VIF Neighbourhood News Digest: September 3, 2020

PAKISTAN

PM orders release of women in jail on flimsy grounds: DAWN

In light of the Supreme Court’s (SC) orders, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday directed the relevant authorities to make arrangements for the early release of female prisoners — both under-trial and convicted. According to the Prime Minister Office (PMO), Mr Khan announced the decision at a meeting and later in his tweets. Click here to read... [2]

AFGHANISTAN

Nuristani Sentenced to 6 Months of Home Confinement in US: TOLO News

Former Afghan politician Ahmad Yusuf Nuristani was sentenced to three years of probation and six months of home confinement after he “pleaded guilty to theft of public money, admitting he received over $100,000 in government benefits,” said Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) in a statement on Wednesday. Click here to read... [3]

BANGLADESH

Cabinet body okays LNG import from international spot market: Dhaka Tribune

The Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase on Wednesday approved 10 procurement proposals including one to import of 3.490 million British thermal unit (mmbtu) of liquified natural gas (LNG) from international open spot market. Briefing about the outcomes of the committee meeting, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, who presided over the meeting, told reporters that buying LNG from international spot market will cost Tk132.93 crore. Click here to read... [4]

NEPAL

Experts paint a bleak picture of the economy as the pandemic hits harder: The Kathmandu Post

In normal times, the country's commercial banks would be busy issuing loans right and left at the start of every new fiscal year. In mid-July, lenders would be bracing for a hectic season. “That is the time importers seek loans for importing goods targeting the Dashain and Tihar festivals,” said Gunakar Bhatta, spokesperson for Nepal Rastra Bank. “But the report I have received shows that banks have been hardly issuing loans since the fiscal year started.” Click here to read... [5]

SRI LANKA

Army Chief warns, COVID-19 threat remains: Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka's Army Chief, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva yesterday warned that the threat of COVID-19 remained as long as other countries faced the pandemic and expressed disappointment that a majority of people in Sri Lanka had begun to defy the health guidelines. Silva told Daily Mirror that the government had accelerated its repatriation programme, and a large number of COVID-19 patients detected, were from among those repatriated. Click here to read... [6]