VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: 22nd November, 2018

PAKISTAN

PM Khan unveils 4-pronged strategy to pull nation out of 'quagmire of loans': Dawn

November 22, 2018

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday unveiled his government's four-pronged strategy to pull Pakistan out of its "quagmire of loans". The prime minister, while addressing the Pakistani community in Malaysia where he is currently on a two-day official visit, said that the government was committed to uplift the living standard of poor and downtrodden segments of society by improving governance and ending corruption. The premier said that the PTI-government was working on four areas on priority basis.Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Peace Negotiating Team to Be Finalized Before Geneva Summit: HPC

November 22, 2018

The High Peace Council (HPC) on Wednesday said that all necessary arrangements for the establishment of a peace negotiating team have been completed and that it will be finalized before the upcoming Geneva Conference on Afghanistan. All necessary arrangements have been made on behalf of the government and the political parties to create the peace negotiating team and the plan will be finalized before the Geneva Conference, said the HPC. Meanwhile, the CEO Abdullah Abdullah has warned against compromising the gains made by the country over the past seventeen years in the peace talks. “At this stage we appreciate the efforts made by the US envoy and his team in mediating between Taliban and the Afghan government representatives. At the same time, our people have made big sacrifices for the achievements that I mentioned before including certain freedoms and liberties and their rights.Click here to read... [3]

NEPAL

PM Oli begins evaluation of his own government: Kathmandu Post

November 22, 2018

In an unprecedented move, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has begun a performance evaluation of his own government starting Wednesday, calling a special meeting of ministers and secretaries following continuous criticism of his administration to deliver on the promises made since coming into office.

Officials familiar with the process said the evaluation could continue until Friday, and would give the prime minister room to weigh the work of his ministers who are under serious scrutiny for poor performance, alleged financial irregularities, and accusations of being behind the administration’s growing unpopularity. During the meeting on Wednesday, a sombre Oli, according to a secretary present at the meeting, said that the work culture has not changed at the top level and that he does not want to hear any “ifs” and “buts” from Cabinet members.Click here to read... [4]

SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka mass graves: 230 skeletons found at country's largest site: BBC

November 22, 2018

Sri Lankan experts say a mass grave found earlier this year in the north-western town of Mannar has turned out to be the country's biggest such site. More than 230 skeletons have now been found at the grave in the former war zone, up from about 90 in August. Human rights groups say at least 20,000 people disappeared during Sri Lanka's long civil war which ended in 2009. The 26-year war between troops and separatist Tamil rebels left at least 100,000 people dead. A court ordered detailed excavations at the site - a former co-operative depot near the main bus terminus - after human remains were found by workers digging foundations for a new building earlier this year.Click here to read... [5]

CHINA

Spotlight: Xi's Asia-Pacific trip to boost open cooperation, inclusive growth: Xinhuanet

November 21, 2018

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday concluded a seven-day Asia-Pacific trip with reaffirmed Chinese commitment to open and inclusive cooperation, common development as well as a friendly neighborhood. From Nov. 15 to 21, Xi attended the 26th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, paid state visits to Papua New Guinea (PNG), Brunei and the Philippines and met with leaders of the Pacific island countries that have diplomatic ties with China during his stay in PNG.Click here to read... [6]