With a narrow focus on security and a desire to perpetuate Afghanistan’s dependence on Pakistan, Islamabad has failed to recognise the Taliban’s new regional ambitions and geopolitical strategy
The professor of critical geography discusses how climatic variability, unregulated development and colonial water governance exacerbates Pakistan’s flood vulnerability
This week in Himal
This week, Salman Rafi Sheikh looks at recent discussions on amending Pakistan’s National Finance Commission award, which has revived fears that Pakistan’s provinces will
As Pakistan’s government restarts a debate on resource sharing between the country’s centre and the provinces, concerns emerge on fiscal recentralisation
After Pakistan’s military “win” in the May 2025 confrontation with India, the army under Asim Munir as field marshal has even greater power over the state, the civilian government and the judiciary
The United States and Donald Trump are courting the Pakistan military as an ally in a war against Iran, but Pakistan’s present problems and hard lessons from the US-led invasion of Afghanistan should offer grave warnings
Pakistan’s flawed domestic and foreign policies – especially its mishandling of Afghanistan – have led to a deterioration in its relations with both the rival superpowers of China and the United States
Bangladesh’s relationship with Pakistan has become markedly more friendly since the fall of Sheikh Hasina, even as anti-India sentiment has reached an all-time high in the country
Not learning from the past, Islamabad is unleashing a new military operation against Baloch insurgency and Islamist extremism, continuing a vicious cycle of violence instead of addressing Baloch grievances through constitutional means
As Kabul refuses to act against the TTP and Baloch militant groups, Pakistan is ending the support it has extended to the Taliban since 1994 and its welcome to refugees from Afghanistan since the 1980s
