Author | Lightnews

Abubakar Siddique

Abubakar Siddique

@siddiquea.bsky.social

190 followers 74 following 72 posts

Journalist. I cover Afghanistan and Pakistan for RFE/RL. I wrote The Pashtun Question.

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Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · May 9

Looks like disinformation, fake news and propaganda is winning amid the confrontation and tensions between India and Pakistan.

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · May 6

Is South Asia now on the brink of a nuclear showdown?

Pakistan is likely to
Respond to the Indian attacks, which might swiftly spiral into unprecedented escalation.

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · May 6

The Indian armed forces have confirmed it targeted nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir as part of “Operation Sindoor”.

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · Apr 1

I report on Mahrang Baloch, a doctor from #Balochistan. Her transformation from being a victim of the #Pakistan's oppression of #Baloch nationalists to becoming an icon for Balochistan's rights is remarkable.

www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-m...

Who Is Mahrang Baloch, The Rights Advocate Arrested By Pakistan On Terrorism Charges?

The arrest of Mahrang Baloch, leader of a civil rights movement in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan Province, draws attention to why members of the beleaguered Baluch ethnic minority are drawn to h...

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · Mar 22

Russian-Occupied Ukrainian Regions Key To Ending War, Says US Envoy Witkoff www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-ru...

Russian-Occupied Ukrainian Regions Key To Ending War, Says US Envoy Witkoff

US envoy Steve Witkoff says the status of the Ukrainian territories currently occupied by Russia is central to ending the war between Moscow and Kyiv.

Reposted by Abubakar Siddique

Eye on Afghanistan @eyeonafgh.bsky.social · Mar 20

A new immigration policy in Iran is depriving undocumented Afghans of accessing healthcare, education and even housing. #RFE #Afghanistan

Undocumented Afghans In Iran Face Uncertain Future Amid New Restrictions

A new immigration policy in Iran is depriving undocumented Afghans of accessing healthcare, education and even housing.

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · Mar 21

My Latest: Iran is denying undocumented immigrants access to healthcare, education and housing. This policy is part of Tehran's efforts to pressure the over 4 million Afghan refugees and immigrants currently living in the country to return to Afghanistan.

www.rferl.org/a/iran-afgha...

Undocumented Afghans In Iran Face Uncertain Future Amid New Restrictions

A new immigration policy in Iran is depriving undocumented Afghans of accessing healthcare, education and even housing.

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · Mar 21

My Latest: Iran is denying undocumented immigrants access to healthcare, education and housing. This policy is part of Tehran's efforts to pressure the over 4 million Afghan refugees and immigrants currently living in the country to return to Afghanistan.

www.rferl.org/a/iran-afgha...

Undocumented Afghans In Iran Face Uncertain Future Amid New Restrictions

A new immigration policy in Iran is depriving undocumented Afghans of accessing healthcare, education and even housing.

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · Mar 18

I report on why attacks targeting security forces are increasing in frequency and lethality in #Pakistan’s #Balochistan Province, where a separatist militant group has adopted new tactics amid the absence of a political track to address the insurrection.

www.rferl.org/a/violence-p...

What's Behind The New Wave Of Violence In Pakistan's Balochistan?

Attacks targeting security forces are increasing in frequency and lethality in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan, where a separatist militant group has adopted new tactics.

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · Mar 12

Pakistani Troops, Baluch Separatist Fighters Face Off Over Train Hostages

www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-b...

Pakistani Troops, Baluch Separatist Fighters Face Off Over Train Hostages

Hundreds of Pakistani troops engaged in a tense confrontation with a similar number of militants on March 12 over more than 200 hostages a day after a separatist group hijacked a train in a remote reg...

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · Mar 11

*profile of the..

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · Mar 11

I wrote a profile for the Baloch Liberation Army recently. Today it has claimed to have hijacked a train in #Pakistan's restive southwestern province of #Balochistan.

www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-b...

The Rise Of The Baloch Liberation Army In Pakistan

Experts say the attacks highlight the growing strength of the Baloch Liberation Army, which has expanded its recruitment efforts and gained access to modern weapons.

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · Mar 11

Armenian Minority Living In Fear After Violence Rocks Syria www.rferl.org/a/armenian-m...

Armenian Minority Living In Fear After Violence Rocks Syria

The tiny Armenian community had hoped that Syria’s long civil war had concluded with the toppling of President Bashar al-Assad in December. But a deadly bout of violence targeting Assad loyalists has ...

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · Mar 7

I report on how the arrest of an Islamic State-Khorasan (#IS-K) militant who is suspected of helping plan an attack against the U.S. forces in #Afghanistan in 2021 marks an upturn in strained ties between #Washington and #Islamabad.
#Pakistan #USA

www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-a...

Pakistan's Arrest Of Islamic State Operative Signals Renewed U.S. Cooperation

The arrest of an Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) militant who is suspected of helping plan an attack against the U.S. forces in Afghanistan in 2021 marks an upturn in strained ties between Washington an...

