VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: June 11, 2020

PAKISTAN

Rs1.32tr approved for national development programme: DAWN

As the provinces drastically cut their development plans, the National Economic Council (NEC) on Wednesday approved Rs1.32 trillion worth of consolidated development programme for next year — about 12pc lower than current year’s Rs1.5tr — to achieve an economic growth rate of 2.1 per cent. Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

US Envoy Khalilzad Discusses Peace with President Ghani: TOLO News

As part of his three-nation trip, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad arrived in Kabul on Wednesday where he met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and exchanged views on the Afghan peace process. “In this meeting, discussions were held on the peace process, practical steps before the start of the direct talks, the terms for the extension of a reduction in violence and the unofficial ceasefire,” tweeted Sediq Sediqqi, a spokesman for President Ashraf Ghani. Click here to read.... [3]

BANGLADESH

Special flight returns 409 Bangladeshis from Doha: Dhaka Tribune

A special flight has returned with 409 Bangladeshis who were stranded in Doha amidst travel restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The flight, arranged by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, landed at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 9:30am on Thursday, Biman’s Deputy General Manager Tahera Khondoker told Dhaka Tribune. Click here to read.... [4]

MYANMAR

Myanmar’s electricity losses shrink; more investments, spending needed to meet demand: Myanmar Times

Losses on electricity subsidies in Myanmar are likely to have declined to just about a third of levels seen before tariffs were raised in July 2019, U Tin Maung Oo, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Electricity and Energy, told journalists at the government’s fourth year performance review in Nay Pyi Taw on June 8. The current losses are partly as a result of the government providing the first 150 units of electricity free of charge to households in April and May as a form of relief from COVID-19. Click here to read.... [5]

NEPAL

Airfare for international chartered repatriation flights capped as government lists new flying rules: The Kathmandu Post

The Nepal government has capped the air fares for international chartered repatriation flights, keeping in mind the interest of passengers as well as airlines for a temporary period as the government plans to evacuate Nepalis stranded in different countries. According to officials at the Tourism Ministry and Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, they were forced to implement a price regulation following numerous complaints from travellers about excessive ticket prices imposed by charter operators, particularly travel agencies in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here to read.... [6]

SRI LANKA

2020 Parliamentary elections on August 5: Daily Mirror

The much delayed Parliamentary polls of 2020 will be conducted on August 5 , Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya announced yesterday. He said the decision was made by the EC unanimously with the approval of two other members, N.J.Abeysekara and Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole at a discussion held last morning. Click here to read.... [7]