Another crisis likely in Pakistan as President Alvi to ‘give poll date anytime soon’
The News | 11th September
The country is likely to plunge into chaos as President Arif Alvi is expected to announce the date for the general elections anytime soon, sources said on Monday, as the differences among the political circles on the timing of polls continue to grow.
The sources privy to the development also said that President Alvi met the interim law minister to discuss the matter of polls. However, the interim minister was of the view that the announcement of the election date is the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) prerogative.
However, sources within the Presidential Palace claimed that the idea of Dr Alvi’s likelihood of appointing a date is “wrong” as the deliberation on the matter of polls is still underway.
Afghan women thrive in entrepreneurship amid restrictions and challenges
The Khaama Press | 12th September
Despite the ban on girls’ education, Husna Raoufi, nearing the completion of her journalism and public communications studies at Kabul University, did not give up. She established a small tailoring workshop, offering 13 women and girls independent income opportunities.
Husna does not necessarily need the income from the workshop, but she must make her own decisions, work, and take responsibility for any mistakes she might make.
She believes in personal growth and independence, yet she is grateful for her family’s support as she navigates the trials and errors of individual development.
First Sri Lanka mega business and trade forum in UAE next month
Daily Mirror | 12th September
Registrations open till Sept. 22; Event from Oct. 25 to 29 in Ras Al Khaimah
The first ever mega Business & Trade Forum is to be held in UAE, and the Sri Lanka – RAK Business Forum & Trade Fair is to bring together over 25,000 of visitors per day consecutively for 5 days including institutional and high-net worth business delegates, buyers from the regions including Middle East & North Africa, Asia, South East Asia, Europe and Americas.
“This will be a key to kick starting new destination and business relations with Ras Al Khaimah and Sri Lanka, each one being one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in their respective regions, with abundant investment opportunities,” A.M. Jaufer, President – Chamber of Tourism & Industry (CTIS) said.
PAKISTAN
Caretaker govt plays down escalation in acts of terror
Dawn | 11th September
As Pakistan faces a surge in terrorist attacks, caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Sunday downplayed the increase in militancy, saying there was no need for alarm as “a little surge [in terrorism] is not so big as to make us panic”.
The statement by the interim minister came amid reports of almost daily skirmishes between the security forces and terrorists — the most recent being the infiltration attempt in Chitral in which over a dozen attackers were killed while several troops embraced martyrdom.
The Express Tribune | 12th September
As Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Atta Bandial is set to doff his robe, Supreme Court judges appear optimistic about the prospects of positive change within the institution following the appointment of his successor, Justice Qazi Faez Isa.
The hopeful sentiments were shared during an interaction with SC judges over refreshments after the start of the new judicial year. “On the very first working day, a message will be conveyed by the new CJP through his actions,” remarked the SC judge confidently.
Pak-Afghan tension intensifies amid border dispute
The Nation | 12th September
Tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan has intensified as Islamabad yesterday accused Kabul of breaching Pakistan’s sovereignty.
Diplomatic sources told The Nation that Pakistan had conveyed the message in this regard to Afghanistan besides issuing condemnations by the Foreign Office.
Pakistan has accused the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan of constructing illegal structures at a critical border crossing, asserting that it constitutes a breach of their territorial sovereignty.
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka records over 900 dengue patients in the last 10 days
Colombo Page | 11th September
According to the National Dengue Control Unit, over 900 dengue cases have been reported in the last 10 days of September.
According to the Government Information Department, as of Monday (Sept 11) 960 dengue cases have been reported in the month of September adding up to a total of 62,838 cases in the year so far, while 38 cases have been fatal.
Accountability central to Sri Lanka’s future – UN Human Rights report
The Island | 10th September
Sri Lanka suffers from a continuing accountability deficit – be it for war crime atrocities, more recent human rights violations, corruption, or abuse of power – which must be addressed for the country to move forward, according to a UN Human Rights Office report published on Wednesday.
