Neighborhood News Digest - 28 October 2024

Afghanistan

Stanekzai Denies Existence of Conflict among Islamic Emirate Members-Tolo News

Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, has dismissed claims of conflicts among members of the Islamic Emirate. Stanekzai stated at an event in Kabul that any differences are not over positions or wealth accumulation but rather arise from varied perspectives on the development and progress of the country. Click here to read… [2]

Hanafi Stresses Gradual Implementation of Vice-Virtue Ministry’s Law-Tolo News

Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, the acting Minister of the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, stated that he is committed to enforcing the ministry's law and will implement it gradually. In a public gathering in Logar province, Hanafi stressed the unity among citizens of the country, adding that a woman’s loud voice in mixed-gender gatherings is considered inappropriate. Click here to read… [3]

CSTO approves plan to strengthen Tajikistan-Afghanistan border-The Khaama Press

The Secretary-General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) announced that the organization will approve a plan to strengthen the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border. Imangali Tasmagambetov stated that at the CSTO meeting scheduled for the 28th of November this year, the border reinforcement program will be on the agenda. Click here to read… [4]

Iran seeks to attract Afghanistan’s private investors, says envoy-The Khaama Press

Hassan Kazemi Qomi, Iran’s ambassador and special envoy to Afghanistan, stated that Iran is seeking to attract investments from Afghanistan for large-scale projects within the country. Iranian media reported on Friday, October 25, that he made these remarks on the sidelines of the first “International Export Exhibition to Central Asia and Afghanistan.” Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

Bid to remove president: BNP at odds with student movement - The Daily Star

The interim government's decision on whether to remove President Mohammed Shahabuddin from office is still awaiting a "political consensus", because the BNP believes removing him would unnecessarily stir things up in post-Hasina Bangladesh. Click here to read… [6]

IMF team due in Dec to review fourth tranche of $4.7b loan – The Daily Star

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is sending a team within the first week of December to review whether Bangladesh qualifies for the fourth tranche of a $4.7 billion loan programme. Click here to read… [7]

Hindus in Bangladesh hold massive Chittagong rally demanding minority rights, Taslima Nasreen reacts – Hindustan Times

Thousands of people from Bangladesh's Hindu community gathered at the Laldighi Maidan in Chittagong to demand rights and security from the interim government. The Sanatan Jagran Manch, on Friday, organised a massive rally at the historic Laldighi Maidan in Chittagong where thousands of Hindus came together to demand minority rights and security from the interim government, reported The Times of India. Click here to read… [8]

FT: BB chief says tycoons linked to Hasina siphoned $17bn from banks with DGFI help – Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur has accused prominent business tycoons linked to the deposed Sheikh Hasina administration of colluding with the country’s military intelligence agency to siphon off $17 billion from the banking sector during her time in office. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan

Senegal president, Bhutan king arrive in Riyadh-Arab News

The president of Senegal and the king of Bhutan arrived separately in Riyadh on Sunday evening, Saudi Press Agency reported. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck arrived in the Kingdom’s capital ahead of the Future Investment Initiative forum which will take place from October 29 -31. Click here to read… [10]

Revised curriculum integrates mindfulness and well-being-Kuensel

The Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) has announced a revised curriculum and a National Education Policy 2024 that focus on mindfulness and well-being. The initiative aims to align Bhutan’s educational standards with the needs of the society in the evolving times. Click here to read… [11]

Maldives

Maldives appointed as CATA Regional Director – PSM News

Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has announced the that Maldives has been appointed to the Management Committee of the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA) and the Regional Director of CATA's Asia region. MIRA said that the appointment was made during the 23rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of CATA, held in Mauritius, East Africa. The AGM was held from October 21-25. Click here to read… [12]

Vice President Hussain invites King Charles to visit Maldives– Adhadhu

Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has invited King Charles to visit the Maldives. In a post on X, Vice President Hussain said it was an honour to have the opportunity to meet the King at a dinner hosted by the King. "On behalf of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, I extended an invitation for His Majesty to grace the Maldives with his visit," he wrote. President Muizzu also met with the King on the sidelines of COP-28 held in Dubai in December 2023. During the meeting, the two highlighted the long-standing relationship between the Maldives and the UK and discussed ways to further strengthen this relationship. Click here to read… [13]

Pakistan

Ruling allies gearing up for another amendment?-Dawn

After seeing the 26th Amendment to its logical conclusion, the ruling coalition is seemingly planning to table another constitutional amendment, colloquially known as the 27th amendment, aimed at reforming local governments and “addressing issues skipped in previous legislation”. Click here to read… [14]

No trade with neighbours ‘illogical’: Aurangzeb-Dawn

Not trading with your neighbours doesn’t make sense, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Sunday, when asked a question on increasing regional trade, particularly with India. Speaking at a wide-ranging presser, held at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, he clarified that while “political connotations” or “geopolitical issues” affecting regional trade were outside his purview, Pakistan was “already engaging with its neighbours”. Click here to read… [15]

PM, Bilawal hash out 27th amendment-The Express Tribune

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who emerged as a key player in the political arena for taking on the responsibility of forging a consensus among allied parties for the passage of the 26th Amendment, met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday to hash out several issues, including the contentious 27th amendment, as confirmed by a participant of the meeting. Click here to read… [16]

UK parliamentarians urge Imran's release-The Express Tribune

Over 20 cross-party UK parliamentarians have urged Foreign Secretary David Lammy to engage with the Pakistani government for the release of former prime minister and PTI founding chairman Imran Khan. Click here to read… [17]

Sri Lanka

IMF review for Sri Lanka delayed – Daily Mirror

The next review of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be delayed, the Central Bank confirmed on Friday. As reported by Reuters, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe while acknowledging the delay, did not give a timeline on when it would happen. It is unclear if the review will take place before the end of 2024. Click here to read… [18]

No decline in tourist arrivals at Arugam Bay: Residents - Daily Mirror

Residents of the area and those engaging in tourism in Arugam Bay tourist zone point out that there is no unusual decline in foreign tourist arrivals in the area but there is a decline since this is off season. They said that despite a few Israeli tourists having left the area following the travel advisory a heavy influx of local tourists was being experienced at present, despite it being the off season. Click here to read… [19]

Transgender candidate contesting an election in Sri Lanka for the first time – Daily Mirror

Chanu Nimesha, the Secretary of Women's Affairs of the Sri Lanka Socialist party, has created history by becoming the first transgender individual to contest an election in Sri Lanka. Nimesha will contest from the Kegalle District. Click here to read… [20]