Pakistan

Arooj Aftab Creates Music As if it Were a Living Thing

The Grammy-nominated artist leans into intuition, experimentation, and improvisation to make music that isn’t meant to be a quick hit, but something deeper.

How Two Pakistani Brothers Created the World’s First PC Virus

The 1980s Brain virus made its creators Basit and Amjad Farooq Alvi infamous, and made John McAfee a billionaire.

Why Bollywood Loved — and Lost — Fawad Khan

This year marks almost five years since fans have seen the iconic Pakistani actor in Hindi cinema.

Why Some Pakistanis Will Miss Trump

For many living in Pakistan, Trump’s administration will be remembered as a respite from drone strikes, and from the war in Afghanistan.

The Dream of Flying

In rural Pakistan, one man’s flight of fancy is up against an impossible reality.

Fatima Bhutto Looks East for Culture

The writer, from Pakistan’s dynastic family, grew up in exile around the world. In her new book, she talks about phenomena from Bollywood to Dizi, and the gaps that Western culture can’t fix.

In Little Pakistan, Independence Day Reveals Tensions

Younger and older generations clash in Brooklyn as locals fight over who gets to run New York's biggest Pakistan Independence Day parade.

Pakola, Pakistan’s Iconic Soda

How a neon-green soda helped build a national identity.

How Zareen’s Feeds Silicon Valley

The Pakistani American entrepreneur has built a beloved brand in the heart of Silicon Valley by testing and scaling different South Asian food concepts.

The Demise of Awaami Cinema

Going to the movies was once a firmly middle class experience in Pakistan. Now, only a certain class can even afford to buy a ticket.

Kabul Dreams Reclaims the Noise

How an Afghan rock band uses its voice amid the noise.