“More than a year ago mass protests demanded better governance and an inclusive vision for Sri Lanka – in short, a renewal of the social contract. But the potential for a historic transformation that would address long-standing challenges is far from being realised,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
AFGHANISTAN
As tensions soar with Pakistan, Taliban condemn closure of Torkham crossing
Afghanistan Times | 11th September
The Taliban have strongly criticized the abrupt closure of Torkham border crossing as tensions are soaring amidst a streak of accusations and counter-accusations between Pakistani and Taliban governments. This is as fierce clashes along the border last week has sparked concerns of significant economic losses for businesses operating in the region.
The Torkham border crossing, a bustling trade route, was abruptly shut down on Wednesday due to escalating confrontations between Pakistani and Afghan Taliban forces, as reported by local officials.
Expressing their discontent, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Taliban administration stated, “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan deems the closure of Torkham gate and opening of fire on Afghan security forces by the Pakistani side contrary to good neighborliness.”
Afghanistan is the Fastest-Growing Maker of Methamphetamine: UN Drug Agency
TOLO News | 10th September
Afghanistan is the world’s fastest-growing maker of methamphetamine, a report from the United Nations drug agency said Sunday. The country is also a major opium producer and heroin source, even though the Taliban declared a war on narcotics after they returned to power in August 2021.
The United Nations’ Office on Drugs and Crimes, which published the report, said meth in Afghanistan is mostly made from legally available substances or extracted from the ephedra plant, which grows in the wild.
BANGLADESH
Dhaka, Paris sign two instruments
Prothom Alo | 11th September
Dhaka and Paris on Monday signed two bilateral instruments (agreements/MoU) to enhance cooperation in different fields including infrastructure and satellite, officials said.
The documents were inked in presence of prime minister Sheikh Hasina and French president Emmanuel Macron at Karobi Hall of the prime minister’s office in the city.
The instruments are:
1. A credit facility agreement between economic relations division (ERD), Bangladesh and the France development agency (AFD), France on ‘improving urban governance and infrastructure programme’.
Bangladesh-UK 5th Strategic Dialogue today
Bangladesh Post | 11th September
Bangladesh and the United Kingdom will hold the 5th Strategic Dialogue in Dhaka on Tuesday reflecting the two countries’ shared commitment to develop a modern economic, trade and security partnership.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and UK Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Sir Philip Barton will co-chair the dialogue.
UK’s Permanent Under-Secretary Sir Philip Barton arrived in Dhaka on Monday.
First hybrid rocket engine in Bangladesh tested successfully
Dhaka Tribune | 12th September
Amateur Experimental Rocketry Dhaka (AERD), a hybrid rocket propulsion research organization sponsored by Dr Anwarul Abedin Institute of Innovation (D2A2I) and American International University – Bangladesh (AIUB), has successfully tested the first hybrid rocket engine in Bangladesh at AIUB’s research facility.
After a day of preparation at a window after the pouring rain, the engine successfully ignited under the witness of AERD members, parents, as well as students from BRAC, NSU, and AIUB who attended as visitors, reads a press release.
BHUTAN
Bhutan achieves over 90% HPV vaccination coverage
Kuensel | 12th September
Bhutan’s ambition to eradicate cervical cancer in women by 2030 draws closer to realisation, with over 90 percent of HPV vaccinations administered to both girls and boys.
Bhutan committed to this cause in January 2019 during the 144th WHO Executive Board meeting. Since then, Bhutan has achieved significant milestones.
Currently, more than 90 percent of women have undergone HPV DNA screening through the Health Flagship Programme.
Bhutan Telecom to sign stringent service level agreement with BSNL
Business Bhutan | 11th September
In almost all articles written about Bhutan’s Third Internet Gateway, it was said that the gateway will become a reality soon. As per information from Bhutan Telecom Limited (BTL), the target to commission the 3rd International Internet Gateway (3IIG) is tentatively October, 2023.
Further, Bhutan Telecom Limited (BTL) would be signing a stringent service level agreement with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), which is a central public sector undertaking headquartered in New Delhi, India.
