Neighborhood News Digest- 14 February 2024

Afghanistan

World Has No Option but to Engage With Islamic Emirate: Kabir- Tolo News

The deputy prime minister for political affairs, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, said that the world has no option but to engage with the Islamic Emirate. Abdul Kabir has called on the diaspora Afghan politicians and political activists to return to country and stop their "destructive" activities. Click here to read... [2]

Islamic Emirate Rejects Report of Daesh Activity In Afghanistan-Tolo News

The Islamic Emirate rejected the UN report about the activities of Daesh in Afghanistan. The spokesman of the Islamic Emirate told TOLO news that Daesh has been suppressed in Afghanistan and cannot harm other countries from Afghanistan. Click here to read... [3]

Mass Grave with 100 bodies found in South eastern Afghanistan-The Khama Press

Local officials in the Southeastern Province of Khost have reported the discovery of a mass grave in the center of the province, stating that the remains of at least 100 bodies have been discovered from this mass grave. Basmillah Bilal, the mayor of the Taliban in Khost, has stated the individuals buried at this discovered location were killed in 1979 and then buried in a mass grave. Click here to read... [4]

Healthcare Services Have Improved: Officials-Tolo News

In response to the latest report of Human Rights Watch (HRW) the Islamic Emirate says that serious efforts to provide healthcare services throughout the country over the past two years are ongoing and that women have also been provided with employment opportunities and healthcare services in the health sector in the Islamic Sharia framework. Click here to read... [5]

Bangladesh

Garment exports to rebound in May as global economy on the mend – The Daily Star

Garment export from Bangladesh may witness a strong rebound from May as suppliers are receiving a lot of inquiries from international buyers as the global economy recovers from the severe fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. Click here to read... [6]

Major parties’ absence doesn’t invalidate polls – The Daily Star

An election does not lack legality if major political parties abstain from participation, but it undermines legitimacy, said Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal yesterday. Click here to read... [7]

Who is the chairman of Jatiyo Party, really? – Dhaka Tribune

Jatiyo Party leaders and activists have long been trying to establish an identity as a political entity that believes in elections, and that activism through the parliament is a more gentleman-like approach, unlike the BNP and others that made their voices heard from the streets. Click here to read... [8]

Bhutan

Which will prevail: 13th Plan or political commitment?-Kuensel

The proposed school merger and consolidation outlined in the draft 13th Plan raise questions about their potential impact on educational services and resource utilisation among the public. Click here to read... [9]

Maldives

Businesses operated illegally by foreigners to be shut down – Adhadhu

Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusan stated at a press briefing on February 13 that the ministry was working together with the Economic Ministry to take action against illegal businesses operating under various names. The Home Ministry was working on shutting down such businesses and deporting the foreigners who operate them, Minister Ihusan noted. The offenses committed by the deported foreigners included visa violations and drug cases. The 186 deported foreigners included 12 nationalities with the majority from Bangladesh (83 people), followed by India (43 people) and Sri Lanka (25 people). Click here to read... [10]

Will take inspiration from Dubai's experience to achieve development goals: President – The Edition

Speaking at the Maldives Investment Forum currently ongoing in Dubai, the President said, on February 13, that special priority will be given to development projects that will benefit both UAE and the Maldives. The government has required, through the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Act, that a minimum of USD 100 million (MVR 1.5 billion) must be invested. It also identifies nine areas in which the investments must be made. This includes manufacturing work, transshipment port, tertiary hospital, international financing field and renewable energy. Click here to read... [11]

Myanmar

Call for political parties to prioritize national cause alongside party politics – The Global New Light of Myanmar

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing highlights that political parties in the multiparty democratic system must have party political movements and implement national causes. Click here to read... [12]

National Security Adviser receives delegation led by Russian Ambassador – The Global New Light of Myanmar

Admiral Moe Aung, National Security Adviser and Union Minister for the Ministry 4 at the SAC Chairman’s Office, met with a delegation led by Mr Iskander Azizov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Myanmar, at the State Administration Council office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon. Click here to read... [13]

Nepal

Maoist Centre Chair appeals Maoist splinters to unite-Nepal News

CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairperson and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has appealed to all advocates of transformation who contributed to the People's War to unite. Click here to read... [14]

I am committed to implementing federalism: Prime Minister- Nepal News

Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Coordination Council Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has expressed his commitment to implement federalism with determination. Click here to read... [15]

Pakistan

Shehbaz prevails in race for PM House-Dawn

It will apparently be a second shot at premiership for Shehbaz Sharif, the seemingly ‘reluctant’ consensus candidate, who was the one receiving pledges of allegiance from frontline political leaders of six of the country’s main parties (except the PTI), as they announced on Tuesday night their intention to form a government in the Centre and provinces. Click here to read... [16]

Polls and their aftermath-Dawn

It was perhaps the most consequential election in Pakistan’s recent history. Defying all odds, the voters turned out in record numbers. They have spoken out, loud and clear, and given their verdict. It was a vote for hope and democracy. But the people’s mandate seems to have been stolen yet again. Click here to read... [17]

NA ready to swear in new members on Feb 29-The Express Tribune

A fresh session of the National Assembly in which the newly elected members will take oath as lawmakers is likely to be convened on Feb 29 – the date on which the 21-day constitutional period of holding the general elections ends. Click here to read... [18]

Sri Lanka

Presidential Election on schedule, General Election set for next year: PMD - Daily Mirror Online

The President's Media Division (PMD) confirmed that the Presidential Election will be held within the mandated period and will adhere to the current timeline. Click here to read... [19]

Demand policy consistency across political parties – Daily News

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry urged the business community to demand policy consistency across political parties, emphasising the need to minimise social division, populist policies and policy inconsistency. Click here to read... [20]