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China’s growing footprint in Pakistan and Bangladesh, coupled with Turkey’s inroads into Dhaka, could pull India into increasingly tricky diplomatic terrainChina’s debt diplomacy has created a significant strategic challenge for India, as Beijing’s expanding influence over both Pakistan and Bangladesh is reshaping the geopolitical landscape in South Asia. This convergence, recently highlighted by
In the aftermath of a significant escalation between India and Pakistan, a
Pakistani delegation led by Federal Minister Musadik Malik has made a public
plea in Washington for advanced American air defence systems and fighter jets.This request comes on the heels of Indian airstrikes involving 80 aircraft and
400 missiles—some reportedly capable of carrying nuclear warheads—that
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, addressing military officers in Quetta, Balochistan, delivered a significant speech on the country’s evolving international relations and its approach to economic challenges. He admitted that Pakistan had, for years, approached its allies with a “begging bowl” to shore up its financial reserves but declared that this era is now over.Sharif emphasised that
In 2025, developing countries are confronting unprecedented financial pressure as debt repayments to China reach record levels. According to a detailed report by the Lowy Institute, these nations are expected to pay a total of USD 35 billion to China this year, with USD 22 billion of that sum owed by the world’s 75 poorest and most vulnerable countries.This surge in repayments is primarily the
Pakistan, facing significant economic challenges and an oversupply of electricity generation capacity, has announced a major initiative to allocate 2,000 megawatts (MW) of surplus electricity in the first phase of a national program dedicated to powering Bitcoin mining and artificial intelligence (AI) data centres.This move, unveiled by the Finance Ministry on May 25, 2025, is part of a broader
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has defended its recent $1 billion bailout package to Pakistan, issued as part of a broader $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) agreement, despite strong objections from India regarding Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism and ongoing cross-border tensions.India had formally urged the IMF to reconsider the bailout, arguing that financial assistance to
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the immediate disbursement of a $1 billion tranche to Pakistan under its ongoing $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), despite strong objections from India, which cited concerns over terrorism financing and Pakistan’s poor track record with previous IMF programs.The IMF board also approved a new $1.3 billion Resilience and Sustainability
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has confirmed that Pakistan is seeking its 24th bailout package, as outlined in a recent staff-level agreement. This agreement follows the successful completion of the existing short-term facility and aims to address Pakistan’s long-standing fiscal and external sustainability issues.The IMF’s statement highlighted that the agreement could allow Pakistan to
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has officially rejected the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) request to reduce transaction taxes for the property sector, as reported on March 24, 2025. Initially, there were indications that the IMF might agree to a 2% reduction in the withholding tax on property purchases starting April 1, 2025, contingent upon formal approval. However, the IMF has now
China’s lending practices have significantly contributed to the Maldives’ precarious financial situation, pushing the island nation toward a potential sovereign default. The Maldives owes China approximately $1.3 billion, which is a substantial portion of its external debt.This debt burden has been exacerbated by China’s strategic interests in the region, as part of its "string of pearls"