Pakistan

As the 38-day shutdown continues, both sides face mounting pressure. Unless the Torkham crossing reopens soon, the economic and human costs risk becoming permanent scars on bilateral trade.

The absence of female panel members in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s ADR committees and the exclusion of non-Muslim members make clear that what may appear as decentralised and accessible justice may in practice perpetuate discrimination.

In Dera Ismail Khan, the chain of violence took an even more horrifying shape when a transgender individual was allegedly gang-raped by four men, bound with ropes and assaulted before registering a complaint – highlighting not just deadly acts, but wider sexual violence targeting the community.

As thousands of Afghans are loaded onto trucks for forced return, the crisis reflects not just the failure of diplomacy but also the erosion of trust between two interdependent nations. Unless talks resume on a more equal footing, analysts warn, South Asia may face yet another cycle of displacement, resentment and instability.

The two-day dialogue, hosted by Turkey and facilitated by Qatar, followed a period of heightened tension along the Durand Line

The meeting came amid a broader push by both countries to reinvigorate bilateral ties – spanning trade, defence cooperation and connectivity – in what Karachi and Dhaka describe as a “reset” in relations.

Although Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are officially intended to protect religious sentiments, the report highlights a deeply troubling pattern: false or manipulated accusations are being lodged with the purpose of evicting vulnerable owners or extracting money.

The “roti crisis” in Pakistan underscores the country’s broader economic challenge – a struggle to balance social welfare with inflationary pressures in an economy...