VIF Neighboiurhood News Digest: July 9, 2019

PAKISTAN

IMF gunning for debt reduction, programme shows: Dawn
July 9, 2019

Pakistan has entered a high tax environment for the foreseeable future with Rs1.56 trillion additional taxes this year, followed by another Rs1.5tr next year and yet another Rs1.31tr the year after, according to a staff report released by the Interna­tional Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday. Speaking to the press via conference call held on Monday evening, IMF mission chief for Pakistan Ernesto Ramirez-Rigo said the government was expected to ensure this increase came from broadening the base rather than raising tax rates. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Doha Conference: Taliban Agrees To Reduce Violence: Tolo News
July 9, 2019

A group of 17 members of the Taliban who met with at least 60 delegates from Kabul in Intra-Afghan Dialogue Conference on Peace in Doha agreed to reduce violence by stopping attacks on “religious centers, schools, hospitals, educational centers, bazaars, water dams and workplaces”. The agreement came in the form of a resolution prepared by a committee of six members from Kabul and three members from the Taliban. The participants from Kabul were from politicians, civil society members, and government officials – but they attended the intra-Afghan talks with their personal capacity. Click here to read... [3]

NEPAL

Despite letter from the Indian embassy making its rounds online, prime minister and commerce minister both profess ignorance: Kathmandu Post
July 9, 2019

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Matrika Yadav, the minister for industry, commerce and supplies, have both denied allegations of Indian pressure on the reversal of the government’s decision over pesticide testing for imported fruits and vegetables. Addressing a Sunday meeting of parliamentarians from the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), Oli outright denied that the Indians had anything to do with the decision, said Ram Kumari Jhakri, a parliamentarian from the Communist party. Click here to read... [4]

CHINA

Central bank unveils plan on digital currency: China Daily
July 9, 2019

The central bank is accelerating its efforts to introduce a government-backed digital currency, aiming at securing a cutting-edge position in the global cryptocurrency race, a senior official said on Monday. Click here to read... [5]

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam says extradition bill ‘is dead’: South China Morning Post
July 9, 2019

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor gave her strongest pledge yet on Tuesday morning when she declared the highly unpopular extradition bill that sparked several mass protests was “dead”, changing from an earlier script that it “will die” in 2020. Click here to read... [6]