Political issues should be resolved with sagacity: President
The Nation | 19th May
President Dr Arif Alvi has said political issues should be resolved with sagacity and patience so as to focus on economic problems facing the nation.
In an interview with a private news channel, he said political instability is creating problems for Pakistan.
The President said action should be taken against the miscreants involved in the incidents of 9th May.
To a question, Dr Arif Alvi said he is in support of the Pakistan Army, democratic forces and the people of Pakistan.
$717 Million Needed to Provide Life-Saving Aid to Afghans: UN
The Khaama Press | 19th May
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that Afghans will face unprecedentedly high levels of challenges including food insecurity, lack of water, diseases and natural disasters in the coming months.
UN OCHA in a tweet said that the organization needs roughly $717.4 until June 2023, to provide essential aid to vulnerable families across Afghanistan.
OCHA states that $450 million of the total fund will be spent on providing food ..
The EU and Expertise France to support Sri Lanka on its Green Economic Recovery
Colombo Page | 15th May
The European Union and Expertise France signed an agreement to set up a Green Policy Dialogue Facility (GPDF) and support Sri Lanka’s ambition in developing a green and circular economy and ensuring its long-term macro-economic stability.
In response to the pressing global environmental challenges and current economic and financial crisis in Sri Lanka, the European Union (EU) and its Team Europe partners will shortly launch the Green Policy Dialogue Facility (GPDF), the EU said in a statement.
PAKISTAN
Imran Khan fears arrest, says ‘police have surrounded my house’
The News | 17th May
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan Wednesday revealed that the police have surrounded his Zaman Park residence in Lahore and feared that he might be arrested again.
Taking to Twitter, the PTI chairman said: “Probably my last tweet before my next arrest. Police has [sic] surrounded my house.”
Khan was arrested on May 9 — the day when the country witnessed deadly protests — in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case, but a court later granted him bail.
Pakistan committed to IP project, says FO
The Express Tribune | 19th May
The Foreign Office has said that Pakistan is committed to complete the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project as it considers it an important project that symbolises friendship between the two countries.
Speaking at the weekly news briefing on Thursday, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said there were some issues regarding the completion of the project for which both countries were engaged in talks.
“We will continue to discuss with Iran all aspects of the completion of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline,” she added.
Pakistan, Iran open new chapter in relations
The Nation | 19th May
PM Shehbaz Sharif, President Ebrahim Raisi inaugurate border market, electricity transmission line n Shehbaz Sharif says Islamabad, Tehran to finalise free trade agreement soon n President Raisi calls for resolution of regional disputes through dialogue n Says Iran desires to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in energy sector.
PAK-IRAN BORDER – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Thursday inaugurated the first border market as relations warm between the two countries. Both the leaders also inaugurated an electricity transmission line, which will provide some of Pakistan’s remote regions with Iranian electricity.
SRI LANKA
Canada locks horns with Sri Lanka after Trudeau’s statement
Daily Mirror | 19th May
Hot on the heels of the 14th anniversary of the war victory,Sri Lanka is heading for a diplomatic battle with Canada once again after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a statement yesterday in recognition of what is called ‘Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, the day when the war ended in Sri Lanka 14 years ago .
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said Sri Lanka denounces the statement which he cited unhelpful to the reconciliation process locally.
Dengue already at epidemic level
The Island | 19th May
Sri Lanka was facing a major dengue outbreak with the number of cases already reaching epidemic levels, Senior Consultant Physician at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama told the media on Thursday.
Dr. Wijewickrama said that according to the Epidemiology Unit, the total number of cases reported for 2023 had risen to 34,527. Nearly 50% of them were from the Western Province, with Gampaha, Colombo, and Kalutara reporting the highest number of cases, he said.
Dr. Wijewickrama warned that the worst was yet to come. The number of patients is likely to increase in June and July, and that Sri Lanka was already experiencing an epidemic.
AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan appoints Maulvi Kabir as acting PM
Afghanistan Times | 17th May
Afghanistan rulers appointed Maulvi Abdul Kabir as the acting Prime Minister on Wednesday after reports surfaced that the Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund has fallen ill.
Afghanistan media said that Maulvi Kabir will now serve as the head of government until Akhundzada recovers.
the authorities are yet to reveal any details related to Akhundzada’s illness.
Maulvi Kabir, previously served as the governor of Nangarhar province during the Taliban’s former rule from 1996 to 2001.
CPEC Will Connect Afghanistan with Region and EU: MoFA
TOLO News | 17th May
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said that the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor will connect Afghanistan to the region and European countries.
The deputy spokesman for MoFA, Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, said there is a need for the implementation of major economic projects in Afghanistan.
“The Islamic Emirate will be able to connect with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Islamic Emirate will be able to attract investment via this project to Afghanistan and here.
BANGLADESH
Govt emphasises private sector, innovations for power sector modernisation
Prothom Alo | 19th May
State minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid on Thursday said the government emphasised innovative initiatives for modernisation of the power sector, BSS reports.
“Special initiatives have been taken to promote renewable energy. Approval and acquisition of 2000 MW of power generation from renewable sources by 2024 is underway,” he said.
Nasrul Hamid made the remarks while addressing a closing ceremony as the chief guest of the workshop titled “Systematic identification and access to land for renewable energy in Bangladesh” at Intercontinental Hotel in the city.
