Bangla election to be held on Jan 7
Dhaka, Nov 15: Bangladesh Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Wednesday announced the date for 12th general election, which will be held on January 7, 2024. In a televised address to the nation, the Election Commissioner while citing the constitution obligation to hold the national election within 90 days, said that the commission has undertaken all preparation to hold the 12th national election in a free, fair and impartial manner. Meanwhile, in a veiled criticism of the US’ effort to interfere in the domestic politics of Bangladesh, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said nobody would be allowed to create barriers to holding a “free and fair” general election in the country on January 7. Momen said that the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is committed to holding a “free and fair” election and said, “If anyone wants to obstruct the polls, we will not allow that. Nobody can create a barrier, we will punish them.” Momen was speaking with reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to a report by the United News of Bangladesh. He did not name any country. “Nobody will be allowed to create barriers to holding the national election,” he added. Earlier, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Hass urged all sides to try to figure out a way to have dialogue without pre-conditions to improve the election atmosphere. (Agencies)
Taliban minister attends meeting
in Pakistan
Islamabad, Nov 15: A Cabinet minister from Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government attended a trade meeting in Pakistan despite tensions over the expulsion of Afghans living in the country illegally, officials said Wednesday. Around 300,000 Afghans have returned home since last month, when Pakistan launched a nationwide crackdown on undocumented foreigners. The crackdown mainly affects about 1.7 million Afghans who fled during the 1979-1989 Soviet occupation of their country and after the Taliban takeover in 2021. The Taliban-led administration in Afghanistan has denounced the crackdown. However, this week the Taliban government sent Commerce and Industry Minister Nooruddin Azizi to Islamabad for a meeting of commerce and trade ministers from Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan. Aziz met separately with Pakistani officials to discuss trade issues and the expulsion of Afghans. (AP)
NY Guv signs law making Diwali school holiday
New York, Nov 15: New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday signed a historic legislation making Diwali a school holiday in public schools. The legislation requires that all public schools in the city be closed on the “15th day of the eighth month of the Indian calendar in each year, which is known as Diwali”. “New York City is rich in different religions and cultures, and we’re taking an important step to recognize and celebrate this diversity in the school calendar,” Governor Hochul said in a press statement. The legislation was signed during a special reception at the Hindu Temple Society of North America in Flushing during Diwali celebrations. (IANS)
