CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR NEW PAK PM
The first authentic democratic transition in Pakistan's history was officially recorded with the election of Pakistan’s National Assembly Saturday, June 1st. Legislators will immediately turn their attention to Pakistan’s energy shortages and the country's ailing economy. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (63) will serve his third non-consecutive term with his PML-N party commanding 176 seats in the 342-member lower house. The PPP and PTI, the next two largest parties, won 39 and 35 seats, respectively. Sharif is hoping to prevent Pakistan from requesting a bailout from the International Monetary Fund, expand trade relations with India, and reach an understanding with the U.S. on drone strikes and counterterrorism. (Associated Press May 31, 2013)
US SCALES BACK AFGHAN COMMITMENT
The White House has indicated that it will scale back military support for the Afghan Army after the coalition officially shifts to an advisory role in 2014. Initial plans had U.S. forces providing a level air support for Afghan troops with operations such as medical evacuations and surveillance, but that has now been ruled out. The military instead will serve more of an advisory role at the command level and retain a counterterrorism force that can be used against al-Qaeda targets. Yet, the most recent Pentagon estimates indicate that the Afghan Air Force will not be capable of performing medical evacuations or attack support roles for several years. (USA TODAY June 4, 2013)
NEW FOCUS ON INDIA-PAK TRADE
Recent figures suggest that India-Pakistan trade has received a healthy boost over the past year and that both sides are reaping the benefits. Indian exports to Pakistan jumped 15% while Pakistani exports to India jumped 30% from April 2012 - February 2013. Incoming Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has made encouraging noises about prioritizing economic development and opening trade with India. In mid-June, Shahbaz Sharif, Sharif's brother and the Chief Minister of Pakistan's largest state, Punjab, welcomed a delegation of Indian energy experts to discuss ways Pakistan could import energy from India. (Indian Express April 15, 2013)
INDIA, NEPAL DISCUSS BORDER ISSUES
The Home Secretaries of India and Nepal recently met in Kathmandu to address security concerns along their shared border. New Delhi has expressed concern over the emergence of new routes for infiltration into the country via Nepal. Concerns are most acute with regard to increased smuggling of arms, drugs, human traffickers and fake currency. Other agreements reached between the two governments include one to continue the training of Nepali police personnel in India and the early finalization of the Memorandum of Understanding for construction of Nepal Police Academy. (Economic Times June 1, 2013)
BANGLADESH UNDER CLIMATE THREAT
Residents of South Bangladesh have been forced to flee to Dhaka slums to escape flooding in their home villages. Southern Bangladesh is affected by severe river-bank erosion, forcing families to seek shelter in urban Dhaka, where the city is struggling to accommodate the large displaced population. Of Dhaka’s 17 million inhabitants it is estimated that half live in slums. Dhaka, and much of southern Bangladesh, are just above sea level and Bangladesh has been ranked by National Geographic and several other indexes as the country most vulnerable to climate change. (Al Jazeera June 3, 2013)