VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: 12th December, 2018

PAKISTAN
Pakistan rejects 'politically motivated' listing as violator of religious freedoms by US: Dawn

December 12, 2018

As Washington announced that Islamabad had been added to a list of violators of religious freedoms, Pakistan on Wednesday rejected the "unilateral and politically motivated pronouncement", and suggested the US introspect over the "exponential rise" of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in America. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had on Tuesday said that Pakistan was joining Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, North Korea, Burma, Eritrea, Sudan and Tajikistan on a list of countries that have "engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom".Click here to read.. [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Govt Announces High Advisory Board For Peace: Tolo

December 12, 2018

The Afghan government on Tuesday announced the establishment of the high advisory board for peace and the peace negotiating team of government aimed at creating a national consensus for brokering purposeful peace talks with the Taliban, a statement by the National Security Council reads. In a decree issued by President Ashraf Ghani, it was stated that the creation of the high advisory board for peace and the peace negotiating team is aimed to create consensus at a national level for promoting lasting peace through consultations and discussions with Afghanistan’s former Jihadi leaders as well as political and social elites, including representatives from various segments of society. Click here to read.. [3]

NEPAL

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath arrives in Janakpur: Kathmandu Post

December 12, 2018

Chief Minister of the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath arrived in Janakpur to attend Bibaha Panchami, a special Hindu religious event, on Wednesday. A private plane carrying the team of Yogi landed in Janakpur. Federal Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari and Province 2 Chief Minister Lal Babu Raut welcomed Adityanath in the historic town. Click here to read.. [4]

BANGLADESH

Nearly 100 injured in Bangladesh poll campaign violence: Channel News Asia

December 12, 2018

Bangladesh's election campaign turned violent Tuesday (Dec 11) with scores injured at political rallies across the country, as police fired pellet guns into crowds and stick-wielding mobs attacked rival candidates. Police told AFP clashes broke out in at least seven major towns on just the second day of campaigning, injuring nearly 100 people who turned out to cheer the two major parties contesting the Dec 30 poll. Click here to read.. [5]

CHINA

China issues white paper on human rights progress over 40 years of reform, opening up: Xinhuanet

December 12, 2018

China on Wednesday issued a white paper on progress in human rights since its reform and opening up drive. The white paper, titled "Progress in Human Rights over the 40 Years of Reform and Opening Up in China," said reform and opening up has helped liberate and develop social productive forces, opened up a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and ushered in a new chapter in the development of human rightsClick here to read.. [6]