PAKISTAN

‘Gang of dacoits’ out to hide its corruption, says Imran: DAWN

Allowing the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to hold its rally in Gujranwala on Oct 16, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said people would judge for themselves how ‘strong’ the opposition was. He directed the authorities concerned to allow the public gathering during the meeting of the special committee formed to deal with the opposition’s anti-government movement. Click here to read...

AFGHANISTAN

Doha Delegates Say Rules Agreement May Be Close: TOLO News

Delegates from the Afghan republic’s negotiating team said an agreement on the procedural rules of the negotiations might be reached within the next two days. The two sides have agreed on 18 out of 20 articles for the procedural rules, but two main articles—religious basis for the talks and connection of the US-Taliban deal with the negotiations—remain unsolved. The Taliban insists that if a dispute emerges during the negotiations, the solution must be sought using the Hanafi jurisprudence and that the foundation for the talks should be the peace deal that the group signed with the US in late February.Click here to read...

BANGLADESH

Rohingya: Dhaka wants Suu Kyi to join talks in Beijing: Dhaka Tribune

Bangladesh wants Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi to be present at a tripartite meeting in Beijing, as proposed by China to discuss Rohingya repatriation issues. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming proposed a tripartite meeting between foreign ministers of the three countries - Bangladesh, Myanmar and ChinaClick here to read...

NEPAL

Crisis in Karnali a manifestation of top leaders’ conflict in Kathmandu: The Kathmandu Post

A fresh crisis in Karnali provincial government has stoked concerns of similar disputes in other provinces where the Nepal Communist Party has governments. Of the seven provinces, Nepal Communist Party has governments in six, except in Province 2. Insiders say the party seems to be bracing for more troubles. Click here to read...

SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka economy to contract by 6.7% this year: World Bank: Daily Mirror

Hit by COVID-19-related disruptions, Sri Lanka’s economy is projected to shrink by 6.7 percent this year, recording the third highest economic contraction among the South Asian region economies, after the Maldives (-19.5) and India (-9.6), the latest World Bank report titled ‘South Asia Economic Focus’, released this morning said. “The COVID-19 crisis has substantially clouded the outlook and exacerbated an already challenging macroeconomic situation.Click here to read...