Middle East & Central Asia News
LAST UPDATE: August 25, 2025
World bank approves $47.9 million grant for primary education in Pakistan
The World Bank approved a $47.9 million grant to boost early childhood and primary education in Punjab. The project targets increased enrollment, outreach to out-of-school children, and teacher training to benefit over 4 million children and 100,000 educational staff.
Insight
The grant reflects significant international investment in educational inclusivity and system reform in Pakistan, with potential long-term social and economic dividends.
Syria delays parliamentary vote in Sweida after sectarian violence
Syria postponed its parliamentary elections in Sweida, Hasaka, and Raqqa due to security concerns. The seats for these provinces will remain vacant until safe voting conditions are restored. Kurdish authorities criticized the move as exclusionary.
Insight
Election delays in conflict zones highlight the fragile political legitimacy of Syria’s new administration, underscoring challenging dynamics between state control and regional autonomy.
