Latest from Tom Hussain
The government is battling surging coronavirus infections, a potential locust infestation, rising inflation and food shortages, and critics say its military sponsors cannot shy away from blame.
The government is battling surging coronavirus infections, a potential locust infestation, rising inflation and food shortages, and critics say its military sponsors cannot shy away from blame.
After a two-year slowdown, projects including a dam, airport and motorway are being fast-tracked in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
After a two-year slowdown, projects including a dam, airport and motorway are being fast-tracked in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
The military, which helped bring Khan to power, intervened after the prime minister downplayed the Covid-19 threat and opposed a lockdown.
The military, which helped bring Khan to power, intervened after the prime minister downplayed the Covid-19 threat and opposed a lockdown.
Pakistan has among the world’s slowest rates of coronavirus testing, with about 68 tests conducted per million people.
Pakistan has among the world’s slowest rates of coronavirus testing, with about 68 tests conducted per million people.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US could cut another US$1 billion in 2021 while other aid programmes would be reviewed.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US could cut another US$1 billion in 2021 while other aid programmes would be reviewed.
Leader Imran Khan says it is not feasible for Pakistan to lock down cities, as it could result in mass unemployment and impoverished people ‘dying from hunger’.
Leader Imran Khan says it is not feasible for Pakistan to lock down cities, as it could result in mass unemployment and impoverished people ‘dying from hunger’.
With Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah both declaring themselves president, Afghanistan’s shaky government foundation has been exposed.
With Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah both declaring themselves president, Afghanistan’s shaky government foundation has been exposed.
Nearly two decades after the September 11 terror attacks, many will struggle to see the Taliban as an ally against Islamic State. Can it really change, or is this just a Trojan Horse?
Nearly two decades after the September 11 terror attacks, many will struggle to see the Taliban as an ally against Islamic State. Can it really change, or is this just a Trojan Horse?
A withdrawal of US troops could pave the way for a return of Uygur militants and reignite violence in Xinjiang, but for Beijing to try filling American boots would have a downside of its own.
A withdrawal of US troops could pave the way for a return of Uygur militants and reignite violence in Xinjiang, but for Beijing to try filling American boots would have a downside of its own.
After a terrorist attack on a visiting team back in 2009, the country has been eager to show it is safe again and open for business. A major programme of international investment and the revival of cricketing tournaments has helped it on its way.
After a terrorist attack on a visiting team back in 2009, the country has been eager to show it is safe again and open for business. A major programme of international investment and the revival of cricketing tournaments has helped it on its way.
Massive investment by Beijing supercharged Pakistan’s GDP, for a while. Now the ‘early harvest’ has been reaped, interest is drying up – and so are the jobs.
Massive investment by Beijing supercharged Pakistan’s GDP, for a while. Now the ‘early harvest’ has been reaped, interest is drying up – and so are the jobs.
It’s not just about oil. Conflict between Tehran and Washington strengthens Beijing’s hand in the region and provides cover for a greater Chinese military presence.
It’s not just about oil. Conflict between Tehran and Washington strengthens Beijing’s hand in the region and provides cover for a greater Chinese military presence.
Like many superpowers before it, Beijing is discovering just how difficult it is to establish a presence in a region famed for self-destruction.
Like many superpowers before it, Beijing is discovering just how difficult it is to establish a presence in a region famed for self-destruction.
The verdict against the former army dictator is another sign of the Supreme Court’s willingness to challenge military impunity – which does not augur well for political stability.
The verdict against the former army dictator is another sign of the Supreme Court’s willingness to challenge military impunity – which does not augur well for political stability.
An influential cleric is leading the campaign to bring down Pakistan’s leader but the Islamists are really the window dressing for an intricate opposition movement.
An influential cleric is leading the campaign to bring down Pakistan’s leader but the Islamists are really the window dressing for an intricate opposition movement.
Trump, Xi, Putin, the Taliban … all have stakes in a peaceful Afghanistan. But their failure to agree is inflaming the violence, prompting the US to mull over a no-deal exit and threatening a bonfire that stretches all the way to Syria
Trump, Xi, Putin, the Taliban … all have stakes in a peaceful Afghanistan. But their failure to agree is inflaming the violence, prompting the US to mull over a no-deal exit and threatening a bonfire that stretches all the way to Syria
Claims that US pressure has torpedoed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a jewel in Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, are nonsense. In truth, Khan has realised the project is his best hope amid a tanking economy.
Claims that US pressure has torpedoed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a jewel in Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, are nonsense. In truth, Khan has realised the project is his best hope amid a tanking economy.
Pakistani prime minister has gone cap in hand to China in the hope it will partner Saudi Arabia and the IMF in bailing out his country – but Beijing will be wary of getting dragged into the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Pakistani prime minister has gone cap in hand to China in the hope it will partner Saudi Arabia and the IMF in bailing out his country – but Beijing will be wary of getting dragged into the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
The new prime minister may have preferred to seek financing from China and the Gulf but reality has dawned that even those handouts would come with strings attached.
The new prime minister may have preferred to seek financing from China and the Gulf but reality has dawned that even those handouts would come with strings attached.
The Khan administration is making political hay with the China Pakistan Economic Corridor – including efforts to reduce potential IMF loans and avoid becoming the focus of a confrontation between the US and China.
The Khan administration is making political hay with the China Pakistan Economic Corridor – including efforts to reduce potential IMF loans and avoid becoming the focus of a confrontation between the US and China.
A new administration in Islamabad is spooking Beijing with its calls for transparency over the US$62 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor, but it may be a reflection of internal rivalries that have long been a problem.
A new administration in Islamabad is spooking Beijing with its calls for transparency over the US$62 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor, but it may be a reflection of internal rivalries that have long been a problem.
Favourable deals under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor are in the spotlight as Pakistan’s ruling party looks to uncover corruption under the previous administration.
Favourable deals under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor are in the spotlight as Pakistan’s ruling party looks to uncover corruption under the previous administration.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warns Islamabad against using IMF money to pay back Beijing as Washington loses influence in a country that was once its top ally in the region.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warns Islamabad against using IMF money to pay back Beijing as Washington loses influence in a country that was once its top ally in the region.
The election of the former cricketer as prime minister of Pakistan leaves plans for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor on a sticky wicket.
The election of the former cricketer as prime minister of Pakistan leaves plans for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor on a sticky wicket.
The military has a divide-and-conquer political strategy that makes economic partners like China nervous, pulling the strings no matter who wins the top civilian job – for this election cycle it looks like it will be a former cricket star.
The military has a divide-and-conquer political strategy that makes economic partners like China nervous, pulling the strings no matter who wins the top civilian job – for this election cycle it looks like it will be a former cricket star.
Having racked up unsustainable bills in supporting Beijing’s infrastructure master plan, Islamabad is bailed out by China to the tune of US$1 billion – leaving it more dependent than ever on its ‘all-weather ally’.
Having racked up unsustainable bills in supporting Beijing’s infrastructure master plan, Islamabad is bailed out by China to the tune of US$1 billion – leaving it more dependent than ever on its ‘all-weather ally’.
With Islamabad heading for a third consecutive elected government, a long history of military rule appears to be in the past. So why do some fear a ‘creeping coup’ has entered its final stages?
With Islamabad heading for a third consecutive elected government, a long history of military rule appears to be in the past. So why do some fear a ‘creeping coup’ has entered its final stages?
Islamabad has more reason than most to feel uneasy as China’s President Xi Jinping meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Islamabad has more reason than most to feel uneasy as China’s President Xi Jinping meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.