Jul 2021. The Taliban Advance in Afghanistan

Taliban militants are continuing to make rapid military advances across Afghanistan as western forces withdraw after two decades of conflict. The Islamist insurgents now claim to control 85% of the country having overrun areas bordering five countries – Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, China and Pakistan – prompting Afghan security personnel to flee. At least 56 civilians… Continue reading Jul 2021. The Taliban Advance in Afghanistan

Jun 2021. Train Crash in Pakistan

A collision involving two passenger trains in southern Pakistan has killed at least 40 people and injured dozens. A train travelling in Sindh province derailed and landed on another track, officials said. A second train packed with passengers then collided with it and overturned. Rescue teams took the injured to nearby hospitals and it is… Continue reading Jun 2021. Train Crash in Pakistan

The Racial Killing of Kriss Donald

Kriss Donald was a 15-year-old white Scottish boy who was kidnapped and murdered in Glasgow in 2004 by a gang of men of Pakistani origin, some of whom fled to Pakistan after the crime. Daanish Zahid, Imran Shahid, Zeeshan Shahid and Mohammed Faisal Mustaq were later found guilty of racially motivated murder and sentenced to… Continue reading The Racial Killing of Kriss Donald

Sept 2020. Pakistan PM – Change Requires Struggle Part 1

Corruption in Pakistan is widespread, particularly in the government and lower levels of police forces. In 2017, Pakistan’s prime minister Nawaz Sharif was declared ineligible to hold office for life by Supreme Court of Pakistan after charges of corruption were filed against him.

Sep 2020. India and China compete for Influence over Bangladesh

When Narendra Modi was elected to the office of prime minister for the first time in 2014, he invited his counterparts from Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Maldives, and Bhutan to his swearing-in ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The move set Modi’s “Neighborhood First” policy in motion, shifting Indian foreign policy’s focus towards… Continue reading Sep 2020. India and China compete for Influence over Bangladesh

Aug 2016. Honour Killing in Pakistan

August 2016. The former husband of a woman allegedly murdered in Pakistan has confessed to killing her. Samia Shahid, 28, a beautician from Bradford, died last month in northern Punjab in what is believed to have been a so-called honour killing. Ex-husband Chaudhry Muhammad Shakeel was arrested on suspicion of murder. He has now said… Continue reading Aug 2016. Honour Killing in Pakistan

Dec 2015. Peshawar – One Year On

December 2015. The Peshawar school attack in Pakistan, it’s a year ago today that “…the country changed completely”. The killing of over 140 people, 132 of them being school children aged 8 to 18 spurred Pakistan into tackling domestic terrorism like never before but trauma and grief remain. A kid with a poster says it… Continue reading Dec 2015. Peshawar – One Year On