Politics

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
© Illustration by Michael Tsang
Asia Insight

Islamic State sneaks into Asia through family terror cells

Sri Lanka bombers' wealth and choice of explosives raise red flags

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
Men pray at a mosque at the Xinjiang Islamic Institute in Urumqi, in China's Xinjiang autonomous region, in January. Some observers believe that the $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has provided reasons for Islamabad to look the other way on the Uighur issue.
International relations

Pakistan's silence on fasting ban for China Uighurs riles activists

But is public resentment enough to force PM Khan's government to confront Beijing?

20 May 2019
India and Pakistan have not been on speaking terms since February, when Indian warplanes flew into Pakistani airspace to strike what India said is a militant training camp.
India elections

Indian election keeps Pakistan anxious

Nuclear-armed neighbors 'cannot keep tensions high indefinitely'

18 May 2019
A Paramilitary soldier takes position beside a wall during an attack on the Chinese consulate, where blasts and shots were heard, in Karachi, Pakistan on Nov. 23, 2018.
Belt and Road

Pakistan insurgent attacks on China project seen to persist

Despite high risks to CPEC, Beijing will not back down on investments, experts say

13 May 2019
Pakistan has faced an economic crisis over the past year.
International relations

Pakistan and IMF negotiators reach $6bn loan deal

Pact will show effective reforms are underway, finance minister says

13 May 2019
Supporters of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party celebrate the U.N. Security Council's decision to blacklist Masood Azhar, head of Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed. REUTERS/Amit Dave
India elections

Modi boosted in election by UN listing of Pakistani terrorist

India's decadelong campaign finally given tacit greenlight by China

6 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
Sri Lanka's Muslim population is unusually important in its business life.
Opinion

Sri Lanka and Asia's failure of tolerance

Island's tragedy highlights regional inability to counter sectarian divisions

6 May 2019
A woman lights a candle during a vigil to show solidarity with the victims of Sri Lanka's serial bomb blasts, inside a college in Kolkata, India on April 26.
Politics

Five things to know a week after the Sri Lanka bombings

Blasts a wake-up call to India and China, competing for influence on the island

28 April 2019
St. Sebastian's Church after bomb blasts: Little attention was paid to the upsurge of Islamic extremist.
Opinion

Sri Lanka confronts Islamist violence

Recent progress in easing social tensions could unravel after Easter terrorist attacks

26 April 2019
Platforms such as WhatsApp with end-to-end encryption provide means to communicate in a safe manner.
Opinion

India internet clampdown will not stop misinformation

New rules threatens privacy and freedom of expression

24 April 2019
This undated image posted by the Islamic State group's AMAQ news agency on April 23 purports to show Mohamed Cassim Mohamed Zaharan, center, the man Sri Lanka says led the Easter bombing that killed over 300 people.
Politics

Sri Lanka's radicalized Muslims have long ties to Islamic State

FBI looks into sophisticated blasts as details of deadly Easter attacks emerge

24 April 2019
A view of the blast damage inside St. Sebastian's Church in Negombo, Sri Lanka, on April 22
The Nikkei View

A barbaric act of mass murder in Sri Lanka

The world should help the South Asian country root out terrorism

24 April 2019
Mourners in Sri Lanka carry the coffin of a victim of Sunday's terror attacks during a mass burial Tuesday.
Politics

Islamic State claims responsibility for Sri Lanka attacks

Bombings are in retaliation for Christchurch massacre, defense official says

24 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
Sri Lankan soldiers secure St. Anthony Shrine after an attack in Colombo on Sunday. At least 290 people were killed and over 450 injured in eight blasts across the country.
Politics

Terror attacks in Sri Lanka expose new security threat

Recent intelligence reports raised alarm of some Muslims becoming radicalized

22 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
Experts say the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan needs to manage the Chinese "debt trap" issue in order to avoid future economic problems. (Nikkei Montage)
Politics

US lawmakers balk at Pakistan rescue, fearing money going to China

IMF bailout would be used to repay debts to Beijing, congressmen say

13 April 2019
People raise their hands as they chant slogans to show solidarity with Pakistan Armed Force in a rally Peshawar, Pakistan on March 1.
India elections

Relations with Pakistan to remain tense after India elections

Islamabad wary of Modi's intentions as both sides closely watch US reaction

12 April 2019