Neighborhood News Digest- 08 January 2025

Afghanistan

Widespread Criticism as Hundreds of Afghans Arrested in Islamabad-Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate's embassy in Pakistan has reported the arrest of nearly 800 Afghan citizens in Islamabad, the capital. Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb, acting ambassador of the Islamic Emirate in Islamabad, said that despite possessing visas and residency documents, Afghan citizens were detained by Pakistani police. “The number of those detained is between 700 and 800. Some were even taken from their homes and transferred to a facility known for deporting Afghans,” he said. Click here to read… [2]

US Congressman Urges Immediate Halt to Aid for Afghanistan-Tolo News

Tim Burchett, a member of the US House of Representatives, has written a letter to President-elect Donald Trump, urging the immediate cessation of US aid to Afghanistan. In his letter, Burchett emphasized that aid to Afghanistan should not continue. He said, “I implore you to take action to put an end to wasteful foreign aid spending and to support efforts in congress to put Americans first.” Click here to read… [3]

Afghanistan Awards Major Mining Contracts worth 213 Billion Afs- Tolo News

The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has informed TOLO news that since the beginning of the current solar year, it has awarded contracts for nine major mines to domestic and international companies. According to Homayoun Afghan, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, the value of these contracts amounts to 213 billion afghani. Click here to read… [4]

Bangladesh

India extends Sheikh Hasina’s visa amid call for extradition – The Daily Star

India has extended former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's visa amid recently renewed calls for her extradition to Bangladesh, reports the Hindustan Times. Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year amid a people's uprising against her Awami League government and has remained in India since then. Click here to read… [5]

Polls by Dec if parties against major reforms – The Daily Star

The interim government is ready to hold elections this year if political parties do not want broader reforms, said Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam yesterday. "We will hold elections by December this year if they do not want broader reforms. However, if they think that the interim government should carry out extensive reforms before elections, it will take another six months," he said while speaking at an event at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the capital. Click here to read… [6]

Jamaat Ameer discusses reforms, national unity with CA Yunus -Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday discussed a wide range of issues including reforms—electoral and banking sector, national unity, and consensus building efforts with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. “It was a one to one discussion in a friendly environment,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told the reporters at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy this evening. Click here to read… [7]

5 reform commissions likely to submit reports within 15 Jan: Shafiqul Alam – Prothom Alo

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam Tuesday said five reform commissions out of six are likely to submit their reports to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus within 15 January. “The interim government hopes that the five commissions out of six would be able to submit their reports within 15 January,” he told a press briefing. Click here to read… [8]

Bhutan

In carbon-negative Bhutan, glaciers are threatened by climate change – France24

The South Asian kingdom of Bhutan has become a champion of environmental protection. Its forests are protected by the constitution, environment classes are taught in school and its electricity is 100 percent hydroelectric. All of this has contributed to making Bhutan the first carbon-negative country in the world. However, that doesn't mean it's immune to the effects of climate change. Because of global warming, Bhutan's glaciers are melting and threatening to flood the villages down below. Click here to read… [9]

A modern tax system-Kuensel

The Department of Revenue and Customs (DRC) has taken a bold and commendable step by introducing tax intermediaries as part of a pilot project. The initiative is an important milestone in our journey toward a more efficient, transparent, and user-friendly tax system. It is a change that deserves applause. Click here to read… [10]

Maldives

Boosting defence ties on agenda as Maldives minister to meet Rajnath Singh – The Times of India

India and the Maldives will discuss steps to strengthen defence cooperation in a meeting between defence minister Rajnath Singh and his counterpart Mohammed Ghassan Maumoon here on January 8, amid the ongoing thaw in bilateral relations. Maumoon's three-day visit, during which he will also go to Mumbai and Goa, comes soon after Maldivian foreign minister Abdulla Khaleel's visit here last week. Click here to read… [11]

Minister caught lying about Chinese research vessel’s arrival in Maldives – Raajje

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Abdulla Khaleel has been caught fibbing about the arrival of a Chinese research vessel in the Maldives. In an interview, as part of his recent visit to India, Minister Khaleel stated that no Chinese research vessel had come to the Maldives when the interviewer sought a comment on the Chinese research vessel that travelled to the Maldives. Minister Khaleel stated that a Chinese research vessel had not come to the Maldives, and that no such vessel had arrived. A local media outlet reported that Xiang Yang Hong-3, a Chinese research vessel, was active in the Maldives for approximately a month starting 21 January 2024. Initially, the vessel was operational in the border area of the Maldives, at times crossing the Maldivian waters. Click here to read… [12]

Myanmar

China Joins Nations Snubbing Junta on Myanmar Independence Day – The Irrawaddy

Of the junta’s two major allies, only Russia sent a congratulatory message for Myanmar’s 77th Independence Day, with China eschewing the traditional mark of respect. Moscow has sent congratulatory messages every year on Jan. 4, but China has not done so since the February 2021 coup. China and Russia are the main suppliers of weapons and warplanes to the junta while also providing diplomatic support at the United Nations. Countries that sent congratulatory messages on Independence Day included Russia, Belarus, Pakistan, North Korea, Algeria, Nepal, Cambodia and neighboring Bangladesh, according to junta media. Neighboring Thailand and India, which enjoy close ties with the regime, joined Laos in refraining from sending a message. Click here to read… [13]

DPM MoFA Union Minister addresses Myanmar diplomatic staff on overseas assignments – The Global New Light of Myanmar

Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe met Myanmar’s diplomatic staff assigned abroad, emphasizing the importance of loyalty, reasoning skills, and qualifications. He advised diplomats to study their host countries' histories, adapt to global changes, and prioritize national interests while strengthening bilateral relations. Highlighting the need for negotiation skills, rule adherence, and ethical conduct, he stressed learning from other nations' strengths and weaknesses. The minister urged diplomats to excel in language proficiency, maintain unity, and serve diligently to earn recognition, such as honorary titles. Senior officials and newly assigned diplomats also participated in the meeting. Click here to read… [14]

Pakistan

No respite for Kurram despite peace deal-Dawn

The people of Parachinar spent another day waiting for the relief convoy — currently stalled in Thall, on the border of Kurram district — as talks between the government and protesters to ensure safe passage for the vehicles remained inconclusive. Click here to read… [15]

Pakistan removed from list of ‘hunger hotspots’, says FAO-Dawn

In a positive development, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has removed Pakistan from the list of “hunger hotspots”. However, the United Nations’ arm has projected that acute food insecurity will remain at 20-25 per cent in the provinces of Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan. Click here to read… [16]

FinMin announces slashing 150k govt jobs in major 'right-sizing initiative'-The Express Tribune

The federal government has decided to cut the number of affiliated agencies in half, reducing 150,000 vacant positions, as part of a sweeping cost-cutting and efficiency drive, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced on Tuesday. Speaking at a press conference, Aurangzeb highlighted the government’s goal to complete these reforms by June 2025. "We are reducing the federal government’s size step by step. So far, 80 agencies have been consolidated into 40," he stated. Click here to read… [17]

Sri Lanka

India, Sri Lanka agree to revive ETCA talks - Indian envoy – Daily Mirror

In response to a question about the seriousness of attention on the proposed resumption of talks on the Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) between India and Sri Lanka, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha affirmed yesterday that, during the visit of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to New Delhi recently, it was agreed to revive talks with intent to conclude only. Click here to read… [18]

Sri Lanka solidifies stance on One-China principle – Daily Mirror

Ahead of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's visit to China, the Cabinet has approved a proposal presented by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, for Sri Lanka to continue adhering to the One-China principle. Click here to read… [19]