If Govt is Recognized, Kabul Will Adopt Intl Norms in Line With Sharia
TOLO News | 20th November
The Islamic Emirate’s Spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said that they are not obliged to adhere to the UN laws unless their government is recognized by the United Nations members.
This comes as November 19 is the 77th anniversary of Afghanistan’s joining the UN. However, he stressed even if the Islamic Emirate is recognized, the issues which are against the Islamic rules will not be
accepted. “The Islamic Emirate has not yet been recognized.
Pakistan sees $3.8bn inflows in 4MFY24 amid forex crunch
The News | 21st November
Amid dwindling official foreign exchange reserves despite signing a $3 billion IMF programme, Islamabad has secured $3.8 billion from multilateral and bilateral creditors in the first four months (July-Oct) period
of the current fiscal year. The official figures of the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) did not incorporate the $1.2 billion disbursed by the IMF after approval of the $3 billion Standby Arrangement (SBA) program. So, the total dollar inflows in the shape of loans totalled $5 billion.
Lanka reiterates adherence to one-China policy
The Island | 22nd November
President Ranil Wickremesinghe met visiting Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin, on Monday, with both sides pledging to deepen cooperation and friendship between the two countries.
Wickremesinghe thanked China for its long-term valuable support and assistance to Sri Lanka, saying that Sri Lanka firmly supports the joint Belt and Road cooperation, and encourages Chinese enterprises to invest in the country to promote the construction of Port City Colombo and Hambantota International Port.
PAKISTAN
Govt now eyes Rs920b revenue under petroleum levy
The Express Tribune | 21st November
Pakistan has made a commitment with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to further increase the petroleum levy collection to a record Rs920 billion in this fiscal year amid its failure to fully recover the Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC) from powerful industries.
Sources in the finance ministry told The Express Tribune that during the recently concluded review talks, the government had assured the IMF to further increase the petroleum levy annual target of Rs869 billion by another Rs50 billion.
President Alvi’s solution for Palestine not ‘our stance’, says FM
Dawn | 22nd November
Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Tuesday termed President Dr Arif Alvi’s proposal of a “one-state solution” to the Palestine problem as not being in line with the country’s principled and historic stance on the issue, as a PPP senator demanded the president step down over the controversy.
The foreign minister was speaking on the floor of the Senate when PPP’s Raza Rabbani sought an explanation from him over the controversial press release which was issued by the Presidency about Dr Alvi’s telephonic conversation with his Palestinian counterpart on Nov 10, in which he had reportedly suggested a one state solution to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
President calls for increasing cooperation b/w Pakistan, Bulgaria
The Nation | 22nd November
President Dr Arif Alvi has called for increasing economic, trade, and cultural cooperation between Pakistan and Bulgaria.
He was talking during meeting with Pakistan’ Ambassador-designate to Bulgaria, Mudassar Chaudhry in Islamabad.
The President emphasized the need to improve relations in the education sector by mutual developing collaborations at universities’ level and arranging exchanges of faculty and students.
SRI LANKA
President envisions Sri Lanka exporting green energy by 2030
Colombo Page | 22nd November
Addressing the Sri Lanka Green Hydrogen Symposium 2023on Tuesday, President Ranil Wickremesinghe outlined a comprehensive vision for Sri Lanka’s role in addressing climate change, emphasizing sustainable practices and embracing cutting-edge green energy technologies.
President Wickremesinghe opened his speech by drawing attention to the alarming findings of the UNF emission report for 2023.
National inflation slightly accelerates to 1% in October
Daily Mirror | 22nd November
Consumer prices, as measured by the National Consumer Price Index rose 1 percent in the 12 months through October 2023, a slight uptick from the 0.8 percent in September as inflation, having reached its lowest point last month due to higher base effects last year, may have bottomed out.
On a monthly basis, the broader consumer price index remained unchanged in October, following a 0.8 percent rise in September.
AFGHANISTAN
Over 1,000 deaths in Afghanistan due to diabetes complications: Ministry
The Khaama Press | 22nd November
On World Diabetes Day in Kabul, acting Deputy Minister of Public Health Habibullah Akhundzadah expressed deep concern over the escalating diabetes rates, citing that in 2022 alone, a staggering 17,499 people were diagnosed with the condition.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Akhundzadah emphasized the nationwide capacity of health centres to diagnose and treat diabetes, assuring that concerted efforts are underway to enhance public awareness about the disease.
UN allocates $10 million for Afghan refugees from Pakistan
Afghanistan Times | 21st November
Martin Griffiths, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations for Humanitarian Affairs, has allocated a special fund of $10 million for Afghan refugees returning from Pakistan.
The allocated funds have been drawn from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and comes amid a global refugee crisis.
The intention is to provide essential aid and assistance to the returning Afghan refugees, helping them reintegrate into their home country.
BANGLADESH
Seventeen China-funded projects move at snail’s pace
Prothom Alo | 21st November
Bangladesh has entered the era of tunnel with the launching of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram on 28 October.
The China-funded project took seven long years to be implemented since 2016, when Bangladesh reached an understanding with China during its president Xi Jinping’s Dhaka trip.
Apart from the tunnel, the Chinese president also committed to funding $20 billion (around Tk 2150 billion) for 27 projects of different sectors in Bangladesh.
