VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: July 9, 2020

PAKISTAN

Imran calls for global strategy to help workers amid pandemic: DAWN

Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged the international community to devise a joint strategy to support workers and lessen the impact of novel coronavirus on the most vulnerable labour community across the world. “The most vulnerable section of society is labourers. We need a joint strategy to support labourers,” the prime minister said while addressing a virtual Global Summit on ‘Covid-19 and the World of Work’, organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Ghani: 'Afghan People Will Have Final Say on Peace Process': TOLO News

President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday said that the Afghan government has the responsibility to merge the Taliban into the structure of the political system; however, it is only the Afghan people who have the right to decide the final fate of the peace process. Ghani made the statement on Wednesday during a trip to the northern Afghan province of Kapisa to assess the overall security situation in the north. Ghani said that he will not surrender to force, but will be ready to work for peace where there is no violence. Click here to read.... [3]

BANGLADESH

Labour Ministry donates Tk84cr for RMG workers: Dhaka Tribune

State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian said that the ministry has donated Tk84 crore for the welfare of garments industry workers from its central fund. The state minister came up with the remarks in a meeting of central fund at the Ministry on Tuesday, according to a press release issued on Wednesday. “So far, the ministry provided TK83.71 crore to the welfare of RMG workers and the central fund received around Tk224.12 crore since July 2016,” she said. Click here to read.... [4]

MYANMAR

Myanmar to expedite India-backed infra projects: The Economic Times

Myanmar has decided to expedite India-backed infrastructure projects and widen security ties with India as it seeks to balance China's expanding presence in the country in the backdrop of Beijing's active cross-border support for rebel groups and push for early completion of BRI projects. Click here to read.... [5]

NEPAL

Talks remain deadlocked as party chairs fail to find common ground despite six meetings: The Kathmandu Post

Despite agreeing to resume the Standing Committee meeting on Wednesday and declaring a ‘ceasefire’, both factions in the Nepal Communist Party appeared to have gone back to locking horns. There were sporadic demonstrations across the country on Wednesday in support of Prime Minister and party chair KP Sharma Oli, despite an agreement with co-chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal not to direct any street protests. Oli and Dahal, on Tuesday, had also agreed to resume the ongoing Standing Committee meeting on Wednesday but the meeting was postponed till Friday. Click here to read.... [6]

SRI LANKA

PM tells Indian counterpart: ’Unable to lease out Mattala Airport’: Daily Mirror

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said he ruled out the possibility of leasing out the Mattala International Airport to India when he visited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier. He said this while addressing a recent election rally. “The Mattala Airport is located in my home district. I cannot lease it out. I told this to the Indian Prime Minister when I met him,” he said. The airport was constructed during the 2010/2015 government, led by Mr. Rajapaksa when he was the President, with US$ 210 million Chinese loan. The previous government planned to develop the airport as a joint venture with India. Click here to read.... [7]