Pakistan Dispatch
Security: The number of deaths in the suicide bombing in Pakistan that ripped through a Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) workers conventions on Sunday had climbed up to 54. Officials have informed that more than 200 people are wounded while dozens are still receiving treatment in various hospitals. Unsurprisingly, IS-K has claimed yesterday’s attack in Bajaur. Michael Kugelman, Director of South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center in a twitter thread has described the situation as a wakeup call to Pakistan’s govt since it faces a terror threat that’s not only intensifying, but also multifaceted. TTP has carried out the most attacks in Pak, but IS-K looms as well, and is likely overlooked. Like TTP, IS-K was strengthened by the Taliban takeover & US withdrawal. It’s no longer targeted by airpower, many of its members were freed in Taliban prison breaks, and it likely gained access to weaponry left behind by the collapsing Afghan army and departing NATO forces.
(News Desk, The Current, Michael Kugelman, Twitter)
Politics: The National Assembly of Pakistan has passed the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023 which aims to amend the Pakistan Army Act 1952.After the Amendment, unauthorized disclosure of information related to national security and interests will be penalized, and the individual involved in it will be sentenced to five years in prison. This is believed to be in reaction of Former Pak PM Imran Khan’s “CipherGate” incident.
Economy: Pakistan has dealt a blow to its citizens by unexpectedly raising petroleum prices as of today. The Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar, announced an immediate increase in the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs 19.95 and Rs 19.90 per liter, respectively.
(Mrs. Anjum Shehnawaz, Pakistan Revenue)
Society: Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab in Pakistan, Mohsin Naqvi has directed The Punjab Film Censor Board to take a decision about Hollywood movie Barbie’s screening in the province. Earlier, the Punjab government had banned the movie in theatres across Punjab for containing ‘objectionable content’ despite the fact that the censor board had issued a no objection certificate.
(Lahore, Web Desk, Dunya News)
Foreign Affairs: Pakistan and China are entering the second phase of CPEC now, which will feature B2B investment in agriculture and information technology to enable Pakistan to export its products according to the Chinese standards and requirements. The two countries signed six documents on the Joint Cooperation Committee on CPEC; a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on establishing an export exchange mechanism within the framework of CPEC; a protocol of phytosanitary requirements for the export of dry chillies from Pakistan to China and a document on the final report on the feasibility study of realignment of KKH Phase-II.
(Muhammad Anis, The News International)
Infographic
Opinion
It’s been CPEC month in Pakistan, as the government plays up Belt and Road projects with China as elections loom. But many say it’s not living up to the hype.Experts say the coalition government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is so eager for a win ahead of the general election expected later this year that it is marking the anniversary somewhat prematurely. Story by Adnan Aamir with comments by Michael Kugelman and others.
Bangladesh Dispatch
Today, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal urged all parties to hold discussions to find a solution to the nation’s ongoing political crisis. The CEC made this statement this morning following an hour-long meeting with Peter Haas, the US ambassador to Bangladesh. The public is concerned about what will happen as the elections get closer due to the turbulent nature of recent events. Despite the best efforts of numerous international organisations to influence the election, it appears highly unlikely that the government will give in to any foreign demands.