MALDIVES
President Solih’s letter to Mauritian PM leaked
The Edition | 11th September
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s letter to Mauritian Prime Minister addressing Maldives government’s decision to shift its stance to support Mauritius at the United Nations (UN) vote has been leaked on social media.
President’s Office Spokesperson Miuvaan Mohamed verified the authenticity of the letter, and said they were looking into how the document was leaked.
EU expresses concern over lightly regulated campaign finance framework
Sun | 11th September
The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), in their preliminary findings on the September 9th presidential elections, have expressed concern over the lightly regulated and poorly enforced campaign finance framework and the lack of transparency of candidates’ income and expenditure.
Chief Observer, Nacho Sánchez Amor, a member of the European Parliament from Spain, presented the findings during a press conference on Monday.
Maldives participates in the 54th session of UNHRC
Raajje | 12th September
The government of Maldives is participating in the 54th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
The 54th Session of the UNHRC commenced in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday.
It will proceed through October 13 and the delegation from Maldives will be delivering national statements under several agenda items, in accordance with the government’s key policies and priorities.
Further, the Maldives will be delivering two joint statements on behalf of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) based in Geneva, the first one to be presented during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on water and sanitation, will address the importance of access to clean water and sanitation for SIDS and highlight the challenges they face in ensuring these basic rights.
MYANMAR
Myanmar has been Running Out of Power Since the Coup: World Bank
The Irrawaddy | 8th September
Myanmar’s power sector has been in a downward spiral since the February 2021 coup and the prolonged electricity blackouts that have been a hallmark of military rule will likely worsen, according to a recent World Bank report and a former advisor to the Myanmar Ministry of Electricity and Energy.
Major cities, including Yangon, Mandalay, and Naypyitaw, are facing power outages while industrial zones across the country are bracing for crippling power cuts and surging fuel prices, according to the recent World Bank report “In The Dark: Power Sector Challenges in Myanmar.”
Myanmar Now | 11th September
Violations of basic rights in prisons nationwide are on the rise since an army officer was named by the junta as director-general of the country’s Prison Department two months ago, Myanmar Now has learned.
On July 12, Myo Swe, who is believed to have served at or above the rank of colonel, was appointed on a probationary basis to the department’s top position, which operates under the home affairs ministry. Some 20 other officers, all ranked as captains, were also assigned to positions at the lower, supervisory level at that time.
NEPAL
Visiting UML delegation takes up map issue with CPC leaders in Beijing
The Kathmandu Post | 12th September
The visiting delegation of the CPN-UML raised the map issue with the leaders of the Communist Party of China during a meeting in Beijing on Monday.
A high-level UML delegation led by the party’s General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel met with several CPC leaders as part of the exchange programme between the two Communist parties.
“China should support Nepal’s new map [unveiled in May 2020],” Rajesh Rai, who is also a part of the visiting delegation, quoted Pokhrel as saying during the meeting with Chinese leaders.
Subas Chandra Nembang, Nepal’s key constitution drafter, is no more
Onlinekhabar | 12th September
Former speaker and UML leader Subas Chandra Nembang died on September 12.
Nembang, a member of the House of Representatives died following a heart attack. He was 71 years old.
Family members found him collapsed in a toilet and rushed him to the hospital in the early hours of Tuesday morning. However, the doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival.
Chairing both the first and second Constituent Assemblies between 2008 and 2015, he oversaw the promulgation of the constitution on September 15, 2015. He played a crucial role in bringing together all parties to ensure the constitution was drafted before the set deadline.
MoWCSC to provide grant to local levels
The Himalayan Times | 13th September
The Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens has invited proposals from the local levels interested in establishing and operating senior citizens’ meeting centres or daycare centres in the running fiscal.
According to MoWCSC, they will be provided with conditional grants in accordance with the Procedure on Operation and Management of Senior Citizens Service and Meeting Centre-2019. The senior citizens’ meeting centres will be utilised for inter-generational transfer of knowledge, skills and experience gained by senior citizens in their lifetime, it said in a notice.