Since July, the courts have handed down more than 5,000 verdicts with heavy sentences against members of a Shiite Ismaili ethnic group. About 100 detainees, including seven journalists, are awaiting trial. Authorities in Tajikistan have forced the closure of two religious bodies in the capital Dushanbe within a succession of a week, according to media reports. The institutions are the …

Steve Cole, Erin Guiltenane In the largest-ever study of glacial lakes, researchers using 30 years of NASA satellite data have found that the volume of these lakes worldwide has increased by about 50% since 1990 as glaciers melt and retreat due to climate change. The findings, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, will help researchers assessing the potential hazards …

Like Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan also has a swelling state debt and took on billions worth of loans over the last decade from China’s Export-Import Bank for a series of infrastructure plans under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Authorities in Tajikistan are putting the squeeze on the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) organizations and companies.

In addition to needing a male chaperone to go places within the war-torn country, women are now required to bring a male family member with them if they hope to study abroad.

The 50-minute documentary titled “Islam’s Battle Within” gives a rare insight into the Jamia Haqqania Akora Khattak aka the “University of Jihad”, an ideological nerve centre of the Taliban and other splinter groups in Southeast Asia i.e. Jemaah Islamiyah

The Pamir region happens to be the only part of the country where protesters still take to the streets against the government.

In Central Asia, the art of jewellery is far from forgotten. Across the region, jewellers create beautiful works of art that call to mind the masterpieces produced in the century.

Nine hundred pieces from Uzbekistan’s Nukus Museum of Art are now online after volunteers armed with cameras and cell phones created an open catalogue of the works in the hope it will prevent theft from one of Asia’s most unique and valuable art collections.

Regional powers are seeking to fill the vacuum left by the abrupt departure of the US and its Western allies.

Considered to be the icons of High Asia, the elusive snow leopards have evolved to live in some of the world’s highest and harshest habitats in 12 countries.

Recent excavations in eastern Kazakhstan have led to important discoveries about the ancient Saka people. The excavations reveal that permafrost has preserved treasures for over 2,700 years. But changing climatic conditions are a risk to further revelations, writes Natalie Taylor in the thirdpole.net by Natalie Taylor A recreation of a horse’s ceremonial burial harness. Horses were central to Saka culture …

The Pamirian languages’ family comprises Shughni, Rushani, Bartangi, Roshorvi, Wakhi, Yazgulyami, Rini, Sanglichi, Munji, Sariqoli, Ishkashimi, Oroshor, and Starovanj. The languages are spoken by communities in Badakhshan provinces of Tajikistan and Afghanistan and the Toshqurghan county of Xinjiang autonomous region of China. In Pakistan, the Wakhi language is spoken in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Gojal-Hunza District, Ishkoman Valley of Ghizer District and Chitral’s Broghel Valley.

Pakistan only started importing liquefied natural gas six years ago, but its growing dependence on super-chilled fuel is starting to turn into a nightmare.

Tajikistan has no intention of getting into a direct confrontation with the Taliban. Rather, by taking a few more risks than its neighbours, the Tajik leadership is counting on boosting its popularity, both at home and abroad.