Domestic Politics
As a part of the peace process between the Afghan government and the Taliban, 100 Taliban prisoners were freed on Wednesday based on their health, age, and the length of their remaining sentence. [Reuters]
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, called the COVID-19 a “social emergency” and indicated the possibility of extending the 21-day lockdown imposed since March 25. [The Tribune]
International Relations
Following the threat of retaliation by American President Donald Trump, India allowed the United States to purchase 29 million doses of hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug that is allegedly effective in treating COVID-19. [NDTV]
Health
Following clashes between Pakistani police and doctors, who were protesting the lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), several doctors in Quetta went on strike on Tuesday. At least 30 doctors were detained for violating the ban on public gatherings following the strike. [Reuters]
After Dharavi, one of Asia’s biggest slums, confirmed its first case of COVID-19, Indian doctors warned of an “onslaught” of cases that could cripple the nation’s healthcare system far beyond the experience of Europe and the United States. [CNN]
Following the Tablighi Jamaat religious event in Pakistan, authorities are struggling to trace down the event’s100,000 attendees. The event was previously held in Malaysia and India and caused a steep rise in cases in both countries. [SCMP]
Business and Finance
India diverted 19 million barrels of oil from the Gulf to strategic petroleum reserves. This decision to divert cargoes means that state refiners will not soak up excess oil in the market caused by the decrease in demand due to the coronavirus pandemic. [Reuters]
India is set to announce a second stimulus package worth 1 trillion rupees ($13 billion) to help small and medium-sized businesses recover from the losses caused by the pandemic. This comes following the 1.7 trillion rupees ($22.6 billion) stimulus plan to give relief to economically disadvantaged citizens hit by the 21-day nationwide lockdown. [Reuters]
Image Source: Reuters
South Asia in Review: April 09, 2020
Read more about the latest events from South Asia.
April 9, 2020
