Neighborhood News Digest- 18 February 2025

Afghanistan

UN Security Council to discuss extension of UNAMA Mission in Afghanistan-The Khaama Press

The United Nations Security Council is set to hold a meeting regarding the extension of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The current mandate for UNAMA is scheduled to expire on March 17. During the meeting, two proposals for extending UNAMA’s mission will be discussed. One proposal has been put forward by South Korea and the United States, while another has been prepared by China and Pakistan. These proposals aim to address the future role of UNAMA in Afghanistan, considering the current political and security challenges. Click here to read… [2]

Republican Congressman urges transfer of eligible Afghan immigrants to US-The Khaama Press

Dan Crenshaw, a Republican representative from Texas, emphasized that former U.S. allies from Afghanistan should be evacuated. He urged that those who aided the U.S. during its 20-year presence in Afghanistan be brought to the United States. Click here to read… [3]

Over 2,000 Afghan Commandos denied resettlement in UK despite service with British Forces-The Khaama Press

The UK Ministry of Defence has announced that more than 2,000 Afghan commandos, who had valid service records with units supported by the UK, have been unsuccessful in securing resettlement in the country. These commandos were part of various training and support programs facilitated by the UK in Afghanistan. Click here to read… [4]

Afghans Struggle with Costly Monthly Visa Extensions in Pakistan-Tolo News

With the continued forced expulsion of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, several Afghan refugees in the country have complained about the high cost of visa extensions and its time limitations. They say that currently Pakistan’s visa is only extended monthly, which has created significant economic challenges for the refugees. Click here to read… [5]

Bangladesh

Nahid hints at resigning by end of this week to join new party – The Daily Star

Information Adviser Nahid Islam today said he will take the decision regarding his resignation and joining a new political party by the end of this week. The information adviser said this while talking to reporters after the Deputy Commissioners' Conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. Click here to read… [6]

India must share water first if it wants friendship – The Daily Star

The BNP yesterday set a precondition for India to be a friend of the people of Bangladesh: It must resolve the Teesta water-sharing issue first. India must also stop border killings and abandon its "big brother" attitude, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at the launch of Teesta River Protection Movement Committee's two-day programme in Lalmonirhat. Click here to read… [7]

Tarique: Reforms need people's representatives to succeed – Dhaka Tribune

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday said initiatives of state reforms will not succeed until the people’s direct representatives are entrusted with the responsibility of running the country. “Those who believe reforms should come before the election must understand that for those reforms to be successful, people who are truly connected to the masses are needed. Without them, no reforms will be possible,” Tarique said during a program at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh. Click here to read… [8]

IMF funds unavailable in March, proposal in June for two tranches: Finance Adviser – Prothom Alo

The fourth tranche of the ongoing USD 4.7 billion (USD 470 crore) credit programme of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will not be available in the near future. The proposal was initially scheduled to be presented at the IMF executive board meeting on 5 February this year. However, this was postponed to 12 March. Now, the proposal will not be presented on that date either as it has been further deferred to June. Click here to read… [9]

Prolonged single-party rule politicised security sector in Bangladesh: UN – Prothom Alo

The prolonged single-party rule had steadily politicised Bangladesh’s state institutions that permeated the country’s entire security sector as well, since authorities preferred recruitment and promotion there to be based on perceived political loyalty instead of professionalism, the UN rights office report said. Click here to read… [10]

Bhutan

Forex reserves reach USD 700 million, up by 15 percent – Kuensel

The country’s foreign exchange reserves grew by 15.39 percent year-over-year, reaching USD 700.51 million as of December 2024, an increase of USD 93.48 million, according to the National Statistics Bureau’s socio-economic fourth-quarter update. The current reserves, comprising USD 509.7 million in convertible currency and INR 16.12 billion, are sufficient to cover 18.12 months of essential imports—well above the constitutional mandate requiring a minimum one-year coverage for essential imports. Click here to read… [11]

Maldives

Maldives to reach FTA with India soon – The Hindu

The Maldives will soon finalise a trade pact with India, a senior Maldivian Minister has said, barely two weeks after New Delhi appeared to caution the island nation over possible “revenue loss” from similar deals inked with other countries, including China. Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed confirmed the move Monday night in an interview to a local television channel. Mr. Saeed had said that President Mohamed Muizzu — during his state visit to India in October 2024 — and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “expressed keen interest” in signing the Free Trade Agreement. Click here to read… [12]

