Pakistan

Pakistan's cautious statements on the Israel-Hamas war have attracted attention, given the country's typically strident pro-Palestinian stance. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP and Reuters)
Middle East crisis

Pakistan adopts careful tone on Israel, experts read between lines

Economic crisis and long-term foreign policy goals seen keeping Islamabad cautious

12 October 2023
Islamabad is decorated with flags to welcome China's vice premier in July. Beijing has shown a reluctance to expand the scope of Belt and Road projects in Pakistan.
Belt and Road

China spurned Pakistan's proposals for new Belt and Road projects

Meeting minutes reflect Beijing's concerns over political instability, security

2 October 2023
Pakistani Navy personnel patrol in Gwadar in 2016: The Pentagon last year said the port could one day host a People's Liberation Army Navy facility for China.
International relations

U.S. envoy's Gwadar tour shows Pakistan's evolving China strategy

Islamabad balances superpowers while seeking stronger hand for Beijing negotiations

25 September 2023
Soldiers patrol a corporate farming project in Pakistan's Punjab province on July 23 (EPA)
Economy

Pakistan army trades tanks for tractors in food-security push

Sprawling military-run farms stoke backlash over armed forces' pervasive presence

24 September 2023
Pakistan is scheduled to hold elections in the last week of January 2024, according to its Election Commission.
Politics

Pakistan to hold national vote in late January: election panel

Process of constituency delimitation, nominations, appeals and campaigning awaits

21 September 2023
Qazi Faez Isa takes the oath to become the new chief justice of Pakistan in Islamabad on Sept. 17. (Pakistan's Press Information Department via Reuters)
Politics

Pakistan's new chief justice aims for order in pre-election chaos

Qazi Faez Isa enters political minefield as nation heads for late-January polls

21 September 2023
Women work in a garment factory in Dhaka: Bangladesh is the world's second-largest exporter of clothing.
Opinion

Corporate 'inclusion' must apply to business partners too

Multinationals need to ensure that suppliers treat their workers with respect

21 September 2023
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad in 2017: He is expected to return to the country soon, after years in exile in London.
Politics

Pakistan ex-PM Nawaz Sharif's likely return adds to volatile mix

Turbulent election season ahead with Imran Khan in jail, alliances fraying

16 September 2023
Stranded trucks are seen during an earlier closing of the Torkham border between Pakistan and Afghanistan in February.
Afghanistan turmoil

Pakistan shuts Afghanistan crossing as deadly clashes raise tensions

Four Pakistani soldiers, 12 militants and several civilians reported killed

7 September 2023
Women supporters of Pakistan's Jamaat-e-Islami party protest against power price hikes in Karachi on Aug. 31.
Economy

Pakistan's inflated electricity rates spark public uproar

Citizens burn bills and protest but IMF terms leave government few options

4 September 2023
India play Pakistan in last year's cricket Asia Cup in Dubai on Aug. 28, 2022.
International relations

Pakistan and India set for fresh clash -- on a cricket field

Regional rivals are due to play several games over next two months

1 September 2023
A shipping container yard in Karachi: The EU is Pakistan's primary export market.
Politics

Pakistan blasphemy law and violence risk EU trade status

Recent legislation, church attacks could have economic consequences, experts say

26 August 2023
A rally in May in Hyderabad to show solidarity with Pakistan's army: New legislation criminalizes criticism of the country's armed forces.
Opinion

Pakistan's military can now legally do whatever it wants

To keep Imran Khan at bay, PML-N and PPP have further empowered the army

23 August 2023
A ship carrying Russian crude anchored in Karachi in June: Pakistan's refinery says the oil was processed successfully, but experts and officials have cast doubt on the viability of the imports.
Economy

Pakistan eyes deeper discounts as Russian oil imports hit snag

Current deal economically infeasible despite official denials, insiders say

19 August 2023
Anwaar ul Haq Kakar has been selected to serve as Pakistan's caretaker prime minister. (Source photos by AFP/Jiji and AP) 
Politics

Who is Anwaar Kakar, Pakistan's new caretaker prime minister?

Army favorite faces ailing economy, militancy seen in Chinese convoy attack

15 August 2023
A government worker collects census data in Lahore on March 1: Pakistan's latest census has been dogged by accusations of deliberate undercounting of people in some parts of the country.
Politics

Pakistan census sparks accusations of manipulation

Election delay, Balochistan province's missing 7 million raise questions

11 August 2023
Pakistan's outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses parliament in Islamabad on Aug. 9, before the legislature and his cabinet were dissolved.
Politics

Pakistan parliament dissolved as PM Sharif makes way for caretaker

Outgoing government earns mixed reviews; election outlook murky

10 August 2023
Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Pakistan's investment chief, speaks with Nikkei. (Photo by Takumi Kobayashi)
Economy

Pakistan needs to diversify its partners: top investment official

Chaudhry Salik Hussain seeks Japanese tech to help reduce reliance on imports

8 August 2023
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in Lahore on March 17: Pakistani police arrested him, his lawyer said, on Aug. 5.
Politics

Pakistan's ex-PM Imran Khan handed 3-year sentence in gifts case

Popular former leader arrested as his party vows to go to Supreme Court

5 August 2023
A rally for Pakistan's armed forces in May: A general election is due by November, but it is unclear whether it will be held on time.
Politics

Pakistan election timing up in air as signals hint at delay

Census, terrorism could keep caretaker setup in place past November deadline

4 August 2023
Crew members check the deck of a ship delivering Russian crude oil to Pakistan at the port of Karachi in June.
Economy

Pakistan lines up Saudi-backed refinery as it eyes more Russian oil

$10bn project in Gwadar draws skepticism but some experts see long game

1 August 2023
Supporters of Imran Khan protest in May: Young people have been at the core of the demonstrations over the fate of the former prime minister.
Opinion

Pakistan elite must make way for country's youth

Political parties and economy have to be opened up to new generation

31 July 2023
A Chinese ship anchored at Gwadar in 2017: The port city, still a work in progress, is the heart of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Belt and Road

Pakistan hails Belt and Road wins 'prematurely' as polls loom

10th anniversary hype over China projects draws doubts from experts, workers

29 July 2023
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan exudes confidence that his PTI party will overcome opposition from the military and more established political parties to win the next general election, expected in the fall.
The Big Story

Imran Khan tells Pakistan's military to stay out of politics as election nears

Ousted last year, former PM seeks to tap unrivaled popularity in looming confrontation with generals

26 July 2023
Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari welcomes Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Islamabad on July 20.
International relations

Pakistan juggles ties with Russia as Ukrainian minister visits

Awaiting more oil from Moscow, Islamabad offers trade and humanitarian aid to Kyiv

21 July 2023