Neighborhood News Digest – 24 March 2023

Afghanistan

US working to help dozens of Americans 'secure their freedom,' leave Afghanistan: Blinken – Wion

Standing firm against recognising Afghan rulers Taliban, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said that Washington is working to free several Americans detained in Afghanistan and to assist 44 others trying to leave the nation. Speaking before congress Blinken said Taliban authorities were detaining "several Americans" and that they "are working to secure their freedom. Their families have asked that we protect their identities and don't speak publicly to their cases," he added. Click here to read... [2]

Earthquake in Afghanistan destroyed around 665 houses in several provinces: UN – The Print

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has stated that the recent earthquake in Afghanistan damaged and destroyed around 665 houses across Badakhshan, Bamyan, Panjshir, Parwan, Kunar, Laghman, Nangarhar, Samangan, and Takhar Provinces, Afghanistan based Khaama Press reported. The organization added that the earthquake in Badakhshan killed five people. In contrast, it injured 58 others and “partners have deployed assessment and response teams to provide immediate relief to affected families,” OCHA said in a tweet on Wednesday. Click here to read... [3]

Afghanistan is ready to work with the US, but sanctions must go - AlJazeera

A year and a half after the developments of August 15, 2021, when the Islamic Emirate regained control of Afghanistan, the situation in the country remains extremely hopeful.

The security situation has improved significantly. Violence levels have dropped sharply over the past 18 months and continue to reach new lows, despite doomsday predictions from critics of the new government in Kabul. Click here to read... [4]

Bangladesh

Friendship pipeline reaffirms golden run of India-Bangladesh ties since 1971 – Indian Narrative

The inauguration of the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday was yet another sign of the close links the two countries have maintained since Bangladesh’s War of Liberation in 1971. Indeed, the friendship between the two countries has certainly withstood the test of time. There have of course been the impediments along the way — the Teesta water-sharing issue remains a sore point, the presence of some Indian militant outfits like ULFA in the era of BNP-Jamaat rule in Dhaka was a major irritant in bilateral relations, incidents at the border necessitating near regular flag meetings between India’s BSF and Bangladesh’s BGB are some instances — but in the overall sense the two countries have stayed well clear of letting them hamper the bonds of friendship they have upheld over the past fifty two years. Click here to read... [5]

Once Again, Teesta River Issue Roils Bangladesh-India Relations – The Diplomat

On March 4, the irrigation department of the government of the eastern Indian state of West Bengal acquired around 1,000 acres of land to dig an additional two canals under the Teesta Barrage Project to draw water from the Teesta River for agricultural purposes. Under the plan, “a 32 km-long canal to draw water from the Teesta and the Jaldhaka will be dug till Changrabandha of Cooch Behar district. Another canal, which will have a length of 15 km, will be built on the left bank of the Teesta,” The Telegraph reported, citing an unnamed source in the irrigation department. Click here to read... [6]

DMP to get Japanese armoured vehicles – Dhaka Tribune

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) will soon receive a new consignment of armoured vehicles, being imported from Japan, with a view to tackling terrorism and militant activities ahead of the next general election. The vehicles and equipment, which cost the government around Tk309 crore, have already reached Chittagong Port and are awaiting clearance. Click here to read... [7]

BNP asks police not to arrest party people without warrant – New Age

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Thursday requested the Dhaka Metropolitan Police authorities not to arrest party leaders and activists without any warrant. A five-member BNP delegation made the request during their meeting with DMP commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq at his Mintoo Road office. Talking to reporters after the meeting, BNP Dhaka North City unit convener Amanullah Aman said that the leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies were being arrested in Dhaka without any warrant. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan

Bar Council takes stern action against four legal firms – Kuensel

The Bar Council of Bhutan punished four legal firms and those who violated terms of their licence to practise and other laws on March 21. The council of six members cancelled Jangchub Dzongkha Consultancy’s licence and its owner Tshering Norbu’s Thrimdrung certificate and barred him from providing any legal services for violating Marriage Act of Bhutan 1980. “Such decision was taken in cognizance of the letter issued to the Bar Council by the Family and Child Bench, Thimphu dzongkhag court,” stated in the decision signed by six council members. Click here to read... [9]

Maldives

Sri Lanka and Maldives Marine Associations sign MOU at Maldives Marine Expo 2023 - FT

The longest running marine exhibition in the Maldives “Maldives Marine Expo 2023” was held 15 to 18 March 2023 at Hulhumalé in greater Male’ Area with 100 stalls reinforcing its status as the South Asia’s largest marine industry gathering. Leading Sri Lankan boat building companies Solar Impulse under Sea Leisure Yachting Group and Chalana Boatyard participated in the Expo.During the event, an MOU was signed between the) President National Boating Association of Maldives (NBAM) Ismail Hameed and President Sri Lanka’s Chamber of Marine Industries Indhra Kaushal Rajapaksha along with event company Medium for Sri Lanka Consultant Thasim Rafi. Click here to read... [10] 9

Maldives: Police assault and detain journalist as attacks to press freedom rise - IFJ

In an escalating trend of attacks and threats towards media workers in the Maldives, journalist Hussain Juman was assaulted and detained by police while covering a political rally in Malé on March 16. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA), condemn the attack and call on authorities to protect the safety and security of working journalists ahead of the Maldivian Presidential election. Click here to read... [11]

