Pakistan, India swap lists of prisoners and nuclear installations
The News | 1st January
Pakistan and India have exchanged their lists of prisoners and nuclear installations and facilities.
The move follows up on years-long agreements between the two arch-rivals who have fought numerous battles since their independence in 1947.
Both nations, who parted ways after ousting the Britishers, exchange the lists of prisoners on the first of January and July each year, while they share details of nuclear installations and facilities on the first date of each calendar year.
In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and India, inter alia, provides that both countries shall inform each other of their nuclear installations and facilities, falling within its definition.
Thai PM to travel to Lanka to sign FTA in Feb
The Island | 31st December
Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) in February 2024 after the successful conclusion of the latest round of negotiations between the two countries, Bangkok Post reported.
Chotima Iemsawasdikul, the Director General of Thai Commerce Department’s Department of Trade Negotiations, has told the media on Thursday (Dec.28) that Sri Lanka hosted the 9th round of trade negotiations from December 18-20. It was attended by Auramon Supthaweethum, the Director General of Thailand’s Department of Business Development and advisor to FTA negotiation team.
Negotiations for the free trade agreement between Sri Lanka and Thailand resumed in November after being put on hold for four years consequent to the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing restructuring of Sri Lanka’s state-owned entities.
70pc of Bangladesh economic growth come in last 15 years: Experts
Bangladesh Post | 31stDecember
Seventy percent of the economic development or economic growth in independent Bangladesh has been achieved over the last 15 years thanks to the socio-economic and political stability of the Awami League government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
During this period, the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country increased to $465 billion from $90 billion. Over this 15-year period, a massive transformation has taken place in the country’s economy, said speakers at a discussion meeting on Saturday.
They said to take ahead this prosperity further, the post national election government would have to implement a good number of bold reforms to strengthen discipline in the financial sector, which includes controlling inflation and reducing income inequality.
PAKISTAN
IMF board to review Pakistan tranche on Jan 11
Dawn | 2nd January
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has included Pakistan on its Executive Board agenda for January 11, as reported on its updated website.
During this meeting, the board is set to deliberate and potentially grant final approval for the disbursement of the next $700 million tranche under the existing $3 billion Stand-By Arrangement (SBA).
According to the IMF Executive Board calendar, upcoming meetings are scheduled for Jan 8, 10 and 11, with Pakistan’s case slated for discussion on the last day. The current IMF programme, amounting to $3bn, is expected to conclude in the second week of April, with approximately $1.8bn remaining undisbursed. The initial tranche of $1.2bn was released in July.
HRCP sounds alarms over ‘troubled election climate’
The Express Tribune | 2nd January
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Monday expressed alarm over the deteriorating situation ahead of the general elections, calling for a level playing field among all political entities, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Speaking at a news conference at the National Press Club in Islamabad, HRCP Co-chair Munizae Jahangir, alongside Nasreen Azhar, Farhatullah Babar, and Afrasiab Khattak, voiced grave concerns regarding rights violations including mass expulsion of Afghan refugees, a rising trend of using blasphemy laws against religious minorities, and the plight of the Baloch community.
Barracuda exercise of PMSA set to begin today
The Nation | 2nd January
The 12th Barracuda exercise of the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency is set to commence today.
The three-day drill will involve practical scenarios simulating a mock oil spill in both coastal and open sea environments.
Search and rescue operations will also be a significant component of the exercise.
The 12th Barracuda exercise is expected to host participants from various countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, China, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania, along with representatives from oil-importing companies in Pakistan.
SRI LANKA
US-Lanka agreement on measures to thwart illegal movement of nuclear and radioactive material
The Island | 3rd January
Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, has approved President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s proposal to enter into an agreement with the US to thwart illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive material.
The Cabinet of Ministers at its latest meeting approved the proposal made by Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Defence Minister, according to the Cabinet Office.
The signatories would be the National Nuclear Security Administration and the Navy on behalf of the US and Sri Lanka, respectively.
2023 records highest tourist arrivals since pandemic
Daily Mirror | 2nd January
Sri Lanka saw tourist arrivals surge for the first time since the pandemic; however, the 2023 year-end target was missed narrowly by 4 percent.
