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Pakistan

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Pakistan
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
Bangladesh’s Rishad Hossain (right) is congratulated by teammate Mahmudullah during a T20 World Cup cricket match on June 20, 2024. Photo: AP
Bangladesh

Not cricket? Political sticky wicket forces Bangladesh out of T20 World Cup

Bangladesh’s national election on February 12 has brought tensions among the South Asian neighbours to the forefront.

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India

Why India’s focus on Middle East is on trade despite defence ties with UAE

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Saudi Arabia

‘Anything can happen’: Saudi-UAE rift risks tearing Middle East apart

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Science

This Chinese scientist boosts the PL-15 missiles that downed India’s Rafales

Fan Huitao and his team, working on a ‘711’ schedule, are credited with driving China’s air-to-air missile development to fourth generation.

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The Pakistan Air Force deploys the Chinese-made J-10CE, a single-engine, delta-wing fighter jet. Photo: AFP
India

Unrest in Iran complicates India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy

India views the current Iranian government as a ‘predictable counterweight’ against Pakistan’s influence, an analyst says.

ICBMs

Past nuclear weapon tests linked to 4 million premature deaths globally: report

Norwegian People’s Aid details a deadly legacy of tests since 1945 that continue to sicken and claim lives.

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India

Journalists in Indian Kashmir face censorship as police demand ‘peace’ pledges

Journalists face summons and pressure to vow not to ‘disturb peace’ following reports on state profiling of religious institutions.

In August 2019, newspapers in Ahmedabad headline Kashmir’s lost special status, as local journalists face pressure to pledge not to ‘disturb peace’. Photo: Reuters
United States

Opinion | Why isn’t Trump learning from past foreign policy mistakes?

From Venezuela and Iran to Greenland and Canada, US interventions and threats risk spillovers and retaliation – as history shows.

SCMP Highlights

Malaysian road rage video goes viral, Pakistan’s arms deals: 7 Asia highlights

From visa suspensions to Pakistan’s arms deal, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Video | More than a dozen killed in Pakistan mall fire

Investigators blamed the market’s layout and the presence of flammable materials for keeping the deadly fire burning.

More than 60 people remain missing after a massive fire tore through a shopping centre in Karachi, Pakistan on January 17, 2025. The blaze burned over the weekend, with 14 confirmed fatalities. Gul Plaza houses 1,200 shops, many carrying flammable goods.
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23 dead, over 60 missing after massive fire destroys Pakistan shopping centre

Police say the market’s layout and presence of flammable materials such as carpets and blankets kept the blaze going throughout the weekend.

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Locals gather to observe a massive fire sweeping through a shopping mall in Karachi on Sunday. Photo: Xinhua
India

Why India is losing ground over Bangladesh and Myanmar to regional rivals

Pakistan and China have been drawing closer to Bangladesh and Myanmar in areas such as defence and trade at India’s expense, analysts say.

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Middle East

Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia plan defence deal to counter chaos in Middle East

Iran’s neighbours are worried that the US’ increasingly erratic behaviour may pose a risk to regional power balance and trade, analysts say.

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International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Pakistan’s arms deals cleared for take-off as orders soar for JF-17 jets

The jets, co-produced with China, proved their worth during the India-Pakistan tensions, when they destroyed an S-400 air defence system.

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A visitor takes a look at a JF-17 jet fighter during an air show in Dubai in 2017. Photo: Reuters
United States

US halts visas for 75 countries indefinitely; China not on the list

Trump administration pauses immigrant visa processing from January 21, affecting applicants worldwide while exempting key visa categories.

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The pause on visa processing will begin on January 21, and will continue indefinitely. Photo: Reuters
Iran

Trump vs Iran: Gulf allies fear US ‘help’ may unleash chaos

Qatar and Saudi Arabia are urging against military action, even as the US president teases that ‘help is on its way’.

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India

Opinion | Is India fuelling an arms race in Asia or closing a deterrence gap?

The challenge for New Delhi is to solve its deterrence shortfall without letting competition harden into permanent confrontation.

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China's military weapons

Chinese arms exporters may be the big winners in any Pakistan-Saudi JF-17 talks

But observers also expressed doubts over a reported potential deal proceeding, citing US security concerns and potential F-35 sales.

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A Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Block 3, pictured carrying Chinese PL-15 missiles. Photo: Handout
Bangladesh

India-Bangladesh talks over Ganges waters may turn murky over politics, UN pact

Bangladesh’s election, Hasina’s presence in India and Dhaka’s signing of the UN water convention could complicate the 1996 Ganges agreement.

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US-Venezuela conflict

China’s Wang Yi accuses US of playing ‘international policeman’ in Venezuela

Chinese foreign minister decries US bullying tactics as he meets Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar a day after military strikes on Caracas.

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Central Asia

‘We miss our parents’: Afghanistan-Pakistan border closure leaves thousands in limbo

The colonial-era Durand Line has been largely closed since the October clashes that killed more than 70 people.

A Taliban security personnel stands guard near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border crossing at the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province on Monday. Photo: AFP
India

India’s military upgrade to counter regional threats gathers pace

While US$30 billion of defence packages for weapon buys and others have been approved, the pace of roll-out is worrying, analysts say.

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A Pinaka multiple launch rocket system on display during India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, on January 26 last year. Photo: EPA-EFE

Video | Pakistan brewery exporting after near 50-year ban

The country’s oldest brewery, Murree, is shipping beer overseas, including to Japan and Britain, following the end of a long-standing export ban.

Extreme weather

Asia’s year of costly climate disasters spurs calls for ‘decisive action’

With Asia accounting for four of the world’s six costliest weather disasters in 2025, experts urge investment in climate resilience.

China's military weapons

China-Pakistan jet deal with Libyan group ‘may help expand Beijing’s influence’

The agreement will supply the Libyan National Army with 16 fourth-generation JF-17 fighters.

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The JF-17 jet was jointly developed by China and Pakistan. Photo: AP
SCMP Highlights

Fujian enters service, J-10C impresses: 10 China military developments in 2025

From hardware on show at China’s military parade to anti-drone systems, here are some of the year’s most notable People’s Liberation Army stories.

The Fujian, China’s newest aircraft carrier, is commissioned on November 5 in Sanya, Hainan province. Photo: Xinhua
SCMP Highlights

Philippines’ Chinese tourism woes, police officer goes viral: 7 Asia highlights

From India’s anxiety over US-Pakistan deals to South Korea’s visa policy debate, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

India

India’s partial visa suspension signals unease over Bangladesh’s recent unrest

India halted visa services from its Chittagong mission after violent protests, underscoring its concern over security and stability.

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