Neighborhood News Digest- 31 July 2024

Afghanistan

Certain Consulates Abroad Not Recognized By Islamic Emirate: MoFA- Tolo News

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate announced on Tuesday that consular services provided by Afghanistan in several Western countries are no longer recognized. According to the Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry, this decision stems from the failure of these consulates to engage with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Moving forward, any documents issued by these consulates will not be accepted by the Islamic Emirate's authorities, and the ministry takes no responsibility for such documents. Click here to read… [2]

Japan Invites Islamic Emirate Delegation for Bilateral Talks-Tolo News

Atsushi Sunami, the president of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) of Japan, and the former head of UNAMA have requested that the Islamic Emirate send a delegation to Japan to enhance bilateral cooperation. They said this during a meeting with the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs. Click here to read… [3]

Kazakhstan to export wheat to Afghanistan and Pakistan-The Khaama Press

Kazakhstan plans to export wheat to Afghanistan and Pakistan through the Beineu grain terminal. Delegations from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan visited the terminal last week with Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin. Kazakh media have reported that this wheat will be exported to Afghanistan and Pakistan via Turkmenistan. Click here to read… [4]

Trade Imbalance: Afghan Exports to Pakistan Drop by 31%-Tolo News

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce reports that trade with Pakistan from January to June of the current year amounted to $1.82 billion, with Afghanistan's exports accounting for $329 million. According to the ministry's data, exports to Pakistan in the first six months of the year decreased by 31% compared to the same period last year, while imports increased by 11%. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

Killings during quota reform movement: Crossing the red line – Daily Star

A recent example of what can happen if there is no minimum democratic and governance accountability in a country is the unprecedented brutality shown by the government and the killing of more than 200 people (according to Prothom Alo) during the quota reform movement this month. Click here to read… [6]

Will take foreign tech support for judicial probe – Daily Star

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the government will seek foreign technical assistance for the judicial probe committee investigating the deaths centring the quota protests, to ensure a thorough and standard inquiry. Click here to read… [7]

Quota protesters announce March for Justice on Wednesday – Dhaka Tribune

The quota reform protesters have announced their most visible program rooted in freedom of assembly since the imposition of a nationwide curfew for Wednesday - a “March for Justice” at the country’s educational institutions, court premises and major roads, to press home their nine-point demand. Click here to read… [8]

Bangladesh mourns some 200 deaths as student protests wind down and thousands are arrested – Hindustan Times

Bangladesh observed a day of mourning Tuesday in memory of more than 200 people killed in recent weeks during violence that evolved from student protests over the South Asian country's quota system for government jobs. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan

Building capacity of Bhutanese exporters-Kuensel

A capacity-building workshop for Bhutanese exporters on procedures and regulatory requirements was conducted yesterday in Thimphu, aiming to facilitate smoother and more efficient export processes to India. Titled ‘Advancing India-Bhutan Trade and Economic Partnership’, the workshop was organised by the Embassy of India in Thimphu. Click here to read… [10]

New project to balance tiger protection and livelihoods-Kuensel

To mark Global Tiger Day, the World Wildlife Fund Bhutan and the Department of Forests and Park Services (DoFPS) launched a new project in Bumthang to protect tigers beyond the country’s protected areas. The three-year project aims to enhance the Bumthang Forest Division’s capacity to maintain undisturbed habitats for ecologically significant wildlife by engaging local communities. Click here to read… [11]

Maldives

India, China offer debt relief, infrastructure loans to Maldives: A closer look at agreements – Financial Express

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu thanked China and India for their assistance in strengthening the country’s economy, citing their help in addressing the nation’s debt crisis and future development. Muizzu specifically praised the two countries for their cooperation in repaying the country’s debt, highlighting their importance in ensuring economic sovereignty for the Maldivian people. Click here to read… [12]

Roadshows dubbed “Welcome India” seek to boost Indian tourist arrivals – Adhadhu

The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) is preparing to hold roadshows named “Welcome India” in three Indian cities to boost tourist arrivals from the country. Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal is due to participate in the roadshows, which were organised in collaboration with the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) and the National Hotels and Guesthouse Association of Maldives. Click here to read… [13]

Pakistan

Imran signals willingness to sit down with military-Dawn

After days of speculation about a possible softening of his stance against the establishment, incarcerated former PM Imran Khan categorically said on Tuesday that his party was ready for talks with the military establishment. Speaking to reporters at Adiala jail, the PTI founder laid down three preconditions: the return of his party’s ‘stolen mandate’, the release of all detained party workers and the holding of transparent elections. Click here to read… [14]

Gulf employers not hiring Pakistanis due to ‘deplorable standard’-Dawn

The Senate Stand¬ing Committee on Overseas Pakist¬a¬nis was informed about deplorable standard of Pakistani workforce, ma¬¬inly in the Gulf region, has led to the shif¬ting of preferences by Gulf employers to hire workforce from other regional cou¬ntries, such as Bangladesh, instead of Pakistan. Click here to read… [15]

Balochistan lawmakers push for political dialogue-Dawn

Amid a lingering stalemate and exchange of blame, lawmakers from both sides of the political divide in the Balochistan Assembly on Tuesday called upon the government and the leadership of Gwadar protests to resolve all issues through negotiations in a democratic manner. The situation in the port city of Gwadar has been tense since Saturday, with the protesters and authorities blaming each other for the violence that has led to casualties on both sides. Click here to read… [16]

Imran Khan's offer for military talks draws fierce criticism from PML-N leaders-The Express Tribune

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has faced significant backlash from leaders of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) following his recent proposal to engage in talks with the military. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar criticised Khan's statement during a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, noting that the former prime minister previously disparaged the military's decision to remain neutral in political matters, referring to neutrality as equivalent to "animal." Click here to read… [17]

Sri Lanka

Tussle begins to garner Parliamentarians’ support for Ranil Wickremesinghe – Daily Mirror

Days after President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced his candidacy in the September Presidential Election, 92 Parliamentarians, mostly from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) met Wickremesinghe last evening and pledged their support to him. Click here to read… [18]

Sajith places deposit to contest 2024 presidential election – Daily Mirror

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara placed the deposit on behalf of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to contest the Presidential election 2024. Click here to read… [19]

Most MPs set to align with SJB rejected by NPP: Anura Kumara – Daily Mirror

Most of the Parliamentarians who are said to be forming an alliance with the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) on August 8 had sought to join the National People's Power (NPP) but were rejected due to their bad political history, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today. Click here to read… [20]

MR will rectify wrong decision: Semasinghe – Daily Mirror

Claiming that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has taken a decision going against the majority opinion of the party, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said today they hope that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa will rectify the wrong decision taken for the need of a handful of people. Click here to read… [21]