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2020-01-27

| Elections

Iran's president denounces country's conservative rulers after candidates banned

Iran's president denounces country's conservative rulers after candidates banned

The Guardian Council, a body close to the country's hardliners, blocked almost 10,000 candidates from contesting upcoming polls in what the president has called a threat to the nation.

Poll

What is the primary reason for increased US-Iranian tensions?

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New dry port in Azakhel set to bolster Pak-Afghan trade

2020-01-27

| Economy
New dry port in Azakhel set to bolster Pak-Afghan trade

The facility is being hailed by the business community, which has deemed it a positive development for the promotion of trade within the country and the region.
Threat of sectarian conflict in Pakistan diminished by death of Soleimani

2020-01-24

| Terrorism
Threat of sectarian conflict in Pakistan diminished by death of Soleimani

Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani led efforts to recruit vulnerable Shias in Pakistan and throughout the region, and used them on the battlefield in proxy wars at the behest of the Iranian regime.
Gunmen kill Iranian militia commander as internal tension builds

2020-01-24

| Protests
Gunmen kill Iranian militia commander as internal tension builds

Faced with an increasingly disaffected population and a tailspinning economy, Iranian leaders are scrambling to maintain control while at the same time posturing to appear tough.

SPOTLIGHT

Despite ISIS claim, Afghan Taliban seen behind Quetta madrassa bombing

Members of the Afghan Taliban were among those killed in the suicide attack at a madrassa, and the bombing looks to be the result of infighting.
Despite ISIS claim, Afghan Taliban seen behind Quetta madrassa bombing
Unrest grows as Iranian leaders ignore internal distress over failing economy

2020-01-23

| Protests
Unrest grows as Iranian leaders ignore internal distress over failing economy

Iran's Supreme Leader and other top leaders are trying to divert public anger toward its showdown with the West, leaving core issues of discontent unaddressed.
Pakistan, Turkmenistan ramp up co-operation on trade

2020-01-23

| Diplomacy
Pakistan, Turkmenistan ramp up co-operation on trade

Leaders from the two countries recently discussed an entire range of the potential bilateral agreements in an effort to deepen relations.
Arrests of top TTP militants reflect continued success against militancy

2020-01-22

| Terrorism
Arrests of top TTP militants reflect continued success against militancy

Since its formation more than a decade ago, the TTP has been crumbling due to sustained military operations, the killing and capture of high-ranking leaders and internal fissures.
Terrorist propaganda continues to put children at risk of polio

2020-01-21

| Health
Terrorist propaganda continues to put children at risk of polio

Pakistan and Afghanistan combined for 164 cases of polio in 2019.
UNESCO project brings seminaries, schools together to promote tolerance

2020-01-20

| Education
UNESCO project brings seminaries, schools together to promote tolerance

The initiative will enable students and teachers to become agents of change for peace, officials say.
Tehran's timid response to Soleimani killing underscores regime's fragility

2020-01-17

| Security
Tehran's timid response to Soleimani killing underscores regime's fragility

The need for Iranian leaders to go to such lengths to exaggerate the regime's capabilities and the timidity of the military's 'terrible vengeance' have exposed major cracks in the facade.
Sindh government cracks down on illegal drugs as dealers target students

2020-01-16

| Crime & Justice
Sindh government cracks down on illegal drugs as dealers target students

Militants often use income derived from the sale of narcotics to fund their violent campaigns.
Rescue 1122 continues expansion into tribal districts

2020-01-15

| Society
Rescue 1122 continues expansion into tribal districts

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government plans to set up 20 new stations of the emergency service, which responds to incidents including bombings, suicide attacks and medical emergencies.
Revival of Pakistan-US military training represents boon to relations

2020-01-14

| Security
Revival of Pakistan-US military training represents boon to relations

Pakistan's participation in the International Military Education and Training Programme (IMET) will strengthen working relations between the military leaders of both countries, say observers.
Despite ISIS claim, Afghan Taliban seen behind Quetta madrassa bombing

2020-01-13

| Terrorism
Despite ISIS claim, Afghan Taliban seen behind Quetta madrassa bombing

Members of the Afghan Taliban were among those killed in the suicide attack at a madrassa, and the bombing looks to be the result of infighting.
'Death to the dictator': angry protesters in Iran demand end to the regime

2020-01-13

| Human Rights
'Death to the dictator': angry protesters in Iran demand end to the regime

Videos posted on social media showed thousands of demonstrators calling for the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top military leaders to step down.
Tehran stonewalls amid mounting evidence it shot down Ukrainian airliner

2020-01-10

| Security
Tehran stonewalls amid mounting evidence it shot down Ukrainian airliner

Videos, photos and circumstantial evidence clearly suggest the plane was struck by a surface-to-air missile, but Iranian officials continue to deny the possibility.
Dispute Resolution Councils bring system of arbitration to tribal districts

2020-01-10

| Crime & Justice
Dispute Resolution Councils bring system of arbitration to tribal districts

The councils have been helpful in ending blood feuds and stopping murders in rural areas, and have removed the need in some cases to rely on militant groups to decide matters.
Terror incidents in Pakistan dropped 13% in 2019 as security operations continue

2020-01-09

| Terrorism
Terror incidents in Pakistan dropped 13% in 2019 as security operations continue

Terror attacks, launched by different militant, insurgent and violent sectarian groups, claimed 357 lives last year, a decline of 40% from a year earlier.
Tensions ease after Iran’s retaliation on US military fails to inflict casualties

2020-01-08

| Security
Tensions ease after Iran’s retaliation on US military fails to inflict casualties

Leaders described Tehran's missile attacks as dangerous and urged dialogue to prevent further escalation.
In photos: musical instrument artisans stay resilient in Peshawar

2020-01-08

| Society
In photos: musical instrument artisans stay resilient in Peshawar

A decade-long wave of militancy and economic woes has failed to deter artisans in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) from making musical instruments.
Russia, China refuse to condemn Iranian attack on US embassy in Baghdad

2020-01-07

| Security
Russia, China refuse to condemn Iranian attack on US embassy in Baghdad

All member nations had repeated their long-standing concerns about Iran's destabilising activities in the Middle East, said NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg.
New mineral policy in Balochistan highlights lopsided Chinese agreements

2020-01-07

| Economy
New mineral policy in Balochistan highlights lopsided Chinese agreements

Contracts awarded to foreign companies, including Chinese-owned ones, previously sent little of the profits to the province or to local residents.
Iran abandons nuclear commitments as European powers back United States

2020-01-06

| Security
Iran abandons nuclear commitments as European powers back United States

Britain, France and Germany are backing the United States in its growing confrontation with Tehran, as new details have emerged about Gen. Qasem Soleimani's plots to kill Americans.
Killing of top militant commander sends stark warning to Tehran

2020-01-03

| Security
Killing of top militant commander sends stark warning to Tehran

Despite repeated warnings, Iran and its proxies have launched numerous attacks against US personnel and its allies for nearly a year. The attack on the US embassy was the last straw.
China's Belt and Road Initiative sparks protests in Thar

2020-01-03

| Economy
China's Belt and Road Initiative sparks protests in Thar

The Chinese projects are not benefitting local residents and are instead destroying the area's climate and traditional economy, say protesters.

SPOTLIGHT

Despite ISIS claim, Afghan Taliban seen behind Quetta madrassa bombing

Despite ISIS claim, Afghan Taliban seen behind Quetta madrassa bombing

Members of the Afghan Taliban were among those killed in the suicide attack at a madrassa, and the bombing looks to be the result of infighting.

Poll

What is the primary reason for increased US-Iranian tensions?

View Results