GLOFs pose major threats to people in G-B, Chitral
Steve Cole, Erin Guiltenane In the largest-ever study of glacial lakes, researchers using 30 years of NASA satellite data have
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Central Asia
China’s BRI grapples with a mounting debt crisis
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.
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Tajikistan puts squeeze on AKDN entities in GBAO
Authorities in Tajikistan are putting the squeeze on the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) organizations and companies.
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Afghan women’s woes
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.
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Documentary on Islamic extremism wins award
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
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Tajik security forces kill 25 ethnic Pamiris
The Pamir region happens to be the only part of the country where protesters still take to the streets against the government.
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Evolution of Central Asian jewellery art
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.
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Digitizing Uzbekistan’s desert art
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.
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Afghanistan: New Great Game in the heart of Asia
Regional powers are seeking to fill the vacuum left by the abrupt departure of the US and its Western allies.
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Four decades of snow leopards conservation
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.
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Kazakhstan: discoveries made about Saka people
Recent excavations in eastern Kazakhstan have led to important discoveries about the ancient Saka people. The excavations reveal that permafrost
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Call for promotion of Pamirian languages
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.
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As Pakistan faces gas crisis, hope revives for TAPI
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.
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Why Tajikistan is taking a stand against the Taliban
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.
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Tajik buzkashi horsewoman breaks barriers
Tajik rider Malika Rajabova is used to being the only woman on the field when she plays buzkashi, a Central Asian sport in which competitors on horseback fight to grab a goat carcass.
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