News

TPNW can prevent nuclear disaster in South Asia

Published

2 years ago

December 1, 2023

The second Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons began at the United Nations Headquarters on 27 November and will continue until 1 December 2023. Ambassador (Dr.) Juan Ramón de la Fuente (Mexico) was elected as President of the Meeting.

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations calls the Treaty “an important step towards the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons and a strong demonstration of support for multilateral approaches to nuclear disarmament.”

Ambassador Melissa Parke of Australia and the Executive Director of ‘International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons’ (ICAN) warned the world body during the high-level opening statement that “Nuclear-armed states, instead of pursuing disarmament following their legal obligations, are squandering tens of billions of dollars every year to ‘improve’ and expand their arsenals. A theft from the world’s poor. An insult to all who value peace…Some of these same states are also waging wars of aggression – with staggering death tolls and undeniable nuclear risks…Against this backdrop of bloodshed, we must renew our call not only for nuclear disarmament, but also, more broadly, for multilateral approaches to peace and security, and for adherence to the international rule of law, based on the UN Charter.”

“It is worth mentioning here that ICAN was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 for the leadership role it played in achieving Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.“

Arundhati Roy, an Indian novelist and activist was representing the aspirations of hundreds of millions of people all over the world when she wrote in “Cost of Living” that “It is such a supreme folly to believe that nuclear weapons are deadly only if they’re used. The fact that they exist at all, their presence in our lives, will wreak more havoc than we can begin to fathom. Nuclear weapons pervade our thinking. Control our behaviour. Administer our societies. Inform our dreams. They bury themselves like meat hooks deep in the base of our brains. They are purveyors of madness. They are the ultimate colonizer. Whiter than any white man that ever lived. The very heart of whiteness.”

I completely agree with Ms. Roy for her foresight about the danger of the existence of nuclear weapons. Perhaps not by coincidence, the danger of nuclear threat in South Asia should be of paramount interest to the world body. Kashmir is the bone of contention in the nuclear confrontation between India and Pakistan. It has been regarded by President Bill Clinton as the most dangerous place on earth. Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark said, “Kashmir is a nuclear flashpoint.” Kashmir is the only nation in the world which is surrounded by three nuclear powers – India, Pakistan & China. Perhaps that was the reason that former President Obama said on November 10, 2010, in New Delhi, “The resolution of Kashmir is in the interest of India, Pakistan and the region and the United States.”

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Kashmir currently has more than 900,000 military and paramilitary troops occupying the Valley with no more than 10 million people, a ratio of one soldier for every 10 citizens. However, because of their concentration in the towns and cities, the density is more like 5 to one. Imagine what that would be like on your city block.

Having so many troops in this small country whose size is no greater in square miles than the U.S. state of Tennessee should certainly be a cause for concern by anyone. Why are Indian forces there? Where’s the war? Is neighbouring Pakistan about to invade? Is China? Do they have a similar number of troops amassing at the border? This is more than three times the number of troops the U.S. had at the height of the Iraq War. The answer is None of the Above. It’s a curious fact that we have a very circular problem inherent in a deep paranoia India has long had of an uprising and its use of such troops to maintain control and put down any threat has become a way of life. It’s like avoiding a fire by burning down the house first.

The possibility of such an uprising is greatly enhanced and exacerbated by the presence of these troops and would more likely be a direct provocation for such an uprising and has been. Rather than relieve the pressure in the cooker by taking it off the fire, India’s solution has been to simply turn up the burner. The greatest cause of discontent is this constant abrasive to the social conscience, this erosion of trust in New Delhi, and a pervasive atmosphere of fear. People look for leadership elsewhere in their ranks, and they have. There is a deeply entrenched movement at the grassroots level that has become very influential in being the voice of public opinion.

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It is a historical fact that when the Kashmir dispute erupted in 1947-1948, the United States championed the stand that the future status of Kashmir must be ascertained following the wishes and aspirations of the people of the territory. The United States was the principal sponsor of resolution # 47 which was adopted by the Security Council on 21 April 1948 and based on that unchallenged principle. Following the resolution, the United States, a leading member of the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP), adhered to that stand. The basic formula for settlement was incorporated in the resolutions of that Commission adopted on 13 August 1948 and 5 January 1949.

But India would not then and will not now honour that commitment or admit that its claim to Kashmir is illegitimate. And it will not admit to the world that the people of Kashmir have no faith in Indian democracy. Perhaps India believes that if it keeps repeating the same lie over and over again, that Kashmir is an integral part of India, things will settle down if a few carrots are offered, and the problem will go away.

Who knows it better than India that the cry for azadi (Freedom) in Kashmir has simply gotten louder? As such the level of tensions between India and Kashmir and between India and Pakistan show few signs of letting up any time soon. And ignoring the decades-old problem of refusing to resolve the question of Kashmiri sovereignty and self-determination has not only led to deep unrest among the Kashmiris; it has also led to two wars between India and Pakistan. That they are now both nuclear-armed states raises the stakes dramatically and calls for action to defuse these tensions immediately.

