Latest news with #KaranThapar
The Wire
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Wire
Bihar's SIR is 'Abrupt, Aggressive, Avoidable and Unfair to Voters': Ashok Lavasa
Government Karan Thapar 'If you get into this territory you run the risk of creating a list of people or a class of people who are neither here nor there and they do lose their right of voting, which is a constitutional right.' In an interview to discuss the special intensive revision of the electoral rolls in Bihar, which seems to grow more controversial every day, a former Election Commissioner has said it is 'abrupt, aggressive, ambitious and, at this point of time, it was avoidable'. During the interview, Ashok Lavasa repeatedly said that aspects of the special intensive revision would be 'unfair' both to voters and the machinery undertaking the task. Lavasa repeatedly said that the Election Commission has established over the last 75 years a workable procedure for enrolling voters and there was no need to suddenly change the procedure when undertaking this special intensive revision in Bihar. He accepted that in previous decades the Election Commission has not sought proof of citizenship before enrolling adult voters. 'If you get into this territory you run the risk of creating a list of people or a class of people who are neither here nor there and they do lose their right of voting which is a constitutional right.' The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
The 12-day Iran-Israel war
Listen to article The 12-day war between Iran and Israel must have convinced the Iranian regime that only in the possession of a nuclear bomb lies the security and deterrence of their country. Had it possessed a bomb it is most unlikely that Israel would have launched an attack on it on the 13th of June 2025. In an interview with Karan Thapar, the internationally renowned award winning columnist Gideon Levy stated that in case Iran possessed a bomb just as in the case of North Korea and Pakistan it would've provided a guarantee and deterrence against a nuclear attack by an adversary. Although the ceasefire between Iran and Israel may last for a short while, a permanent peace is inconceivable in the absence of a lasting solution to the Palestinian issue. Resolution of the Gaza, Lebanon and Western Bank problems may bring some respite yet complete peace in the middle east will be fraught unless a two-state solution is not implemented. The killing of 100 innocent Gazans every day by the Israelis cannot be called anything like self-defence or security but clear genocide. The best one can say about the 12-day war is that it was short and did not deteriorate into a war of attrition like the brutal war in Gaza. This raises the question whether the war was necessary. The staying power of Iran would've been far greater than that of Israel in a protracted standoff considering that Iran withstood a war for eight years with Iraq. In the 12-day war, Israel and its population had begun to feel the brunt and dismay. The US must've realised that Israel couldn't withstand a long war due to economic pressure and the great drain on its arms and ammunition. The ceasefire is likely to last and hold not because of the goodwill of any party but because it is in the interest of the two sides. The far more important question that arises is whether the war was necessary at all. After the ceasefire the status quo ante is most likely to revive with the same nuclear deal as existed between Obama and Iran. Both the sides suffered militarily, Iran more than Israel, yet the question arises is: for what outcome was the war fought? The ceasefire is likely to hold on since both sides were eager to end the war. After the ceasefire Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Israel had achieved two of its goals: undoing the nuclear capability and removing the Iranian ICBM threat. A US Intelligence Agency report leaked by CNN just one day after the ceasefire informed that the Iranian nuclear capability had only been set back by a few months and not completely obliterated. There were also reports that some nuclear facilities and materials had been removed from the three sites – Ferdow, Natanz and Isfahan – and the bunker busters GBU-57A, carried by US B2 bombers, could not completely exterminate nuclear facilities nor were any radioactive signs traceable over the sites. Some scholars of the middle east argue that if Iran does obtain a nuclear bomb, it may add to stability in the region in the sense that everyone will be deterred from using the bomb due to the horrible consequences of such a conflagration which will be suicidal for all sides. Possession of a nuclear bomb by Iran may lead it to change its mind from extermination of Israel and diversion of its resources towards socio-economic development. Prof John Miershiemer has averred that the long-term policy and goal of Israel, with the support of the US, is to break up and fracture the Middle Eastern countries like Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Iran. That is why Israel is hell bent on depriving Iran from becoming a nuclear power and thus depriving it of its nuclear monopoly. For similar reasons Iran wants to establish a Kurdish state so that Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran are fragmented. The US and Israel also hold countries like Egypt and Jordan by the gullet so that they are dependent upon America for their economies. Any threat to Israel will lead to economic strangulation of these countries. The Israel-US goal of regime change in Iran has proved a failure. Regime change without boots on the ground and merely through air power is impossible as was seen in Iraq. In fact, the Iranian regime has gained in strength and popularity due to rallying of the population around the flag. Even if a regime change was possible the consequences would be disastrous as is clear from the examples of Syria and Iraq which led to a power vacuum and acute social dissensions within the country and conditions of civil war. If Iran had a nuclear bomb, it is unlikely that it would use it as at the end of it all, Iran is not a suicidal country and its leadership is no less rational than that of the US and Israel despite some of the illegitimate policies it pursues like repression of opposition and attitude towards women freedoms. Avi Shlaim, the leading Israeli historian, states that: 1) Iran has never attacked any of its neighbours, while Israel has; 2) Iran doesn't possess a nuclear bomb and Israel does; 3) Iran is a signatory of the NYPT whereas Israel is not; and 4) Iran allows IAEA inspections and Israel doesn't. Israel is treated differently from other countries in so many ways which are morally illegitimate. Some people justify this special treatment of Israel on account of the Holocaust but the latter provides no justification for any country to treat other nation as in the holocaust. Trump and Israel spoke of eliminating Ayatullah Khamenei and hunting nuclear scientists which can only be regarded as morally and legally repugnant. If there was a justification for assassinating Khamenei, what prevents the same treatment not being meted out to Natanyahu not the least for the vicious and amoral genocide in Gaza.
