VIF Neighborhood News Digest: December 24, 2019

PAKISTAN

Government hints at challenging Musharraf conviction: Dawn
December 24, 2019

Promi­nent lawyer and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Babar Awan on Monday claimed that the government was examining the option of challenging the conviction of former president Pervez Musharraf. He told a press conference that if it deemed appropriate, the government could file an appeal while the convict could also challenge the decision of the special court. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Wells: Future Afghan President Must Form Diverse Negotiating Team: Tolo
December 24, 2019

Alice Wells, the US principal deputy assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, thanked the Afghan Independent Election Council for its “work under challenging circumstances” and said that “concrete steps” must be taken “early” to form an inclusive negotiating team by Afghanistan’s government—“whomever that is.” Presumably, Wells was referring to the imminent intra-Afghan negotiations, which are being discussed in the US-Taliban talks in Doha. Click here to read... [3]

BANGLADESH

Cabinet reshuffle likely in January: Dhaka Tribune
December 24, 2019

A reshuffle in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s cabinet is likely to take place as soon as January, government high-ups have said. The prime minister is now assessing the performances of all the cabinet members during the first year of the current government to this end, they added. “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already discussed this issue with President Abdul Hamid,” a top official from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) told Dhaka Tribune, requesting not to be named. “The cabinet reshuffle was scheduled a day or two before the Awami League National Council, but was put on hold. It is most likely to take place during the first week of January.” Click here to read... [4]

MYANMAR

Officials reassure business over controversial draft trade law: Myanmar Times
December 24, 2019

Myanmar’s heavily criticized draft trade law will not burden companies with another layer of bureaucracy and may be amended before submitting to the cabinet and then parliament, according to senior officials. Trade Department Director-General U Minn Minn told The Myanmar Times in Nay Pyi Taw that the legislation was still in the consultation process and would be referred to the Attorney General within four months, by mid-April and the Myanmar New Year. Lawyers for the World Bank and Germany’s development agency GIZ were involved in the process, he said. Click here to read... [5]

SRI LANKA

President should intervene to eliminate monopoly of rice market: MP Sunil Handunnetti: Daily Mirror
December 24, 2019

Legal action should be taken against the two main millers, who were key members of the rice mafia, Parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetti said at a media conference. He said a situation had been created to penalize rice retailers and to take them to courts claiming that these sellers had violated the regulations of price control and prosecuted them at a court of law. He said that the prevailing rice shortage was created artificially and manipulated one. Click here to read... [6]

NEPAL

A month after Nepal’s diplomatic note on Kalapani issue, India finally responds: The Kathmandu Post
December 24, 2019

New Delhi has finally responded to a diplomatic note sent by Nepal on November 20 protesting the placement of Kalapani within Indian borders in its new political map. Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali confirmed to the Post that Nepal had received a response from India, but declined to provide details. “I can confirm that we have received the letter, but I have yet to go through it,” Gyawali told the Post. Click here to read... [7]

BHUTAN

High NPL in tourism and service incurs Nu 2.5B loss to FIs: Kuenselonline
December 24, 2019

The financial sector in the country has suffered a loss of Nu 2.54B in September this year due to increased interest expense and non-performing loans (NPL). In March this year, both banks and non-banks incurred a loss of Nu 1.19B for the same reasons. The loss in June this year was recorded at Nu 1.49B. This is according to the financial sector performance review of the central bank, which also reveals service and tourism sector as the highest defaulter. Click here to read... [8]

CHINA

Commentary: Asia's prosperous future needs closer China-Japan-South Korea cooperation: Xinhuanet
December 24, 2019

In the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the leaders of China, Japan and South Korea initiated their trilateral cooperation 20 years ago to overcome difficulties and plan for common development. Click here to read... [9]

Consensus urged for new era relations: China Daily
December 24, 2019

President Xi Jinping underlined on Monday the need for China and Japan to implement their political consensus that they "treat each other as cooperative partners instead of threats" in developing bilateral ties. Click here to read... [10]