Pakistan's Balochistan witnessed rise in enforced disappearances, state repression in 2025: Report

IANS | January 4, 2026 4:59 PM

Quetta, Jan 4 (IANS) Pakistan's Balochistan witnessed a rise in enforced disappearances, an escalation of state repression, and further restrictions on political activists in 2025. The forcible disappearance of students, political activists and relatives of people related to Balochistan resistance continued and the cases of enforced disappearances of women have increased in Balochistan, local media reported on Sunday.

Bangladesh’s mounting economic woes to spill into 2026

IANS | January 4, 2026 4:53 PM

New Delhi, Jan 4 (IANS) Several challenges faced by the Bangladesh economy from 2025, such as the rising non-performing loans in the financial sector, are likely to spill into the new year, according to local media reports.

Pakistan anti-terrorism court's verdict against journalists sparks concerns over press freedom: Report

IANS | January 4, 2026 4:35 PM

Islamabad, Jan 4 (IANS) An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has sentenced eight journalists and social media commentators to life imprisonment in absentia, convicting them of terrorism-linked offences related to online activity backing former Prime Minister Imran Khan, sparking concerns over press freedom and freedom of expression in the country, as per a media report.