ongoing efforts to foster cultural and educational exchange. 

The International Defence Exhibition and Conference 2017 (IDEX 2017), a five-day defence exhibition, started with a colourful and impressive inaugural ceremony at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) on Sunday morning. The United Arab Emirates' armed forces took part in a military show at the opening of the Abu Dhabi event. Over 1,200 defence companies are presenting their products at IDEX 2017, in which 57 countries, including Pakistan, are participating.

Taking advantage of the literature festival last weekend, a poet from Maldives made his way to Karachi with only one mission: share his country’s stories. Ibrahim Waheed Ogaru is a writer, a poet and a television show host who arrived in Karachi last week to attend the eighth Karachi Literature Festival on the invitation of Pakistan’s ambassador to Maldives, Syed Khawar Ali Shah.

The Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran, Mehdi Honardoost hosted a reception at a local hotel in Islamabad to mark the 38th anniversary of the victory of Islamic Revolution and the national day of Iran. Federal Minister of Commerce, Khuramm Dastgir Khan was the chief guest while Raja Ashfaq Sarwar Provincial Minister of Punjab for Labour & Human Resource was also a special guest as he was representing Mian Shahbaz sharif, the Chief Minister Punjab. During the ceremony national anthems of Pakistan and Iran were sung by the students of local school.