Foreign Minister Khaleel to visit Sri Lanka on official visit – Adhadhu

Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullah Khaleel is scheduled to pay an official visit to Sri Lanka. According to a statement from the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry, Khaleel will arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow for a four-day trip. He will meet and hold discussions with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayake and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya for official talks. During the talks, they will exchange views on strengthening the long-standing relationship between the two countries and strengthening cooperation in new areas. The Foreign Minister will be accompanied by the Foreign Secretary Fathimath Inaya. Click here to read… [13]

Myanmar

Chinese official tours Thai-Myanmar border, highlights crackdown on scam centers – Voice of America

Efforts to shut down online scam centers in Myanmar appeared to gain momentum Monday as a top Chinese security official visited both sides of the Thai-Myanmar border ahead of expected large-scale repatriations of workers in the illicit industry. The visit by Liu Zhongyi, China’s vice minister of public security and commissioner of the Criminal Investigation Bureau, was part of a stepped-up effort by the three countries to address the online scam problem, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters. Areas of Myanmar bordering Thailand have been serving as havens for criminal syndicates employing an estimated hundreds of thousands of people from Southeast Asia and elsewhere who help carry out online scams including false romantic ploys, bogus investment pitches and illegal gambling schemes. Click here to read… [14]

Ta’ang Rebels Start Talks With Myanmar Junta in China – The Irrawaddy

Representatives from Myanmar’s military junta and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) from northern Shan State began talks in China on February 16. “The talks are continuing today, and we will release a statement when they are finished,” Major General Tar Bhone Kyaw, the TNLA secretary general, told The Irrawaddy. “At this moment, we can’t say anything else.” The nine-member TNLA delegation is led by Lieutenant General Tar Gu Jar and Colonel Tar Moe Hein, while the junta’s delegation is led by Lieutenant General Ko Ko Oo, commander of the Bureau of Special Operation (BSO). Click here to read… [15]

Pakistan

PM Shehbaz welcomes $40b World Bank investment-The Express Tribune

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his gratitude for the $40 billion investment in Pakistan under the World Bank, calling it a welcome development. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office Press Wing, the PM met with a delegation of World Bank Executive Directors, where he welcomed their visit to Pakistan. Click here to read… [16]

Senate passes bill to increase salaries and perks for parliamentarians-The Express Tribune

The Senate has approved the Parliamentarians’ Salaries and Allowances (Amendment) Bill 2025, which will increase the salaries and perks of lawmakers. Despite some opposition, the bill was passed by a majority vote after a formal vote was conducted to address concerns from dissenting members. Click here to read… [17]

Govt to privatise up to 50 state-owned enterprises-The Express Tribune

The government is set to privatise up to 50 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) over the next 3 to 4 years, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema announced during a meeting with a World Bank (WB) delegation on Monday. Click here to read… [18]

Sri Lanka

AKD’s maiden budget a bold reset for Sri Lanka – Daily Mirror

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake delivered his first budget speech before Parliament yesterday, outlining a financial roadmap that doubles as a manifesto for change. Delivering the speech in Sinhala with quiet confidence, he set the tone for an administration determined to reshape the island nation’s economic trajectory while staying true to its reformist ideals. Click here to read… [19]

Budget 2025: Key Takeaways – Daily Mirror

Budget 2025 sets out a total government expenditure of LKR 7,190 billion, marking a 17% increase from the LKR 6,131 billion allocated in 2024. As a share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), government spending is set to rise from 20.4% to 21.8%. A significant portion of the budget—LKR 2,950 billion—is earmarked for interest payments, accounting for 41% of total government expenditure and 59% of estimated revenue. Click here to read… [20]

Cannot justify Adani’s ‘excessive tariff’, Sri Lanka’s President Dissanayake tells Parliament – The Hindu

Days after Adani Green announced quitting from a controversial renewable energy project in Sri Lanka, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said awarding energy projects at an “excessive tariff” of $8.26 cents “cannot be justified”. While welcoming energy investments based on a competitive tariff, Sri Lanka will not privilege a specific company or country, he said on Monday (February 17, 2025), without naming Adani or India. Click here to read… [21]