![Maldives records over 100,000 tourist arrivals for the third month of 2025, with China leading as the top source market. [Image via Raajje]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/e356f3ac-af29-4e8b-a530-2e7d53133128.webp "e356f3ac-af29-4e8b-a530-2e7d53133128")
Maldives records over 100,000 tourist arrivals for the third month of 2025, with China leading as the top source market.
![UNAMA’s mission in Afghanistan extended for a year as the UN urges engagement, while Pakistan criticizes Taliban on terrorism. [Image via Tolo News]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/vlcsnap-2025-03-18-16h19m29s003.webp "vlcsnap-2025-03-18-16h19m29s003")
UNAMA’s mission in Afghanistan extended for a year as the UN urges engagement, while Pakistan criticizes Taliban on terrorism.
![PM Shehbaz Sharif to visit Saudi Arabia to boost ties, discuss investment, and address key regional and global issues. [Image via The Express Tribune]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/mohaimin-shah-2025-03-18t140920-0591742288977-0.webp "mohaimin-shah-2025-03-18t140920-0591742288977-0")
PM Shehbaz Sharif to visit Saudi Arabia to boost ties, discuss investment, and address key regional and global issues.
![Bangladesh plans to import more US cotton to boost trade ties, avoid tariffs, and support its textile industry's growth. [Image via BSS]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/touhid.webp "touhid")
Bangladesh plans to import more US cotton to boost trade ties, avoid tariffs, and support its textile industry’s growth.
![Pakistan's government plans to attract investors to its $8 trillion mineral wealth, focusing on projects like Reko Diq and Siah Dik. [Image via The Express Tribune]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/293622-MineralPHOTOFILE-1321576564.webp "293622-MineralPHOTOFILE-1321576564")
Pakistan’s government plans to attract investors to its $8 trillion mineral wealth, focusing on projects like Reko Diq and Siah Dik.
![Security forces repelled multiple terror attacks in K-P, killing two militants in Bannu and thwarting assaults in Lakki Marwat. [Image via The Express Tribune]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Peshawar-attack-Reuters.webp "Peshawar-attack-Reuters")
Security forces repelled multiple terror attacks in K-P, killing two militants in Bannu and thwarting assaults in Lakki Marwat.
The lessons of Youm-e-Badr as Youm-e-Furqan have never been more relevant today as 600M South Asian Muslims face instability and global sidelining.
![Pakistan rejects Modi's claim of hostility, urges India to end anti-Pakistan narrative for peace and regional stability. [Image via The Express Tribune]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/shafqat-ali-khan1739587956-0.webp "shafqat-ali-khan1739587956-0")
Pakistan rejects Modi’s claim of hostility, urges India to end anti-Pakistan narrative for peace and regional stability.
![India and New Zealand restart free trade talks after a decade, aiming to boost economic ties and deepen strategic cooperation. [Image via ANI]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/6af1f970-0308-11f0-96e1-cb441fdfcce2.jpg.webp "6af1f970-0308-11f0-96e1-cb441fdfcce2.jpg")
India and New Zealand restart free trade talks after a decade, aiming to boost economic ties and deepen strategic cooperation.
![A large number of aspiring computer scientists and IT experts took an aptitude test to enroll in IT trainings under Jamaat-i-Islami’s Bano Qabil 2.0 programme at Bagh-i-Jinnah in 2023. [Image via Dawn/ Shakil Adil/White Star].](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/64fe2ac596c9a.webp "64fe2ac596c9a")
Can IT training replace empty slogans? Jamaat-e-Islami bets big on digital skills to tackle youth unemployment. Game-changer or just good PR?