Economy

When government officials abruptly revealed  that the drilling project had been abandoned after its failure to find any gas or oil reserves, Khan and his government faced rapidly mounting criticism.
Politics

Imran Khan under fire after Pakistan fails to find offshore oil

Critics say prime minister trying to deflect attention from massive IMF loan

3 June 2019
From left: Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad, Bangladesh's Sheikh Hasina and Cambodia's Hun Sen speak at Nikkei's Future of Asia conference on May 30.
The Future of Asia 2019

Cambodia's Hun Sen quashes Chinese 'debt trap' fears

Political and business luminaries discuss Asia's future at Nikkei forum

30 May 2019
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks at the Future of Asia conference on May 30. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
The Future of Asia 2019

Bangladesh grows beyond garments to technology, PM Hasina says

Digital technology is 'reducing inequality' and 'creating opportunities'

30 May 2019
Pakistan is one of the world’s worst performers when it comes to income tax collection. Less than 1% of its population of more than 210 million pays an income tax.
Economy

Pakistan’s tax amnesty leaves doubt as wealthy keep evasive methods

Low-income workers discover bank accounts opened in their names by the rich

22 May 2019
Shopping for groceries at a store in Peshawar. Pakistan's rupee has become Asia's weakest currency in recent months.
Economy

Pakistan hikes interest rates to 5-year high after IMF deal

Inflation-fighting move takes borrowing rate to more than 12%

21 May 2019
Port of Colombo is an important strategic spot for both China and Japan. (Photo by Yuji Kuronuma)
International relations

Japan and India to develop Colombo port, countering Belt and Road

With Sri Lanka, partners take on China's expanding Indian Ocean presence

20 May 2019
A Pakistani money changer counts US dollar bills in Islamabad. Pakistan's IMF loan deal is likely to further devalue the nation's currency.
Economy

Pakistan's currency in line for further hits after IMF loan

Famously stubborn tax evaders in focus as opposition rejects deal's provisions

14 May 2019
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has made three changes in his economic team in less than a month, suggesting he has yet to set the stage for the country’s economic direction.
Economy

Pakistan appoints IMF official for new central bank governor

PM Khan's changes to economic team come amid new loan discussions

6 May 2019
Security personnel keep watch at Galle Fort, one of Sri Lanka's most popular tourist destinations, on April 24. (Photo by Amila Gamage)
Economy

Sri Lanka's tourism industry defiant after deadly attacks

Minister and merchants expect rebound, despite risk to economy and jobs

26 April 2019
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi speaks with the Nikkei Asian Review in Tokyo. (Photo by Arisa Moriyama)
Interview

Pakistan ready for peace talks after Indian vote, minister says

New IMF bailout and Chinese investment also on horizon as economic ills persist

23 April 2019
The discussions with the IMF have run into resistance from the U.S. over Pakistan's Chinese debt.
Belt and Road

Pakistan's PM Khan eager for closer economic ties with China

Beijing visit for Belt and Road summit to highlight plans for economic corridor

23 April 2019
Crime-scene officials inspect the explosion area at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo after deadly blasts April 21.
Economy

Sri Lanka bombings hurt island's tourist destination ambitions

Death toll rises to 290 after Easter Sunday attacks on churches and hotels

22 April 2019
Pakistani Finance Minister Asad Umar holds a news conference in Islamabad in November.
Economy

Pakistan finance minister resigns ahead of visit by IMF

Sudden departure comes after provisional deal on aid worth over $6bn

19 April 2019
The practice of Chinese men paying to marry young Pakistani women has continued for the past couple of years, according to sources.
Belt and Road

Chinese illegal marriage operators exploit young Pakistani women

Belt and Road hype leaves human trafficking of underprivileged unchecked

18 April 2019
The tax amnesty plan is being promoted by Prime Minister Imran Khan as a necessary step to help reform Pakistan.
Economy

Pakistan to unveil new tax amnesty to ease debt burden

PM Khan hopes one-time charge on hidden wealth will relieve cash-strapped economy

15 April 2019
Indonesian fishermen work near pipes flushing sewage into the Porong River in the province of East Java.
Environment

Southeast Asia looks for outside help to flush sewage problems

Water treatment projects lure foreign expertise to deal with rising raw effluent

12 April 2019
Home to one-quarter of the world's population, South Asia is seen as a potential gold mine for 5G equipment makers such as Huawei. 
5G networks

Huawei takes 5G fight to India and Pakistan

Region primed for $1.2tn tech bonanza over next five years

8 April 2019
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, right, with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing last November. Officials in Pakistan’s Balochistan province say it is failing to reap the full benefits of major infrastructure projects in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Belt and Road

Khan tries to ease concerns over China's Belt and Road

Pakistani province demands fair share of $62bn development project

2 April 2019
China is left with just one real ally -- Pakistan. 
Opinion

Pakistan, China and terrorism

Beijing's support protects Islamabad from global pressure to suppress militants

18 March 2019
China is making clear that it values its strategic partnership with Pakistan for the sake of its own regional interests.
Belt and Road

China defends Pakistan by vetoing Kashmir bombing resolution

India fails to brand Masood Azhar a terrorist as Beijing prioritizes Belt and Road

15 March 2019
All mobile phones sold in Nepal are made in China and the Chinese WeChat application is the most popular means of communication. (Photo by Tom Vater)
Belt and Road

Belt and Road reaches Nepal's wild north, winning China influence

Highways, bridges and dams flow from infrastructure bonanza

9 March 2019
Imran Khan's government must develop a bold plan for inclusive, sustainable long-term growth.
Opinion

Pakistan must end damaging dependency on IMF

After 21 assistance programs in 60 years, time to create sustainable economic growth

26 February 2019
Nepal's existing rail link with India will be one of few parts of the network to use its southern neighbor's favored broad gauge. (Photo by Yuji Kuronuma)
International relations

Nepal hitches railway to Chinese standards in blow to India

Himalayan nation will use a Beijing-favored gauge except at southern border

22 February 2019
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, right, greets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Khan government has built a relationship of mutual support with Riyadh.
International relations

Saudi crown prince plots diplomatic comeback with Pakistan aid

Mohammed bin Salman plays to friendly crowds to move past Khashoggi scandal

19 February 2019
China-backed coal plants are helping to provide Pakistan with much-needed power but they are also raising environmental concerns locally.
International relations

China-backed coal projects raise heat in Pakistan

Lack of disclosure on Belt and Road plans spurs environmental fears

13 February 2019