Islamabad

Supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan throw stones toward police during a protest against the arrest of Khan, in Karachi, Pakistan, May 9, 2023.

A shaky political situation in Pakistan could get worse with arrest of former PM Imran Khan

Paramilitary troops arrested former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan during a court appearance on Tuesday, sparking protests and complicating an already-fragile political situation in the country.

A shaky political situation in Pakistan could get worse with arrest of former PM Imran Khan
man at podium

Police file terrorism charges against Pakistan's Imran Khan

Police file terrorism charges against Pakistan's Imran Khan
A police officer examines a damaged car at the site of a firing incident, in Karachi, Pakistan

Taliban takeover could mean more security challenges for Chinese projects in Pakistan

Taliban takeover could mean more security challenges for Chinese projects in Pakistan
Black and white cover of composer Arooj Aftab

The ‘strange grace’ of singer Arooj Aftab

The ‘strange grace’ of singer Arooj Aftab
Trader displays sari with image of modi with his military tanks

As elections loom, India's Modi vows to end terrorism in Kashmir — with more military force

As elections loom, India's Modi vows to end terrorism in Kashmir — with more military force
Pashtun women in Pakistan hold posters of their missing family members

Is Pakistan poised for a Pashtun Spring?

Pashtuns are an ethnic minority group composed largely of about 30 million people in Pakistan. They have also gone missing by the thousands.

Is Pakistan poised for a Pashtun Spring?
A security officer is seen perched through a vehicle's sun roof as electoral workers stand in line along a wall in Karachi, Pakistan.

Suicide bomber kills dozens as Pakistanis vote in cliffhanger election

A suicide bomber killed at least 29 people near a polling center as Pakistanis voted on Wednesday in a knife-edge general election pitting cricket hero Imran Khan against the party of jailed ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Suicide bomber kills dozens as Pakistanis vote in cliffhanger election
Baby Eva has yet to meet her Pakistani grandmother.

A Pakistani mom sets out to visit her new American granddaughter, and is turned back at the visa counter

Dual citizens from Iraq, Iran, Syria and Sudan are hit by the new US program that restricts their travel. But Pakistanis say they're victims of a visa clampdown as well.

A Pakistani mom sets out to visit her new American granddaughter, and is turned back at the visa counter
A Pakistani executioner and his job

An interview with an executioner: 'I don't feel anything'

It's not an interview a journalist gets to do every day — with an executioner. The BBC's Shaimaa Khalil got that chance when she sat down with Sabir Massih, 32, who's hanged nearly 50 people since Pakistan reinstated the death penalty. He tells Khalil what goes through his mind when he pulls the lever.

An interview with an executioner: 'I don't feel anything'
The BBC's Mobeen Azhar speaks to Imam Ghazi, leader of the Red Mosque

Go inside a Pakistani madrassa where Osama bin Laden is called a hero

Across Pakistan, an increasingly radical brand of Islamic school or madrassa is gaining influence, spreading a purist form of Islam through its students, many of whom go on to become imams and preachers across the country.

Go inside a Pakistani madrassa where Osama bin Laden is called a hero
Homeland in Pakistan

The Pakistan in 'Homeland' is unrecognizable to this Pakistani author

The fourth season of "Homeland" take viewers to Pakistan and Afghanistan, or at least some version of those countries. But Pakistanis who watched the recent premiere are angry with the many inaccuracies they've found, saying the show might stoke unwarranted fears about their country.

The Pakistan in 'Homeland' is unrecognizable to this Pakistani author
Rehman Malik speaks during an interview with Reuters in Islamabad.

Why one plane full of Pakistanis chased a famous politician off their flight

"VIP culture" in Pakistan lets politicians miraculously bend the rules to their convenience, and Pakistanis are no strangers to it. But on a recent flight to Islamabad, things turned out a little differently for a lawmaker and a former minister who passengers believed caused a two-hour delay.

Why one plane full of Pakistanis chased a famous politician off their flight
Hamid Mir interviewing Osama bin Laden, in early November 2001.

A Pakistani journalist vows to continue reporting — even after accusing the military of shooting him

A popular TV newsman in Pakistan was reporting on military human rights abuses. The military threatened him, but he refused to stop. Then in April, he was shot — six times. PRI's The World Host Marco Werman speaks with Hamid Mir, who vows to continue working, despite new threats.

A Pakistani journalist vows to continue reporting — even after accusing the military of shooting him
Paper Mulberry

Hayfever sufferers, be warned — avoid at all costs the allergy capital of the world

If you suffer from spring allergies, take heart that you aren't in Islamabad, Pakistan, where pollen counts are some of the highest in the world. Reporter Bina Shah just visited the city and couldn't wait to get out.

Hayfever sufferers, be warned — avoid at all costs the allergy capital of the world
My ride to Lahore!

A journalist returns to Pakistan more than 60 years after her family fled to India

Sonia Narang will be reporting from Pakistan in April as part of a fellowship sponsored by the East West Center. The trip has had special meaning for her, though, because she'll be the first member of her extended family to visit Pakistan since they left after the Indian/Pakistani partition in 1947.

A journalist returns to Pakistan more than 60 years after her family fled to India