Jute, jute goods export earn $1.2b in FY22
Bangladesh Post | 18th May
Bangladesh earns $1.2 billion from export of jute and jute goods in the last fiscal year while the jute sector contributes 1.4 percent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Jute contributes 1.4 percent to GDP and 26 percent to agriculture, which means jute contributes about eight billion to total GDP,” Director General of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) DrMd Abdul Awal told a workshop in Dhaka, an official release said.
The BJRI organized the workshop on “Progress, obstacle and doings of jute sector” aiming to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute MdRuhul Amin Talukdar and senior officials of BJRI, among others, were present at the workshop.
Dhaka’s air 2nd most polluted in the world Friday morning
Dhaka Tribune | 19th May
Dhaka city’s air has been ranked the second most polluted in the world on Friday morning.
With an air quality index (AQI) score of 166 at 9am, Dhaka’s air is deemed “unhealthy”.
India’s Delhi and Pakistan’s Lahore occupied the first, and third spots, with AQI scores of 169 and 161.
An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered “unhealthy” while between 201–300 is ‘’very unhealthy”, and 301–400 is “hazardous”, posing severe health risks to residents.
The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them.
BHUTAN
Singapore, Bhutan forge collaboration on carbon reduction efforts
Kuensel | 19th May
Singapore and Bhutan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on carbon collaboration under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement marking a milestone in bilateral relations between the two nations.
Singapore Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Loknath Sharma signed the MoU at a simple ceremony in Thimphu yesterday.
The collaboration aims to raise environmental ambition, build capacity and climate resilience while contributing to global efforts in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
SCCI – A giant leap in Bhutan’s fight against NCDs
Business Bhutan | 16th May
Beginning 2018, people in four districts of the country, Zhemgang, Tsirang, Punakha and Wangduephodrang, could access health facilities without worrying about the expenses incurred, for transportation and others. They could get vital drugs at their convenience. Patients no longer needed to travel to a district or regional hospital to get some of their medication.
This happened after Bhutan’s health system adopted and launched the Service with Care and Compassion Initiative (SCCI) in four dzongkhags (districts) in 2018. However, it has now been expanded to cover all districts in the country.
MALDIVES
President Solih: Maldives-UAE relations based upon shared Islamic values
Sun | 17th May
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Wednesday, remarked that Maldives’ long-standing bilateral relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is based upon shared Islamic values and cultural links.
He made the remark during a meeting with UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri on Wednesday morning at the President’s Office.
FM Shahid concludes visit to attend Munich Leader’s Meeting in Japan
Raajje | 19th May
Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has ended his official visit to Japan.
The Maldivian foreign minister touched down in Tokyo on Monday. He concluded his visit on Thursday.
FM Shahid participated in the Munich Leader’s Meeting held from May 14 – 16 in Tokyo, as part of his official visit.
Further, he also participated in a roundtable discussion on international and regional peace and security
MYANMAR
Myanmar Junta Imports $1 Billion in Weapons Since Coup: Report
The Irrawaddy | 19th May
he Myanmar military junta has imported at least US$1 billion worth of weapons and related materials from Russia, China and other countries in less than two years, according to a new UN report.
“Despite overwhelming evidence of the Myanmar military’s atrocity crimes against the people of Myanmar, the generals continue to have access to advanced weapons systems, spare parts for fighter jets, raw materials and manufacturing equipment for domestic weapons production,” Tom Andrews, the UN independent investigator on human rights in Myanmar, said in a press release.
UN agencies still denied access to cyclone-hit areas, hindering assessment and aid efforts
Myanmar Now | 18th May
Myanmar’s military junta continues to deny United Nations agencies access to areas hit by Cyclone Mocha, blocking their efforts to make needs assessments and deliver aid to survivors.
Hundreds are still missing four days after the storm slammed into the Rakhine State coast at speeds of up to 130 miles per hour on Sunday, tearing down houses, communication towers and bridges. Many are feared dead.
NEPAL
Russia ready to aid Nepal’s quest for development
The Himalayan Times | 18th May
The Russian Federation has said it attaches great importance to its relationship with Nepal and wants to further bolster it for the broader benefit of both countries.
An official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia said the relationship between Russia and Nepal, which had been moving forward seamlessly for more than six decades, would not be disturbed by trivial matters and minor irritants.
Despite the trying times back home since February 24 last year, Russian envoy to Nepal Aleksei Novikov generously hosted a trip to Moscow and St Petersburg.
Law amendment aims to drop conflict-era cases, human rights commission claims
The Kathmandu Post | 18th May
The government’s preparations to amend the Criminal Procedure Code is aimed at withdrawing the insurgency-era cases of atrocities, the National Human Rights Commission said on Wednesday.
The Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government on May 10 registered a bill at the Parliament Secretariat to amend the code so as to clear the hurdles to withdrawing insurgency-era cases of “political nature”.
20 Maoist Centre leaders head off to China ‘for experience exchange’
Onlinekhabar | 19th May
As many as 20 central leaders of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led CPN-Maoist Centre party left Kathmandu on Friday morning for a 10-day China visit.
The team led by the party’s vice chairperson Agni Prasad Sapkota is visiting the northern neighbour “for exchanging experiences”, says GP Mainali, a member of the team.
Key leaders included in the team are the party’s secretaries Hit Man Shakya, Ganesh Sah and Dilaram Acharya. Likewise, chairpersons of the party’s provincial committees are also included in the team.
Major communist parties in Nepal are considered close to the Chinese Communist Party. Just recently, the main opposition party CPN-UML also completed a similar visit.