The provisional data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed that for the full 12 months of 2023, the island nation welcomed a total of 1.487 million international visitors.
The SLTDA and Tourism Ministry were hopeful that Sri Lanka would end 2023 with 1.55 million international visitors. Initially, the tourist arrival target for the year was set as 1.5 million but was revised upwards as an uptick was seen in the arrival rate.
AFGHANISTAN
UN Security Council Adopts Resolution on Afghanistan
TOLO News | 31st December
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Friday co-penned by the UAE and Japan that focuses on a path for Afghanistan’s reintegration into the international community referencing the recently completed independent assessment on Afghanistan.
The resolution was adopted after 13 members of the Security Council voted in favor, while Russia and China abstained.
In the resolution 2721, seen by TOLOnews, the UNSC reaffirmed its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan, as well as its continued support for the people of Afghanistan.
PM Kakar orders upgraded tracking for Afghanistan Transit Trade
The Khaama Press | 1st January
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar emphasized the need to enhance and create a foolproof tracking system for the Afghan Transit Trade, instructing further steps to be taken in its development.
He chaired a review meeting over Afghan Transit Trade and anti-smuggling measures, advocating for creating an immediate, integrated transit trade management system, as the Associated Press of Pakistan reported.
The meeting was well-attended by senior officials and representatives from various departments, including Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akthar and others, indicating its high importance.
Afghanistan named among deadliest places for journalists
Afghanistan Times | 1st January
A recent report by Reporters Without Borders has identified Afghanistan, Vietnam, and Russia as the most perilous nations for journalists. The findings, released on Sunday, highlight the severe oppression faced by free media in Afghanistan under the Taliban’s rule, with journalists being arrested on charges of espionage.
According to the report, Afghanistan witnessed at least 21 cases of journalist arrests in 2023, with three journalists still held in ‘Taliban prison.’ The assessment is based on indicators such as media freedom, independence, tolerance of power, journalist security, and the environment for disseminating critical content.
BANGLADESH
71pc households worried over rising food price
Prothom Alo | 2nd January
High food inflation persists in Bangladesh over the last year and rising food prices remain a concern to 71 per cent of households, according to a World Bank report.
The Food Security Update released by the World Bank in December classified the countries in four categories based on inflation rate and placed Bangladesh in the second category.
According to the World Bank report, food inflation was lower in India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Nepal than Bangladesh in October-November while the figure was much higher in Pakistan.
Amnesty condemns Dr Yunus conviction
Dhaka Tribune | 2nd January
Amnesty International has said the conviction of Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus is a blatant abuse of labour laws and misuse of the justice system.
“Amnesty International believes that initiating criminal proceedings against Muhammad Yunus and his colleagues for issues that belong to the civil and administrative arena is a blatant abuse of labour laws and the justice system and a form of political retaliation for his work and dissent,” reads a statement by the organization’s South Asia regional office on Monday on X, formerly known as Twitter.
BHUTAN
Economic struggles driving people to illicit trade?
Kuensel | 2nd January
Despite stringent measures implemented by the police and relevant agencies to combat drug smuggling, incidents of smuggling have continued to increase, raising questions about the methods through which these drugs infiltrate the country.
According to police records, the number of arrests related to drugs has consistently risen each year.
In 2018, 1,200 individuals were arrested, followed by 1,300 in 2019 and a significant increase to 1,700 in 2021 and 2022.
Business Bhutan | 27th December
The export sale of hydropower decreased by a staggering Nu 887.83 million compared to the same period twelve months ago
Hydropower revenue saw a dip of about Nu 996.47 million (M) in October this year as compared to the same month in 2022. According to reports, the domestic revenue from these projects plummeted by 40.78%, with revenue generated through export in the same period decreasing from Nu 3,439.77M last year to Nu 2443.3M this year.
Between January and October 2023, the six major hydropower projects in Bhutan collectively generated a revenue of Nu 22.07 billion (B) from both domestic sales and exports. This is a stark contrast to Nu 25.089B which was generated during the same period in 2022.
MALDIVES
Will align foreign policies with today’s realities: Minister Zameer
The Edition | 2nd January
Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer has stated that the Maldives is entering the New Year with a renewed commitment to reshape its foreign policy in alignment with the current realities of the world.
