Neighborhood News Digest- 15 October 2024

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate Absent From 23rd SCO Meeting-Tolo News

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting will begin tomorrow without the presence of a representative from the Islamic Emirate. Following the absence of an invitation to the caretaker government, the Islamic Emirate has stated that efforts are being made to ensure that a representative of the caretaker government will attend future meetings of the organization. Click here to read… [2]

Interior Ministry: Nearly 2,000 Female Officers Serving Without Threats-Tolo News

Abdul Mateen Qani, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, has reported that nearly 2,000 female security officers are actively working, mostly in service and inspection departments within the ministry. Qani told TOLOnews that no female security officer, including those who worked under the previous government, has been threatened so far. Click here to read… [3]

Pashtuns Khyber Jirga Concluded With Key Decisions-Tolo News

The tribal Jirga of Pashtuns which began on October 11, in the Khyber region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, announced its decisions on Sunday night, October 13. Manzoor Pashteen, the leader of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) presented the decisions which were welcomed by the participants of the Jirga. According to the Jirga's decision, within the next 60 days, the Pakistani army and all armed groups, including Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ISIS, must leave Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Click here to read… [4]

Bangladesh

Up to $1.5b World Bank loans to be repurposed-The Daily Star

The government has identified a dozen slow-paced projects funded by the World Bank, from which up to $1.5 billion will be repurposed and utilised as budget support or in other policy-based reform programmes. Click here to read… [5]

Ex-minister Faruk Khan arrested in Dhaka-The Daily Star

Law enforcers arrested Lt Col (retd) Mohammad Faruk Khan, former minister of civil aviation and tourism, from his cantonment residence in Dhaka early today. Faruk Khan is a former lawmaker from Gopalganj-1 constituency and a presidium member of the Awami League. Click here to read… [6]

Bhutan

Government slashes tourist arrival targets-Kuensel

Given the ongoing trend of tourist arrival in the country, the government has significantly lowered its annual targets for tourist arrivals, aiming for 150,000 visitors this year and 250,000 next year. The government had pledged to increase the number of tourist arrivals to an annual average of 300,000, with 50 percent originating from third countries, to revitalise the tourism industry. Click here to read… [7]

Maldives

Japan donates USD 2.5 million worth of CCTV cameras– Adhadhu

The Japanese government has donated USD 2.5 million (MVR 38.5 million) worth of CCTV cameras to the Maldives Police Service. The CCTV cameras have the capability to view the sea and harbour from land. It was handed over by Japanese Ambassador Takeuchi Midori. Police Commissioner Ali Sujau accepted the items. Japan is one of the largest donors to the Maldives. In September, Japan provided USD 140,000 to repair the seawall in Male'. Earlier in July, the Japanese government provided USD 1 million in free aid to develop human resources. Click here to read… [8]

Maldives and Japan discuss water security and eco-friendly energy solutions – PSM News

Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim has met with Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives Takeuchi Midori to discuss the implementation of a solar PV and NAS battery storage water desalination plant, a project supported by the Government of Japan. Speaking at the meeting, Minister Thoriq emphasised that both countries are committed to accelerating the progress of the project. He highlighted the project’s potential to enhance the water security of the Maldives and promote environmentally sustainable energy solutions. He also expressed gratitude to Japan for its support and noted that this initiative would further strengthen the ties between the two nations. Click here to read… [9]

Maldives' IAEA participation referred to Parliamentary Committee – PSM News

The issue of the Maldives’ participation in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been sent to the Foreign Relations Committee of Parliament. This referral follows the President's presentation of the matter, with the Cabinet's decision to join the IAEA. The President approved the Maldives' participation in the IAEA, with a focus on seeking assistance in nuclear medicine, which is crucial for cancer treatment. The Ministry of Defence will spearhead the process of joining the IAEA, which the government notes will be a long-term endeavour. Click here to read… [10]

Defense must explain why trained Maldivian soldiers are not allowed to operate Dornier – Adhadhu

The Defense Ministry should explain why the Maldivian soldiers who were trained to fly the Indian military aircraft in the Maldives are not allowed to operate the plane, Hithadhoo Medhu MP Ahmed Azan has said. Azan, a former journalist who advocated for the Right to Information (RTI), said in a post on X that many Maldivians wish to know why their soldiers are not allowed to operate the Dornier. He also said it is related to the interest of the country. "One of the biggest reasons the people said no to President Ibrahim [Mohamed Solih's] government is because such matters were kept confidential. I hope the Defense [Ministry] will change this decision," Azan said. Click here to read… [11]

Pakistan

SCO summit kicks off from today in Islamabad-Dawn

The 23rd meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government (CHG) of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) kicks off from today (Tuesday). The two-day summit, which brings together regional leaders from SCO member states, is being held amid tight security, with many businesses and routes in the federal capital and its twin city, Rawalpindi, being closed due to safety concerns. Click here to read… [12]

Pakistan, China sign MoUs, inaugurate Gwadar airport during Premier Li Qiang's visit-The Express Tribune

Pakistan and China on Monday signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in various sectors during Chinese Premier Li Qiang's visit to Islamabad, where he was welcomed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The two leaders also virtually inaugurated the Gwadar International Airport, a key component of the multi-billion-dollar CPEC project. Click here to read… [13]

PTM jirga demands withdrawal of militants from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Dawn

The Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement’s (PTM) grand jirga in Jamrud concluded on Sunday night, with the rights group presenting a 22-point resolution that demanded the withdrawal of militant groups from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and cheaper electricity, among other issues. The three-day jirga, which was hosted with government support, concluded with delegates deploring the impact of militancy and subsequent anti-terrorism operations over the last two decades that had displaced millions. Click here to read… [14]

Sri Lanka

Adani power project in Sri Lanka: Anura Dissanayake government reconsidering permission-The Hindu

Sri Lanka’s new government led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday (October 14, 2024) told the Supreme Court that it would reconsider the approval granted by the previous government to India’s Adani Group for a wind power project. Click here to read… [15]

Debt-restructuring about to be completed, govt proceeding towards 3rd review of IMF programme – Vijitha-The Island Online

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath on 14 October assured the Colombo-based diplomatic community that the new government was going ahead with the IMF-led debt restructuring programme. The assurance was given at an interaction with them at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Click here to read… [16]