PAKISTAN READER

The Indian Neighbourhood Today #191
By Aishal Yousuf, Namrata L Ghanghatkar, Priyanka Makhijani, Siddhi Halyur, Sreemaya Nair, and Urja R Kudalkar

Nepal: Gandaki legalises regulated cannabis cultivation for medicinal and industrial use
On 07 August, The Kathmandu Post reported that Gandaki Province had formally opened the door to cannabis cultivation for medicinal and industrial use. The Bill to Regulate and Utilise Cannabis Cultivation for Medicinal and Industrial Purposes, 2026 was authenticated by Province Chief Dilliraj Bhatta. The law establishes a licensing regime that permits cultivation only in designated zones for medicinal and industrial purposes, while keeping recreational use and unauthorised cultivation illegal. It requires a three-stage licensing process, restricts cultivation to notified areas, caps tetrahydrocannabinol content at 0.3 per cent and mandates strict monitoring of cultivation, harvesting, transport and sales. The Act also creates a four-tier regulatory structure involving the provincial government, a regulatory unit and local monitoring committees, while retaining criminal penalties for unauthorised cultivation and trade. The legislation was authenticated after surviving a constitutional dispute over whether the province had exceeded its legislative authority. Although the law has now been enacted, cultivation licences cannot be issued until detailed regulations and implementation guidelines are prepared.
(“Inside Gandaki’s New Cannabis Law: Who Can Grow It, Where, and Under What Rules,” The Kathmandu Post, 07 August 2026)

Bangladesh: Jamaat chief rules out Awami League’s political comeback
On 07 August, Dhaka Tribune reported that Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman said there was no scope for the Awami League (AL) to return to Bangladesh’s politics. Speaking at an event, he said the party had lost public support and could not regain its previous political position. He also criticised the role of the Awami League during its previous period in power and said the country’s political situation had changed after the July uprising. The report said Shafiqur Rahman made the remarks while discussing Bangladesh’s current political environment and the future of political parties. The Awami League’s political activities remain banned in Bangladesh.
(“Jamaat chief sees no scope for AL to return to politics,” Dhaka Tribune, 07 August 2026)

Bangladesh Editorial: “Tackling river erosion sustainably,” Dhaka Tribune, 07 August 2026
“The PM’s emphasis on coordination is also critical. River management cannot be handled by isolated agencies working independently, and working in silos has also consistently been among the failures of our governance...Equally important is financial discipline. Too many of our projects drag on for years, balloon in cost, or remain half?finished while communities continue to suffer. We need projects that deliver measurable results and not symbolic gestures...The future will not get any easier for us, and we must move beyond reactive measures and commit to long?term, science?driven solutions that protect both our rivers and the millions who depend on them.”

Myanmar: Thai opposition MP removed from Parliament for chanting peace demands during Min Aung Hlaing’s visit
On 07 August, Mizzima reported that a Thai opposition People’s Party MP who chanted demands “for peace and humanity” during a visit by Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing to the Thai Parliament was removed from the venue by parliamentary security. The incident occurred as Senate Speaker Mongkol Surasajja prepared to welcome Min Aung Hlaing as a special guest at Parliament, part of a two-day state visit that began on 06 August. Bangkok MP Anusorn Thamjai had arrived at the reception area intending to submit a letter urging action on cross-border issues, humanitarian assistance, and Myanmar’s democratic rebuilding. At around 1050 hrs, as the delegation arrived, Anusorn repeatedly chanted, “For peace, for humanity,” prompting security to escort him out. The visit is Min Aung Hlaing’s first to Thailand since assuming the “presidency” in April. He also met PM Anutin Charnvirakul, signing agreements on migrant workers, shared river management, and space technology.
(“Thai MP demanding peace removed during Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to Thai Parliament,” Mizzima, 07 August 2026)