Myanmar

Narrow Chinese Interests Shaping Security Landscape in Northern Myanmar: US Expert - The Irrawaddy

In this second installment of a two-part interview, human rights campaigner Igor Blazevic asks Jason Tower, country director for the Burma Program of the United States Institute of Peace, about Beijing’s moves to keep the National League for Democracy and National Unity Government at arm’s length, its goals in relation to the northern EAOs, and what role other international actors can play in Myanmar’s crisis. Click here to read... [12]

Junta Forces Conduct Airstrikes On PDF Camp Near India-Myanmar Border - The Frontier Manipur

Myanmar Army on Thursday launched aerial attacks on resistance forces’ hideout and overrun their camp in the upper Tamu district close to India-Myanmar Border pillar no. 80 and 81. Villagers in Kwatha Khunou on the Indian side, which is situated just 1,000 metres away from the site, fled to Kwatha Khunjaoda for their safety. The sound of the exchange of fires was heard in B Bongjang, Jangnoi, Kwatha Khunou and Molphei villages on the Indian side. Click here to read... [13]

Russian support for Myanmar junta ‘destabilising’ Southeast Asia – U.S envoy - The Print

Russia’s backing for Myanmar’s military rulers is unacceptable and destabilising, with its supply of weapons helping to fuel a conflict that has become a catastrophe for the country, a top U.S. official said on Thursday. Click here to read... [14]

Nepal

Nepal cabinet expansion likely to take place within next 5 days - First Post

The 10-party ruling coalition of Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has started discussions on power-sharing arrangements with Cabinet expansion top on the agenda. According to coalition leaders, the Cabinet will get a full shape within the next five days. Click here to read... [15]

Nepal: Transitional Justice Bill Needs to Protect Victims, not Abusers - HRW

A bill to amend Nepal’s transitional justice legislation does not fully meet the country’s domestic law or international legal obligations and will not provide justice for victims if adopted in its current form, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Commission of Jurists said today. Click here to read... [16]

Security tightened at Indo-Nepal border to nab pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh - Shillong Times

Even as a massive manhunt launched by the Punjab police to find pro-Khalistan radical leader Amritpal Singh entered its seventh day today, he is still at large. As per intelligence agencies the separatist leader might try to flee through Nepal border due to which security at the posts along Indo-Nepal border has been tightened. The Punjab government ordered on Thursday that the mobile internet and SMS services in the districts of Tarn Taran and Ferozepur will be banned until Friday noon. Click here to read... [17]

Pakistan

Pakistan Commission To Probe Alleged Threats To Imran Khan's Life: Report – NDTV

The caretaker government in Pakistan's Punjab has decided to appoint a commission to investigate "assassination threats" to PTI chief Imran Khan, Dawn reported. The former prime minister has repeatedly asserted in recent days that a plot to assassinate him has been hatched. Interim Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the inquiry commission shortly after the home department formed a five-member joint investigation team headed by SSP Imran Kishwar to conduct and finalise an investigation into ten FIRs filed in Lahore. Click here to read... [18]

World does not need lessons on democracy from Pakistan: India at UNHRC – Business Standard

India on Thursday said the world does not need lessons on democracy and human rights from Pakistan whose contribution as a leading exporter of terror and violence is unparalleled and where terrorists thrive and roam its streets with impunity. Exercising India's Right of Reply at the 52nd Session of Human Rights Council General Debate, Under Secretary Dr. P R Thulasidass also called on Pakistan to focus on the safety, security and well-being of its minority communities instead of engaging in futile propaganda and attempting to foment communal disharmony in India. Click here to read... [19]

State Bank of Pakistan likely to raise interest rate to unlock IMF loan programme – The Print

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is likely to raise the interest rate by 2 per cent at the ensuing meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in an attempt to unlock the delayed International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programme, reported the News International. The IMF and Pakistan were supposed to sign a staff-level deal on February 9. Click here to read... [20]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka govt accuses opposition of trying to undermine IMF bailout programme – The Print

Sri Lankan government on Thursday accused the opposition of trying to undermine the crucial IMF bailout programme by holding a meeting with the Colombo-based Ambassadors and seeking their assistance in getting the global lender to impose tougher conditions with respect to the delayed local polls. The accusation came days after the International Monetary Fund approved a USD 2.9 billion bailout programme to help the debt-ridden country overcome its economic crisis and catalyse financial support from other development partners. Click here to read... [21]

Postal voting postponed, EC confirms decision – Daily News

The Election Commission yesterday said that the Postal voting for the LG Polls which was scheduled to be held next week, has been postponed indefinitely. In a statement, the Election Commission said it had held a lengthy discussion with the Secretaries of political parties contesting the LG Polls yesterday. Some political parties had informed the Election Commission that conducting the Local Government Polls on April 25, in the present context was not feasible and it should be postponed to a later date. Some had said that a date for the poll should be announced only after completing the necessary background and logistics. Click here to read... [22]

Govt will bring the best Anti-Corruption Bill in South Asia shortly, President – Daily News

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that his government will bring the best Anti-Corruption Bill in South Asia to Parliament shortly. He said that the Cabinet already gave the green light for the Bill and after Justice, Prisons Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Minister Wijeyedasa Rajapakshe after returning from South Africa, the Bill will be submitted to Parliament. “Hopefully, we can take up the Bill for debate in Parliament after the Sinhala-Tamil New Year”, he noted. Click here to read... [23]