VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: June 15, 2020

PAKISTAN

FM advises Delhi to focus on domestic issues: DAWN

While Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi advised the Modi-led government on Sunday to focus on its domestic issues rather than behaving like an “expansionist nation”, the Foreign Office strongly condemned and categorically rejected Indian defence minister’s remarks about the situation in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

4 Public Uprising Forces, 11 Taliban Killed in Kapisa: Official: TOLO News

At least four public uprising forces and 11 Taliban were killed in clashes in northeastern Kapisa province on Sunday night, said Mohammad Hussain Sanjini, head of of provincial council. The clashes took place in Tagab district after the Taliban attacked a security checkpoint of public uprising forces, he said, adding that “11 public uprising forces and 18 other Taliban were wounded. “The Taliban have taken 12 checkpoints after the attack and the clashes are still ongoing at the area,” he said. “The Taliban have also advanced to the center of the district.” Click here to read.... [3]

BANGLADESH

ADB supports rural road network expansion in Bangladesh: Dhaka Tribune

The additional funding will also supplement the government’s infrastructure spending to boost the local economy. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $100 million loan to expand the coverage of an ongoing rural road network improvement project in Bangladesh. The project will connect the rural population to agricultural development zones. Click here to read.... [4]

MYANMAR

Myanmar extends COVID-19 control measures, flight restrictions: Myanmar Times

While life in Yangon city appears to have returned to normal with the usual traffic congestion and reopening of restaurants and gyms, measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have nonetheless been further extended. International flight restrictions to and from Yangon International Airport have been further extended to June 30 from June 15, according to the Department of Civil Aviation.Click here to read.... [5]

NEPAL

Three youth protests in a week. Observers say government needs to take note: The Kathmandu Post

Three times last week, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, hundreds of young people took to the streets of major cities across the country. Wearing masks, holding placards and attempting to maintain physical distance, youths in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Banepa, Chitwan, Hetauda, Birgunj, Pokhara, Biratnagar, Mahottari, among other cities, gathered in large numbers to protest the government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here to read.... [6]

SRI LANKA

50,000 more Sri Lankans stranded overseas awaiting repatriation: Daily Mirror

Fifty thousand more Sri Lankan citizens stranded overseas are waiting to be repatriated while 8,000 have been brought back into the country since the COVID-19 virus spread in many countries including Sri Lanka since March, a senior official at the President’s Office told Daily Mirror yesterday. Click here to read.... [7]