Neighborhood News Digest - 03 January 2025

Afghanistan

Pakistan’s Minster: Taliban demanded 10 Billion Rupees to relocate TTP-The Khaama Press

Pakistan’s defense minister claimed that the Taliban requested 10 billion rupees from Pakistan to move members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from Afghanistan’s border areas to other parts of the country. Khawaja Asif, Pakistan’s Defense Minister, claimed in an interview with Geo News on the morning of January 1 that the Taliban requested Pakistan to pay 10 billion Pakistani rupees for moving the TTP members from border areas to other regions of Afghanistan. Click here to read… [2]

Islamic Emirate Denies Allegations of Requesting Money from Pakistan-Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate has called the claims made by Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif regarding a request for money from Pakistan regrettable. Hamdullah Fitrat, the Deputy Spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, stated that the Islamic Emirate has made no such request of Pakistan. Click here to read… [3]

Over 1,100 Panjshir Youth Recruited into Defense and Interior Ministries-Tolo News

Local officials in Panjshir have announced that, over the past two years, more than 1,100 young people from the province have been recruited into the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Interior at the directive of the Islamic Emirate’s leader. According to them, the directive to allocate positions for youth in the security forces is exclusive to Panjshir province. Click here to read… [4]

Breaking: Clashes erupt between Taliban and Pakistani border forces along Durand Line-The Khaama Press

Clashes have erupted once again between Taliban and Pakistani border forces in Khost province. Sources told Khaama Press that new clashes have erupted between Taliban forces and Pakistani border guards in the districts of Ali Sher and Zazia Maidan in Khost province, located along the disputed Durand Line. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

ADB attaches 20 conditions to another $600m budget support – The Daily Star

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has outlined 20 conditions for Bangladesh to access $600 million in the second tranche of a loan for the implementation of its "Strengthening Economic Management and Governance Program". This is in tune with the disbursement of the first tranche of $600 million last month, following the fulfilment of other preconditions. Click here to read… [6]

Crimes against humanity: ICT analysing Hasina’s phone calls, documents – The Daily Star

Sheikh Hasina's phone calls and documents of meetings in July-August are being analysed as part of a probe into allegations of crimes against humanity during the 2024 mass uprising. The International Crimes Tribunal's investigation agency is analysing the records "carefully" to ensure fairness, according to the prosecution. Click here to read… [7]

BNP warns of forex crisis post-2027, highlights power corruption -Dhaka Tribune

Corruption and looting in the power sector Bangladesh may face a severe foreign exchange crisis after 2027 due to huge debt burden from 2027 onwards, made this comment at a BNP press briefing while presenting a presentation on corruption in the power sector. At this time, BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said that the Awami League has ruined the people of the country by performing magic in the power sector. "There will be a severe foreign exchange crisis in the country from 2027 onwards. The main reason for this is electricity." Click here to read… [8]

Exports rise by 12.5pc in first half of fiscal year – Prothom Alo

Bangladesh encountered a significant setback in its export growth in the aftermath of the quota reform movement and subsequent developments. The growth, however, bounced back soon after the student-led uprising despite different challenges. According to the national board of revenue (NBR), in each of the three following months, the country exported goods worth more than $4 billion, leading to a 12.5 per cent growth in export earnings during the first half of the fiscal year 2024-25. Click here to read… [9]

Bhutan

ESP loan delays lead to lower credit growth forecast-Kuensel

The finance ministry has revised the credit growth projection for the fiscal year 2024-25 downward by 3.4 percent to Nu 10.48 billion, mainly due to delays in the disbursement of Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) loans. The revision, based on the ministry’s September update, contrasts with its earlier projections in June, which anticipated robust loan disbursements across sectors to drive economic growth. Click here to read… [10]

“Friends of Tourism” initiative to foster high-value tourism-Kuensel

The Department of Tourism (DoT) has launched the “Friends of Tourism” initiative to develop and promote tourism while fostering community development and sustainability. The programme aims to unite individuals and organizations as partners to nurture Bhutan’s tourism sector, create meaningful experiences, and support the country’s aspirations. Click here to read… [11]