Sri Lanka: President calls an emergency meeting over unrest in prisons 
On 07 August, Daily Mirror reported that Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has convened an emergency stakeholder meeting to address the ongoing unrest in prisons. Speaking in the Parliament, the Minister for Public Security Ananda Wijepala stated that the government views this situation “very seriously.” He also held the view that the government is suspicious of a deliberate conspiracy to disrupt the prison system, which is now due to undergo a thorough investigation. 
(“President calls for emergency meeting over unrest at prisons: Minister,” Daily Mirror, 07 August 2026)

Afghanistan: Declaration proposed to tackle unfair treatment of women by Taliban
On 07 August, according to Afghanistan International, the treatment of women under the Taliban rule was highlighted by more than 50 international law and human rights experts. A declaration is underway to recognise gender apartheid. The International Declaration on Gender Apartheid and Its Destructive Consequences is set to launch on 13 August. This decision comes after 18 months of consultation from various international legal scholars and Afghan women’s rights advocates. The declaration has been signed by Nobel laureates, former international judges, former United Nations officials, and human rights advocates from Afghanistan and South Africa. The signatories stated that the political, economic and social turmoil in the country has deeply affected women’s rights. This has subsequently affected the education, employment, public participation, and personal freedoms of these women. It further calls for accountability for those responsible and reparations for affected victims.
(“Over 50 Experts Seek Recognition Of Taliban ‘Gender Apartheid’ As International Crime,” Afghanistan International, 07 August 2026)

Afghanistan: Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to expand trade with Kabul
On 07 August, according to Afghanistan International, Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq are amongst the few places Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are set to expand their commercial markets. Bilateral exports to Afghanistan are set to increase to USD 3 billion. In addition to increasing exports, both countries discussed strengthening imports from Afghanistan, particularly mineral raw materials. It is noted that in the first seven months, Kazakhstan’s exports have already reached USD 500 million. Uzbekistan’s Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex is to be supplied with Zinc ore. Measures for improving transportation and logistics were also a part of the discussions, with the possibility of Turkish freight trucks being used. This would be done to cut transportation costs. Around 350,000 Turkish trucks travel along these routes annually, with drivers exempt from visa requirements.
(“Uzbekistan & Kazakhstan Agree On Joint Entry Into Afghan Market,” Afghanistan International, 07 August 2026)

Pakistan: Eight muslim nations renew condemnation of Israeli conduct in Gaza and West Bank
On 06 August, Dawn reported that Pakistan joined Egypt, Turkiye, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE in a joint statement condemning Israeli violations in Gaza, particularly the targeting of healthcare facilities and civilian infrastructure, calling it a breach of international humanitarian law that undermined the second phase of Trump’s 2025 peace plan after Palestinian factions had accepted it; the ministers linked the violence to settler attacks and settlement expansion in the West Bank and unilateral moves altering the “status quo” in occupied Jerusalem, rejecting any annexation or forced displacement and reiterating a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. The statement followed Wednesday’s Amman ministerial, where Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Israel “has no sovereignty” over East Jerusalem and held separate bilateral talks with the Turkish, Algerian, Egyptian, and Jordanian foreign ministers on the deteriorating West Bank situation.
(“Pakistan, 7 other Muslim countries once again condemn Israeli violations in Gaza Strip: FO,” Dawn, 06 August 2026)

Pakistan: State Bank reserves edge up to USD 17.04 billion
On 07 August, The Express Tribune reported that the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) foreign exchange reserves increased by USD 13 million to USD 17.04 billion during the week ending 31 July, taking the country’s total liquid foreign exchange reserves to USD 22.47 billion, including USD 5.43 billion held by commercial banks. The SBP did not specify the reason for the increase, while the reserves provide an import cover of 2.51 months. The central bank expects its reserves to reach USD 20.2 billion by December 2026, supported by stronger remittances and official inflows. Meanwhile, domestic gold prices rose sharply in line with global market movements before easing later in the day.
(“SBP reserves rise $13m,” The Express Tribune, 07 August 2026)