Security

Bajaur sports stadium reopens after 12-year hiatus due to militancy

2020-10-26

Bajaur sports stadium reopens after 12-year hiatus due to militancy

Troops drove TTP militants out of the area after years of military operations, and now local athletes and sports fans are welcoming the reopening of the stadium

Iran's broken promises shatter thousands of lives in Afghanistan, Pakistan Security

2020-10-23

Iran's broken promises shatter thousands of lives in Afghanistan, Pakistan

Iran's broken promises shatter thousands of lives in Afghanistan, Pakistan

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) promises young Afghans and Pakistanis money, citizenship and purpose to join its militias. In reality, these vulnerable youth get nothing close.

Pakistan tightens security after NACTA issues alert of planned TTP attacks Terrorism

2020-10-23

Pakistan tightens security after NACTA issues alert of planned TTP attacks

Pakistan tightens security after NACTA issues alert of planned TTP attacks

The insurgent outfit may attempt to target political and religious leaders in Quetta and Peshawar, according to the warning.

Russia, Iran caught trying to intimidate US voters ahead of key election
Elections

2020-10-22

Russia, Iran caught trying to intimidate US voters ahead of key election

Russia, Iran and China have a long history of social media disinformation efforts aimed at influencing US voters, US intelligence officials warn.

Tirah, former militant stronghold in KP, gets first-ever police station
Crime & Justice

2020-10-22

Tirah, former militant stronghold in KP, gets first-ever police station

Tens of thousands of residents of Tirah were forced to migrate to Peshawar, Kohat, Hangu and other areas after terrorists took control of the region.

US military pushes to strengthen alliances to counter China, Russia
Security

2020-10-21

US military pushes to strengthen alliances to counter China, Russia

Both Beijing and Moscow lack the network of allies one needs to wield influence, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said, adding that their lawless behaviour will scare away potential partners.

How effective do you believe current development work -- building healthcare and education facilities, providing free health insurance, etc. -- is in the newly merged tribal districts?

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SPOTLIGHT

Many see China's national interests behind development of Karachi islands

The Pakistani government is planning to build cities on two islands near Karachi, but many say the push for the project is the product of China's outsized influence in the country.
Many see China's national interests behind development of Karachi islands
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bolsters security after attack on NATO supply convoy
Security

2020-10-21

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bolsters security after attack on NATO supply convoy

The assault by gunmen on motorbikes comes amid other recent terrorist incidents in Pakistan.

Many see China's national interests behind development of Karachi islands
Diplomacy

2020-10-20

Many see China's national interests behind development of Karachi islands

The Pakistani government is planning to build cities on two islands near Karachi, but many say the push for the project is the product of China's outsized influence in the country.

Pakistan tackles visa backlog in Afghanistan after virus slows processing
Diplomacy

2020-10-19

Pakistan tackles visa backlog in Afghanistan after virus slows processing

The country's embassy in Kabul and its four consulates have added more personnel to handle the processing of thousands of visas.

New radio stations in tribal districts seek to counter militant propaganda
Media

2020-10-16

New radio stations in tribal districts seek to counter militant propaganda

About 70% of the population in tribal districts use radio as their primary medium for news and entertainment.

China's unorthodox coronavirus vaccine testing bewilders analysts
Health

2020-10-15

China's unorthodox coronavirus vaccine testing bewilders analysts

Under Beijing's 'emergency use' scheme, tens of thousands of Chinese have received unproven COVID-19 test vaccines, worrying global health specialists.

Attacks in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa kill at least 12
Terrorism

2020-10-15

Attacks in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa kill at least 12

Gunmen killed at least six people in Balochistan, while a improvised explosive device blast killed six security personnel in Waziristan.

Militant leader warns of Iran's plot to sow Shia revolution in Pakistan
Terrorism

2020-10-14

Militant leader warns of Iran's plot to sow Shia revolution in Pakistan

Tehran's efforts to stoke upheaval in Pakistan are part of its overall plan to destablise and dominate the region, said a top leader of the Iran-based militant group Jaish al-Adl.

Pakistanis welcome ban of TikTok amid rising complaints over 'vulgar' content
Society

2020-10-13

Pakistanis welcome ban of TikTok amid rising complaints over 'vulgar' content

The platform persistently shows insensitivity to the country's social fabric, religious scholars say.

