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Pakistan

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Pakistan. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Islamabad

Head of State

President Asif Ali Zardari

Head of Government

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

last updated:

29 November, 2024

India

France in ‘active talks’ to buy Indian rocket launcher systems

The domestically made Pinaka rocket system with a range of up to 90km was shown to a French delegation in India around three months ago.

11 Feb 2025 - 8:00AM

Icons and Influencers

What’s the story behind TikTok sensation Onijah Andrew Robinson?

7 Feb 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Opinion | In world of sound bites, leaders need a forum to engage with candour

7 Feb 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

India

Is India’s regional clout waning over Bangladesh cosying up to China?

Ties between India and Bangladesh have worsened in recent months over New Delhi’s decision to grant shelter to ex-PM Sheikh Hasina.

4 Feb 2025 - 7:56PM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with Muhammad Yunus, leader of Bangladesh’s interim government, in New York in September. Photo: Xinhua

Belt and Road Initiative

China-Pakistan ties: presidents to focus on terrorism and economy

Asif Ali Zardari will arrive in China on Tuesday and is expected to discuss with Xi Jinping safeguarding China’s presence in the region.

4 Feb 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

Bangladesh

Opinion | South Asia’s geopolitical landscape is shifting, creating new alliances

From Bangladesh and Pakistan growing closer to Afghanistan’s courting of India, the region’s political calculus looks more complex than ever.

3 Feb 2025 - 4:30PMvideocam

Belt and Road: The projects

18 killed in Balochistan attack on Pakistan paramilitary

A vehicle carrying unarmed Frontier Corps paramilitaries ‘came under gunfire from 70 to 80 armed assailants who had blocked the road’.

1 Feb 2025 - 8:11PM

Pakistani security officials stand guard at a checkpoint in Quetta, provincial capital of Balochistan province, Pakistan, on January 6 2025. Photo: EPA-EFE

Belt and Road Initiative

China urged to play ‘leading role’ in fighting terrorism in Pakistan

Report calls for better intelligence cooperation after repeated attacks on Chinese citizens, mainly in the province of Balochistan.

31 Jan 2025 - 6:00AMvideocam

China-India relations

Gwadar airport opening boosts China-Pakistan ties but raises India’s concerns

The airport is expected to boost trade and connectivity, but also intensifies India’s concerns about China’s potential military presence in the region.

29 Jan 2025 - 7:25PM

India

Russia’s ‘Afghan Quad’ overtures to India hit a China, Pakistan stumbling block

Moscow wants India to join a coalition alongside its old adversaries, plus Iran – but New Delhi doesn’t seem all that keen.

27 Jan 2025 - 8:17AMvideocam

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin at a Brics summit in South Africa in 2018. Photo: AFP

Crime

Lion mauls Pakistani man who was filming TikTok video

The mauling occurred in Lahore after the social media enthusiast entered the lion’s cage to shoot a video.

22 Jan 2025 - 7:53PM

Lions in a private zoo in Karachi. Trade of wild animals is a roaring business in Pakistan. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong society

Growing number of Hong Kong’s ethnic minority residents visit Shenzhen, beyond

Multiple-entry permit and easy checkpoint clearance draw more to the mainland to shop, eat and explore.

19 Jan 2025 - 8:41PM

Video | How a local police programme is helping to empower women in Pakistan

The ‘Women on Wheels’ programme teaches women how to ride motorcycles, a female taboo in Pakistan.

17 Jan 2025 - 5:30PMvideocam

Asia elections

Pakistan jails ex-PM Imran Khan for 14 years over land corruption case

The verdict is the biggest setback for Khan and his party since a surprisingly good showing in the 2024 general election.

17 Jan 2025 - 5:02PMvideocam

Supporters of jailed former Pakistani PM Imran Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, attend a rally demanding his release in Swabi, Pakistan in 2024. Photo: Reuters

‘Women on wheels’ defy norms in Pakistan

The “Women on Wheels” programme teaches women how to ride motorcycles, a female taboo in Pakistan

17 Jan 2025 - 5:11PM

01:00

European Union

Pakistan’s PM orders probe into national airline’s ad resembling 9/11 imagery

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has condemned the Pakistan International Airlines ad, calling it an act of ‘stupidity’.

17 Jan 2025 - 4:36PM

Asian diaspora

Living the American dream, Pakistani migrant builds a tourist ‘stop spot’

Muhammad Ahmad’s burgeoning service centre near Lake George and Lake Placid in New York State is a success story of hard work and foresight.

17 Jan 2025 - 3:19PM

Indonesia

Is Prabowo facing pressure from India to skip Pakistan after New Delhi visit?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited President Prabowo Subianto to be the chief guest on India’s Republic Day, Indian reports say.

15 Jan 2025 - 8:04PM

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto attends the G20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro last November. Photo: AFP

Food and Drinks

Albino Trump lookalike in Punjab, Pakistan market a star

Sporting a blond quiff because of his albinism, pudding seller Saleem Bagga also sings to draw customers, who love taking selfies with him.

15 Jan 2025 - 2:45PM

Belt and Road Initiative

Exclusive | Pakistan to tap China’s capital markets with yuan-denominated panda bonds

Muhammad Aurangzeb also pledges more cooperation with Beijing on key economic strategy to boost bilateral trade, investments.

14 Jan 2025 - 10:00AM

Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | Pakistan minister eyes joint ventures, secondary listings in Hong Kong

Finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb also says he wants to identify areas for closer collaboration with city.

14 Jan 2025 - 1:20AM

Muhammad Aurangzeb, the Pakistani finance minister, is in Hong Kong for the Asian Financial Forum. Photo: Dickson Lee

Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai urges Muslim leaders not to ‘legitimise’ Taliban

The Nobel laureate urged Muslim leaders to oppose the Afghan Taliban government’s curbs on women and girls’ education.

12 Jan 2025 - 6:59PM

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai. Photo: AFP

India

India’s growing rift with Bangladesh echoes its Pakistan tensions

As New Delhi voices concerns for Hindu rights in Bangladesh while sheltering the ousted Sheikh Hasina, accusations of meddling run rife.

12 Jan 2025 - 3:30PM

Malala Yousafzai

Malala goes home while Taliban avoids Muslim girls’ education conference

The Nobel laureate said she was ‘overwhelmed’ to be back in her native Pakistan for a global summit on girls’ education in the Islamic world.

11 Jan 2025 - 4:40PM

China trade

Protests over power outages in Pakistan disrupt China trade

The blockade, which began over the weekend, is impacting the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a key initiative for boosting bilateral trade and investment.

7 Jan 2025 - 6:18PM

Trucks lie stranded along the Karakoram Highway, blocked by residents during a sit-in protest against power outages at Hunza Valley, in Pakistan’s mountainous Gilgit-Baltistan region, on January 6, 2025. Photo: AFP

Belt and Road Initiative

Opinion | China-Pakistan friendship will hold fast against all weather

Through fatal attacks on China interests in Pakistan and Islamabad’s debt crisis, both countries clung fast to their strategic partnership.

5 Jan 2025 - 8:30PMvideocam

Chinese Premier Li Qiang with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad, Pakistan, on October 14. Photo: Xinhua

Global South

Opinion | As West cuts global aid, emerging powers must step up and contribute

Emerging donors from developing nations with significant economic growth should play a bigger role. Kazakhstan is doing so in Central Asia.

5 Jan 2025 - 5:30AM

Islamic militancy

At least 6 killed in Pakistan suicide bombing

Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for attack. Group is behind a surge in recent attacks targeting soldiers and Chinese workers.

5 Jan 2025 - 2:21AMvideocam

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