Pakistan's Aviation Industry to be privatized? and Why was MP Azim Killed?
De/Cypher Data Dive 📈
Pakistan decides to sell its national airline (Pakistan International Airlines) in test case for its privatization initiative. Numerous state-owned businesses are up for auction as IMF calls for end of subsidies.
Asia View
Understanding the Murder of MP Anwarul Azim Anar
Written By Aurko Chakrabarti, Applied Geopolitical Researcher
The murder of Jhenaidah-4 MP Anwarul Azim Anar in Kolkata on May 13 shocked investigators in both Bangladesh and India, as the disappearance of such a prominent political figure from a neighboring country raised eyebrows. However, a joint investigation by police from both countries revealed a far more sinister plot involving nefarious activities. It was revealed that MP Anwarul Azim Anar was allegedly involved in an illegal gold trade scheme, alongside his former associate Akhtaruzzaman Shahin.
Azim's attempt to assert control over the gold smuggling network strained relations with Shahin, prompting a meticulously planned assassination plot. Azim was lured to a rented house in New Town, Kolkata, under the pretense of receiving medical treatment, where hired assassins committed the murder. Despite Azim's previous involvement in a gold-smuggling ring with Aktaruzzaman, he arrived in India with only Rs 10,000, hinting at a possible betrayal. Jihad Hawladar, also known as 'the Butcher' and suspected of involvement in the murder, confessed to shocking details of the crime during an interrogation by India's West Bengal CID. Jihad claimed he committed the crime on Akhtaruzzaman's orders, and investigations are ongoing to locate Anar's body or remains.
The absence of Azim's body has complicated matters further, raising legal concerns about the declaration of his parliamentary seat vacancy, as well as the management of his assets and inheritance. In response, administrative measures were quickly implemented in Bangladesh to address procedural issues in declaring the vacant parliamentary seat and scheduling a by-election.
Following Azim's murder, India has begun discussions about extraditing Akhtaruzzaman Shahin, the prime suspect in the case, from the United States. Despite the fact that Bangladesh does not have an extradition treaty with the United States, India is determined to extradite Shahin, citing the crime's jurisdictional relevance. Shahin, a US citizen reportedly living in New York City, remains elusive, prompting a joint effort by Bangladeshi, Indian, Nepalese, and US law enforcement agencies, as well as Interpol, to locate and apprehend him. Meanwhile, Kaliganj Awami League leaders and activists continue to demand justice, calling for Shahin's extradition to Bangladesh to face trial for his alleged role in the murder of MP Anwarul Azim Anna.
While sadness and shock remain, MP Azim's murder points to a much larger problem for Bangladesh's bureaucracy. MP Azim's alleged involvement in a gold-smuggling ring and his subsequent murder illustrates the potential for organized crime to influence the country's political landscape.
Af-Pak De/Cypher
27 May, 2024
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Pakistan to pay $2.58 million in compensation to families of 5 Chinese who died in suicide bombing
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Pakistan reports third polio case of 2024 from southwestern Balochistan province
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A mob in Pakistan burns down a house and beats a Christian over alleged desecration of Quran
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Emirs of Kuwait, Qatar accept PM’s invitation to visit Pakistan
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Captain, soldier die in operation in Peshawar’s Hassan Khel
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Safe City Project launched in Dasu, Chilas to protect foreign nationals
Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday chaired a meeting focused on the establishment of the Safe City Project in Dasu and Chilas to ensure the security of Chinese and other foreign nationals. Naqvi announced the formation of a special committee tasked with developing a comprehensive plan for the project. The committee has been directed to submit its final recommendations within 15 days. The project aims to create comprehensive security in the area, to prevent attacks and make it a safe working space. Read more: Express Tribune
Pakistan PM backs China amid Beijing’s rising tensions with Taiwan
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Chabahar Port to reduce Afghanistan’s dependence on Karachi: Kabul
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UN warns of more flooding in Afghanistan
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Turkish Airlines resumes flights to Afghanistan nearly 3 years after the Taliban captured Kabul
Afghanistan's Taliban government confirmed the resumption of Turkish Airlines flights to Kabul's international airport, nearly three years after the carrier's services were suspended following the collapse of the Western-backed government. The first Turkish Airlines flight landed in Afghanistan on Tuesday, according to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, and was welcomed by representatives of the government. Read more: PTI
Russia says Daesh behind deadly Moscow concert hall attack
Russia on Friday admitted for the first time that Daesh coordinated the deadly concert hall attack in Moscow in March. “In the course of the investigation... it has been established that the preparations, the financing, the attack, and the retreat of the terrorists were coordinated via the Internet by members of Khorasan Province (IS-K),” a branch of Daesh active in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Alexander Bortnikov, the head of FSB, was quoted as saying by the RIA Novosti news agency. At least sixty people have been killed after gunmen stormed a concert hall near Moscow in March, one of the deadliest attacks on Russia in decades. Read more: Arab News
Privatization of the Aviation Industry
Written By Priyanka Garodia, Geopolitical Research Analyst - South Asia
Pakistan’s economic woes of high-debt and low-growth are far from over, despite securing a substantial bailout from the IMF of $3 million. As part of fiscal reform, the IMF has asked Pakistan to not subsidise state owned enterprises that are losing money. The Pakistani government, after review, has decided to sell 80 SOEs in the coming years. One such entity is Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). The airline has reportedly lost $3.6 billion in the last 20 years and suffers from overstaffing, crippling debt-servincing and redundant near empty trips due to political commitment.