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · Mar 3

My latest: One in three Afghans is already going hungry. The loss of donor funding, particularly U.S. assistance, could hit the most vulnerable Afghans hard. Some aid workers even fear famine-like conditions if the country loses humanitarian aid dollars.

storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/ef7f...

WIDESPREAD HUNGER IN AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan is descending toward famine, aid workers operating on the ground tell us. (Warning: Distressing images) Millions of Afghans are already severely food-insecure, and there is fear a permanen...

storymaps.arcgis.com

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · Feb 28

Deadly Blast Rocks Pro-Taliban Seminary In Pakistan

www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-s...

Deadly Blast Rocks Pro-Taliban Seminary In Pakistan

A powerful explosion at a seminary in northwestern Pakistan has killed at least four people, including a top cleric.

Reposted by Abubakar Siddique

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · Feb 18

I report on why #SaudiArabia is hosting groundbreaking talks between #Russia and the #UnitedStates to end the war in #Ukraine. Experts see it as part of Riyadh’s effort to expand ties with Washington while staying away from President #Trump’s plan for the #Gaza Strip.

www.rferl.org/a/saudi-arab...

Why Is Saudi Arabia Hosting U.S.-Russia Talks? And Why Now?

Saudi Arabia is hosting talks between Russia and the United States to end the war in Ukraine. Experts see the event as part of Riyadh’s effort to assume a central role in international diplomacy.

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · Feb 18

I report on why #SaudiArabia is hosting groundbreaking talks between #Russia and the #UnitedStates to end the war in #Ukraine. Experts see it as part of Riyadh’s effort to expand ties with Washington while staying away from President #Trump’s plan for the #Gaza Strip.

www.rferl.org/a/saudi-arab...

Why Is Saudi Arabia Hosting U.S.-Russia Talks? And Why Now?

Saudi Arabia is hosting talks between Russia and the United States to end the war in Ukraine. Experts see the event as part of Riyadh’s effort to assume a central role in international diplomacy.

Reposted by Abubakar Siddique

CIMA @cima-media.bsky.social · Feb 7

A new law in #Pakistan that criminalizes online disinformation is raising concerns of subjectivity and abuse @rferl.org.web.brid.gy @siddiquea.bsky.social www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-e...

Pakistan Cracks Down On Free Speech Online

Journalists in Pakistan are up in arms after a new law was passed that empowers the government to punish anyone for spreading what the authorities deem online disinformation.

Reposted by Abubakar Siddique

Ariel J. Blocker @drugdesigns.bsky.social · Jan 31

Pakistan Cracks Down On Free Speech Online www.rferl.org/a/33297599.h...

Pakistan Cracks Down On Free Speech Online

Journalists in Pakistan are up in arms after a new law was passed that empowers the government to punish anyone for spreading what the authorities deem online disinformation.

Reposted by Abubakar Siddique

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · Jan 31

I report on why journalists in #Pakistan are up in arms against a draconian overhaul of #PECA law. The amendments, widely condemned by human rights and press freedom watchdogs, empower the government to punish anyone for spreading vaguely defined fake news.

www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-e...

Pakistan Cracks Down On Free Speech Online

Journalists in Pakistan are up in arms after a new law was passed that empowers the government to punish anyone for spreading what the authorities deem online disinformation.

Reposted by Abubakar Siddique

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · Jan 31

I write about how the #Palestinian group #Hamas has survived #Israel’s 15-month war in the #Gaza Strip. The militant group is replenishing its ranks now, although restocking its weapons supplies will be more difficult.

www.rferl.org/a/hamas-isra...

Diminished Hamas Remains Dominant In Gaza Despite Israel War

Hamas has survived Israel’s 15-month war in the Gaza Strip. Now, the militant group is replenishing its ranks, although restocking its weapons supplies will be more difficult.

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · Jan 31

I write about how the #Palestinian group #Hamas has survived #Israel’s 15-month war in the #Gaza Strip. The militant group is replenishing its ranks now, although restocking its weapons supplies will be more difficult.

www.rferl.org/a/hamas-isra...

Diminished Hamas Remains Dominant In Gaza Despite Israel War

Hamas has survived Israel’s 15-month war in the Gaza Strip. Now, the militant group is replenishing its ranks, although restocking its weapons supplies will be more difficult.

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · Jan 31

I report on why journalists in #Pakistan are up in arms against a draconian overhaul of #PECA law. The amendments, widely condemned by human rights and press freedom watchdogs, empower the government to punish anyone for spreading vaguely defined fake news.

www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-e...

Pakistan Cracks Down On Free Speech Online

Journalists in Pakistan are up in arms after a new law was passed that empowers the government to punish anyone for spreading what the authorities deem online disinformation.

Abubakar Siddique @siddiquea.bsky.social · Jan 30

Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim in Syria on first visit by Arab head of state since Assad downfall

www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...

Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim in Syria on first visit by Arab head of state since Assad downfall | The National

Doha was long-time supporter of armed uprising that toppled former president

www.thenationalnews.com