Green drive to protect environment during polls
Bangladesh Post | 22nd November
The government has taken a green initiative to conduct the upcoming election in an environment friendly manner, with a focus on preventing pollution.
The green initiative is a programme to follow environment friendly guidelines during the election period to protect the environment and prevent pollution.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has sent a set of recommendation to the Election Commission (EC) to ensure the realization of this goal.
UN adopts resolution on natural fiber of Bangladesh
Dhaka Tribune | 22nd November
One of Bangladesh’s flagship resolutions at the United Nations, “Natural Plant Fibers and Sustainable Development”, was unanimously adopted on Tuesday.
It recognizes the strong support of the international community for Bangladesh’s unwavering commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development through the judicious and sustainable use of natural fibers such as jute, cotton and sisal, the Bangladesh mission in the UN New York said.
BHUTAN
UNDP report urges climate-resilient investment in Bhutan
Kuensel | 20th November
Bhutan is vulnerable to natural disasters and the impact of climate change, investment in climate adaptation and mitigation can reduce risks and improve the resilience of people and the natural environment, according to a recent report from the UNDP.
The nation as per Nationally Determined Contributions (NCDs) report requires USD 0.385 billion for adaptation and USD 0.6 billion for mitigation initiatives in the short-term and an additional USD 6,484.8 million for long-term strategy.
Bhutan Political Parties Vigorously Campaigning to Capture Hearts and Votes
Daily Bhutan | 20th November
BTP has taken a moment to reflect on its journey as a new political force. Emphasizing responsibility, organization, and reliability, BTP’s strategy has involved extensive familiarization meetings, introducing the party leader as a dedicated civil servant.
Their key message, “Mimang Zhapto,” underscores their commitment to providing quality public services while removing burdensome rules and regulations. In response to the nation’s pulse during familiarization meetings, BTP has shifted its focus to address the concerns of constituents.
BCCI hosts delegation to promote B2B relationships
Kuensel | 22nd November
Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) hosted a 15-member delegation from the Austrian Asian African Association (AAAA) and Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade (BWA) yesterday.
The visit was to engage the business delegates with relevant government agencies and the private sector, aiming to establish mutually beneficial b2b relationships and explore trade and investment opportunities.
MALDIVES
Maldives and Saudi Arabia set to sign trade agreement
Sun | 21st November
he Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia decided on Tuesday to sign a trade agreement with the Maldives.
The meeting was chaired by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and attended by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
The Saudi Press Agency reported that Maldives and Saudi officials have initiated negotiations for the trade agreement.
Govt to review PSIP initiatives
The Edition | 21st November
Minister of Finance Dr. Mohamed Shafeeq announces that the development initiatives of the Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP) are under review.
At Monday’s budget committee meeting in the parliament, Shafeeq said that the ministry is currently reviewing the most important PSIP initiatives out of the existing 1,780 projects and the 300 additional planned projects.
“The most crucial projects out of those will be executed depending on the circumstances.
MYANMAR
Myanmar Election Body Dissolves Pro-Democracy Party in Kokang Region
The Irrawaddy | 21st November
The junta-appointed Union Election Commission on Monday dissolved the Shan State Kokang Democratic Party (SSKPD), the major rival of the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) in Kokang Self-Administered Zone.
The commission said it had approved the Kokang party’s registration in May, but the party failed to recruit at least 1,000 members within 90 days of registration as required by the Political Parties Registration Law.
Junta warns against large bank withdrawals amid financial uncertainty
Myanmar Now | 21st November
As Myanmar banks announce the closure of their branches in several towns that have recently come under the control of resistance forces, the military council threatens to take action against people who withdraw significant funds elsewhere.
Kanbawza (KBZ) Bank, one of the largest private financial institutions in the country, declared it would be shuttering its outlets in Karenni (Kayah) State, as well as in the northern Shan State towns of Hsipaw, Kutkai, Lashio, Muse, Namkham, and Nawnghkio, and in Kengtung in eastern Shan State.
NEPAL
Nepal to put forth its claim on climate actions in COP28
The Himalayan Times | 21st November
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal warned that failing to halt the global rise in temperature could have serious adverse effects on the prospects of climate-resilient development in developing countries like Nepal.
Addressing the national conference on climate change, PM Dahal cautioned that an increase in climate change-induced disasters, food security crises, and water scarcity could occur.
Nepal asks India to sit for boundary meeting
The Kathmandu Post | 18th November
Nepal has urged India to convene a meeting of the Boundary Working Group (BWG), a joint body constituted by the governments of Nepal and India in 2014. The group aims to carry out work in the fields of construction, restoration and repair of boundary pillars including the clearance of the no-man’s land and other technical tasks.
Formed during the first visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kathmandu, the group held its last meeting in August 2019 in India.
National Assembly election planned for January 2024 with 20 members retiring in March
Onlinekhabar | 21st November
Twenty members of the National Assembly, the Upper House of the Parliament, including Chair Ganesh Prasad Timilsina are retiring on March 4, 2024.
The National Assembly has 59 members and the six-year term of one-third of them is ending on March 4. They belong to the group of members whose term was determined through a draw for the first time after the formation of the Assembly in 2017.
Often referred to as the Elders’ House, the Upper House plays a crucial role in the legislative process by contributing to the enrichment of bills and legislation.
