Neighborhood News Digest- 16 July 2024

Afghanistan

UN: Nearly 60% of Afghan migrants from Pakistan repatriated ‘forcibly’-The Khaama Press

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that over the past six months, 20,802 Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan, including 15,563 who returned voluntarily and 5,239 who were compelled to do so. According to a report released by the UNHCR on Sunday, July 14, from January 1 to July 13, 36,365 Afghan migrants entered Pakistan. The UNHCR’s report states that more than 57% of the total returning migrants did so involuntarily, while over 42% returned voluntarily. Click here to read… [2]

Only Afghan Sikh in Khost Province-Tolo News

Jacked Singh is the only Sikh citizen who is currently living in Khost province.
60-year-old Singh, who has three daughters and one son, is happy to be in the country and says that he has no desire to go abroad. He said if Afghan Sikhs who have gone abroad are given their rights, they will return to the country. Click here to read… [3]

First National Labor Conference to be Held in Kabul-Tolo News

The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs announced that the first national labor conference, with the participation of caretaker government institutions, the private sector, and international organizations, will be held in Kabul next week. Samiullah Ebrahimi, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, told TOLO news that the factors of unemployment and discussions on practical strategies to create job opportunities in the country will be examined in this conference. Click here to read… [4]

China Announces 100M Yuan to Aid Afghan Returnees-Tolo News

Zhao Xing, the Chinese ambassador in Kabul, announced a donation of 100 million Chinese yuan (around $13.7 million) to address the challenges faced by Afghan returnees from neighboring countries. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

Don’t be nervous seeing anything in newspapers - The Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday gave a set of directives to government officials that include going tough against corruption, ensuring transparency and accountability, bringing dynamism to administrative activities, and implementing the APAs to build a just, developed, and prosperous Bangladesh. Click here to read… [6]

100 Injured As Bangladesh Students Clash In Job Quota Protests – NDTV

More than 100 students were injured across Bangladesh on Monday in clashes between those protesting to end a quota system for government jobs and others loyal to the ruling party, police and witnesses said. Click here to read… [7]

Bhutan

Government investments to drive growth to 8.9 percent next year-Kuensel

The country’s economic growth rate is expected to reach 8.9 percent next year, driven by the anticipated commissioning of the Puna-II project, improvements in the manufacturing and construction sectors, and growth in tourism and related industries. Click here to read… [8]

Maldives

Maldives joins ICJ case against Myanmar – Adhadhu

The Maldives has been allowed to intervene in a case filed against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the genocide of the Rohingya people. The ICJ's judges decided unanimously to accept a declaration of intervention filed by the Maldives. The decision was made on July 3. The court ruled that the intervention of the Maldives concerning the interpretation of provisions of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was admissible, the Attorney General's Office (AGO) said in a statement released on July 14. Click here to read… [9]

Indian High Commissioner pays courtesy call to Pres Dr. Muizzu – Avas

Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives, Munu Mahawar, paid a courtesy call on President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on July 14. According to the President’s Office, the President and the High Commissioner discussed avenues to further bolster ties between the two nations. Additionally, they spoke on various projects undertaken by India in the Maldives. During the meeting, the High Commissioner expressed gratitude to the President for accepting the invitation and attending the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a new term. He highlighted numerous productive avenues of ongoing cooperation between the two nations. He reitertated India's commitment to assist in the progress and development for the Maldives and its people. Click here to read… [10]

President Muizzu congratulates newly appointed Prime Minister of Nepal – The Edition

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has sent a congratulatory message to the newly appointed Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli. In a post on social media X, the President highlighted the close relations between Maldives and Nepal. He stated his wish to collaborate with the Prime Minister to enhance bilateral cooperation between Maldives and Nepal. Maldives established diplomatic relations with Nepal on August 1, 1980. Click here to read… [11]

Myanmar

The Chinese Way of ‘Peacemaking’ and ‘Democracy-Building’ in Myanmar - The Irrawaddy

China invited two high-profile figures from Myanmar to visit recently, with former President Thein Sein flying to Beijing on June 27 and General Soe Win, deputy chief of the current junta, following him a week later, visiting Qingdao. Since Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi received Thein Sein, speculation has been rife and rumors have swirled about the purpose and larger significance of the visits. Click here to read… [12]

Myanmar Junta Minister Visits Russia For Help to Complete Stalled Steel Plant Again - The Irrawaddy

