VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: 25th January, 2019

PAKISTAN

No panic over IMF bailout package: Asad: Dawn
January 25, 2019

Finance Min­i­ster Asad Umar on Thu­r­sday said there was no panic in Pakistan over a bailout package from the Inter­na­tional Monetary Fund (IMF) and the country would neither go down on its knees and surrender before anybody nor would it take dictation for economic support. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

US, Taliban Reportedly Agree On Some Issues As Talks Continue: Tolo News
January 25, 2019

The US and the Taliban have reportedly inched closer towards sealing an agreement on some key issues, sources familiar with the Qatar talks said. This comes after the US and Taliban talks continued for the fourth day Thursday, despite having been scheduled for only two days. The discussions have reportedly focused on issues including a timetable for the withdrawal of US forces and a ceasefire. Close sources to the Taliban have also said that the Taliban will not allow any group to stage attacks against other nations from Afghan territory. Click here to read... [3]

NEPAL

International community builds pressure on transitional justice: Kathmandu Post
January 25, 2019

Weeks before the expiration of the mandates of the two transitional justice bodies, the international community working in Nepal, including the United Nations, has asked the government to clarify its plans to take the transitional justice process forward in 2019 and ensure broader consultation with the stakeholders. While welcoming the country’s efforts to bring the peace process to a conclusion by moving forward with a comprehensive and credible transitional justice process, nine foreign embassies, at the initiative of the UN, said in a press statement on Thursday that “without broad public trust in the process, Nepal will not be able to bring closure to the wounds and grievances that persist from the conflict era, nor be able to complete the peace process.” Click here to read... [4]

CHINA

Beijing tells cadres to ‘prepare for the worst’ amid uncertainties of its high-stakes trade war with the US: South China Morning Post
January 25, 2019

The Communist Party wrapped up a four-day study session on risk controls on Thursday, an event analysts said underlined the leadership’s deep concern about growing external volatility and uncertainty amid its high-stakes trade war with the United States. Click here to read... [5]

Full text of Chinese vice president's speech at 2019 WEF annual meeting: Xinhuanet
January 24, 2019

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan on Wednesday delivered a speech at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum. Click here to read... [6]