Abubakar Siddique

Shadowy Group Again Threatens Iran-Pakistan Relations

The relations between Pakistan and Iran have taken a nosedive following one of the worst attacks on Iranian forces in a restive southeastern region connecting the neighboring Muslim countries.

Displaced Afghans Find Little Aid Amid Winter Misery

Envisioning Afghanistan After A Peace Deal

It is still not clear exactly what kind of nation is likely to emerge after the process moves toward a peace deal that Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. peace envoy to Afghanistan, says he is hopeful will be concluded before the presidential election in July.

Afghan Air Force Says Its Ready To Handle Black Hawk Helicopters

Protest Strike Against Pashtun Activist’s Alleged Killing By Pakistan Police

Major cities across Pakistan’s restive southwestern province of Balochistan have been shut down as part of a protest strike against the alleged killing of a senior leader of a Pashtun civil rights movement by police.

Alleged Harassment By Pakistani Soldiers Sparks Protests In Waziristan

The alleged harassment of women and children by the security forces in northwestern Pakistan’s restive Waziristan region has provoked outrage and protests.

Pakistan Investigating Activist Over Alleged Rioting

Alamzaib Khan Mehsud’s arrest has attracted considerable attention. He has earned a reputation for his dogged efforts to document enforced disappearances and highlight the plight of victims of landmines among Pakistan’s more than 30 million Pashtuns.

Afghanistan Moves To Preserve Historian’s Legacy

Will Pakistan Push The Taliban To Talk Peace?

The recent arrest of a senior Taliban figure in Pakistan could be a sign that Islamabad is changing its stance on its erstwhile Afghan allies.

A Family Tragedy Captures Life On The Afghan Front Line

Taliban Urged To Heed Past Mistakes In Afghan Peace Talks

Peace Overtures Showcase Iran’s Deep Taliban Ties

Tehran’s diplomatic offensive has perhaps inadvertently showcased its strong ties with the Taliban.

Slain Afghan Policeman’s Widow Turns To Begging

Their life was far from ideal, but young Afghan policeman Hashmat and his wife, Bibi Gul, were happy in their humble house in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar.

Pakistani Military Changes Tune On Pashtun Rights Movement

The Pakistani military has now offered to join hands with the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) to bring development and prosperity to their northwestern homeland where more than 50,000 civilians were killed and millions more displaced by nearly 15 years of militant attacks and military operations.

In Khyber Pass, Pashtun Tribes Protest Raids

Pashtun tribal leaders criticized the security forces for raiding their homes in the Khyber Pass.

Addiction Rates Soar In Rural Afghanistan

Afghanistan Hopeful About Replacing Opium Crops With Saffron

Officials in southern Afghanistan hope that the fields of saffron will soon replace the bright red flowers of opium poppy, which partially fuels conflict in the region.

Pakistani Journalists Face Mass Layoffs

As the Pakistani media industry faces increased censorship and financial uncertainty some of its most valuable workers have lost their livelihoods. Hundreds of reporters, photographers, editors, television presenters, and other media workers who have lost their jobs since the beginning of the year.

Afghan Presidential Field Taking Shape

With the April 20 Afghan presidential vote still months away, some candidates have announced their intention to run for the presidency while others are jockeying hard to form the most formidable coalition or come up with a strong ticket.

Why Are The Taliban Attacking Hazaras In Afghanistan?

The recent Taliban attacks on the beleaguered Hazara minority are apparently provoked by the breakdown of a longstanding agreement between the two, according to former Taliban members and Ghazni locals.