Neighborhood News Digest- 12 March 2024

Afghanistan

Iran, Afghan Border Officials Hold Meeting in Islam Qala- Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate reported a bilateral meeting was held between Kabul and Tehran border officials in Islam Qala. The spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that border tensions between the two countries and the betterment of Kabul-Tehran relations were discussed. Click here to read... [2]

Internal Disagreement Cause of UN's Ineffectiveness in Afghanistan: Faiq- Tolo News

Naseer Ahmad Faiq, the Chargé d'Affaires of the Afghanistan Permanent Mission to the UN said that disagreement among the members of the UN regarding Afghanistan and the lack of a coherent political view have caused the efforts of this organization to be unsuccessful. Click here to read... [3]

Afghanistan’s exports total $134 million in the current month amid economic challenges: Authority-The Khama Press

The National Statistics and Information Authority recently announced that Afghanistan had exports worth $134 million in February and March of 2024. It is worth mentioning that the statistics released by this authority indicate that the highest exports in the current and previous year were to Pakistan, India, and the United Arab Emirates, while the highest imports in the same period for last year were from Pakistan, Iran, and China. Click here to read... [4]

Islamic Emirate Officials, Not West, Responsible for Women's Rights: Hanafi- Tolo News

Muhammad Khalid Hanafi, the acting minister of vice and virtue, at a gathering in Maidan Wardak province said that regarding women's rights in Afghanistan, the caretaker government officials are responsible, not Westerners. Hanafi said that women's rights in the country are secured, and the concerns of Western countries regarding this issue are unfounded. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Another 179 BGP members take shelter in Bangladesh – The Daily Star

At least 179 members of Border Guard Police of Myanmar took shelter in Bangladesh yesterday amid the ongoing fighting between the junta force and Arakan Army in Rakhine state. Click here to read... [6]

What has the AL govt done in two months? – Dhaka Tribune

Two months have passed since the Awami League formed the government for the fourth straight term amid fears of a looming economic crisis. Even though it is too soon to assess its successes and failures, many believe that some important decisions taken by the government will benefit the common people. Click here to read... [7]

Experts: WTO talks did not deliver for Bangladesh's LDC graduation – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh is concerned regarding sustained international support after graduating from least-developed country (LDC) status as inaction in the recent 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) recently, said the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) on Monday. Click here to read... [8]

Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, number of other countries want to start rupee trade with India: Goyal – Press Trust of India

Many developed and developing countries including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and nations of the Gulf region are keen to start trade in rupee with India as it would help cut transaction costs for businesses, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutan

Third golden bust in a week– Kuensel

Paro police apprehended a Thai national yesterday following a tip-off suggesting their involvement in attempting to smuggle gold powder from Bangkok, Thailand into Bhutan. Upon arrival in Bhutan, the suspect was met by an Indian individual, later the arrest occurred at a hotel in Paro Town. However, details regarding the quantity of gold powder and its intended destination remain unknown. The alleged suspect was traveling to Bhutan via Bhutan Airlines but managed to escape from the airport. This incident marks the third case of gold smuggling reported at Paro Airport. Just days prior, two Indian nationals were intercepted by airport officials attempting to smuggle 2.5 kilograms of gold powder. Click here to read... [10]

Maldives

Indian soldiers in Addu leave Maldives after handing over helicopter to "civilians"– Adhadhu

Indian soldiers stationed in Addu have departed from the Maldives after handing over the operations of a helicopter to an Indian civil crew. The first group of Indian civilians, which included 26 people, arrived on February 26 to replace the Indian military personnel operating a helicopter in Addu. India have stated that ‘capable technical personnel’ will be operating its aircraft in the Maldives and has not provided details. Click here to read... [11]

Maldives to track sea vessels to curb drug trafficking – Atoll Times

President Mohammed Muizzu has decided to monitor all sea vessels by installing tracking devices to prevent drug trafficking and drug smuggling across the country. The President made the decision after discussing a paper submitted to the Cabinet by Homeland Security and Technology. Click here to read... [12]

Myanmar

Hundreds flee as Myanmar navy opens fire on coastal village in southern Rakhine State-Myanmar Now

A Myanmar naval vessel opened fire on a village on the coast of Rakhine State’s Kyaukphyu Township late Sunday night, forcing hundreds of people to flee, according to local sources. Click here to read... [13]

Myanmar junta shelling kills eight displaced Rohingya people in Sittwe- Myanmar Now

Eight Rohingya civilians were killed and nine injured around 9pm on Saturday by a heavy artillery shell fired by junta forces into the Rakhine State capital of Sittwe, local sources said. Click here to read... [14]

Nepal

PM Dahal has his hands full with a difficult coalition – Kathmandu Post

A week after the formation of the new political alliance between the CPN-UML, the CPN (Maoist Centre), the Rastriya Swatantra Party, the Janata Samajbadi Party and the CPN (Unified Socialist), followed by changes in the Cabinet, signs of hope and stability appear elusive. Click here to read... [15]

Cabinet recommends changing three province heads – Kathmandu Post

The Cabinet meeting on Monday decided to replace province heads in Madhesh, Gandaki and Sudurpaschim as they were appointed under the quota of Nepali Congress when the party was in the ruling coalition. Click here to read... [16]

Pakistan

Aurangzeb assumes role as finance minister amid economic challenges- The Express Tribune

In a significant development for Pakistan's economic landscape, Muhammad Aurangzeb officially took charge as the Finance Minister on Monday after being sworn in at the President's House earlier in the day. Aurangzeb has been serving as president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Habib Bank Limited (HBL). Click here to read... [17]

New blood joins old guard in federal cabinet-Dawn

A mix of young and experienced players were sworn in on Monday as President Asif Ali Zardari administered the oath of office to 19 members of the federal cabinet. There are a couple of surprises in the allocation of portfolios, as four-time finance czar Ishaq Dar is named foreign minister, while banker and former HBL chief Muhammad Aurangzeb has been picked to lead the government’s finance team. Click here to read... [18]

China ready to work with Pakistan: Wang-The Express Tribune

China attaches high importance to promote its relations with Pakistan and stands ready to jointly work to carry forward traditional friendship and advance practical cooperation between the two countries, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday. Click here to read... [19]

Sri Lanka

Government’s push for electoral change raises eyebrows – Daily Mirror

Ahead of the pending national elections, the government has made fresh attempts to bring about changes to the parliamentary election system by seeking to amend the Parliamentary Elections Act, a Minister said. Click here to read... [20]

SLPP expresses concerns over President’s direct dealing with individual MPs – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is reported to have reiterated its concerns with President Ranil Wickremesinghe over his direct dealings with individuals of the party bypassing its hierarchy. Click here to read... [21]

President discusses IMF proposals with political parties sans SJB, NPP – Daily Mirror

President Ranil Wickremesinghe convened a crucial party leader’s meeting at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday to deliberate on the IMF proposals. Click here to read... [22]