Neighborhood News Digest- 23 April 2024

Afghanistan

Muttaqi Meets Iran Envoy Qomi, Strengthening Ties Discussed-Tolo News

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Acting Foreign Minister, emphasized strengthening relations between Kabul and Tehran in a meeting with the Iranian ambassador and special representative to Afghanistan, Hassan Kazemi Qomi. The Foreign Ministry stated that during this meeting, both sides discussed regional developments, the expansion of relations, and other topics. Click here to read… [2]

Afghan migrants in Pakistan face multifaceted challenges amid forced deportation-The Khaama Press

The findings of Khaama Press, obtained from examining reports in the media of Afghanistan and Pakistan, indicate that Afghan citizens have been targeted in various parts of Pakistan for multiple reasons. This targeting, predominantly by Pakistani police, emerges as the most prominent pattern in this trend, which has been repeated in several instances. These patterns indicate that a significant portion of migrants targeted in Pakistan over the past two years have fallen victim to extortion by government entities or armed groups. Click here to read… [3]

Zar Mohammad Haqqani: Nation Governed By Women Will Not Succeed-Tolo News

The Deputy Minister of Hajj and Religious Affairs, Zar Mohammad Haqqani stated that women cannot hold positions of power in the Islamic regime, declaring it contrary to Islamic Sharia. Zar Mohammad Haqqani, at a graduation ceremony of a religious school attended by some officials of the Islamic Emirate in Kabul, said that women's rights are protected in the country and dismissed Western claims to the contrary as baseless. Click here to read… [4]

Bangladesh

3rd Loan Tranche: IMF team to focus on four key areas - The Daily Star

During its visit to Dhaka, the International Monetary Fund's review mission will focus on Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves, inflation rate, banking sector, and revenue reforms. Click here to read… [5]

Human rights issues in Bangladesh: US to keep expressing concerns – The Daily Star

The US will continue to express concerns on the fundamental human rights issues in Bangladesh including the freedom of the press and freedom of association and urge the government to uphold those, said a senior US State Department official. Click here to read… [6]

Bhutan

PM explains what the Nu 15 bn ESP will be used for– The Bhutanese

The Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay has now said the Nu 15 bn Economic Stimulus Program money will be used to lift the loan moratorium and give subsidized, targeted and also some collateral free loans but through banks. The PM said, “The expert group that we put together has completed their work on how best to use the ESP to stimulate our economy. We will need to discuss it in the cabinet. I am yet to receive the report.” He said people can expect a range of interventions to stimulate the economy including changes on policies that affect doing business and Foreign Direct Investment which is one part of it. Click here to read… [7]

Maldives

Foreign observers impressed with election arrangements – Sun International

Foreign observers have praised the voting arrangements made by the Elections Commission (EC) for this year's parliamentary election. A total of 19 international observers from nine different countries visited the Maldives to observe the election for the 20th parliament assembly. The observer groups consisted of elections commissioners and chief elections commissioners of the foreign countries. The chair of the foreign observer’s team spoke with the local media, noting they monitored the elections by splitting the team into four groups. Click here to read… [8]

Foreign countries will now understand where Maldivians stand: Muizzu – Adhadhu

The international community will now understand where Maldivians stand after the ruling People's National Congress (PNC)'s consecutive victories in the presidential and parliamentary elections, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said on April 22. Speaking during a rally at the artificial beach in Male', Muizzu said Maldivians want to be free of foreign influence and to control how we will run our Maldivian state. "To everyone outside of Maldives. To everyone in the international community. It must be clear now. That we want to decide our own matters by ourselves," he said. Click here to read… [9]

Myanmar

Prospects Brighten: State economy set to thrive, currency value to surge in post-sanctions and trade challenges- GNLM

The Union government meeting 4/2024 took place at the SAC Chairman Office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning, with an address by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. In his speech, the Senior General revealed that the government is striving to foster peace and stability with the rule of law, managing fair prices of foodstuffs and personal goods and ensuring the country’s strong currency value. Click here to read… [10]

Three civilians killed in junta airstrikes near Sagaing Region’s border with India-Myanmar Now

The junta bombed the town of Khampat in Sagaing Region (which is under the control of the publicly mandated National Unity Government (NUG) and located in Tamu Township near the Indian border) early on Monday morning, as well as villages in Kalay Township around 15 miles south, killing three people and injuring several more, according to local sources. Click here to read… [11]

Nepal

Five MoUs to be signed during Qatar emir’s visit-The Kathmandu Post

Kathmandu is all set to welcome the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on Tuesday with the government announcing a public holiday. Many social media users have criticised the government decision to declare a holiday as unnecessary. The government has, however, defended its decision. A senior official at the Ministry of Home Affairs said such a holiday is in line with a tradition Nepal has been observing for several years. Click here to read… [12]

Pakistan

Nawaz Sharif heads to China for low-key visit-Dawn

PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif on Monday left for China on a ‘low-profile’ five-day visit, with the ruling party refusing to divulge details about the nature of his trip. PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurang¬zeb and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar did not confirm the elder Sharif’s “unannounced visit” to Beijing. Click here to read… [13]

PM office bonuses raise IMF concerns-The Express Tribune

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has questioned Pakistan’s decision to grant financial rewards to all the officers of the Prime Minister’s office and approval of Rs24 billion in supplementary grants amid the economic crisis. The government sources told The Express Tribune that the global lender raised questions in a correspondence with the Ministry of Finance. Click here to read… [14]

Sri Lanka

National consumer prices soften in March – Daily Mirror

The consumer prices measured by the broader National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) continued to soften in March, as the non-food prices cooled sharply while the food prices remained unchanged from a year ago. Click here to read… [15]

Iranian President to visit Sri Lanka on April 24 – Daily Mirror

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Ebrahim Raisi is scheduled to make an official bilateral visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to jointly declare open the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project on April 24, The Foreign Affairs Ministry said. Click here to read… [16]

Boost for tourism with Shree Ramayan Trails launch – Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is anticipated to receive a boost from Indian pilgrims with the official launch of the Shree Ramayan Trails project. Click here to read… [17]