Perhaps it’s time the major powers take this seriously. The answer is plain as day for anyone. Kashmir has international legitimacy. It has international sanctity. It commits the United Nations Security Council. These commitments should once and for all be honoured. The clock is ticking. Every day that passes without a resolution of the Kashmir dispute is one day closer to a cataclysm that will reach far beyond the borders of all countries involved.

Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai is also Secretary General World Kashmir Awareness Forum.

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Corruption

Transparency International Pakistan releases NCPS 2025

Published

6 days ago

December 10, 2025

Abdul Rahman

ISLAMABAD—Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) on Tuesday released its comprehensive National Corruption Perception Survey (NCPS) 2025, presenting a mixed picture of public sentiment on corruption, anti-graft efforts, and governance across the country.

The survey, conducted with 4,000 respondents from all four provinces, reveals that while a significant majority of citizens did not report paying a bribe in the last year, three key public sectors—the Police, Tender/Procurement, and the Judiciary—continue to be perceived as the most corruption-prone institutions.

Table of Contents

Police Top List Despite Perception Improvement

According to the NCPS 2025 findings, the Police remains the most corrupt sector in the eyes of the public, cited by 24% of respondents nationwide. This is followed by the Tender and Procurement process at 16%, and the Judiciary at 14%.

However, the report highlighted a subtle but “notable” positive shift in public perception regarding the Police, registering a 6% improvement in perceived behaviour and service delivery compared to the previous survey.

Low Bribery Rate vs. High Dissatisfaction

The survey’s most encouraging statistic is that a majority of citizens (66%) reported they did not feel compelled to pay a bribe for public services in the past 12 months, which TIP considers a strong indicator of perceived progress in service delivery. Provincially, Sindh reported the highest rate of citizens encountering a demand for a bribe at 46%.

Despite the low rate of personal bribery, public satisfaction with the government’s overall efforts to combat corruption remains low. A significant 77% of respondents nationwide expressed “low satisfaction” or were “not satisfied” with the government’s anti-corruption drive.

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The public identified the three major causes driving corruption as a lack of accountability (15%), lack of transparency and limited access to information (15%), and delays in the disposal of corruption cases (14%).

Demand for Accountability of Anti-Graft Bodies

The survey findings reflect a strong public demand for institutional reform and accountability. An overwhelming 78% of Pakistanis believe that anti-corruption institutions like the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) should themselves be more accountable and transparent.

Citizens also proposed a blueprint for curbing corruption, prioritising:

Enhancing accountability (26%)
Limiting discretionary powers (23%)
Strengthening Right to Information laws (20%)

The report also found a notable lack of awareness regarding reporting channels, with 70% of citizens being unaware of any official corruption reporting mechanism. Furthermore, 42% stated they would feel safe reporting corruption only if strong whistleblower protection laws were in place.

Economic Stability and Political Finance

On economic matters, approximately 58% of respondents indicated that the government has either fully or partially stabilised the economy, crediting the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme and the country’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List. However, 57% reported a decline in their purchasing power over the past year.

The survey also highlighted a strong public desire for clean electoral financing, with a combined 83% of respondents supporting either a complete ban or strict regulation of business funding to political parties.

In response to the report, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the survey, stating that the large number of respondents who reported not encountering corruption during his government reflects the public’s recognition of the reforms aimed at transparency and economic recovery.

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For more details on the survey’s public opinion findings, watch this report: Transparency International Report on Corruption – Public Opinion – 9 Dec 2025.

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Entertainment

How Netflix Stole Warner Bros from David Ellison: Old Hollywood’s Miscalculation

Published

1 week ago

December 6, 2025

Abdul Rahman

For two decades, Netflix has been dismissed as a disruptor that would eventually plateau. Legacy Hollywood believed its dominance was temporary, a fad that would fade once the old guard flexed its muscle. Yet in 2025, the streaming pioneer pulled off a coup that stunned the industry: Netflix outmanoeuvred David Ellison’s Skydance and secured Warner Bros, rewriting the rules of entertainment economics.

Table of Contents

Macro Context: Streaming’s Rise and Hollywood’s Decline

The streaming wars have reshaped the global media landscape. Netflix, once a DVD‑by‑mail service, now commands billions in revenue and a subscriber base that dwarfs traditional cable. Meanwhile, legacy studios like Warner Bros Discovery struggled under debt, fragmented audiences, and outdated business models.

David Ellison’s Skydance, backed by ambition and capital, seemed poised to rescue Warner Bros. Yet Netflix’s strategic patience, global reach, and ability to monetise content across platforms proved decisive.

