Pakistan
In Search of Proxies
As Pakistan’s relationship with the Taliban deteriorates, Islamabad is discreetly courting Afghan opposition groups in search of a new ally. Interviews with figures such as Yasin Zia and Ahmad Massoud reveal how Pakistan’s Afghan policy is shifting — and why a cycle of proxy politics may be doomed to repeat itself.
Tradition and Transgression
Trained in Hindustani classical music, the Pakistani artist Ali Sethi is known for blending South Asian traditions with global sounds and queer aesthetics. Once embraced across borders, Sethi now navigates cultural and political estrangement from both Pakistan and India, yet remains one of the subcontinent’s most prominent musicians.
The Chinese Men Seeking Pakistani Christian Wives
Chinese men, who outnumber women of their generation, have been looking for brides abroad, including among Pakistan’s Christians. Treading the line between arranged marriage and human trafficking, these weddings have been facing increased scrutiny, but have persisted as ties between the countries deepen.
Once a Thriving Ecosystem, Pakistan’s Largest River Delta Is in Peril
A century ago, the Indus River Delta was lush, thriving and rich. Today, it’s dry, saline and abandoned. As Pakistan grapples with a worsening water crisis, protests have erupted in Sindh province over a new government project that threatens to divert more water from the Indus.
Cultural Ties Binding India and Pakistan Face Unprecedented Strain
Cultural exchange between India and Pakistan — which has continued via cinema, music and fashion despite official restrictions — is now under unprecedented strain due to the recent political conflict. As artists face tighter regulations and digital borders harden, nationalism is threatening a shared cultural heritage.
Noon Meem Danish Brought the Black Experience to Urdu Poetry
Noon Meem Danish, a Black Pakistani poet, explores themes of Blackness, identity and belonging in his work. In a rare interview, the only Urdu-language poet writing within the Negritude tradition reflects on a life and career that has taken him from protest in Karachi to solitude in Connecticut.
India Takes Notice as Pakistan and Bangladesh Strengthen Ties
Pakistan and Bangladesh began strengthening ties following the ouster of former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, after which she sought asylum in India. The thaw has included high-level meetings, the resumption of direct trade and eased visa restrictions — developments that have made India increasingly wary.