Neighborhood News Digest - 26 November 2024

Afghanistan

Efforts for Women's Rights Being Made, But More Needed: Mujahid- Tolo News

Coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Islamic Emirate announced its commitment to ensuring women's rights in Afghanistan. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, told TOLO news that over the past three years, the Islamic Emirate has made significant efforts to safeguard women's rights in the country. However, Mujahid acknowledged that these efforts are not sufficient and stressed the need for further work in this area. Click here to read... [2]

China invites Taliban to attend next regional Foreign Minister’s meeting-The Khaama Press

China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Yue Xiaoyong, invited Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting Foreign Minister of the Taliban, to attend the upcoming meeting of foreign ministers from neighboring countries. Zia Ahmad Takal, the Deputy Spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced this on Monday, November 25, through a statement on the social media platform X. Click here to read... [3]

CSTO raises concerns over terrorist activity in Afghanistan-The Khaama Press

The Secretary-General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) stated that a significant number of terrorist groups remain active in Afghanistan. Imangali Tasmagambetov described terrorist activities in Afghanistan as a serious problem and announced that a plan to strengthen the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border would be approved on November 28. Click here to read... [4]

Russia to Remove the Islamic Emirate from the Blacklist-Tolo News

A Russian delegation, led by Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian National Security Council, announced during a meeting with several officials of the Islamic Emirate that the name of the Islamic Emirate will be removed from Russia’s blacklist in the near future. The Deputy Economic Chief of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Acting Minister of Defense welcomed Russia’s decision to remove the name of the Islamic Emirate from the blacklist. Click here to read... [5]

Bhutan

As India inaugurates global co-operatives alliance, Bhutan pitches Gelephu as biggest co-operative project – The Hindu

Pitching the upcoming Gelephu Mindfulness City as the biggest “co-operative project” in Bhutan, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said in New Delhi that he was grateful for India’s support on the 2,500 square kilometre “Zero Carbon” city being developed. Mr. Tobgay spoke at the first “Global Conference of The International Co-operative Alliance”, that was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 25, 2024. In his comments, Mr. Modi referred to Mr. Tobgay as his “younger brother”, while Mr. Tobgay, also speaking in Hindi for parts of his speech, followed by referring to Mr. Modi as his “elder brother” and “mentor”, thanking him for his “guidance and support in the development of this unique city”. Click here to read... [6]

Maldives

Balasubramanian appointed as High Commissioner of India to Maldives– Adhadhu

G Balasubramanian has been appointed as the new High Commissioner of India to Maldives. In a statement, the Indian External Affairs Ministry said he "is expected to take up the assignment shortly." Munu Mahawar is the current High Commissioner of India to Maldives. He was appointed on November 10, 2021. Balasubramanian currently serves as the High Commissioner of India to Nigeria. Click here to read... [7]

Pakistan

Kurram death toll rises to 73 as sporadic clashes continue-Dawn

Officials on Monday said the death toll from the recent violence that has plagued the restive Kurram tribal district had risen to 73, amid a tenuous ceasefire that is interrupted by sporadic gunfire. Officials said that overnight firing between tribes divided along sectarian lines left one man dead and four others wounded in Lower Kurram. There were also reports of an exc¬hange of fire and incidents of arson from different areas in the region. Click here to read... [8]

Life comes to standstill across Balochistan amid strike-Dawn

Rail and road traffic in Balochistan remained suspended for hours on Monday as a complete wheel-jam strike was observed across the province on a joint call of political parties, traders and civil society against the abduction of a 10-year-old schoolboy. All government and private schools, colleges and universities in Quetta and other parts of the province remained closed, while several cases including the one pertaining to student’s abduction scheduled for the day could not be heard in the Balochistan High Court due to the absence of judges. Click here to read... [9]

Govt awaits PTI response to alternative venue offer-Dawn

As scattered groups of protesters began to trickle into the outskirts of the capital on Monday night, the government and PTI apparently opened a ‘back-channel’ for the sake of negotiations. In a late-night presser, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi seemed to confirm talks with the protesting party, saying that the government had offered Sangjani, on the outskirts of Islamabad, as a venue for their protest. Click here to read... [10]

Belarusian president arrives in Islamabad on three-day visit-Dawn

Pakis¬tan and Belarus are seeking to strengthen bilateral relations, with a focus on boosting trade and econo¬mic cooperation, as Belar¬u¬sian President Aleksandr Lukashenko on Monday began a three-day official visit to the country. Click here to read... [11]