David Ellison’s Bid: Ambition Meets Reality

Ellison’s attempt to acquire Warner Bros was emblematic of Hollywood’s old guard—ambitious, well‑funded, but ultimately constrained by legacy thinking. Skydance’s merger talks with Paramount highlighted Ellison’s vision of building a modern studio empire. But when it came to Warner Bros, Netflix’s agility and scale proved insurmountable.

Skydance Strategy: Focused on blockbuster franchises and traditional studio models.
Netflix Strategy: Leveraged global subscriber data, AI‑driven content recommendations, and diversified revenue streams.
Outcome: Ellison underestimated Netflix’s ability to play the long game.

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Warner Bros: A Legacy Studio Recast

Warner Bros, once synonymous with Hollywood glamour, became a symbol of industry decline. Debt burdens, misaligned leadership, and fragmented IP portfolios left it vulnerable. Netflix’s acquisition was not just a business deal—it was a cultural takeover.

By absorbing Warner Bros, Netflix gained access to iconic franchises, a century of cinematic heritage, and a foothold in theatrical distribution. More importantly, it signaled that streaming had officially eclipsed legacy Hollywood.

Opinion: Why Old Hollywood Misread Netflix

As a senior columnist, I argue that Hollywood underestimated Netflix’s long game. For years, executives dismissed streaming as secondary to theatrical releases. They failed to grasp that Netflix was not just a content distributor—it was a data‑driven entertainment ecosystem.

Netflix’s ability to predict audience behavior, scale globally, and monetize IP across formats gave it an edge Ellison and others could not match. The Warner Bros deal is proof that the future belongs to platforms that combine technology with storytelling.

Conclusion

Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros is more than a headline—it’s a turning point. David Ellison’s failed bid underscores the limits of old‑guard Hollywood thinking. The lesson is clear: streaming is not the future, it is the present.

For policymakers, investors, and audiences, the message is unmistakable: Netflix didn’t just buy Warner Bros—it rewrote the rules of Hollywood.

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Analysis

Folsom High School Football: More Than a Game, It’s an Economic Engine

Published

1 week ago

December 6, 2025

Abdul Rahman

High school football is often dismissed as a pastime, a Friday night ritual confined to bleachers and scoreboards. Yet in towns like Folsom, California, the sport has become a socioeconomic engine. Folsom High School football is not just about touchdowns—it’s about recruitment pipelines, local business growth, and the cultural identity of a community.

Table of Contents

Macro Context: The Business of High School Sports

Across the United States, high school athletics are evolving into a billion‑dollar ecosystem. Sponsorships, streaming rights, and recruitment networks are reshaping what was once purely extracurricular. For policymakers and business leaders, this shift demands attention: sports are no longer just about play, they are about economics.

Folsom High School football exemplifies this transformation. With a legacy of championships and a reputation as a California high school football powerhouse, the Bulldogs have become a case study in how athletics ripple into broader economic and cultural spheres.

Regional Insights: Folsom’s Legacy

The Bulldogs’ record speaks for itself: multiple state titles, nationally ranked players, and a program that consistently feeds talent into college football. But the legacy extends beyond the field.

Recruitment Pipeline: Folsom’s roster has produced athletes who go on to Division I programs, drawing scouts and media attention.
Community Identity: Friday night games are cultural events, uniting families, alumni, and local businesses.
Media Reach: Coverage of the Bulldogs amplifies Folsom’s profile, positioning the town as a hub of athletic excellence.

Keywords like Folsom Bulldogs football schedule and Folsom football state championship history are not just search terms—they are markers of a program that commands attention.

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Business & Community Impact

The economic footprint of Folsom football is undeniable. Local restaurants see surges in sales on game nights. Merchandising—from jerseys to branded gear—creates revenue streams. Sponsorships tie local businesses to the prestige of the Bulldogs, reinforcing community bonds.

Beyond dollars, the program fosters youth development. Student‑athletes learn discipline, teamwork, and resilience—skills that translate into workforce readiness. For parents and educators, the balance between academics and athletics is a constant negotiation, but one that underscores the broader value of sports.

Opinion: The Columnist’s Perspective

As a senior columnist, I argue that high school football is undervalued as an economic driver. Folsom proves that sports can shape workforce pipelines, community identity, and local business ecosystems.

The contrarian view is clear: policymakers and business leaders should treat high school athletics as strategic investments. Ignoring programs like Folsom’s risks overlooking a vital engine of socioeconomic growth.

While Wall Street debates interest rates and GDP, the real story of resilience and identity is unfolding under Friday night lights.

Conclusion

Folsom High School football is not just about wins—it’s about shaping California’s economy and culture. From recruitment pipelines to local business surges, the Bulldogs embody the intersection of sport and society.

The lesson is simple: sports are a mirror of our priorities and potential. And in Folsom, that reflection is bright, bold, and instructive for the nation.

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