VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: July 23, 2020

PAKISTAN

In rare call to Hasina, Imran urges closer ties with BD: DAWN

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday expressed his desire for “closer and fraternal” relations with Bangladesh. Mr Khan, in what was his first telephone conversation with his Bangladesh counterpart Hasina Wajed, said: “Pakistan is committed to deepening fraternal relations with Bangladesh on the basis of mutual trust, mutual respect and sovereign equality.” Click here to read.... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Khalilzad Condemns Airstrike in Herat: TOLO News

The US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad tweeted on Thursday morning that the last 24 hours have been "very violent" with “many losing their lives.” Khalilzad condemned the Afghan airstrike in Herat, saying photos and eyewitness accounts suggest "many civilians including children" were killed. “The Afghan people want an immediate start of peace negotiations and a settlement that is in their best interest. More graves will not bring negotiations forward,” Khalilzad said, saying: “We urge all sides to contain the violence, protect civilians, and show necessary restraint as the start of intra-Afghan negotiations is so close.” Click here to read.... [3]

BANGLADESH

PM opens country’s largest rehab scheme in Cox’s Bazar: Dhaka Tribune

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated the country’s largest rehabilitation project in Cox’s Bazar, which will make new abode for 4,409 families of climate refugees. The prime minister opened the landmark ‘Khurushkul Ashrayan Prokalpa’ in Khurushkul area on the outskirts of the southeastern beach town of Cox’s Bazar through a videoconference from her official Ganabhaban residence on Thursday morning. Click here to read.... [4]

NEPAL

Government decision to open tourism takes the sector by surprise: The Kathmandu Post

Tuesday’s government announcement ending the four-month-long lockdown to, among other things, kickstart the tourism economy has taken tourism entrepreneurs by surprise. “It all happened rather more swiftly than we had anticipated,” said Yogendra Shakya, who owns hotels around the country. Making public Monday’s Cabinet decision, Minister of Communication and Information Technology Yubaraj Khatiwada, who is also the government spokesperson, said on Tuesday, “The objective of the decision is not to hamper the upcoming tourist season in autumn.” Click here to read.... [5]

SRI LANKA

US Federal Reserve proposal dangerous: Harsha: Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka should not put its foreign reserves in danger just to raise international loans, former Minister and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Dr. Harsha de Silva said yesterday. Dr. de Silva told a press conference that Federal Reserve of USA had proposed that Sri Lanka uses the funds it had invested in US Treasury Bills which is considered as part of its reserves as a collateral to obtain a loan. Click here to read.... [6]