Major English language newspapers published in different cities in South Asia have given prominence to local stories on their front pages. In India, the story of the day is the government’s backtracking on its notification to tighten rules for the withdrawal of Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) accumulations. In Pakistan, a non-bailable warrant has been issued against former military ruler Musharraf, and in Bangladesh, Casino junket operator Kim Wong has returned another P200 million ($4.34 million), believed to be part of the alleged $81million stolen funds from Bangladesh’s central bank, to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

India

Protests of tightening of EPF rules

The national edition of most English-language newspapers published in India have given space to the government’s backtracking on enforcing tighter rules for withdrawal of money accumulated in the Employee’s Provident Fund. In its lead story, The Indian Express says that the government in February had issued a notification restricting 100 per cent withdrawal of provident fund by members after unemployment of more than two months, among others. The Hindu, meanwhile focuses on violent protests in Bengaluru. In its report it says, “Violent protests erupted and spread across the south east and northern parts of Bengaluru city on Tuesday as garment factory workers took to the streets protesting against amendments to the provident fund (PF) scheme.”

With violent protests reported in Bengaluru, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya announced that the notification has been cancelled.

Does India want the Kohinoor back?

A day after a government representative (Solicitor General) told the Supreme Court that the “Kohinoor cannot be said to have been forcibly taken or stolen”, the centre has reiterated that the government of India still wants the valuable piece of art returned. It said in a statement that “The SG was asked to seek the views of the Government of India, which have not yet been conveyed. The SG informed the Honourable Court about the history of the diamond and gave an oral statement on the basis of the existing references made available by the ASI,” the Indian Express quotes the statement as saying.

The Kohinoor is a large, colourless diamond that was found in Andhra Pradesh, India, in the 13th century.

Pakistan

Warrant against Musharraf 

In Pakistan, a special court hearing treason charges against former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf has issued a non-bailable warrant of arrest over his failure to appear before the court, despite repeated notices to do so. According to Dawn, Gen Musharraf left the country on March 18, soon after the Supreme Court upheld the Sindh High Court directions to remove his name from the exit control list (ECL).

Musharraf took charge of government following a coup in 2001. He resigned in 2008.

Nawaz wants commission to investigate Panama Papers’ Pakistan link

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was in London to receive medical treatment, landed in Islamabad on Tuesday. According to The Nation, he said that a commission will soon be formed to look into allegations that he too was running off-shore companies. The Nation says, “Nawaz told media that he was in favour of setting up a formal investigation into the scandal.”

Bangladesh

Police raid Senior journalist’s residence 

Bangladesh’s police has raided the the residence of senior journalist Shafik Rehman in Dhaka. According to The Dhaka Tribune, authorities seized some documents Shafik had received from an FBI special agent on the plot to abduct and kill prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, who lives in the US.

Chinese trader Wong returns another $4.34m

The Daily Star reports that Kim Wong has returned another P200 million ($4.34 million) to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), which was believed to be part of the alleged $81million stolen funds from Bangladesh’s central bank.

In February 2016, instructions to steal US$951 Million from Bangladesh Bank, the central bank of Bangladesh, were issued via the SWIFT network. Five transactions issued by hackers worth $101 million from a Bangladesh Bank account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York succeeded, with $20M traced to Sri Lanka (since recovered) and $81M to the Philippines. The Federal Reserve Bank of NY blocked the remaining 30 transaction accounting for $850 million in 30 transactions at the request of Bangladesh Bank.