VIF Neighborhood News Digest: February 12, 2020

PAKISTAN

PM reaches across divide for advice on economy: Dawn
February 12, 2020

As the government grapples with the question of raising additional revenue amid a sharply slowing economy, it has turned to a former PML-N senator, Haroon Akhtar Khan, for assistance in meeting what increasingly appears to be an impossible revenue target.
Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Pompeo Makes Calls to Ghani, Abdullah about 'Progress' in Talks: Tolo
February 12, 2020

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday in separate phone conversations with President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah informed both leaders of "progress" in the US-Taliban talks. President Ghani tweeted about his conversation, and Abdullah's office issued a statement.
Click here to read... [3]

BANGLADESH

FM: No further step to bring back Bangladeshis from China now: Dhaka Tribune
February 12, 2020

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said that the government will not take any more initiative to bring that the Bangladeshi nationals stuck in China amid the coronavirus outbreak. "With an increase in the intensity of the coronavirus situation, no Bangladeshi will be brought back from China right now. However, the government will take the next step if anyone comes back on their own," he said.
Click here to read... [4]

MYANMAR

Myanmar to acquire medical kits to test for coronavirus: Myanmar Times
February 12, 2020

Myanmar will soon have medical kits to test for new coronavirus, a disease that has killed over 1000 people, mostly in China, the Health Ministry said on Monday. “By the 20th or the 21st of this month, we will be able to test and verify the virus in our own facilities,” Health Minister U Myint Htwe told parliament on Thursday in reply to a question from legislators about the government’s efforts to contain the disease, which has infected over 42,000 people, mostly in China. Click here to read... [5]

NEPAL

After attempts to set up an all-powerful intelligence department, the government mulls a similar structure under Army: The Kathmandu Post
February 12, 2020

About two months after tabling the Nepal Special Service Bill, which allows the National Intelligence Department to surveil citizens, the KP Sharma Oli administration has now drafted a bill that will allow the Nepal Army to form a similar intelligence department. Click here to read... [6]

BHUTAN

MPs’ failure to attend committee meeting hamper Parliament: Kuenselonline
February 12, 2020

Members’ failure to attend a committee meeting recently led to the National Assembly passing Section 9 of the Property Tax Bill 2020, which pertains to exemption of the property transfer tax within the family, without a proper discussion. The Speaker on February 7 had directed the good governance committee to discuss issues related to the Section and propose recommendations to the House. Click here to read... [7]

Sri Lanka

I’ll be stepping down as Speaker with a clear conscience: Karu: Daily Mirror
February 12, 2020

I have never purchased an official vehicle using public funds and wore a wig used by past Speakers during my 5-year tenure as Parliament Speaker, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said. He said he was leaving Parliament, likely to be dissolved in early March, with a contended mind as he had not misappropriated a single rupee of public money nor misused his powers as Speaker. Click here to read... [8]

CHINA

Commentary: Coronavirus outbreak won't shake China's economic fundamentals: Xinhuanet
February 12, 2020

President Xi Jinping's comments on the Chinese economy have boosted confidence that the world's second-largest economy will come through the novel coronavirus epidemic with great resilience, potential and leeway. Click here to read... [9]

Commentary: Epidemic cannot stop China’s contribution to global economy: People's Daily
February 12, 2020

China is currently racing against time in the battle against the novel coronavirus. To properly prevent and control the virus has a direct bearing on the safety and health of the Chinese people, the stability of China’s economy and society, as well as the country’s opening up. Click here to read... [10]