Islamabad- It’s the end of the decade and 2020 is only a couple of days away. As the new year dawns, who should news readers be paying attention to? Where and what are going to be the major headline-makers as we wrap up a tremendous decade?
The US presidential election
2020 will bring with it the US presidential election and Donald Trump defending his position against a long line-up of democrats. Trump’s presidency has made ripples worldwide with overhauls on immigration, international relations and more, and the presidential race will be watched closely by people around the globe. 

Pakistan-India politics
Over in South Asia, eyes will remain glued to Pakistan and India and their respective ruling parties headed by sitting prime ministers Imran Khan and Narendra Modi. The relationship between the two nations will in all probability remain at the top of news headlines as controversies and debates continue over the abrogation of Kashmir’s special legal status, as well as civil unrest in India vis a vis the Citizenship Amendment Act. 

Pakistan as a tourist haven
Pakistan has been named a must-visit holiday destination in 2020 by a number of publications including Vogue. With the opening of Kartarpur Corridor and more plans to up the ante on religious tourism, visitors coming to Pakistan will keep the country in the public eye. Not to mention, Pakistan will be hosting the World Tourism Forum in 2020 which will see a legion of travel enthusiasts, influencers, lawmakers, bloggers, and photographers make their way to the capital next year.

Saudi Arabia- an exciting destination
Another world power to keep a steady eye on is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which has gone through massive changes under the leadership of Prince Mohammed bin Salman. A great deal of youthfulness, energy, and encouragement for tourism has thrown a progressive light on the kingdom, and given insight into the fast-evolving region-- from dazzling international concerts to art shows and in a few weeks, the famous Dakar Rally which will draw thousands to the kingdom for the world’s most famous race of endurance.
Cricket in Pakistan
When February hits, Pakistan Super League’s 5th year of action will kick off, bringing with it energy and foreign cricket players to Pakistan and making a strong case for Vogue’s assertion that Pakistan is the place to be in 2020. Pakistan cricket has consistently been a provider of both joy and puzzlement on the international level so some good home-style cricket within our own borders is highly welcome and anticipated.

Marches- from human rights to climate change
The world over, 2019 was over-run with democratic protests demanding change. Protests and calls for action led the headlines and it is safe to say they will continue to do so in 2020. With the world’s rapidly changing dynamics, a possible US exit from Afghanistan, women’s rights’ ‘Auratmarch’ in Pakistan, India’s CAA enactment and a huge climate change movement gathering speed the world over, it is not a far-off call to declare that in 2020, marches for change will grow in size, reason, and frequency.
Pakistani culture and film 
Concerts and creative art spaces are becoming increasingly popular in Pakistan’s major cities with the opening of performance locations like The Colony and Black Box Sounds, and theater and comedy troupes like Insolent Knights, Auratnaak and Theatre Wallay.
Films to look out for are the highly anticipated but stalled “The Legend of Maula Jatt,” and “Abhinandan Come On” by Khalil ur Rehman Qamar, a comedy about the Indian Airforce Pilot whose plane was shot down over Pakistan and returned to India after a cup of tea earlier this year.
Another film to the eye will be “Gul Makai” a Malala Yousafzai biopic by Amjad Khan.