Politics
Foreign Relations
Chinese Special Envoy Deng Xijun visited Dhaka to discuss the repatriation of Rohingyas with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen. Xijun had previously visited Myanmar to discuss the issue with the Myanmar government. The UN and some western countries have said that the conditions in Myanmar are not conducive for Rohingyas’ return and Myanmar first needs to ensure safety and security. (News Desk, The Daily Star)
The European Union (EU) has committed €20 million to support migration governance and the reintegration of Bangladeshi returnees. The funding will be used to implement the Prottasha II project, which aims to improve the lives of returnee migrants and their families. The project will focus on providing access to services, improving migration governance, and promoting safe and dignified migration. (News Desk, The Business Post)
Amnesty International has called on the Bangladesh government to stop using force against protesters. The organisation is concerned about the use of firearms and rubber bullets to disperse protests, and says that the violent behaviour of a few should not be used to justify a crackdown on the entire protest. Amnesty also called for an immediate impartial investigation into the attacks on opposition leaders Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Rahim Newaj, and for the release of all protesters who have been arrested. (News Desk, The Daily Sangram)
National
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal met with Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique on Monday afternoon for a courtesy call. The CEC said that the meeting was just a formality and that there was no specific agenda. He also said that he met with the Chief Justice to express gratitude, as they had both worked in the judiciary for a long time. The Chief Justice is set to retire in September, so the CEC wanted to meet with him before he stepped down. (News Desk, Samakal)
Jamaat-e-Islami is planning to hold a rally in Dhaka today without permission from the authorities. The rally is being organised to demand the reinstatement of the caretaker government, the release of detained leaders, and the resignation of the current government. Jamaat has been protesting against the government for several months, but this is the first time that they have announced a rally without permission. (News Desk, The Daily Ittefaq)
Bangladesh Labor Party Chairman Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Iran has accused the government of using the police force to suppress the democratic movement in the country. He said that the police have been attacking, filing cases, and tear-gassing rallies demanding democracy and voting rights. (News Desk, The Daily Naya Diganta)
The Awami League-led alliance has announced a week-long street program, starting from Wednesday, to protest against the violence and anti-state conspiracy of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). (News Desk, New Age)
Economy
The UK High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke, has expressed her country’s interest in investing in the solar-run irrigation sector in Bangladesh. She met with the state minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid, to discuss the possibility of collaboration. The two sides also discussed the possibility of working together to develop iron ore or iron mining. (News Desk, The Business Insider BD)
Bangladesh’s agricultural exports are not reaching their full potential due to a number of factors, including lack of quality testing, poor packaging, and inadequate infrastructure. The country also needs to improve its cold storage and cool chain facilities in order to reduce post-harvest losses. If these challenges are not addressed, Bangladesh’s agricultural exports will face further setbacks once the country graduates from least developed country (LDC) status. (Shawkat Ali, The Business Standard)
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) collected Tk3.31 lakh crore in revenue during the 2022-23 fiscal year, a 10% increase from the previous year. However, this was still Tk38,500 crore short of the target set for the year. The slowdown in the economy and the government’s strict measures on imports were the main reasons for the shortfall. However, revenue collection from income tax and VAT increased, which is a positive sign. (News Desk, The Business Standard)
The Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) has extended a $20 million loan to Dhaka RAD Elevated Expressway Company Limited (DREECL), an SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) formed to implement a PPP project. The total cost of the project is estimated at $261 million, of which $68 million would come from sponsors’ equity and $193 million from the syndication of IDCOL, AIIB, Bank of China and DBS Bank. The project is aimed at improving transport infrastructure and increasing connectivity between different regions of the country. (News Desk, The Financial Express)
Infographic
Bangladesh’s share in the global clothing export market increased to 7.90% in 2022, from 6.40% in 2021. The country also retained the second position in clothing export, behind China and followed by Vietnam. (News Desk, The Financial Express)
Society
Anisul Haque, the law minister, stated that efforts are being made to repatriate AM Rashed Chowdhury and Noor Chowdhury, the two people responsible for the murder of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He claimed that SMB Noor is in Canada and AM Rashed Chowdhury is still residing in the United States. The government is attempting to get past the obstacle that Canada put in the way of bringing Noor Chowdhury back. (News Desk, Dhaka Post)
Opinion: Air pollution – not just an environmental concern
Air pollution is the second leading cause of death and disability in Bangladesh. The government of Bangladesh has taken some steps to address air pollution, but more needs to be done. Some potential solutions include making hybrid cars more affordable, conducting fitness tests on vehicles regularly, imposing a carbon tax, and regulating construction sites. (Fahmida Khatun, Kashfia Ashraf & Marium Binte Islam, Prothom Alo)
