Table of Contents
Pakistan Dispatch
Security
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned Kabul against fostering transnational terrorists after the Khar suicide bombing. He called on the Taliban administration to deny its soil for transnational terrorism and focus on the Bajaur suicide blast, investigations, and counter-terrorism efforts. He praised the Pakistan Army's efforts in evacuating wounded personnel and emphasised the nation's support for the wounded. (News Desk, Daily Pakistan)
A cybersecurity firm has found that Cloudzy, a cloud service company, has been providing internet services to state-sponsored hackers from various countries. The company has been leasing server space and reselling it to 17 different hacking groups, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, India, Pakistan, and Vietnam. Cloudzy CEO Hannan Nozari disputed Halcyon's assessment, stating that his firm couldn't be held responsible for its clients, which he estimated were only 2% malicious. The case highlights how hackers and ransomware gangs use small firms operating at the fringes of cyberspace to enable big hacks. (News Desk, Pakistan Today)
Politics
Foreign Affairs
Shehbaz Sharif addressed the Pakistan Minerals Summit, stating that wars were no solution to the Pak-India issues. He emphasised the need to learn from past experiences and move forward with strenuous efforts, collaboration, and dedication. He regretted that the country's journey of 75 years was dotted with bitter factors, as they could not fully exploit the precious natural deposits estimated at $6 trillion. He praised the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for financial support worth 2 billion dollars, which helped in reaching an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). (Mateen Haider, The Nation)
National
The Pakistani government has confirmed that assemblies will be dissolved before their term ends, and the next elections will be held on the basis of the latest census exercise. Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed this, leaving little doubt that a caretaker setup will be in place for at least 90 days. (Syed Irfan Raza, Dawn)
Economy
Pakistan's monthly inflation rate rose to 28.3% in July, far exceeding market expectations of 26%. Inflation is being driven up by factors such as rising electricity prices, staple food prices, and house rents. Fahad Rauf, Head of Research at Ismail Iqbal Securities, predicted that inflation would slow to 26% in August. However, there are concerns about potential anomalies in the increase in the base electricity tariff, which could have contributed to the higher inflation figure. (Salman Siddiqui, The Express Tribune)
Infographic
Opinion: Social stratification: A major cause of economic crisis
According to the author, Pakistan's economic crisis is the result of social stratification, with the country's rich elites dominating and the majority living below the poverty line. She believes elite control over wealth, resources, and power has resulted in a growing disparity between the wealthy and the poor and this elite hegemony has harmed public institutions, leading to increased corruption and harm to government institutions, particularly law and order. (Summra Hamid, Pakistan Today)
Bangladesh Dispatch
Bangladesh is facing concerns over the resurgence of Islamist-jihadist conglomerates, led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which seek to unseat the secularist Awami League government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The arrest of key Al Qaeda figures in Bangladesh has exposed their infiltration into the country, signaling a critical security challenge for both Bangladesh and neighboring India. Abu Talha, a prominent figure in Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), was arrested in May 2023, revealing connections between the group and Myanmar-based Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army. The organization's transnational network and potential cross-border collaboration raise concerns about its operations. Bangladesh must prioritize counterterrorism efforts, strengthen intelligence capabilities, and enhance cross-border cooperation with India and neighboring countries to prevent the spread of extremism and militancy. (Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, Weekly Blitz)
Politics
Foreign Relations
China and Bangladesh have signed a 96th founding anniversary agreement to strengthen military ties and deepen friendships for maintaining world peace. The Chinese embassy in Dhaka held a program to celebrate the anniversary, with over 200 dignitaries from Bangladeshi armed forces, government, police, foreign missions, and defense attaches in attendance. (News Desk, The Daily Star)
The UN has called for peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh, expressing appreciation for the government's generosity towards refugees. The UN also appreciates the Bangladeshi government's support for the Rohingya issue. However, some civil society, human rights organizations, and US Congress have demanded the expulsion of Bangladesh from the UN Human Rights Commission. (News Desk, The Daily Naya Diganta)
