Currently, another organization called Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is gaining importance in which several countries including India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand are associated. It is creating a connection between South Asia and Southeast Asia, where Pakistan and Afghanistan are not included. India is currently focusing on BIMSTEC instead of SAARC
The poor performance of Pakistan’s currency is primarily driven by rapidly depleting foreign exchange reserves, which currently stand at $15.95 billion. This amount is well below the three-month import threshold and significantly lower than Bangladesh’s $25.31 billion. Low reserves restrict the central bank’s ability to intervene in currency markets, leading to increased exchange rate instability.
The Afghan refugee crisis in Pakistan is a complex issue. A situation that has evolved over four decades cannot be resolved in four years. Moreover, the refugees have integrated into Pakistani society not only due to religious and cultural similarities but also because their children, born in Pakistan, have never visited Afghanistan. They know Pakistan as their home.
Works by Ali Kazim from Pakistan and Tayeba Begum Lipi from Bangladesh, besides Sri Lankan talent contributors featured in The Arts Trail, six exhibitions highlighting upcoming and renowned South Asian artists. The series, organized by Sri Lankan-based ARTRA magazine, explored themes from war to nature’s beauty.
Adding another layer of complexity is the rising specter of radicalism. Reports suggest that extremist elements are gaining traction, with foreign actors allegedly playing a role in fueling Islamist movements. The Yunus government’s perceived leniency toward certain hardline factions has sparked concern, both domestically and internationally
Large sections of Gwadar city have been fenced off effectively restricting access to its own people. As Dr Baloch pointed out, this militarization is not just about controlling the Baloch people but also about securing Chinese interests in the region
Pakistani forces have seized significant caches of American and other foreign-made weapons from TTP hideouts. The presence of M4 rifles, night-vision gear, and advanced sniper equipment among these stockpiles suggests a clear and steady pipeline of arms flowing out of Afghanistan and into the hands of militants
The attacks are important for more reasons than one. First, resentment of the Baloch people is a key reason for these attacks. Second, these could further slow down the CPEC project which already has not progressed as expected. Third, Islamabad’s ties with not just India but also Iran and Afghanistan are already strained. Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan could witness a further downhill trajectory.
At this digital crossroads, the choices made by users, policymakers, and tech companies will determine whether social media fosters empowerment or fragmentation. Society can navigate this transformation toward a more sustainable and authentic digital future by prioritizing ethical considerations, inclusivity, and mental well-being.
ISIS-K continues to launch deadly attacks inside Afghanistan, and Sharifullah’s arrest proves that its network remains active. If the Taliban were serious about counterterrorism, they would be working with regional partners instead of dismissing arrests like this one.
The rise of BNP as the most important party in the interim coalition, a party that is seen as more sympathetic towards China and Pakistan by New Delhi, and the diplomatic efforts by Beijing to woo Dhaka, opens the possibilities for increased Chinese influence in South Asia, making India more circumspect in its dealings with the interim government.
The interim government has established a ‘Constitutional Reform Committee,’ led by Dr. Ali Riaz, a Bangladeshi-American political science professor at Illinois State University. There is a widespread demand among students and civil society groups for necessary constitutional changes to prevent future dictatorships and eliminate anti-democratic provisions. The committee has already submitted its ‘Reform Report,’ addressing the demands of the mass revolution and laying the groundwork for democracy in Bangladesh.
A large number of families in rural areas, as well as in some urban areas, still don’t consider the education of girls essential and thus do not send them to school. This trend, however, is on the decline, especially in the urban centers of Pakistan. According to the data presented by the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) in 2022 by Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA), 64% of boys were admitted to public schools as compared to only 36% of girls.
March 2020 was when the world hit pause. Airports emptied, city streets grew silent, and entire countries retreated indoors. What started as "two weeks to flatten the curve" spiraled into months of uncertainty. Time felt stretched, endless - one long, monotonous loop of home workouts, doom-scrolling, and everyone suddenly becoming a chef, experimenting with recipes they’d never try otherwise.
The role of women in peacemaking at the national level is still nascent. However, Pakistan’s women UN peacekeeping missions' role in promoting peace in post-conflict spaces is widely acknowledged. More than 500 hundred Pakistani women peacekeepers are currently in different UN missions.
Viewing the Chinese projects in Nepal’s Terai region, and close to the strategic Chicken’s Neck in Bangladesh, together with the one in the waters of Maldives, one can see that China's calculated moves seek to slowly encircle India.
The transatlantic alliance, considered to be a pillar of geopolitical stability, now faces an uncertain future and the realism that Europe can no longer depend on its security on the US has begun to creep in the minds of policymakers in Brussels.
Another critical reform is ensuring that at least 33% of government board members are women. This move is more than just a symbolic gesture; it marks a tangible shift toward inclusivity in decision-making. Women have historically been underrepresented in governance structures, and this policy sends a strong message that their voices are not just welcome but necessary for Pakistan’s progress.
While the BJP began on the backfoot as the party of Hindutva (political Hinduism) inspiring little confidence among Kashmiri Muslims, the elections provided vindication to the Modi government's Kashmir policy even in his party's defeat. It was a feat in itself to hold peaceful elections with all political parties contesting under the post-2019 arrangement with a 63.88% turnout to show.