The bidding for the industry is expected to start at $300 million. The airline is being split into two entities, PIA Corporation (PIAC) and PIA Holding (HoldCo). The division of the PIA without the securitization of assets and liabilities by any reputed financial institution has led to widespread criticism among experts. The decision to privatize the aviation industry comes when Pakistan is going through a severe economic crisis. The country is expected to see about $7 billion in FDI in the next four years, which is not enough to kick start its economic recovery even when coupled with an IMF laon.
The sale of SOEs is one step in the right direction; however, Pakistan needs to implement major macroeconomic reforms for economic revival. It needs to improve the quality of its expenditures, ensure a larger role for private actors in economic affairs, broaden its tax base, and regulate private welfare reforms. An overall investment in human development and a more mindful approach in the energy sector would benefit the country.
Bangladesh De/Cypher
27 May, 2024
Top Stories📜 this week
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PM Hasina is likely visit to Paris: French ambassador
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50 ruling party, pro-AL leaders now on China trip
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Australia seeks deeper co-op with Bangladesh on economy, climate, maritime security
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Dhaka, Tokyo hold 1st round of negotiations on EPA
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Maldives suspends issuing visas for Bangladeshi workers
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US slaps ban on Bangladesh ex-Army chief General Aziz, his family members
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Aziz Khan next chair of UNICEF Int’l Council
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Rights violation can result in peacekeepers’ non-deployment, repatriation: UN
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Amnesty urges end of ‘crackdown’ on Bawm people over Bandarban bank raids
Amnesty International urged Bangladesh's government to halt what it described as a crackdown on the Bawm community in response to bank robberies in Bandarban blamed on the Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF). In a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Amnesty International demanded the immediate release of over 100 Bawm civilians detained since April. The organization expressed concern that the entire Bawm community, which has close ties to the KNF, is under threat of collective punishment. Amnesty International highlighted the community's fears of arrest, starvation, and limited access to education and employment, with over 11,000 people affected. Read more: The Daily Sun
Industrial production slowest in 4 years as imports slump
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'Shomvob' raises $1 million to improve job opportunities in Bangladesh
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Headlines Quick Recap🌏
Putin arrives in Uzbekistan on his 3rd foreign trip since re-election
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Uzbekistan for talks with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, marking his third foreign trip since re-election. This visit follows Putin's trips to China and Belarus, and it comes at a time when international travel is limited due to the conflict in Ukraine. Read more: Arab News
North Korea accuses US, South Korea of flying spy planes, ships
North Korea's defense ministry has accused the United States and South Korea of increased reconnaissance activities near the inter-Korean border, threatening retaliation if sovereignty is violated. Read more: CNA
Japan Demands North Korea Cancel Satellite Rocket Launch, Spokesperson Says
Japan has requested that North Korea cancel its planned satellite rocket launch, according to Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi. North Korea had notified Japan that it planned to launch a rocket carrying a space satellite between May 27 and June 4. Read more: The Japan News
Thai lawmaker sentenced to 2 years in prison for insulting monarchy, lawyer says
A Thai court sentenced opposition lawmaker Chonthicha Jangrew to two years in prison for insulting the monarchy. Jangrew, an activist turned Move Forward Party candidate, intends to appeal the verdict, according to her lawyer. Read more: The Star
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