Background: The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with two sections West and East) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved, and India and Pakistan have fought two wars - in 1947-48 and 1965 - over the disputed Kashmir territory. A third war between these countries in 1971 - in which India capitalized on Islamabad's marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistani politics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998. The dispute over the state of Kashmir is ongoing, but recent discussions and confidence-building measures may be a start toward lessened tensions.
April 3rd 2008Asia » Pakistan » Islamabad Seagulls and bare midriffs.
I’ve made many mistakes in my life.
The latest one was based on the assumption that the weather in Holland and England would be mild since the temperature was goi ... 3 photos[full story]
April 1st 2008Asia » Pakistan » Islamabad Seagulls and bare midriffs.
I’ve made many mistakes in my life.
The latest one was based on the assumption that the weather in Holland and England would be mild since the temperature was goi ... 4 photos[full story]
February 23rd 2008Asia » Pakistan » Islamabad February 24, Islamabad
It’s after the elections and after the results have been published. Only 30 to 40 % took part and scores of women were prevented from voting, although that is their con ... 8 photos[full story]
January 3rd 2008Asia » Pakistan » Islamabad Things are settling down in Pakistan, and life has been inching towards normality in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi over the last few days. The 'miscreants', 'mischief-mongers' and 'anti- ... 7 photos[full story]
December 29th 2007Asia » Pakistan » Islamabad In this morning's newspaper, I read that foreign travellers in Pakistan are advised to stay in their lodgings for the moment until the situation becomes clear. As Islamabad is relatively quiet, I vent ... [full story]
December 28th 2007Asia » Pakistan » Islamabad Islamabad is a very sad city today. After yesterday's assassination of ex-prime minister Benazir Bhutto, three days of national mourning have been declared, and everything is closed: the markets, the ... [full story]
December 27th 2007Asia » Pakistan » Islamabad I just received a text message from my friend Maddie in England, telling me that Benazir Bhutto has been killed about an hour ago in Rawalpindi - Islamabad's neighbouring city, a mere 15 km apart - in ... [full story]
December 25th 2007Asia » Pakistan » Islamabad It's Christmas Day in Islamabad. Actually, it isn't - it's the birthday of Pakistan's founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah, so there's a public holiday here, too. But I've been wished 'Merry Christmas' many ti ... 4 photos[full story]
December 25th 2007Asia » Pakistan » Islamabad After a pleasant stay in South Africa where we found that, after almost three years, prices have rocketed, service provision has declined with power interruptions almost daily, and the black populatio ... [full story]
December 8th 2007Asia » Pakistan » Islamabad It's Dark Moon and I am in Islamabad. It feels quite strange to be in a place I have previously only seen on the news, mostly in regard to political unrest and bombs. The way Islamabad is portrayed in ... [full story]
Map of Pakistan
Pakistan's Flag