National
Security has been tightened in the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court ahead of the verdict on a graft case against BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman and his wife Zubaida Rahman. The verdict is set to be handed down at 3pm on Wednesday. The Anti-Corruption Commission filed the case in 2008, and the couple has been facing charges for amassing an illegal wealth of Tk 4.81 crore. (News Desk, Samakal)
Bangladeshi political party BNP has been declared a terrorist organization for the fifth time in a Canadian court. A BNP activist, Mohammad Zipsed Ibn Haque, sought political asylum in Canada but was rejected. The court found reasonable grounds to believe the BNP is involved in violence and sabotage to overthrow the Awami League government. (News Desk, Sangbad Pratidin)
The High Court has directed the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to conduct an independent investigation into 32 irregularities and a loss of Tk 477 crore in the government audit of Essential Drugs Company Limited, the country's only government drug manufacturing company. The ACC has been asked to implement the directive and inform the court when the investigation is over. (News Desk, Dhaka Post)
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for the government to resign immediately to hold elections under a neutral government. He believes there is still time to resign, as the government has become smaller and has no support in the country and abroad. (News Desk, The Daily Ittefaq)
Economy
Bangladesh remains the top-competitive country in terms of apparel prices, according to a global study. The US fashion industry is exploring new sourcing capacities and opportunities outside China, with plans to increase sourcing from Bangladesh, Vietnam, and India over the next two years. (Moinul Haque, New Age)
Bangladeshi start-ups' funding for the first half of the year remains sluggish, with local companies raising $43.3 million, almost half of the $91.3 million received in the previous year. (News Desk, The Financial Express)
Bangladesh has decided to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) at an inter-ministerial meeting at the Ministry of Commerce. The RCEP comprises of 15 major trading blocs led by China. The RCEP is expected to boost Bangladesh's GDP by 0.23 per cent, but industrial production in sectors other than the garment industry may experience a decline. The country's membership in the RCEP will increase its global import by 14.4 per cent, affecting domestic industries. (Miraj Shams, The Business Post)
The UNHCR's business identification number has been unlocked by the customs department after being locked for over a month due to alleged irregularities with duty-free vehicle imports. The UNHCR is now allowed to import goods, including relief material for Rohingya refugees, without any obstacles. The National Board of Revenue has rules regarding duty-free vehicle transfers. (News Desk, The Business Standard)
Bangladesh's remittance inflow has fallen below the $2 billion mark, with a $1.97 billion figure in July this year, a 5.86% dip compared to the $2.09 billion in July 2022. The Bangladesh Bank's data shows a 11.45% drop compared to June this year. The government is offering higher rates for remitters and a 2.5% incentive, aiming for a monthly $2 billion figure in the months ahead. (News Desk, The Business Insider BD)
Infographic
This statistic shows the age structure in Bangladesh from 2011 to 2021. In 2021, about 26.45 percent of Bangladesh's total population were aged 0 to 14 years. (Aaron O’Neill, Statista)
Society
Indian Wildlife authorities issued a red alert to Tiger reserves and tiger-bearing areas to intensify patrolling and sanitize them from hunting gangs after tiger skin and bones were seized, and five offenders were arrested at Guwahati by Assam Forest and police officials. This news follows a study released last week by the conservation group Panthera and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. According to the study, Bangladesh remains a major hub for tiger poaching. The vast Sundarbans mangrove forest, straddling India and Bangladesh, hosts one of the world's largest populations of Bengal tigers. The illegal wildlife trade, valued at $26.6 billion annually, involves tiger parts harvested in the Sundarbans being exported to 15 countries, with India and China being the most common destinations. (The Strait Times, The Business Standard)
Opinion:
The double standard of US democracy and human rights is causing a crisis in society and state, with values, ethics, and ideals moving in the wrong direction. The US's diplomatic snub towards Bangladesh raises questions about its true intentions to help Bangladesh achieve democracy and human rights. (Dr Atle Pearson, The Daily Asian Age)
