Neighborhood News Digest – 26 October 2023

Afghanistan

Kakar: Illegal Afghan Immigrants Must Leave Pakistan – Tolo News

The caretaker prime minister of Pakistan, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, called on Afghans who are living in the country illegally to return to Pakistan after getting a visa. Anwaar ul Haq Kakar said in a press conference that all illegal immigrants should leave that country. “Those Afghans who have been living in Pakistan for more than 40 or 50 years should return to their country and get a passport and visa to return to the country so that what we are doing has a legal aspect,” said Kakar. Click here to read... [2]

Over 700,000 migrants expelled from Iran in past seven months: Iranian Official – The Khaama Press

Since the beginning of this year, the Iranian border commander has overseen the expulsion of over 738,000 “illegal foreign nationals” from Iran. On Monday, the Iranian border commander, Sardar Ahmad Ali Goodarzi, stated that these migrants had entered Iran illegally. Afghans constitute the largest immigrant community in Iran, mirroring a similar situation in Pakistan. In recent weeks, Iran and Pakistan have escalated the deportation of Afghan immigrants, reflecting a growing concern over immigration and border control. Click here to read... [3]

Bangladesh

Cyclone Hamoon crosses Bangladesh's coastal belt killing 3 and injuring 60 others - India Today

At least three people were killed and over 60 others were injured as Cyclone Hamoon reached Bangladesh's coastal area on Tuesday night, as per sources. In addition, the cyclone caused significant property and environmental damage in the coastal region. Approximately 30,000 dwellings were damaged. The cyclone also knocked down the district's electrical supplies and cell network. Before the hurricane made landfall, the Cox's Bazar administration evacuated almost 40,000 people to government shelters. Click here to read... [4]

Biden administration attempts to suffocate freedom of press in Bangladesh - My Voice

On May 24, 2023, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a “visa policy” on Bangladesh, which came into enforcement on September 22, 2023. US Ambassador in Bangladesh Peter Haas has on-document said that this “visa policy” shall also be applicable to the members of media in Bangladesh. Anyone having knowledge of the US Constitution’s First Amendment is aware, that it clearly says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”. Click here to read... [5]

Bhutan

Govt. to support pay raise of BBS, FMCL, BLDCL – Kuensel

The government will fund the pay raise of three State-owned enterprises (SOEs)—Bhutan Broadcasting Service, Farm Machinery Corporation Limited, and Bhutan Livestock Development Corporation Limited, Finance Minister Namgay Tshering said. “These are the three SOEs the government will need to support,” he said. Click here to read... [6]

Maldives

MDP PG issues three-line whip for Speaker Nasheed's no-confidence motion- Avas

The Parliament is scheduled to hear a no-confidence motion against Nasheed – MDP’s second attempt to oust its former leader – next week. The motion for a vote of no confidence against Nasheed was initiated on October 9, with the support of 49 MDP MPs. Subsequently, Nasheed and other MPs received official notice of the motion on October 12. On October 18, the General Committee of Parliament granted Nasheed 30 minutes to respond to the motion of no confidence. The main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s Parliamentary Group has issued a three-line whip to pass the no-confidence motion against Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed. The three-line whip compels MDP MPs to vote to remove Nasheed from his position as Speaker. Click here to read... [7]

Audits need to be conducted on institutions: President-elect's office- PSM News

Spokesperson Mohamed Firuzul, representing the Office of the President-elect has stated that the Auditor General's Office (AGO) will be asked to conduct special audits on some institutions. Firuzul further stated that that the purpose of the audits is to verify the information on the financial situation, employees and administrative operations of government institutions. The transitional committees began their work on October 4 and have identified various issues after visiting 77 government institutions and state-owned companies in 21 days. The committees have determined that some institutions are in a poor state and that special audits need to be conducted. Click here to read... [8]

Myanmar

Driving Myanmar’s Energy Revolution Through Solar Innovation - Energy Portal

Good We, a global leader in solar inverters and energy storage solutions, has collaborated with Good Brothers Solar (GBS) to pave the way for a greener future in Myanmar. The partnership aims to provide top-tier solar products that promote environmental sustainability and long-term development in the country. Recently, the “GoodWe Brand Solar Energy Products Launching Ceremony” was held at the esteemed Pan Pacific Hotel in Myanmar. The event showcased GoodWe’s region-specific solar energy innovations, including cutting-edge inverters and batteries, drawing over 300 industry experts and solar enthusiasts from across Myanmar. Click here to read... [9]

UN court extends deadlines in Rohingya genocide case - Benar News

The International Court of Justice has extended two deadlines for written arguments in a complaint filed by the West African nation of Gambia alleging that Myanmar’s military carried out genocide against minority Rohingya Muslims. The Muslim-majority nation — mainland Africa’s smallest country — accused Myanmar of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention during a military campaign in 2017, during which thousands of Rohingya are estimated to have died. Click here to read... [10]

Myanmar’s Humanitarian Crisis Deepens As War Conflict Escalates - OWP

As the conflict in Myanmar continues to escalate, the international community is ramping up efforts to address the dire situation and hold those responsible for the violence accountable. The Southeast Asian nation, once celebrated for its strides towards democracy, now grapples with a humanitarian crisis marked by war crimes, human rights abuses, and a civilian population caught in the crossfire. Click here to read... [11]

Myanmar’s long journey into the night continues - Hindustan Times

Myanmar, the physical gateway and link between South Asia and Southeast Asia, continues to be “the sick man of the region”. Thirty-two months after the 2021 military coup, the nation remains mired in a cycle of violence between the military and opposition forces, bringing untold misery to the people, denial of humanitarian aid, and eroding political stability. In the preceding weeks, numerous diplomatic efforts were made in the quest for a solution. What has been the overall impact, and what are the immediate possibilities for this unfortunate nation that has had to put up with military rule for 60 years since independence in January 1948? Can it find its way back to the past decade of at least limited democracy which ran from March 2011 to January 2021? Click here to read... [12]

