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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

last updated:

29 November, 2024

A Pakistani soldier salutes while standing on an air defence missile system during Pakistan Day military parade in Islamabad in 2022. Photo: Reuters

Pakistan stunned by US fears over its missiles, assesses impact on South Asia

Washington’s assessment comes as Pakistan aims to balance its relations with the US and China amid fears of collateral damage.

25 Dec 2024 - 6:00PM

Revolution, elections and a baby hippo, this was the year in Asia

24 Dec 2024 - 9:30AMvideocam

How US sanctions on Pakistan could be a ‘net advantage for India’

23 Dec 2024 - 6:30PMvideocam

China's military weapons

Pakistan’s reported J-35 deal shows Chinese fighter is ‘ready for global market’

China’s sale of fifth-generation jets to South Asian ally could recalibrate regional dynamics and Pakistan-India rivalry, observers say.

21 Dec 2024 - 11:00PMvideocam

Analysts say Pakistan’s procurement of Chinese J-35 fighter jets could put it ahead of rival India’s air force. Photo: Xinhua

China’s military drills

China, Pakistan wrap up counterterror drills amid concerns over attacks

More than 300 PLA troops took part in the exercise, which was held as Beijing is pressing Islamabad to do more to protect Chinese nationals.

20 Dec 2024 - 10:00AMvideocam

Top Biden aide says Pakistan developing long-range missiles that could hit US

Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer said Islamabad’s ‘sophisticated missile technology’ is an emerging threat to Washington.

20 Dec 2024 - 12:16PMvideocam

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‘Sadist’ father, stepmother sentenced to life for murdering daughter in UK

Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool subjected the girl to a ‘campaign of abuse’, exposing failures in the country’s child protection system.

18 Dec 2024 - 12:55AM

Sara Sharif at her school in the UK. Photo: Surrey police/AP

Video | How is Imran Khan shaping Pakistani politics from prison?

The former prime minister continues to defy the government from jail as his wife leads protests.

15 Dec 2024 - 10:00AMvideocam

How is Imran Khan shaping Pakistani politics from prison?

15 Dec 2024 - 9:00AM

‘Campaign of abuse’ as UK convicts father and stepmother for murder of girl, 10

The suspects had fled Britain for Pakistan after killing Sara Sharif, and were found by Pakistani police.

11 Dec 2024 - 11:03PM

Police found Sara’s body under a blanket in a bunk bed at her home in Woking, southwest of London, on August 10, 2023, with dozens of injuries including extensive bruising, burns and fractures. Photo: AFP/Surrey police

Sonia the elephant dies days after reunion with sister in Pakistan

Sonia was separated from her sister Madhubala almost 15 years ago. She died of apparent heart failure following their reunion.

9 Dec 2024 - 3:50PM

Elephants are seen at the safari park in Karachi, Pakistan, on Sunday. Photo: AP

Opinion | Is South Asia finally trending towards regional peace?

Relative to the region’s history and instability elsewhere in the world, South Asia can be seen as something of an oasis.

8 Dec 2024 - 9:51PM

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong seizes HK$23 million worth of smuggled earphones, skincare goods

Officers find earphones and skincare products concealed in four machines inside shipping container.

6 Dec 2024 - 6:27PM

Belt and Road Initiative

Xinjiang eyes closer ties with Pakistan and Central Asia to offset US sanctions

Far west region boosts role as belt and road gateway by opening Pakistan border for the winter and growing ties with Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu.

3 Dec 2024 - 10:05AMvideocam

Khunjerab port, the sole border crossing connecting China and Pakistan, will remain open through the winter starting this year. Photo: Weibo/光影小帧

Video | More than 130 people dead in Pakistan’s sectarian clashes

Kurram, near the border with Afghanistan, has been a flashpoint for sectarian tensions for decades.

2 Dec 2024 - 2:07PMvideocam

Photo: SCMP Composite

Over 130 dead in Pakistan sectarian clashes

2 Dec 2024 - 1:27PM

Pakistan reporter freed following arrest for investigating protest deaths

Matiullah Jan was arrested under anti-terror laws for investigating alleged deaths in protests supporting jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan.

30 Nov 2024 - 11:24PM

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China’s military drills

China and Pakistan talk security as they target terrorism against belt and road

Top Chinese military official meets Pakistani counterpart in wake of attacks against Chinese interests in the South Asian country.

28 Nov 2024 - 11:40PMvideocam

Zhang Youxia (left), vice-chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, meets his Pakistani counterpart Syed Asim Munir during a visit to Pakistan this week. Photo: Handout

Pakistan strikes 7-day ceasefire deal between warring sectarian groups

Deal comes after days of bitter sectarian gunfights in the country’s northwest Kurram district that have killed dozens.

25 Nov 2024 - 10:55AM

War and conflict

Pakistan sectarian violence kills 32, injures 47

Retaliating for the killing of Shiite Muslims on Thursday, Shiite Muslims on Friday attacked businesses and homes owned by Sunni Muslims.

24 Nov 2024 - 4:01PM

Pakistan town in uproar after 40 Shiite Muslims shot dead in bus convoy

Angry crowds, incensed by the ambush, gathered in the remote mountain town of Parachinar, in the predominantly Sunni Muslim nation.

22 Nov 2024 - 6:58PMvideocam

A mourner stands beside the bodies of some of the 40 people killed when gunmen opened fire on a convoy of buses in Pakistan. Photo: AP

Video | Pakistani surfers determined to go pro despite challenges

With no access to shops or equipment, they often use discarded boards or resin and glue to make their own.

22 Nov 2024 - 5:34PMvideocam

Pakistani surfers determined to go pro despite challenges

Pakistani surfers determined to go pro despite challenges

22 Nov 2024 - 5:20PM

China’s military drills

China and Pakistan announce first joint counterterrorism drills in 5 years

The Warrior-8 exercise is announced weeks after the latest deadly suicide attack targeting Chinese workers in the country.

19 Nov 2024 - 7:30PMvideocam

Video | South Asia’s toxic smog visible from space

Nasa satellite images showed a thick smog covering several South Asian cities.

19 Nov 2024 - 4:15PMvideocam

Satellite images show toxic smog over South Asia visible from space

Is revival of Pakistan-Bangladesh shipping route an ominous sign for India?

India is likely to view with ‘considerable’ concern Bangladesh’s move to mend ties with Pakistan, analysts say.

18 Nov 2024 - 7:00PM

Containers and shipyard cranes at Chittagong Port in Bangladesh. Photo: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Pakistan, Bangladesh reopen direct trade route after decades of ill will

The Yuan Xiang Fa Zhan was the first container ship to sail directly between the two countries in decades.

18 Nov 2024 - 8:54AMvideocam

In Pakistan, creeping authoritarianism threatens democracy ‘for decades to come’

Experts predict new laws solidifying military influence will have lasting repercussions for civil liberties and political dissent.

16 Nov 2024 - 3:37PMvideocam

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