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Pakistan

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Pakistan
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
A commuter wades through floodwaters from Cyclone Ditwah in Chennai on December 2. Flooding in India and Pakistan has killed over 1,860 people and caused up to US$6 billion in damages in 2025, according to a new report. Photo: AFP
Extreme weather

Asia’s year of costly climate disasters spurs calls for ‘decisive action’

With Asia accounting for four of the world’s six costliest weather disasters in 2025, experts urge investment in climate resilience.

China's military weapons

China-Pakistan jet deal with Libyan group ‘may help expand Beijing’s influence’

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SCMP Highlights

Fujian enters service, J-10C impresses: 10 China military developments in 2025

SCMP Highlights

Philippines’ Chinese tourism woes, police officer goes viral: 7 Asia highlights

From India’s anxiety over US-Pakistan deals to South Korea’s visa policy debate, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Chinese tourists from Beijing enjoying Cambugahay waterfalls in Siquijor, Central Visaya, Philippines. Photo: SCMP / James Wendlinger
India

India’s partial visa suspension signals unease over Bangladesh’s recent unrest

India halted visa services from its Chittagong mission after violent protests, underscoring its concern over security and stability.

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China’s military

J-16s vs Rafales: Chinese air force puts jets to the war-game test

State broadcaster offers a look at a PLA exercise simulating an air combat scenario between Chinese and foreign forces.

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Australia

Bondi Beach attack sparks global misinformation crisis, and AI-driven hate

A leading counterterrorism expert warns that ‘agentic AI’ and political point-scoring are fuelling a toxic symbiosis between extremists.

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A memorial is seen on the footbridge used in the Bondi Beach attack in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday. Photo: EPA
Bangladesh

Bangladeshi politician’s threat targeting India’s northeast deepens row

His claim of Delhi’s election interference comes days after a leader of the 2024 uprising in Bangladesh was shot in Dhaka.

India

India wary as US backs Pakistan with F-16 upgrades and mineral projects

Analysts say New Delhi faces an ‘uncomfortable truth’ as Washington and Beijing find rare common ground on stability in Pakistan.

Australia

‘Terrified’ Sydney man with same name misidentified as Bondi gunman

After an online photo was shared thousands of times with ‘terrible’ comments, the young man pleaded for ‘help to stop this propaganda’.

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This screen grab from video footage courtesy of Timothy Brant-Coles shows two gunmen firing from a bridge at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday. Photo: Handout via AFP
India-Pakistan tensions

Opinion | How Pakistan’s rising confidence could shape a cooperative South Asia

If Gulf investment, Chinese strategic interest and Pakistani willingness align, the region could shift from confrontation to collaboration.

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Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses a special session of the National Assembly in Islamabad on May 7 after India and Pakistan exchanged heavy artillery fire along their contested frontier. Photo: AFP
Afghanistan

5 killed in latest clash at Afghanistan-Pakistan border crossing

Each side has accused the other of launching ‘unprovoked’ attacks at the crossing between Chaman and Spin Boldak, in southern Afghanistan.

SCMP Highlights

‘Schrodinger’s Pakistan’, Chinese travellers eye Singapore: 7 Asia highlights

From election loss for Malaysia’s Anwar to Pakistan’s young feeling sidelined, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

India

India’s Modi to pitch arms deal to Russia, Putin despite US efforts

Modi has maintained India’s long-standing ties to Moscow, while reducing its reliance on Russian weapons by acquiring more arms from the US and Europe.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, on October 22. Photo: dpa
United Nations

Pakistan rejects UN warning over legal immunity for military chief

A constitutional amendment approved by parliament earlier this month shields Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and other top officials from prosecution for life.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (right) and President Asif Ali Zardari (centre) jointly conferring the Baton of Field Marshal on Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir during a ceremony at the country’s President House in Islamabad on May 22. Photo: AFP
India

In ‘Schrodinger’s Pakistan’, the young feel sidelined by the state

A constitutional overhaul that neuters the courts and empowers the generals is seen by many as a naked display of elite self-preservation.

War and conflict

Can mediators prevent war between Afghanistan, Pakistan as tensions spike?

Prolonged proxy warfare could create space for terrorist groups such as Isis-K to regenerate and plot overseas attacks, analysts warn.

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India

India, Afghanistan close ranks against Pakistan, marking South Asia power shift

Direct air cargo links reflect New Delhi’s efforts to reassert influence and could help Kabul reduce dependence on Islamabad, analysts say.

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Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, Afghanistan’s minister of commerce and industry, during a week-long visit to New Delhi on Monday. Photo: AFP
China’s military

China’s private defence companies see opportunities amid growing conflicts

Ukraine war and Kashmir conflict highlight ‘broad stage’ for firms to meet demand for affordable and reliable equipment, insiders say.

Afghanistan

3 Pakistani security officers killed in suicide bombing near Afghan border

One attacker detonated his explosives at the main gate of the paramilitary headquarters while a second was shot and killed in its compound.

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India

India still behind as China-made submarines boost Pakistan’s naval power

The Indian Navy’s self-reliance drive is being undercut by chronic ‘sluggishness’ in procurement, analysts say.

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The INS Mahe is one of a new class of small corvettes specifically designed to operate in coastal and littoral zones. Photo: Handout
India

‘Dramatic failure’: Tejas crash deals blow to India’s jet export ambitions

The mishap came as rival Pakistan signed a deal for export of JF-17 Thunder fighter, which it co-developed with China.

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India’s Tejas fighter jet performs a flying display at the Dubai Air Show on Thursday. Photo: AFP
India

Will US approval for arms sales to India pave the way for a trade deal?

The US$93 million arms supply could help reduce India’s goods surplus with the US as both sides seek to reach a trade deal, analysts say.

India

Indian Air Force pilot dies in Tejas crash during Dubai Air Show demonstration

The pilot had flown across the site several times before the plane appeared to lose control and dive directly towards the ground.

Boiler blast completely flattens Pakistan glue factory, killing 18

Witnesses said the explosion was so powerful that nearby homes collapsed and debris was hurled across the streets.

Rescuers search for survivors after an explosion at a glue-manufacturing factory in Faisalabad on Friday. Photo: AFP
China's military weapons

China leveraged India-Pakistan conflict to test military edge: US panel

Report says Beijing tested modern weapons in the May clash and promoted their performance to boost its defence sales worldwide.

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During the May clash, Pakistan claimed to have shot down at least five Indian aircraft, including French-made Rafales, using Chinese-made J-10C jets. Photo: Handout
China's military weapons

China displays latest UAV and fighter jets at the Middle East’s largest air show

Full-scale model of Wing Loong-X UAV makes first defence exhibition appearance outside the mainland as Beijing promotes aviation products.

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India

Blast kills 9, rocks India’s Kashmir police station, days after Delhi explosion

Confiscated explosives blew up, creating a blast so intense that some body parts were recovered from houses more than 100 metres away.

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