Neighborhood News Digest- 26 July 2024

Afghanistan

Ministry of Mines and Petroleum Prepares for Start of TAPI Project-Tolo News

The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum said that all preparations have been made for the commencement of the TAPI project. The spokesman for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, Homayoun Afghan, said that security is ensured in the country, and the challenges related to land acquisition for the TAPI project route have been resolved. Click here to read... [2]

Senior Security Officials Pledge Afghanistan 'Not a Threat'-Tolo News

Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting Interior Minister, said today on July 25 at the "Program for Praising Security Forces," that no military or terrorist group, including ISIS, exists in Afghanistan. Haqqani added that currently no group can threaten the existing Sharia system in the country. Click here to read... [3]

Iran demands Kamal Khan dam redesign for water rights, contradicting Helmand River Accord-The Khaama Press

Iranian officials have announced that negotiations with representatives of the Taliban administration regarding Iran’s water rights from the Helmand River are ongoing and have entered a new phase. According to IRNA on Thursday, July 25th, 2024, Issa Bozorgzadeh, a spokesperson for Iran’s Water Industry, reported that the Kamal Khan Dam needs to be modified to ensure Iran’s water rights are met. Click here to read... [4]

Pakistan extends Afghan Refugee Residence Cards for one year-The Khaama Press

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation of Afghanistan has announced that Pakistan has extended the POR (Proof of Registration) cards for Afghan refugees for another year. On Thursday, July 25th, the Ministry reported on its social platfrom X (formerly Twitter) that the Afghan Commissioner for Refugees in Islamabad confirmed the extension of POR cards for Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan. The new validity of these cards is from June 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Column by Mahfuz Anam: Are we going to learn from our mistakes or keep repeating them? – Daily Star

At the outset, we want to express our unambiguous condemnation of the mayhem created by ideologically and politically motivated groups whose aim was to destabilise our country, use the general discontent to instigate violence, and try to "topple the government"—as claimed by some ministers and which, if true, we vigorously denounce. Click here to read... [6]

RMG exporters in a race against time to offset losses – Daily Star

Local apparel exporters are in a frantic race to recover the losses they incurred during the latest spell of violence centring the quota reform movement and nationwide curfew, with international retailers and brands pressuring them to ensure timely delivery of goods. Click here to read... [7]

27 Awami League committees dissolved for failure to tackle movement – Dhaka Tribune

The Dhaka North Metropolitan Awami League has dissolved 27 of its ward committees due to failure and inactivity in responding to the quota reform protests. The decision was made at a consultation meeting held on Thursday night at the Suchana Community Centre in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur. Click here to read... [8]

India confirms diplomatic protest from Dhaka over Mamata's comments – Dhaka Tribune

India has acknowledged a diplomatic note from Dhaka protesting comments made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the Bangladeshi students’ movement against quotas in jobs that resulted in deadly violence. Click here to read... [9]

Bhutan

Ambitious 10,000MW hydropower goal back in the plan-Kuensel

After a lull caused by delays in completing two mega hydropower projects – Punatshangchhu-I and Punatshangchhu-II – and the deferral of the Kholongchhu hydropower project, the government is back to pursuing the country’s hydropower dream. The government plans to kick start construction of 10 large hydropower projects in the 13th Plan. And if everything pans out as planned, Bhutan will generate more than 10,000MW of electricity once these large hydropower projects are commissioned. Click here to read... [10]

Maldives

Water cases donated by China left unattended for two months – Adhadhu

Bottled mineral water cases of 1,500 tons donated by China have been left unattended at a vacant space in Hulhumale' for two months. The cases are to be used to supply water when islands face shortages, the Foreign Ministry said previously. But the bottled water cases have been left inside the compound of a temporary mosque in Hulhumale' since they arrived. The cases bundled in hundreds of pallets were covered with canvass. As the water was left unattended, some cases appear to have been opened. There were also signs of squatters and drug use. Click here to read... [11]

Indian High Commissioner pays courtesy call on Parliament Speaker – Sun Online

Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives Shri Munu Mahawar has paid a courtesy call on Maldivian Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla on July 25. The meeting took place at the People’s Majlis building. Speaker Abdul Raheem was accompanied by Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim and ruling PNC’s Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Falah. Discussions that took place during the meeting have not been disclosed to the media. Click here to read... [12]

Pakistan

It's official: PTI is a parliamentary party – now-The Express Tribune

In a move that breathes new life into the party's legislative standing, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has begun implementing the Supreme Court's decision, officially recognising 39 lawmakers as PTI assembly members and issuing their notifications. The ECP has sought further guidance from the apex court regarding the status of 41 other members. Click here to read... [13]

Civil forces to lead operation against militants in KP-Dawn

Civilian security forces, including the police’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), will lead the operation against militants in the province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s apex committee decided on Thursday. It was also decided that the provincial government would request the judiciary to form a commission to probe the clashes which resulted in the death of one person during a peace march last week. Click here to read... [14]

Pakistan will not sacrifice China ties for US sake: FO-Dawn

Pakistan ruled out the possibility of sacrificing its relationship with China for the sake of improved relations with the United States, the Foreign Office said on Thursday, stressing that “Pakistan doesn’t believe in zero-sum relationships”. “For us, relations with the United States and relations with China are both important,” Foreign Office spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said at a weekly press briefing in Islamabad. “We do not believe in situations where relationship with one country can be sacrificed on the altar of relations with another.” Click here to read... [15]

Sri Lanka

Presidential Election on September 21, nomination on August 15 – Daily Mirror

The Presidential Election would be conducted on Saturday, September 21, the Election Commission has officially proclaimed, putting an end to long speculations and debates. The Gazette Notification said that the nominations would be accepted on August 15, while the election would be held on Saturday, September 21. Click here to read... [16]

Stay order to bar Deshabandu from functioning as IGP illegal: PM – Daily Mirror

The stay order issued by the Supreme Court preventing Deshabandu Tennakoon from functioning as the IGP is illegal, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament today. Click here to read... [17]

PMD: Announcing President’s political campaign rallies abuse state resources – EC, PAFFREL – Daily Mirror

The President Media Division (PMD), the official portal to announce the President’s decisions, activities and news updates would violate the election law and abuse state resources if the former announces President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s public campaigns in the run-up to the poll, the Election Commission and polls monitoring bodies said. Click here to read... [18]