Pakistan Forward

Coronavirus disinformation emanating from Russia, China gains foothold abroad

2020-07-06

Whether it is distorted coverage or outright conspiracy theories, Russian and Chinese content seeks to discredit democracies and create confusion about the coronavirus pandemic.

Unchecked Chinese profiteering blamed for rise of militancy in Balochistan

Security

2020-07-03

Unchecked Chinese profiteering blamed for rise of militancy in Balochistan

China is relentlessly plundering the resources of Balochistan, said one lawmaker, and many locals are turning to violence to air their grievances.

Empty promises: Taliban's refusal to disavow al-Qaeda reflects non-commitment to peace

Security

2020-07-02

Empty promises: Taliban's refusal to disavow al-Qaeda reflects non-commitment to peace

The militant group has not lived up to its commitments to sever its relationship with the terrorist outfit, a key element to lasting peace in Afghanistan.

Tehran's virus missteps stir worries over health of Pakistani inmates in Iran

Human Rights

2020-07-01

Tehran's virus missteps stir worries over health of Pakistani inmates in Iran

Pakistani authorities have boosted their efforts to convince the Iranian government to repatriate prisoners.

Police station named after Rahman Baba to honour poet's message of peace

Tolerance

2020-06-30

Police station named after Rahman Baba to honour poet's message of peace

The poet is revered everywhere for his poetry of love and peace, officials say.

Security personnel thwart major attack on Pakistan Stock Exchange

Terrorism

2020-06-29

Security personnel thwart major attack on Pakistan Stock Exchange

Law enforcement personnel and private security killed four Baloch militants, preventing them from entering the building.

In your opinion, what explains the increase in the number of COVID-19 infections and deaths in Pakistan?

SPOTLIGHT

Security personnel thwart major attack on Pakistan Stock Exchange

Law enforcement personnel and private security killed four Baloch militants, preventing them from entering the building.

Faulty results from Chinese-made COVID-19 test kits causing havoc for patients, doctors

Health

2020-06-26

Faulty results from Chinese-made COVID-19 test kits causing havoc for patients, doctors

Over 500 patients have been given either false positives or false negatives from Chinese-made test kits in the past few weeks alone from just one laboratory in KP.

Terror financing convictions highlight efforts to meet FATF requirements

Crime & Justice

2020-06-26

Terror financing convictions highlight efforts to meet FATF requirements

More than a dozen defendants have been convicted of terror financing this month.

The Putin regime: a perennial malign actor on world stage

Analysis

2020-06-25

The Putin regime: a perennial malign actor on world stage

Undermining governments, fomenting unrest, spreading disinformation and supporting the indiscriminate killing of innocents around the world are the unfortunate hallmarks of the Kremlin.

United States doubles reward to $10 million for capture of ISIS leader

Terrorism

2020-06-25

United States doubles reward to $10 million for capture of ISIS leader

Amir Mohammed Abdul Rahman al-Mawli al-Salbi issued edicts justifying the abduction and enslavement of thousands of Yazidi women and girls among other crimes against humanity.

Pakistan denounces Iran-backed Houthis for attacks on Saudi Arabia

Diplomacy

2020-06-24

Pakistan denounces Iran-backed Houthis for attacks on Saudi Arabia

The Houthis' drone attack on a military airport in Saudi Arabia on June 16 is just the latest in a series of strikes on the kingdom. The rebel group has the backing of Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

Authorities intensify crackdown on Sindhi militant outfits after recent attacks

Terrorism

2020-06-23

Authorities intensify crackdown on Sindhi militant outfits after recent attacks

The Sindhudesh Liberation Army claimed responsibility for three attacks June 19 against Rangers in Sindh Province.

Local youth tap social media to rebrand Waziristan as tourist destination

Security

2020-06-22

Local youth tap social media to rebrand Waziristan as tourist destination

Tourists are reluctant to visit Waziristan because of its former association with terrorism, but efforts by local youth to promote a different image of the region are beginning to bear fruit.

Tribal areas see drastic drop in crime since police took over enforcement

Security

2020-06-19

Tribal areas see drastic drop in crime since police took over enforcement

A new reports details how terrorism, extortion, targeted killings and other crimes have sharply declined in the Newly Merged Districts this year.

Pakistan meets most FATF requirements on terror financing, ministry says

Terrorism

2020-06-18

Pakistan meets most FATF requirements on terror financing, ministry says

The FATF placed Pakistan on its grey list in June 2018 for failing to take action against money laundering and terror financing.

Where is Haibatullah? Absences fuel speculation Afghan Taliban leader may be dead

Security

2020-06-17

Where is Haibatullah? Absences fuel speculation Afghan Taliban leader may be dead

The Taliban's top leader has been absent from important meetings and has not been seen in public for three months, leading some insiders to say he has died from COVID-19.

Tribal residents welcome development of high-speed mobile broadband

Science & Technology

2020-06-16

Tribal residents welcome development of high-speed mobile broadband

Officials hope that by the end of summer residents of the region will have access to some of the country's fastest internet connections.

Officials warn over dubious medical degrees from Chinese, Russian schools

Education

2020-06-15

Officials warn over dubious medical degrees from Chinese, Russian schools

The substandard medical education offered by some schools in these countries is endangering lives, according to the Pakistani government.

Twitter deletes 170,000 accounts linked to Chinese disinformation campaigns

Media

2020-06-12

Twitter deletes 170,000 accounts linked to Chinese disinformation campaigns

The move by the influential social media giant comes amid growing evidence Beijing is employing massive resources in an attempt to sway public opinion with false information.

Arrest of TTP's Karachi commander deemed 'great blow' to terrorist group

Terrorism

2020-06-12

Arrest of TTP's Karachi commander deemed 'great blow' to terrorist group

Jan Alam masterminded a number of attacks on security personnel and politicians.

Pakistan's new special envoy for Afghanistan welcomed on both sides of the border

Diplomacy

2020-06-11

Pakistan's new special envoy for Afghanistan welcomed on both sides of the border

Veteran diplomat Mohammad Sadiq is expected to help improve Pak-Afghan relations and facilitate the Afghan peace process.

UN report unveils depth of Taliban's continuing relations with al-Qaeda

Security

2020-06-10

UN report unveils depth of Taliban's continuing relations with al-Qaeda

The Taliban, despite pledging to turn their backs on terrorist groups, have enabled al-Qaeda to gain strength in Afghanistan under Taliban protection, according to UN monitors.

Terrorist behind 2008 kidnapping of Canadian journalist killed by KP police

Security

2020-06-10

Terrorist behind 2008 kidnapping of Canadian journalist killed by KP police

Multiple counter-terrorism operations in Bannu and Peshawar resulted in 3 terrorists dead and 8 suspects arrested.

Crime & Justice

2020-06-09

Authorities arrest high-profile Taliban money launderer

Haji Khairullah Barakzai and his partner operated hawala and hundi through Afghanistan, Pakistan and Dubai and provided financial assistance to the Taliban.

As peace accord splinters Taliban, concerns grow over ISIS-Haqqani Network ties

Security

2020-06-08

As peace accord splinters Taliban, concerns grow over ISIS-Haqqani Network ties

Because of major defeats on the battlefield, ISIS and the Haqqani Network have joined forces to carry out attacks, while disgruntled Taliban members are looking for other opportunities.

Chinese firm sold half-million 'fake' COVID-19 masks meant to protect doctors

Health

2020-06-08

Chinese firm sold half-million 'fake' COVID-19 masks meant to protect doctors

The company falsely claimed the masks met the N95 standard for medical personnel working with coronavirus patients, and also falsely claimed they were officially certified.