PAKISTAN
Number of jobless people to reach 6.65m in 2020-21: DAWN
The number of unemployed people in the country has been estimated to reach 6.65 million during the fiscal year 2020-21, compared to 5.80m of the outgoing financial year. According to the government’s annual plan 2020-21, Pakistan has the 9th largest labour force in the world which is increasing every year. Click here to read....
AFGHANISTAN
Iran Warns Afghan Envoy Over 'Intolerable' Protests in Kabul: TOLO News
Abbas Mousavi, the spokesman for Iran's foreign minister, in a press conference on Monday said that the ministry has warned Ghafoor Lewal, the Afghan ambassador in Tehran, about the recent protest near the Iranian embassy in Kabul over the deaths of Afghan migrants in Iran. “Recently a group of people held an illegal gathering in front of the Islamic Republic of Iran's embassy and some diplomatic posts (in Afghanistan) and turned the atmosphere in favor of aliens and the destruction of the two countries' relations. Click here to read....
BANGLADESH
Economists: Proposed budget hardly prioritizes private sector: Dhaka Tribune
The private sector, affected during the Covid-19 induced shutdown, did not get priority for sustainable recovery in the proposed budget, economists say. They suggested the government to implement stimulus packages properly so that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can continue their activities for survival. Click here to read....
MYANMAR
Legislators bridle at Rakhine martial law proposal: Myanmar Times
Legislators have scoffed at a proposal by the Tatmadaw (military) to impose martial law in Rakhine State to quell attacks by the Arakan Army, calling such a move unwarranted. Tatmadaw spokesperson Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun said the Tatmadaw was concerned about the escalation of attacks by the AA, such as a raid on a remote police outpost in Rathedaung township at the weekend that forced almost 1000 villagers to flee their homes. Click here to read....
NEPAL
Supreme Court orders government to use welfare fund to repatriate Nepali workers stranded abroad: The Kathmandu Post
The Supreme Court has issued an interim order to the government to use the foreign employment welfare fund to repatriate Nepali workers living abroad in highly vulnerable conditions. The order is expected to provide relief for tens of thousands of migrant workers who have been stranded in several countries due to the Covid-19 pandemic and are unable to finance hefty chartered airfares to fly back home. Click here to read....
SRI LANKA
I’m trying to keep election costs below Rs.10 Bn: EC Chief: Daily Mirror
Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday he was trying his best to keep the costs for the August 5 general election below Rs.10 billion amid the challenges posed by COVID-19. He told Daily Mirror that initially the general election was estimated to cost Rs.7 to Rs.7.5 billion but it had now shot up to Rs.9.5 billion to Rs.10 billion. Click here to read....
