Neighbourhood News Digest – 18 May 2023

Afghanistan

Who is Maulvi Abdul Kabir? Appointed acting PM of Afghanistan by Taliban’s supreme leader Akhundzada - Wion

Taliban 'Supreme Leader' Haibatullah Akhundzada appointed Maulvi Abdul Kabir as acting prime minister of Afghanistan, following reports that prime minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund had been unwell. Maulvi Kabir, a member of the Zadran tribe in eastern Paktika province, formerly served as governor of Nangarhar province under the Taliban rule from 1996 to 2001. As an influential Taliban official, Maulvi Kabir played an important role in the Qatar discussions with the US. Click here to read... [2]

China’s Growing Influence in Taliban-Ruled Afghanistan - Kjaama

China has been actively managing Afghanistan’s foreign relations as a guarantee to help Afghanistan escape its current state of isolation on the world stage. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari of Pakistan and Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting Foreign Minister of Taliban, last week in Islamabad to hold talks as part of a China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Minister’s Dialogue. Click here to read... [3]

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will connect Afghanistan to the region and European countries: Taliban – The Print

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) under the caretaker Taliban regime has said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will connect Afghanistan to the region and European countries, Afghanistan-based Tolo News reported. The Taliban’s deputy spokesman for MoFA, Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, said there is a need for the implementation of major economic projects in Afghanistan. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

Who are these Kuki-Chin armies in the CHT? – Dhaka Tribune

The Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), or the Bom Party, surfaced on the scene last year after the Indian border forces arrested a dozen members with arms and ammunition in Mizoram. In October, law enforcers discovered that KNF was training members of a new militant group named Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya in exchange for money. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh: Two soldiers killed, 2 injured in separatist attack in Bandarban - Print

Two soldiers of the Bangladesh Army were killed and as many were injured in an attack by a separatist organisation Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA) in Bandarban district, Dhaka Tribune reported. The KNA rebels reportedly exploded an improvised explosive device (IED) and started firing on the military men who were patrolling the area. Click here to read... [6]

Is Bangladesh getting entangled in game? – New Age

Ambassador Wen stated in his presentation clearly that Bangladesh-China relations are ideal, devoid of any tension. He mentioned China’s proactive involvement in Bangladesh’s economic development and further stated that Beijing and Dhaka are currently engaged in discussions for Chinese investments in several strategic projects to underline the strength of Bangladesh-China relations. Wen also underlined China’s focus on anti-China US activities in the region and China’s determination to deal with them. He left no doubt that China would not favour any country in the region should it get involved in these US-led initiatives. Click here to read... [7]

BNP asks people to prepare for mass uprising - New Age

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Wednesday asked the party people to get ready to oust the ruling Awami League government through a popular uprising. ‘No dictatorship just goes away. It has to be removed. So there is no alternative to a popular uprising to remove this government. Prepare for this,’ BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain asked the party leaders and activists. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan

Bhutan sees spike in international tourists, tourism industry resurges – Hindustan Times

Among the international tourists in Bhutan, a large number were of those who paid the new sustainable development fee (SDF) than those who paid previous rate. Bhutan has received more than 52,000 tourists in the past eight months, The Bhutan Live reported. The Bhutanese Tourism Department has described the statistics as a positive trend in the tourism industry's resurgence. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutan’s spiritual leader, His Holiness the Je Khenpo concludes oral transmission of his self-composed Kabum – The Print

Bhutan’s spiritual leader, His Holiness the Je Khenpo has concluded the oral transmission of his self-composed Kabum, a collection of profound teachings and practices, according to The Bhutan Live. The event on Wednesday reached its culmination with His Holiness administering a Tsepaa Mey Wang, a sacred blessing ceremony, at Autsho Central School in Lhuentse. A colossal gathering of more than 10,000 devoted followers eagerly converged to receive the divine benediction. Click here to read... [10]

Bhutan speeds up green hydrogen development – Kuensel

To lessen reliance on imported fossil fuels, the Department of Energy is developing a green hydrogen roadmap. The department has already carried out technical research and a feasibility assessment, and the roadmap is expected to be completed by the end of this year. According to department officials, the roadmap will detail the necessary procedures and milestones for the development and integration of hydrogen as a key energy carrier across numerous industries, particularly in the transportation sector. Click here to read... [11]

Nepal

Two projects to be undertaken in Nepal with Indian govt grant – The Print

India and Nepal signed a memorandum of understanding for undertaking two High Impact Community Development Projects with the assistance of the Indian government. Taking to Twitter, the Indian embassy in Nepal said, “#IndiaNepal: Partners in #Development Today, @IndiainNepal & @mofaganepal signed MoUs for 2 HICDPs in #Nepal under GoI grant, in #healthcare & #education sectors in Ramechhap & Doti Districts, at a total cost of approx NRs 80.33 million.” Click here to read... [12]

ADB Approves $300 Million Loan To Improve Road Connectivity And Trade In Nepal – Orissa Diary

