Table of Contents
Pakistan Dispatch
Situation Report: The Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition (SHCC) identified 16 incidents of violence against or obstruction of health care in Pakistan in 2022, an increase from seven in 2021. Nearly 90% of these incidents involved threats and violence against polio vaccination workers, undermining health care providers’ ability to meet vaccination targets. Increased violence and insecurity along the Afghan-Pakistan border regions and the resurgence of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attacks impacted polio vaccination campaigns in 2022.
Entire Report available here on Relief Web
Politics
On July 17, famous journalist of Pakistan Mir Hamid Mir shared a video from Kasur city, which borders the Indian Punjab on Twitter in which, Malik Mohd Ahmad Khan, Special Assistant on Defence to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is heard stating that smugglers are using drones in the flood affected areas of Kasur, near Pakistan-India border to transport Heroin. He demanded a special package for the rehabilitation of the flood victims otherwise victims will join smugglers.
(Hamid Mir, Twitter; ANI – Free Press Journal)
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) information Secretary and State Minister Faisal Karim Kundi has stated that his party was not taken into confidence on Army Act amendment bill by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N). Infact Senior PPP Leader Raza Rabbani walked out of the parliament’s session in protest the Army Act amendment bill.
Economy
Pakistan is currently in an advanced stage of negotiations with Saudi Arabia to establish a refinery in Balochistan, capable of processing 0.3 million barrels per day, according to State Minister for Petroleum, Musadiq Malik. The minister stated on Thursday that the negotiations are nearing final stages.
(Israr Khan & Khalid Mustafa & Saif Ur Rehman, The News International)
In the fiscal year 2022-23, Pakistan’s salaried class emerged as the leading contributor to the nation’s income tax, making a substantial contribution of Rs264.3 billion. Astonishingly, this amount was nearly 200 per cent higher than the combined income tax paid by the country’s exporters and largely undertaxed retailers.
Infographic
Opinion
Muhammad Shahbaz Rajper in his article explains how the rise of social media in Pakistan has impacted its political landscape. Despite facilitating easier connectivity and engagement, the politicization of social media has brought many challenges and opportunities. This engagement through the medium of social media has resulted in greater political participation, especially in youth which can be witnessed through the increasing voter turnout in Pakistan.
The Politicization of social media in Pakistan – Pakistan Today
Bangladesh Dispatch
Today's Bangladesh Dispatch examines the most recent changes influencing the country's political and economic landscape. This issue digs into crucial foreign policy concerns, such as US Congressmen calling for Bangladesh to be removed from the UN Human Rights Council and the EU's efforts to repatriate Rohingya refugees. The Bangladesh government has warned against other countries and missions interfering in its electoral process, but it appears that external influences are increasing. The ruling government's stance is firm, while the opposition will continue to seek outside support. The ongoing rise in dengue cases has also added unwanted pressure on the government.
Politics
Foreign Relations
14 US Congressmen have written to US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas Greenfield, demanding that Bangladesh be removed from the UN Human Rights Council and barred from participating in peacekeeping missions. They also demanded that the UN monitor and oversee free and fair elections in Bangladesh in collaboration with neutral governments around the world. (Manowarul Islam, Daily Manab Zamin)
The EU is working to garner international support for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees living in Cox's Bazar. The EU delegation met with officials of the Office of The Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner and visited refugee camps. The delegation also spoke to a group of Rohingyas who expressed their desire to return to Myanmar. (News Desk, The Business Standard)
Bangladesh and the UK discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the aviation sector, including resuming aviation security activities that were suspended by the UK amid the pandemic. The two countries also discussed the phased implementation of the recently signed aviation communique, the operational and maintenance work of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s upcoming 3rd terminal, and the procurement of new aircraft. (News Desk, The Business Post)
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has expressed concern over the lack of cooperation from Myanmar in preventing drug smuggling across the border. The minister outlined three strategies to establish a drug-free Bangladesh: reducing demand, disrupting supply chain, and minimizing harm caused by drugs. He reiterated the government's strong commitment to building a drug-free Bangladesh and urged all to cooperate in these efforts. (News Desk, The Daily Star)
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sought cooperation from the United Kingdom for the development of the Bangladesh Railway sector.She made the remarks when former British Prime Minister Tony Blair paid a courtesy call on her at her official residence. Blair praised Bangladesh's socio-economic and infrastructure development, and Hasina said her government has a target to transform Bangladesh into a developed country by 2041. (News Desk, The Business Standard)
National
The Special Branch of police is collecting data on voters in every constituency ahead of the next parliamentary election. The data includes the number of risky, very risky, and general polling centres, the distance of polling centres from police stations, the description of the polling centres’ infrastructure, whether the centres saw any violence in previous elections, and the number of male, female, minority, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Hijra voters. Some people have raised concerns about the collection of this data, saying that it could be used to influence the election. (Ahmadul Hassan, Prothom Alo)
Awami League is planning to keep BNP under surveillance and stage counter-programs in response to BNP's rallies and grand rallies. They are also planning to hold mourning programs on the streets in August. Awami League leaders believe that this will help them to control the streets and prevent BNP from disrupting the upcoming election. (Anowar Hossain, Prothom Alo)
Economy
According to the 2023 Investment Climate Statements published by the US Department of State, Bangladesh has made progress in reducing some constraints on investment, but inadequate infrastructure, limited financing options, bureaucratic delays, lax enforcement of labour laws, and corruption continue to hinder foreign investment. There are worries that the political and security situation in Bangladesh may become volatile ahead of the next parliamentary election. (News Desk, The Business Post)
IFAD President Alvaro Lario praised Bangladesh's remarkable achievements in food production, climate-smart agriculture, and including women and youth in rural enterprises. PM Sheikh Hasina met with Lario and asked for IFAD's support in enhancing domestic production of wheat and edible oil. PM Hasina also acknowledged IFAD's support for small Bangladeshi agro-enterprises and requested their continued assistance. (News Desk, Business Insider BD)
In FY23, Bangladesh imported food worth Tk 1.05 trillion. The consumption of rice and wheat declined due to low imports, which led to an increase in the prices of rice and flour. Speakers at a panel discussion recommended developing climate resilient agricultural systems, ensuring the Right to Food Act, and building multilateral partnerships in agriculture and food systems. (News Desk, The Financial Express)
Bangladesh customs has locked the Business-Identification Number (BIN) of the UNHCR for importing cars under duty-free facility. The UN agency is accused of handing over the vehicles to different organizations without customs clearance. The customs have asked the UNHCR to pay the duty taxes or face legal action. (Doulat Akter Mala, The Financial Express)
Society
36 children have died of dengue in Bangladesh so far this year, and the number of cases is rising. Health experts are calling for more healthcare facilities to be made available to children, as they are the most vulnerable to the disease. The total number of dengue cases in Bangladesh has reached 42,702, and that 225 people have died. The majority of cases and deaths have been reported in Dhaka. (News Desk, The Financial Express)
Opinion: Bangladesh’s Non-Traditional Security Complex
Bangladesh faces a number of non-traditional security threats, including natural disasters, poverty, food insecurity, political instability, terrorism, and drug trafficking. The country is also dealing with the protracted Rohingya refugee crisis. The government is working to address these challenges, but the future security landscape is uncertain. (Towkir Hossain, Australian Institute of International Affairs)
Infographic
Bangladesh Provides the 5th cheapest mobile internet in Asia and the 12thcheapest mobile internet across the world.
