Abid Hussain

Pakistan Correspondent

About the author

Originally from Karachi and now based in Islamabad, Pakistan, he writes news, features and explainers covering politics, foreign policy and security issues, human rights, religious persecution, disinformation, the economy, media freedom, climate change, sports and culture. He also covers Afghanistan and the wider region. Abid previously worked at the now closed monthly investigative magazine, Herald, based in Karachi, and spent six years reporting for the BBC in Pakistan. Abid has broken a number of important stories including his investigative report on Pakistan's new Internet Firewall for Al Jazeera in November 2024. He delivered the “Bangladesh at 50” project for BBC Urdu’s online platform in 2021, marking Bangladesh's 50th independence anniversary. He won the Human Rights Press Award (multimedia category) from Human Rights Watch for his long-form story on the migrants from Pakistan who were aboard the trawler Adriana which sank in June 2023. He also won the data journalism award from the Centre for Excellence in Journalism, Karachi, for his coverage of the COVID-19 global pandemic for the BBC in 2021.

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Latest Posts

A 24-year-old physics graduate dies after her family pays millions to a man who lied about getting her into university.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi [left] consoling Muhammad Ijaz [centre] a day after the death of Laiba Ijaz in Islamabad. [Handout/Pakistan's Interior Ministry]

Pakistan has gained diplomatic visibility under Trump, but analysts question how much the relationship has delivered.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir pictured with US President Donald Trump in the White House.

Traders say some exports are crossing border after a weeklong halt, but Tehran says its cargo is not getting through.

Cargo trucks remain halted at the Gabd-Rimdan border crossing

With new talk of escalation, Islamabad is trying to revive negotiations without alienating Tehran, Riyadh or Washington.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (R) meets with Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir in Tehran on May 23, 2026. [Handout/Islamaic Consultative Assembly News Agency via AFP]

Islamabad cites security concerns, while Tehran points to technical issues as Pakistan mediates between Iran and the US.

Pakistan and Iran share a border of roughly 900 km (559 miles) located in Pakistan’s southwest and Iran’s southeast [Naseer Ahmed/Reuters]

Russia has close ties with the Taliban and is courting Islamabad, but analysts say its leverage remains uncertain.

CDF meeting Russian Interior Minister

Islamabad says the PTI failed to lead the fight against armed groups, but analysts question the takeover.

Police officers arrest a protester.

Pakistan has taken control of a province governed by Imran Khan’s PTI. Here’s what the move means and what happens next.

Police in Peshawar, Pakistan

Pakistan has subsidised petrol for millions, but some economists caution that those most needing help are left out.

Workers use a device to update the price displayed on a board at a petrol station following the rollout of a fuel relief scheme, which provides a fuel subsidy for eligible motorcycles, rickshaws and vehicles with engines of up to 800cc, in Karachi, Pakistan, September 16, 2026. [Akhtar Soomro/Reuters]

Islamabad says its role is defensive, but Riyadh’s offensive in Yemen tests how long it can stay out of the fight.

Turkiye join Saudi deterrence against Houthis

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