Junta industry minister Charlie Than visited Russia last week to discuss a Russia-backed steel plant in southern Shan State and importing raw materials to produce medicines domestically, state media reported. He has been under constant pressure from junta boss Min Aung Hlaing to produce steel and pharmaceutical products in Myanmar to offset the cost of importing them. Click here to read… [13]

UN Expert Warns of Looming 'Genocidal Violence' in Myanmar - Genocide Watch

Myanmar's Rakhine State is facing a terrifying situation similar to the run-up to "genocidal violence" eight years ago against the persecuted Rohingya minority, a UN expert warned on July 4. Speaking at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Thomas Andrews, the special rapporteur on the situation in Myanmar, voiced deep alarm at recent events in the western region. "The situation in Rakhine State, where the junta is rapidly losing territory to the Arakan Army, is terrifying," Mr. Andrews said. Click here to read… [14]

Myanmar crisis hits 'fatigue' level - Bangkok Post

Nearly three and a half years since the military coup in February 2021, the crisis in Myanmar shows no signs of resolution. The internecine war between the military junta, known as the State Administration Council (SAC), and the various ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) continues unabated, with no endgame in sight. Click here to read… [15]

No progress on rescue of youths stranded in Myanmar - Tribune

No progress has been made at the official level regarding the issue of three youths from Hyderabad who were trapped in forced-labour in Myanmar. No representative from the government or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has contacted the affected families. Click here to read… [16]

Nepal

Nepal requests India's technical assistance to search missing passengers swept away in landslide - Economic Times

Nepal has formally requested India's assistance in locating the two buses and over five dozen passengers swept away in the landslide in Central Nepal earlier on Friday morning. Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs wrote to India on Monday, asking for India's assistance to search for the missing buses and passengers. "We have written to the Indian government asking for technical assistance, including the divers, via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nepal," Bhismakumar Bhusal, Joint Secretary at the Disaster and Conflict Management Division under the Home Ministry. Click here to read… [17]

Newly-appointed Foreign Minister reaffirms Nepal’s commitment to Panchasheel principles - Khabar Hub

Newly appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Arzoo Rana Deuba, affirmed Nepal’s commitment to the Non-Aligned Movement and the Principles of Panchasheel. Speaking to the media after assuming office at the Ministry on Monday, Dr. Deuba emphasized that Nepal, situated between two large landmasses, must maintain balanced relations with all nations, including its neighbors. She highlighted the significant role of the Foreign Ministry in the country’s prosperity and expressed her intention to focus on advancing economic diplomacy for national development. Click here to read… [18]

Nepalese government approves China rail link - Rail Journal

NEPAL’s prime minister, Mr Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has approved plans for the construction of a new line to China. At a cabinet meeting held on July 11, Dahal endorsed an agreement with China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aimed at enhancing connectivity between Nepal and China. The decision comes shortly before Dehal leaves office and is viewed within Nepal as progress towards implementing BRI projects, as well as other new railways such as the 150km Kyirung - Kathmandu line. Click here to read… [19]

Pakistan

Ruling coalition shoots itself in the foot-The Express Tribune

As political tensions reach a boiling point, the government, rather than seeking reconciliation, appears to have stirred the pot by taking an aggressive stance against PTI and the superior judiciary. The controversial decision to ban PTI, now the largest party, defies multiple judicial affirmations of its parliamentary status and rights to reserved seats. Click here to read… [20]

Move to ban PTI finds little support among allies and foes-Dawn

The federal government’s move to ban the PTI has attracted flak from across the political spectrum, with the stakeholders calling the move undemocratic, which could have far-reaching ramifications if executed. Besides the PTI, leaders from other parties — including the PPP, Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, and Jamaat-i-Islami — criticised the decision. Click here to read… [21]

PML-N knocks at SC door for review of reserved seats verdict-Dawn

After mulling over the landmark judgement on reserved seats, hailed by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Monday decided to approach the Supreme Court seeking its review contending that the full bench instead of interpretation of the constitution entered the domain of legislation. Click here to read… [22]

Sri Lanka

No attempt by Sajith to patch-up : Fonseka – Daily Mirror

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Chairman, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, says he is still on the fence on contesting the upcoming Presidential elections but is willing to take the challenge and put the country back on track. Click here to read… [23]

‘Sri Lanka will not be used by China or any other country to threaten India’ — SL minister Balasuriya – The Print

Sri Lanka will not allow any country to use it as a pawn to “threaten India’s security”, and the moratorium on research ships docking at the island nation’s ports — a big concern for New Delhi over the years — is against all countries’ vessels, Tharaka Balasuriya, State Minister of Foreign Affairs, has told The Print in an exclusive interaction. Click here to read… [24]