London, April 15 (IANS) Women’s representation in Pakistan’s police forces remains abysmally low accounting for less than three per cent of the total workforce. The lack of representation has contributed to “underreporting of violence against women, improper investigation in gender crimes, legal noncompliance, miscarriage of justice and growing mistrust and reluctance towards police”, a report has highlighted.Pakistan was ranked 145th out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2024 publ…
Latest South Asia News & Updates
New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) The March Economic Outlook prepared by the Finance Division of the Pakistan Government has stated that oil markets remain on tenterhooks, multiple supply outages have heightened crude markets, while geopolitical tensions between Iran and the US have intensified. As a result, oil markets remain volatile, according to an article in the Karachi-based Business Recorder.On March 30, the IMF stated that in the Middle East and South Asia, already meagre reserves and limited m…
Colombo, April 12 (IANS) The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), a 141-page document, formally adopted during China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Two Sessions in early March 2026 appears to be a strategic blueprint for deepening Beijing’s presence across the developing world, more so in South Asia, a media report said on Sunday. The Two Sessions, which bring together the NPC and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, function as the institutional machinery through which the Co…
New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) China’s push to become a global supplier of renewable energy technology is drawing sharp criticism from Africa, South Asia and Latin America, alleging Chinese solar panels, wind turbines and batteries to be low‑quality and poorly suited to local conditions, a new report has said.The report from Nepal Aaja also argued that these projects are also tied to financing that creates long‑term dependencies.”China’s financing model typically ties loans to technology imp…
New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) India remains among the fastest-growing major economies in the world despite the global slowdown – likely to clock 6.6 per cent in FY27 — as higher energy prices caused by the Middle East conflict and supply chain disruptions weigh on economic activity.According to the latest World Bank’s latest economic update, despite significant downside risks stemming from the conflict, the economy’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals and policy buffers offer some insulation….
Washington, April 9 (IANS) Bangladesh’s economy is expected to see a gradual recovery after a period of slowdown, supported by improving domestic demand and stabilising conditions, the World Bank said.Growth is projected at 3.9 per cent in fiscal year 2025-26, reflecting the impact of earlier political unrest and external pressures on economic activity, according to the World Bank’s latest assessment.The report said the economy is recovering from disruptions linked to political instability i…
Washington, April 9 (IANS) Pakistan is facing mounting debt pressures, weak growth prospects and persistent structural vulnerabilities, which risks its economic stability, the World Bank said.The report highlighted that economies with high public debt, limited fiscal space and heavy external financing needs remain particularly exposed to global shocks such as rising energy prices and tighter financial conditions.Pakistan, now assessed under a broader regional grouping rather than South Asia, fal…
Washington, April 8 (IANS) India’s economy is projected to grow 7.6 per cent in FY2025/26 before moderating to 6.6 per cent the following year, anchoring South Asia even as regional growth slows to 6.3 per cent in 2026, the World Bank said on Wednesday. The latest South Asia Economic Update said India remains the primary engine of regional expansion, with its growth underpinned by strong domestic demand, trade reforms, and new agreements, including a free trade pact with the European Union….
Washington, April 8 (IANS) The World Bank on Wednesday said India is expected to clock a 7.6 per cent GDP growth in the financial year 2025-26, while it has raised the country’s growth forecast for 2026-27 to 6.6 per cent from 6.3 per cent earlier.The World Bank Group, in its twice-a-year regional outlook report, stated that “the growth outlook is driven primarily by India’s performance, underpinned by robust domestic demand as well as tariff cuts and recent trade agreements, including the f…
New Delhi, April 5 (IANS) Pakistan-linked disinformation networks are actively targeting Bangladesh through coordinated digital campaigns, leveraging social media platforms, artificial intelligence tools and local amplification channels to shape public narratives and geopolitical perceptions, according to a recent investigation.The report, highlights how actors linked to Pakistan are systematically pushing narratives that portray India as a destabilising force while projecting Pakistan as a favo…