Civil society

Failure to act, Ahmed cautioned, could derail Bangladesh’s economic aspirations, leaving businesses vulnerable and the nation grappling with stagnation.

These hikes aim to generate more revenue – Everest alone brought in over $5 million in 2025 – while deterring casual climbers.

In response to the airstrikes, the United Nations has emerged as a key player in attempting to de-escalate the situation. On February 23, 2026, UN deputy secretary-general Rosemary DiCarlo held a phone conversation with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, during which she expressed deep sympathy for the civilian losses.

This incident is far from isolated in Nepal, a Himalayan nation where road accidents claim hundreds of lives annually. Poor infrastructure, overloaded vehicles, and inadequate enforcement of safety regulations are perennial issues.

This latest flare-up is symptomatic of deeper issues: mutual distrust, unresolved border disputes, and the enduring legacy of the US-led war in Afghanistan. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban of harbouring militants, while Kabul counters that Islamabad’s policies have fuelled instability.

Having conducted a rapid reappraisal of the nation’s ground realities, the new administration opted to prioritize macroeconomic stability over an immediate change in international economic status.

If the country maintains low infection levels through the year, Nepal will join the small group of nations that have defeated one of the world’s deadliest parasitic diseases as a public-health threat.

The professionalization of politics has undoubtedly brought efficiency. Yet efficiency alone cannot substitute for legitimacy or internal strength. As political parties increasingly rely on consultants, the real test lies not in how loudly they can communicate, but in how accurately they can interpret their own political realities.