In his New Year’s greeting, Minister Zameer said that last year concluded with the election of Dr. Mohamed Muizzu as the President of the Maldives, bringing new hope for a journey towards ‘Dhivehinge Raajjee’.
“We will work to secure unwavering global respect for our independence and national sovereignty while enhancing our relevance and cultivating economic and political resilience of the country,” minister Zameer said.
Pres. ratifies the Occupational Safety and Health Act
Raajje | 2nd January
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
President Dr. Muizzu ratified the Occupational Safety and Health Act on Tuesday.
The bill was passed by parliament on Monday, December 18, 2023, at the 37th sitting of its third session of 2023.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act is a law that establishes standards for employee health and safety as well as the safety and well-being of the working environment.
Foreign experts hired to reclaim lost maritime territory
Sun | 2nd January
The President’s Office, on Tuesday, revealed the government has hired foreign experts to appeal the decision by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in the maritime dispute between Maldives and Mauritius.
ITLOS, on April 28th, concluded that the conflicting Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) between Mauritius and Maldives will be divided between the two using the equidistance formula as argued by Maldives in the case.
Thus, Maldives gained 47,232 square kilometers from the 95,563 square kilometers of maritime territory in dispute while Mauritius gained 45,331 square kilometers.
MYANMAR
Myanmar’s Civilian Govt Vows to Safeguard Chinese Investments
The Irrawaddy | 2nd January
Myanmar’s parallel National Unity Government (NUG) has vowed to safeguard Chinese economic investments and enterprises, as tensions continue to rise on the countries’ border.
Weeks of clashes on the Myanmar-China border have prompted Beijing to intervene as peace broker between the Myanmar military regime and the Brotherhood Alliance of three powerful ethnic armies.
Since launching Operation 1027 on Oct. 27, the alliance has seized more than 400 junta outposts, bases and tactical headquarters, a dozen towns, and vital trade routes with China – including five border gates in northern Shan State and Rakhine State, where Chinese Belt and Road projects are planned.
Myanmar Junta Threatens Nonstop Bombing of Towns Seized by Ethnic Groups
The Irrawaddy | 2nd January
A junta general threatened to carry out continuous bombing raids on towns seized by revolutionary groups in ethnic states, during last month’s meeting with representatives of an ethnic military alliance in China’s Kunming.
The Brotherhood Alliance, which is made up of the Arakan Army (AA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) met representatives of the junta’s National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) at talks mediated by China in Kunming on Dec. 23.
NEPAL
Most Covid-19 labs across country lack testing kits as threat increases
The Kathmandu Post | 3rd January
The Provincial Public Health Laboratory of Sudurpaschim has requested the Province Health Logistics Management Centre for kits for polymerase chain reaction tests and antigen tests, as it is short in both.
Officials said testing people suspected to have the coronavirus will be halted both in the laboratory and at border points if kits are not immediately supplied.
“We do not have any kits to carry out polymerase chain reaction tests,” said Jharendra Bahadur Singh, information officer at the Provincial Public Health Laboratory of Sudurpaschim.
Nepal Rastra Bank’s regulatory approach raises red flags for economic stability
Onlinekhabar | 1st January
Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), Nepal’s central bank, has negligently failed to implement prudent risk management policies to oversee lending practices by Nepal’s Banks and Financial Institutions (BFIs) including Microfinance Institutions (MFIs). This regulatory gap has allowed excessive borrowing, masked the true risk exposure on loans, and permitted loan concentration among a few large clients.
Without reform, Nepal Rastra Bank’s inaction threatens the solvency of individual households along with the stability of banks and the overall financial system.
Govt ready to facilitate foreign investment: Minister Saud
The Himalayan Times | 2nd January
Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Prakash Saud stated that the government is ready to facilitate the inflow of foreign investment. During an interaction with delegates from the Canada-Nepal Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Hindu Chambers of Commerce, Minister Saud also emphasized the upcoming third Investment Conference in April. He reiterated, “The government of Nepal will leave no stone unturned to facilitate foreign investment.”During the occasion, the Minister discussed trade and investment between Canada and Nepal.
