Pakistan is experiencing a 'soft coup' with the military subtly undermining the democratic setup ahead of general elections on July 25. The military has been waging a guerrilla war against Nawaz Sharif's government, preventing it from achieving its main priorities and leading to Sharif's removal from power by the Supreme Court for a minor misdemeanour. Media freedom has been severely compromised, with off-message journalists threatened, abducted, and media outlets like Geo TV and Dawn being blocked or forced to alter coverage. Social media activists face kidnappings and false blasphemy charges, and websites critical of the military are blocked. The army aims to prevent Sharif's party from gaining another majority, favoring an ineffectual coalition government led by Imran Khan. This strategy risks alienating voters, particularly in Punjab, and could destabilize the country, which is already facing ethnic tensions and economic challenges.

Pakistan's film board banned the Bollywood film 'Raees', which stars Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan and Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, due to its portrayal of Muslims as criminals and terrorists. The film had been eagerly awaited in Pakistan, where Indian films are popular and have contributed to the revival of Pakistani cinema. The ban reflects ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, exacerbated by incidents in Kashmir and a militant attack on an Indian army base. Pakistani cinemas had previously stopped screening Indian films for 11 weeks, and there are still restrictions on broadcasting Indian television channels in Pakistan.

The family of Samia Shahid, a British woman who died in Pakistan, is challenging the legality of her marriage to Mukhtar Syed Kazam in an effort to discredit him and derail the honor killing trial. They claim the divorce documents from her first marriage were forged. Shahid was found dead in July, and a high-level police investigation concluded she was a victim of an honor killing by her first husband, Mohammad Shakeel, and her father, Mohammad Shahid. The case has garnered significant attention after Naz Shah, MP for Bradford, demanded action from the Pakistani government, which remains committed to seeking justice for Shahid.

Secret talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government have been held in Qatar, with key figures such as Mullah Abdul Manan Akhund and Afghanistan's intelligence chief Mohammed Masoom Stanekzai attending. Despite ongoing violence, including Taliban forces overrunning Kunduz and threatening Lashkar Gah, Kabul is seeking a political solution to the conflict, as evidenced by a recent peace deal with warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. The Taliban's participation in the talks, despite their public denouncement of the Afghan government as a 'puppet regime', indicates a potential shift towards negotiation, although the movement remains internally divided over the approach to peace talks.

Pakistan's first modern metro system, the Orange Line, faces uncertainty after the Lahore High Court banned construction near heritage sites in Lahore, including the Shalimar Gardens and Chauburji gatehouse. The ruling is a setback for the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who aimed to complete the project before the 2018 re-election bid. The project, financed by China and worth over $1bn, is part of infrastructure investments to boost Pakistan's economy. Opposition to the project includes concerns over the impact on historic buildings and potential community evictions, with suggestions to use underground tunnels instead.

Samia Shahid, a British beauty therapist from Bradford, died in Pakistan under suspicious circumstances, with her husband Syed Mukhtar Kazam alleging it was an 'honour' killing by her family for marrying outside their wishes. Despite claims of a natural death from her family, her local MP Naz Shah has called for an independent autopsy, and the Foreign Office and West Yorkshire Police are involved. The Pakistani police are investigating, with no visible injuries reported on Shahid's body. Kazam, who lived with Shahid in Dubai, disputes the family's acceptance of their marriage and insists she was healthy, suspecting foul play in her death.

The article reviews Adam Curtis's documentary 'Bitter Lake,' which presents a critical view of the West's involvement in Afghanistan, blaming the crisis on American actions and Saudi influence. The review argues that the documentary oversimplifies the conflict by focusing on Saudi Arabia and ignoring Pakistan's significant role. It also criticizes Curtis for not acknowledging positive outcomes of the western intervention, such as infrastructure reconstruction and refugee returns. The review suggests that Curtis's narrative is biased, portraying Afghans as savages and dismissing the country's progress towards democracy and modernity.

Over 300 people died in factory fires in Karachi and Lahore, Pakistan, due to barred windows, poor building standards, and ignored safety regulations. The Karachi fire, the city's worst industrial disaster in decades, trapped workers inside with no escape routes. The Lahore fire, caused by faulty wiring and improperly stored chemicals, killed at least 25. The incidents highlight Pakistan's inadequate workplace safety in its crucial garment and textile industries.

Dr Shakil Afridi, a Pakistani medical official who ran a fake CIA vaccination program to locate Osama bin Laden, has been sentenced to 33 years in prison. His arrest and the subsequent sentence have highlighted strained US-Pakistan relations, especially following a perceived snub of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari by President Barack Obama at a NATO conference. US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta expressed concern over Afridi's arrest, criticizing Pakistan for penalizing efforts to combat terrorism. The operation led by Afridi did not confirm Bin Laden's presence in Abbottabad, but it did contribute to obtaining a phone number that helped the CIA identify Bin Laden's courier, Abu Ahmed al-Kuwaiti.

A NATO air attack on Pakistani troops, which allegedly killed up to 28 soldiers, was claimed as an act of self-defense by a senior western official. The incident occurred in the Afghan province of Kunar, where a joint US-Afghan force was reportedly attacked first. This has led to Pakistan banning NATO supply trucks and demanding the US to vacate the Shamsi airbase. The event has escalated tensions between the US and Pakistan, with Pakistan viewing the attack as a violation of sovereignty. The US has promised a full investigation, while Pakistan is reviewing its relationship with the US. The border's ambiguity and the presence of insurgents are potential factors in the incident.

The Taliban, historically known for shunning modern technology, have adopted Twitter to disseminate information, often with exaggerated claims about their attacks against foreign forces and the Afghan government. Their Twitter account, @alemarahweb, has gained followers and recently began tweeting in English. Despite the challenges of maintaining a consistent online presence due to server evictions and shutdowns by authorities, the Taliban continue to engage with a global audience, including following the accounts of a US Air Force officer and a British troop support charity.

Secret US diplomatic cables revealed contempt for the British military's failure to secure Helmand province, Afghanistan, as expressed by President Hamid Karzai, Afghan officials, and the US commander of NATO troops. The cables highlighted corruption in the Afghan government, Iran's influence in Afghanistan, and frustration over a US military handling fee on funds for the Afghan army. Criticism focused on the British inability to secure Sangin and connect with locals. The UK's approach was contrasted with the US Marines' success in Garmsir. The British were also criticized for their handling of the drug trade, particularly in Musa Qala. Despite the growing British presence since 2006, a senior UK official admitted no more troops could be deployed.

General Stanley McChrystal, the US commanding general in Afghanistan, has ordered the closure of fast-food outlets such as Burger King and Pizza Hut at Kandahar airbase to refocus troops on their mission. This move is part of a broader policy to eliminate distractions and luxuries from the base, which also includes a ban on activities like salsa classes. The closures are aimed at supporting the troop increase and mission readiness, with Sergeant Major Michael Hall stating that the base is a war zone, not an amusement park. The decision has been met with mixed reactions from soldiers, with some appreciating the austerity and others feeling it adds unnecessary burden during their 12-month tours.