Nations around the world express unease over China's 'vaccine diplomacy'
Health

2020-10-12

Nations around the world express unease over China's 'vaccine diplomacy'

Beijing is dangling the prospect of free COVID-19 vaccines to countries vital to its interests in apparent exchange for co-operation on strategic issues and economic 'assistance'.

Pakistan eyes US assistance in leaving FATF grey list
Terrorism

2020-10-09

Pakistan eyes US assistance in leaving FATF grey list

As Islamabad seeks potential assistance from Washington, recent tensions between the United States and China may offer an opportunity for Pakistan to improve its economy.

Khalilzad seeks side agreement between Afghanistan, Pakistan amid peace talks
Diplomacy

2020-10-08

Khalilzad seeks side agreement between Afghanistan, Pakistan amid peace talks

'There are economic reasons that would be transformative for the region should peace in Afghanistan come,' said the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation.

Residents of militancy-hit areas welcome free health services
Health

2020-10-08

Residents of militancy-hit areas welcome free health services

Inhabitants of the region deserve such relief after suffering through years of terrorism, officials say.

Female hitchhiker gives thumbs up to travelling solo in Pakistan
Security

2020-10-07

Female hitchhiker gives thumbs up to travelling solo in Pakistan

The adventurer found Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a former militant hotbed, to be a highlight of her trip.

Sindh intensifies crackdown on TTP, criminal groups after policemen killings
Security

2020-10-06

Sindh intensifies crackdown on TTP, criminal groups after policemen killings

The TTP, which announced the reunification of its various breakaway factions in September, has been trying to demonstrate its presence and re-establish contacts in Karachi.

UN honours Swat teen for work on protecting girls' rights
Human Rights

2020-10-05

UN honours Swat teen for work on protecting girls' rights

The 18-year-old is seeking to end the practice of early and forced marriages in Pakistan's tribal regions.

Protests grow over rights abuses of Pakistani workers in China-backed projects
Human Rights

2020-10-02

Protests grow over rights abuses of Pakistani workers in China-backed projects

Chinese companies working on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects are exploiting Pakistani labourers by violating terms of deals and ignoring the most basic safety protocols.

Vaccine refusals sees steep drop in KP, reflecting waning Taliban influence
Health

2020-10-01

Vaccine refusals sees steep drop in KP, reflecting waning Taliban influence

The latest effort proved to be a success with 4.2 million children under the age of five being vaccinated.

Abdullah's visit to Islamabad heralds warming Pak-Afghan relations
Diplomacy

2020-09-30

Abdullah's visit to Islamabad heralds warming Pak-Afghan relations

Afghanistan's top official in charge of peace efforts with the Taliban met with an array of top Pakistani officials, and observers say his three-day visit heralds a new era of positivity.

New trade terminal on Pak-Afghan border aims to spur regional stability
Economy

2020-09-29

New trade terminal on Pak-Afghan border aims to spur regional stability

The gateway in Badini is expected to provide millions of jobs on both sides of the border.

Awareness campaigns turn the tide against COVID-19 in tribal districts
Health

2020-09-28

Awareness campaigns turn the tide against COVID-19 in tribal districts

Mass awareness campaigns for the general public were critical in limiting the spread of the deadly virus in an area where residents at first did not take the pandemic seriously.

US-China tensions open door for Pakistani textile exporters
Economy

2020-09-25

US-China tensions open door for Pakistani textile exporters

Pakistan could take the opportunity to increase exports to the United States and generate billions of dollars in profit.

Satellite imagery shows China has destroyed 16,000 mosques in Xinjiang
Religion

2020-09-25

Satellite imagery shows China has destroyed 16,000 mosques in Xinjiang

Almost a third of major Islamic sacred sites in Xinjiang -- including shrines, cemeteries and pilgrimage routes -- have been razed, according to an extensive investigative report.

Chinese military incursions send stark warning to neighbouring countries
Security

2020-09-24

Chinese military incursions send stark warning to neighbouring countries

Beijing has violated the sovereignty of Taiwan and India in recent weeks, sparking worry among China's other neighbours that this might be a new pattern.

Busted buses: KP gets faulty fleet while China pockets hefty profit
Transportation

2020-09-23

Busted buses: KP gets faulty fleet while China pockets hefty profit

In just over a month, four Chinese-made buses delivered to Peshawar have caught fire, forcing transit service to be suspended.