Nepal

India, Nepal to carry out joint survey to remove farms on ‘no-man’s land’ - New Indian Express

India and Nepal will begin a joint survey of the ‘no-man’s land’ on the border near Uttarakhand from Thursday. The intention is to remove the farms that have been encroached around the border areas. Once the survey is done, a report will be submitted and encroachments will be removed by the start of November. This survey will be done under the jurisdiction of the Sashatra Seema Bal (SSB). This survey is being done after reports of encroachments surfaced in the Khatima area of Udham Singh Nagar and Champawat district. It is learnt that military and administrative officials from both India and Nepal will meet on Thursday to discuss and demarcate the border areas to resolve this issue before it escalates and becomes a bone of contention between the two nations. Click here to read... [13]

Nepal-China relations hit bumpy road as BRI loses steam - First Post

The relationship between Nepal and China has seen many ups and downs ever since the two nations established diplomatic ties in 1955. While Nepal accepted Tibet’s accession to China in 1956, and also ratified the Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1960, the Chinese were seen to enhance the diplomatic ties for fostering strategic anti-Indian sentiment within the Nepalese government. Click here to read... [14]

Chinese Influence In Nepal Poses Major Strategic Threat To India - Start News Global

Chinese nationals using Nepalese documents to enter India is part of a much bigger strategic threat from China’s growing presence in the tiny Himalayan nation, says Dr Srikanth Kondapalli, Dean of the School of International Studies and a Professor of China studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University. Military exercises between the PLA and the Nepal Army in violation of the India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship, the presence of Chinese police in Nepal, major infrastructure projects and street signboards in Mandarin are indicators of Beijing’s increasing clout, and India needs to step up quickly to counter this before it is too late, he warns. Click here to read... [15]

Pakistan

Imran moves IHC against ‘hasty’ indictment in cipher case – Dawn

PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday petitioned the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against his indictment in the cipher case, calling on it to declare the exercise “illegal and unlawful”. The cipher case pertains to a diplomatic document that the charge sheet claims was never returned by Imran. The PTI alleges that the document contained a threat from the United States to oust Imran from office. Click here to read... [16]

Pakistan approves major natural gas price hike to meet key condition ahead of IMF review – Arab News

Pakistan’s caretaker government has given a go-ahead for a substantial rise in the gas tariff to meet a key condition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) ahead of the first review of a $3 billion bailout facility, financial experts said on Tuesday. The hike in gas tariffs was approved by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet that was chaired by Caretaker Finance Minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar on Monday. Click here to read... [17]

July-Sept: profit repatriation from Pakistan rises massively by 266% YoY – Business Recorder

Repatriation of profit and dividends by foreign investors registered significant growth and jumped over 266% during the first three months of this fiscal year. According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), repatriation of profit and dividend by foreign investors stood at $212.9 million in July-September of FY24, compared to a mere $58.1 million in the same period of the previous fiscal year (FY22), an increase of $154.8 million. Click here to read... [18]

Supreme Court to take up case about general elections on Nov 2 – Ary News

The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) has fixed the hearing of a case pertaining to the holding of general elections within 90 days after dissolution of the assemblies on November 2 (Thursday), ARY News reported. A three-member Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa and comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Amin ud Din Khan will hear the case. Click here to read... [19]

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka offers free visas to Indians to revive tourism- The Indian Express Hindustan Times

The Sri Lankan foreign minister, Ali Sabry, announced the “Cabinet approves issuing of free visas to India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand with immediate effect as a pilot project till March 31, 2024”. A statement detailing the cabinet’s decisions said the move was made to generate a target of five million arrivals by 2026. As per latest data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, India is the largest source for tourists with 2,00,310 arrivals so far this year, followed by Russia with 1,32,300. As a top priority to revive tourism in Sri Lanka and boost its debt-ridden economy, Wickremesinghe – now the country’s President – had recently proposed making the area a “border-less tourism” region – on the lines of Schengen area – to tap the huge potential offered by the seven-member grouping members. The list excludes US. Click here to read... [20]

Chinese ‘research vessel’ Shin Yan 6 docks at Colombo Port amid India’s security concerns- WION News

Sri Lanka foreign ministry told AFP news agency that the Chinese Scientific Research vessel, Shin Yan 6, had been authorised to dock in the Hambantota Port, where a Chinese state-owned company operates a deep-sea container terminal. India claims the vessel to be a spy vessel. The vessel with a crew of 60 is to conduct oceanography, geology and marine ecology tests. The Chinese officials claims that their primary objective is to carry out an extensive survey encompassing both the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the island nation and the region of the southern Indian Ocean. The vessel is to be It docked in Hambantota, a port in Sri Lanka's south under a 99-year lease to the Chinese company that built it after Colombo was unable to service a $1.4 billion loan taken for the project. It docked in Hambantota, a port in Sri Lanka's south under a 99-year lease to the Chinese company that built it after Colombo was unable to service a $1.4 billion loan taken for the project. Click here to read... [21]

Japan to provide JPY 200mn grant to boost North-East fisheries infrastructure - Daily Mirror

The Cabinet Ministry of Sri Lanka approved a resolution to accept a JPY 200 million (Rs.435 million) grant from the Government of Japan to promote the growth of the Sri Lankan fisheries industry. The grant will be used to provide Ceylon Fisheries Harbour Corporation with ice production machines and digital scales, the National Aquaculture Development Authority with fishing gear and the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department with deep freezers and tractors equipped with deep freezers. Click here to read... [22]