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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

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

3 hours ago

Hong Kong society

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

19 Jan 2025 - 8:41PM

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

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

Frontier Town Gateway, in New York’s Adirondacks region, is a combined restaurant, convenience store, petrol station, Tesla charging station and rest area, with plans for weddings and Airbnbs. Photo: Amy Wu

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

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

Pakistan’s finance minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, says his country aims to tap China’s capital markets by issuing panda bonds as soon as June. Photo: Dickson Lee

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

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

Malala Yousafzai participates in a panel discussion Johannesburg Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa, on December 5, 2023. Photo: AFP

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

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

Pakistan’s national flags. On Saturday, at least six people including Pakistani paramilitary troops were killed in a bombing claimed by separatists in Balochistan. Photo: AFP

War and conflict

Gunmen ambush Pakistan aid convoy despite sectarian truce

The convoy was travelling to the Kurram region in the northwest, following decades of infighting, with around 200 killed since November.

4 Jan 2025 - 7:00PM

Diplomacy

Opinion | Dialogue can help China, India sidestep disputes over mega dam

To alleviate concerns and reduce tensions, greater transparency, consistent data sharing and diplomacy are essential.

2 Jan 2025 - 5:41AMvideocam

US-China relations

Opinion | US sanctions on Pakistan will only push it closer to China

The latest round of sanctions will strain ties between Washington and Islamabad and increase instability in South Asia.

1 Jan 2025 - 8:30PM

Pakistan’s Shaheen-III missile, which is capable of carrying nuclear warheads and has a range of 2,750km, is seen during a military parade in Islamabad, on March 23, 2018. Photo: AP

Afghanistan

Pakistan warns Taliban of air strikes over future attacks as Kabul vows revenge

Islamabad has affirmed more retribution against TTP if cross-border assaults continue, further inflaming Kabul ties despite ongoing talks.

28 Dec 2024 - 6:00PMvideocam

Taliban security personnel stand guard near the site of a Pakistani strike in Afghanistan’s Barmal district, eastern Paktika province. Photo: AFP

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

My Take | South Asia needs to get its political house in order to turn around its economy

Political violence and social unrest have dented support for South Asian countries from investors and multilateral institutions.

27 Dec 2024 - 10:30AM

Afghanistan

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

North Korea

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

From climate change to political storms and a Taylor Swift world tour, Asia in 2024 was characterised by turbulence and surprises.

24 Dec 2024 - 9:30AMvideocam

Students and other activists carry Bangladesh’s national flag during a protest march to mark one month since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down after a mass uprising, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on September 5. Photo: AP

India

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

Recent sanctions are further evidence of Pakistan’s relative decline in importance in the US, analysts note.

23 Dec 2024 - 6:30PMvideocam

Commuters ride past a replica of Pakistan’s “Ghauri” ballistic missile along a road in Islamabad on December 19. Photo: AFP

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

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

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