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) today approved a $300 million loan to improve transport connectivity of the Kakarbhitta–Laukahi road in Nepal to international trade routes, particularly to India and Bangladesh. “The project road is along the East–West Highway which forms part of the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation corridor,” said ADB Transport Specialist for South Asia Sin Wai Chong. Click here to read... [13]

Famous Nepalese Sherpa guide sets world record, scales Mt Everest for 27th time – Firstpost

World-renowned Nepalese mountaineer Kami Rita Sherpa scaled Mt Everest for a record 27th time on Wednesday, beating his own record with the highest number of ascends on the world’s highest peak. The 53-year-old record-holding mountain guide stood atop the 8,848.86 metres-high peak at 8:30 am on Wednesday, the Department of Tourism of Nepal said. Click here to read... [14]

Bhutanese Refugee Scam Puts Nepal’s Political Leaders Under Scrutiny – The Diplomat

Nepal is in an uproar right now as a result of the participation of high-ranking government figures in a fraudulent scheme involving Nepali nationals posing as Bhutanese refugees in order to orchestrate their “resettlement” to the United States. The exposure of the “fake Bhutanese refugee scam” has sent shockwaves throughout Nepal, exposing a sophisticated network of corruption and deception involving key players in the country’s political scene. Click here to read... [15]

Pakistan

$18bn penalty feared if Pakistan doesn’t complete Iran gas project – Dawn

The Public Accounts Committee expressed concern on Wednesday that Pakistan would have to pay a staggering amount of $18 billion in penalty if the country did not go ahead with the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project. “The US should pay the penalty if it does not approve of Pakistan and Iran going ahead with the gas pipeline project. The USA will have to do away with double standards — being lenient with India in meeting its energy needs while punishing Pakistan for the same,” said Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman Noor Alam Khan. Click here to read... [16]

Imran Khan, ex-Pakistan PM, claims police surrounded house: ‘Probably my last tweet’ – Hindustan Times

Imran Khan claimed that the police have surrounded his house for another arrest. Pakistan's former chief minister Imran Khan on Wednesday claimed that the police have surrounded his house in Lahore for another arrest. In a tweet, he claimed, “Probably my last tweet before my next arrest.” Dawn reported that the Punjab Police has reached outside PTI chairman's Zaman Park residence to arrest him. It added that Khan's residence has been cordoned off by the police officials. Click here to read... [17]

Chief Justice of Pakistan’s Supreme Court is highest-paid govt employee in the country? – India Today

Pakistan’s economy is in a tailspin. Pakistan’s politics is in a tailspin. And, given the chaos on the streets of Pakistan this past fortnight during the cat-and-mouse game between the army and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is facing dozens of legal cases, it seems Pakistan’s judiciary, too, is in a tailspin. Click here to read... [18]

'No One Allowed To Disrespect...': Pakistan Army Chief's Warning To Imran Khan Supporters – Outlook

Pakistan Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir has warned supporters of former Pakistan Prime Minister against the “planned and orchestrated tragic incidents” of May 9, when the Army headquarters was attacked, saying it will not be allowed again at any cost, Pakistan media reported. "No one will be allowed to disrespect our martyrs and their monuments. They are a source of inspiration and pride for the rank and file of the Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies, Government officials and the people of Pakistan," the Pakistan army chief said during his visit to Sialkot Garrison. Click here to read... [19]

Pakistan witnesses steady decline in Chinese FDI – The Economic Times

The state of the Pakistani economy over the last few years has adversely impacted citizens and business institutions alike. There has been a consistent deterioration in micro-economic indicators impacting morale of Pakistan’s trade and investment partners. Constant decline in inw investments has mostly been attributed to lack of confidence in the Pak economy. Click here to read... [20]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Court Lifts Travel Ban On Ex-PM Mahinda Rajapaksa: Report - NDTV

The overseas travel ban which was imposed on former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa with regard to the May 9, 2022 clashes was lifted by a Sri Lankan court on Wednesday, Lankan news organization News First reported. Alongside Rajapaksa, the travel ban against MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, and ex-provincial Council member Kanchana Jayaratne was entirely lifted by the Fort Magistrate's Court as well. The ban was imposed on Rajapaksa and others in view of investigations for their alleged involvement in the deadly attack on peaceful anti-government protesters in Colombo on May 9, 2022. Click here to read... [21]

India will be Sri Lanka’s key partner on economic growth path: Envoy – East Mojo

India was Sri Lanka’s main partner in helping it deal with the economic crisis last year and the country will remain a key ally as Colombo looks at a growth path, island nation’s envoy Milinda Moragoda said on Tuesday. On China’s attempts to expand influence over Colombo, Moragoda said India-Sri Lanka relationship is too important to be measured in the context of a third country. Click here to read... [22]

Rupee appreciates against US Dollar – Daily News

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka states that the Sri Lankan Rupee has further strengthened against the US Dollar. According to the latest report issued by the Central Bank, the buying price of the US dollar was recorded as Rs. 302.42 and the selling price was Rs.316.18 yesterday. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka says that both depreciation and appreciation of the rupee against the US dollar has been recorded.The increase in the value of the rupee against the US dollar is always beneficial to the local economy. Click here to read... [23]