Afghanistan
Mass Return: Over 130,000 Afghan Migrants Repatriated from Pakistan, Iran-Tolo News
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that over 130,000 Afghan migrants have returned from Pakistan and Iran between April 1 and 13. According to the report, two million Afghans are expected to return from Iran and more than 1.6 million others from Pakistan this year. Click here to read…
Herat Sees Unprecedented Rent Hikes Amid Migrant Influx-Tolo News
A number of residents in Herat say that over recent months, rental prices in the province have risen to unprecedented levels. According to them, they have been searching for reasonably priced rental homes for weeks, but none are available. According to data from some real estate agencies, rental prices in Herat city have increased by around 40% in recent months. Click here to read…
Japan, OIC Stress Need to Expand Cooperation with Afghanistan-Tolo News
Representatives from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Japan have discussed enhancing cooperation with Afghanistan and ways to strengthen humanitarian assistance to the country. According to a statement from the OIC, both sides also emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to address the urgent needs of the Afghan people. Click here to read…
Afghanistan’s economic growth falls behind population growth, Says World Bank-The Khaama Press
The World Bank reports Afghanistan’s economy grew by 2.5%, falling behind the population growth rate, signalling economic challenges. The World Bank reported on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, that Afghanistan’s economy is expected to grow by just 2.5% in the fiscal year 2024-2025, a rate lower than the population growth. The report attributed this slowdown to the decline in foreign aid to Afghanistan, which has had a significant impact on the economy. Click here to read…
Bhutan
EU announces plans to host business forum for Bhutan in Brussels – Bhutan Broadcasting Services
The European Union announced plans to host a business forum for Bhutan in Belgium’s capital, Brussels, later this year. This comes after the EU identified renewable energy and cultural sectors as key areas of investment potential in Bhutan. The delegates said the forum will aim to connect European investors with local businesses and strengthen Bhutan’s private sector. A European Union delegation made the announcement at a press conference today. The delegation is in the country as a part of the 13th EU-Bhutan annual consultation. The team has been reviewing progress, discussing new areas of cooperation and planning future development projects. Click here to read…
Maldives
President to Embark on First Official Visit to Malaysia – PSM News
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu will undertake an official visit to Malaysia next week, the President’s Office has announced. According to the President’s Office, President Dr Muizzu will undertake the visit from 27 to 30 April, on the invitation of Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia. This will be President Dr Muizzu’s first official visit to Malaysia, aimed at further strengthening the longstanding and close, cordial ties between the Maldives and Malaysia. During the visit, the President will meet with the Prime Minister and hold official talks, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation, exchanging views on regional and global issues, and exploring new avenues for partnership between the two countries. Click here to read…
Maldives President Urges Global Cooperation to Overcome Challenges – PSM News
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has called for a renewed commitment to multilateralism as the foundation for addressing pressing global challenges — a priority particularly critical for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) navigating complex international waters. In a message marking the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace 2025, President Dr Muizzu emphasised that in a world facing multiple global conflicts, widening inequality, and an accelerating climate crisis, cooperation among states has never been more vital. From the Maldives’ perspective as a Small Island Developing State, the President highlighted the acute vulnerabilities these nations face, particularly from environmental threats and economic instability. Click here to read…
Myanmar
ASEAN Slammed For Myanmar Junta Counterterrorism Invite – Irrawaddy
The rights group Justice for Myanmar (JFM) has criticized the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for allowing Myanmar’s military to attend its counterterrorism meeting. Myanmar’s military was invited by Malaysia, the current ASEAN chair, to the defense ministers’ meeting, co-chaired by Malaysia and India, in March. The two-day event in New Delhi was also attended by representatives from China, the US, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea. India is one of the junta’s leading arms suppliers, said JFM. A Wednesday statement from JFM accused ASEAN of deepening its complicity in war crimes and undermining its commitments. Click here to read…
Pakistan
Pahalgam attack: FM Dar throws down gauntlet to India, asks for evidence of allegations against Pakistan-Dawn
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday challenged India to present evidence, if it had any, of Pakistan’s alleged involvement in a deadly attack in occupied Kashmir. Addressing a press conference after a high-level meeting of the National Security Committee, FM Dar said, “India has time and again played the blame game and if there is proof of Pakistan’s involvement [in Pahalgam], please share it with us and the world.” Click here to read…
Revocation of Indus Waters Treaty can be taken as an act of war: Sartaj Aziz-Dawn
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Tuesday told the Senate that revocation of the Indus Waters Treaty by India "can be taken as an act of war" against Pakistan. "The Indus Waters Treaty is quoted as perhaps the most successful water treaty ever conducted between the two countries. Its revocation can be taken as an act of war or a hostile act against Pakistan," Aziz told lawmakers. Click here to read…
Assault on rivers will be ‘act of war’-Dawn
Pakis¬tan on Thursday delivered a determined response to India’s sweeping punitive measures following the Pahalgam attack, unveiling a series of strong countermeasures — including an airspace ban on Indian airlines, the complete suspension of bilateral trade, and a stark warning that any disruption of Indus River flows would be treated as an “act of war”. The decisions, adopted during an emergency session of the National Sec¬urity Committee (NSC), also included the potential suspension of all bilateral agreements, notably the 1972 Simla Agreement. Click here to read…
Nationwide protests in Pakistan over Indian threats after Pahalgam attack-The Express Tribune
Hundreds of Pakistanis rallied across the country on Thursday, including in Azad Kashmir, to protest against India’s threats of retaliation following a deadly attack on civilians in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Tuesday. The demonstrations came after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to “pursue and punish” the perpetrators of Tuesday’s assault in Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians and was the deadliest such attack in the disputed region in over two decades. Modi accused Pakistan of supporting what he described as “cross-border terrorism.” Click here to read…
