South Asia
Can Pakistan be divided by insurgence in Balochistan?
Pakistan’s security forces successfully ended a military operation against the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group that hijacked the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan, rescuing 346 passengers. The train, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, was attacked near Sibi city, with the BLA claiming responsibility. After over a day of combat, security forces killed all 33 attackers but also reported 21 passenger deaths and four paramilitary casualties. The BLA demanded the release of Baloch political prisoners, but no official response was given. Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least developed province, has seen increased violence, with the BLA growing more substantial due to advanced weaponry and local support.
Economic significance of women's empowerment goes beyond GDP growth
Bangladesh is a small country in South Asia with a population of 172.92 million. Over the past few decades, the country has emerged as a development success story. Currently, the female population in Bangladesh is 88.07 million, slightly higher than the male population of 84.85 million. Although women are an important part of the country's demographic and economic reality, gender disparities in education, employment and professional representation are still evident, highlighting the need to take more initiatives to empower women economically. Women's empowerment is not only a social imperative, but also an economic imperative for Bangladesh. By removing barriers to women's participation and advancement in various economic activities, the country can unlock significant economic potential and accelerate the pace of development.
Banking sector reforms must be based on reality
This government-backed family has become a liability to the banking sector. Dr. Mansur also announced that the Bank Resolution Act is being formulated to address banking failures. Some state-owned banks are also struggling, and measures will be taken to prevent the Financial Institutions Division of the Ministry of Finance from interfering in banking operations. The Bangladesh Bank will be allowed to function independently. However, the Governor did not explicitly state what would happen to banks that cannot be saved or how they would be phased out. His remarks, however, indicate that major changes are on the horizon for the banking industry.
State action needed to harness demographic dividend
In the 1980s, the then military dictator General HM Ershad described uncontrolled population growth as the "number one national problem." Although his statement created a stir at the time, it was a completely misleading comment. Population growth, whether planned or unplanned, can never be the number one national problem for a country. Population is an irreplaceable resource. The progress of the world cannot be imagined without it. If population is systematically trained and transformed into a skilled and productive workforce, it becomes the nation's greatest asset. However, if population growth is unmanaged, it becomes a burden for the country. The responsibility of turning the population into human capital lies solely with the state. The state cannot escape the blame for its failure to do so.
Financial crisis is not so critical
During a workshop titled "Inequality, Financial Crimes, and the Healing of Bangladesh's Economy," organized by Bonik Barta on November 11, 2024, at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon
Kamala-Trump poll race and the future of Bangladesh politics
Trump fired off a post on the recent situation in Bangladesh on the X handle on October 31. In this post, he condemned the 'brutal violence' on religious minorities in Bangladesh. He also commented that a chaotic situation is prevailing in Bangladesh at present. The most important comment is 'It would have never happened on my watch'. The literal meaning of Trump's statement is that if he had the power of the United States, such an incident would not have happened in Bangladesh. Through this speech, Trump clarified the direct role of the United States in the recent politics in Bangladesh. This statement of the former US president about the political situation in Bangladesh carries a different meaning.
State of South Asian geopolitics in global competition
The geopolitical landscape in South Asia is shaped by the strategic rivalries and alliances among global and regional powers. China’s growing influence in the region, through economic and political ties with countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, is being countered by the United States, which seeks to minimize Beijing’s presence and control. At the heart of this complex geopolitical web is Bangladesh, a country with immense strategic value due to its geographical location and growing population. The political uncertainty in Bangladesh, including the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government due to external pressures from the US, adds another layer of complexity to the region's evolving dynamics.
Indian foreign secretary in Dhaka
Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday evening on a two-day official visit to “finalize schedule of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming India visit”.
Bangladesh 2nd worst in air quality rankings in 2023
Bangladesh has replaced Chad to become the 2nd most smoggy country in the globe, data published on Tuesday showed.
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