Maldives

Economic prosperity will be restored in 2025: President Muizzu – Adhadhu

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said that economic prosperity will be restored and general prosperity will begin to reach the entire nation in 2025. In his address on the occasion of the New Year, Muizzu said the government's resolution is to remain steadfast in serving the people. He also encouraged positive thinking and prioritizing peace and reconciliation as individual resolutions for the new year. Muizzu concluded his address by encouraging all to work together towards national development with a unified goal. He affirmed that 2025 will be a year of responsible nation-building for the future of the Maldivian people. Click here to read… [12]

China-Maldives FTA to Unlock Re-Export Potential for Fishery Products – PSM News

The implementation of the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is set to boost re-export opportunities for fishery sector products, according to the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources. This agreement marks a significant milestone in the economic relations between China and the Maldives. The FTA, signed in 2014 and approved by the Maldivian Parliament in 2017, had its implementation suspended following a change in administration in 2018. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who assumed office in November 2023, and his administration have been working diligently to bring the FTA into effect. As of 1 January, the agreement is now fully operational. Click here to read… [13]

Myanmar

CNA personnel destroy drugs near Myanmar border – The Times of India

Personnel of Chin National Army (CNA) recently burned a massive quantity of heroin that was captured from drug smugglers. According to community leaders from Farkawn village in Champhai district near the Myanmar border, the confiscated drugs were valued at over Rs 40 crore. The drugs, which were seized by CNA forces during June, were destroyed at Victoria Camp on Dec 30. The camp serves as the military headquarters for the largest rebel group fighting against Myanmar's military govt in Chin state. Click here to read… [14]

Indonesia tops Myanmar rice imports in Apr-Nov – The Global New Light of Myanmar

Indonesia is the largest rice trading partner of Myanmar with over 480,000 tonnes in the past eight months of the current financial year 2024-2025 beginning 1 April, according to Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF). China is the second largest importer of Myanmar rice with over 355,000 tonnes, followed by 246,900 tonnes to Belgium, over 128,300 tonnes to the Philippines, over 44,300 to Senegal, 43,100 to Mozambique, 37,000 to Cote d’Ivoire, 30,000 to Spain, over 27,100 to Cameroon, 17,500 to the Netherlands, over 13,900 to Ivory Coast, over 13,300 to Italy and over 12,300 to Poland. Click here to read… [15]

Pakistan

PTI presents two key demands in second round of talks-The Express Tribune

The second round of talks between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the government have kicked off, with the opposition party presenting two of its major demands ie the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9 and November 26, as well as the release of all political prisoners, including the party's founding chairman Imran Khan. Click here to read… [16]

'Decisions over cup of tea' led to TTP's re-entry in Pakistan: Ishaq Dar-The Express Tribune

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has stated that critical decisions made "over a cup of tea" led to the entry of 35,000 to 40,000 Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) members into Pakistan, Express News reported. In a briefing on Thursday, Dar raised concerns over decisions made by previous governments. He questioned how 40,000 to 45,000 members of the TTP were allowed to enter Pakistan and who facilitated their return. Click here to read… [17]

SBP's foreign reserves fall $143m to $11.7b-The Express Tribune

The State Bank of Pakistan's (SBP) reserves have declined by $143 million, bringing the total to $11,710.5 million, data released on Thursday showed. The decrease was attributed to external debt repayments. As of December 27, 2024, Pakistan's total liquid foreign reserves stood at $16,408.7 million. Data breakdown showed that reserves held by the SBP amounted to $11,710.5 million, while net reserves held by commercial banks were $4,698.2 million. Click here to read… [18]

Sri Lanka

Indian grant to rehab, develop Sri Lanka’s north boatyard - Indian Express

India will provide Sri Lankan Rupees 290 million to develop the Karainagar Boatyard in the Northern Province of the island nation, the Indian High Commission said here on Thursday. The project envisages rehabilitation of Karainagar Boatyard of the Cey-Nor Foundation Ltd, incorporated under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and operating under the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources. Click here to read… [19]

No threat from Indian Air Force training drone found in Trinco – Daily Mirror

An investigation into the recovery of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in Sri Lankan waters, believed to be a high-speed target drone belonging to the Indian Air Force, has revealed that the drone was not operated within Sri Lankan airspace, the Daily Mirror learns. Click here to read… [20]

Ranil meets Nepali Prime Minister – Daily Mirror

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has met Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli on Thursday at the prime minister’s residence in Baluwatar. According to the prime minister’s press secretariat, the discussion centred on enhancing bilateral relations and various aspects of mutual interest of the two countries. Click here to read… [21]