The Wire
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Wire
'If There Are Two Dalai Lamas India Should Deal With the Tibetan People's Choice': Shivshankar Menon
South Asia Karan Thapar 2 minutes ago Watch India's former National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon in conversation with Karan Thapar for The Wire. In an interview to discuss the Dalai Lama succession, India's former National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon was asked what should be India's response in the event there are two Dalai Lamas, one chosen by Beijing and the other by the Gaden Phodrang Trust in Dharamshala. Menon said, 'We should keep dealing with whoever the Tibetan people choose as we have done so far.' Reiterating his point, Menon added: 'We will deal with whoever the Tibetan people choose … wherever they make it (the choice). He's (the Dalai Lama) laid down a procedure but it's not necessarily in Dharamshala or wherever. Wherever the Tibetan people choose to do so (we should recognise their choice). Watch the full interview. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
Business Recorder
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
‘Political masterclass': Bilawal showered with praise for his collected response to Indian journalist
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari appeared in an online interview on India's The Wire, conducted by seasoned journalist Karan Thapar, for which he has earned enormous praise from not only Pakistanis but people around the world, including India itself. The former foreign minister dismissed allegations that Islamabad supports terrorist outfits to conduct cross-border attacks. He said: 'Pakistan does not willingly permit […] the groups you mentioned or any group to conduct terrorist attacks outside of Pakistan but also within Pakistan.' Bilawal told Thapar that Pakistan itself had been a victim of terrorism for years and had lost more than 90,000 precious lives. The world is well aware that Pakistan faced the brunt of terrorism over the past many decades, he said. 'Pakistan is fighting and has been fighting the largest inland war against terrorism. We've lost 92,000 lives altogether. Just last year, we lost more than 1,200 civilian lives in more than 200 different terrorist attacks. 'At the rate at which terrorist attacks are taking place just this year alone, if they continue at this pace, this year will be the bloodiest year in Pakistan's history.' Talking about the death of his mother, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, he said, he too was a victim of terrorism. 'I feel the pain of the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. I understand the trauma that their families are experiencing in a way more than many others can ever imagine.' He said following the Pahalgam attack, PM Shehbaz Sharif right away stated that Pakistan is 'willing to be part of any impartial international inquiry into the incident, our hands are clean.' 'We had that sort of confidence. It was the Indian government that rebuffed that offer. To this day, the Indian government has not shared with Pakistan or the international community.' People were pleasantly surprised by the way Bilawal handled the journalist's allegations with his cool and calm demeanour, which has particularly been lauded against Thapar's frothing at the mouth while abortively and interruptingly trying to grill the PPP legislator. Political commentator Nadeem Farooq Paracha said: 'Karan Thapar lost a large chunk of his journalistic credibility when interviewing Bilawal. All he had as 'questions' was rhetoric moulded by the Modi regime. He constantly interrupted Bilawal, and started to foam in the mouth when Bilawal kept his cool and stuck to facts. These 'icons' of Indian journalism are being exposed one by one. They just can't swallow the fact that militarily and diplomatically, 'shining India' was delivered a swift knockout blow by Pakistan.' A social media activist, Mansoor Ahmed Qureshi loved how Bilawal schooled Thapar by saying, 'We are not destined to be enemies. Let's not damn our future generations to fight forever.' PPP MNA Sharmila Faruqui said, 'Bilawal Bhutto didn't just hold his ground, he dismantled Karan Thapar, point by point. Calm, clinical, and utterly unshaken. This wasn't an interview. It was a political masterclass.' A journalist Farzana Shah said facing Thapar, the PPP chairman turned tough questions into a diplomatic slamdunk, proving his grip on global affairs. Singer Ali Zafar also loved Bilawal's responses in the interview, saying, 'As we enter a new era of awareness and intelligence, old ways lose their grip. One day, children of this land may ask, was it true India and Pakistan were once enemies? That people couldn't even meet or listen to each other? Why didn't they just hug it out and resolve their issues sooner by communicating? Who taught them to hate so deeply? This generation can choose peace. And it can be beautiful. Senator Sherry Rehman said: 'Amazing grace by @BBhuttoZardari in this 'quarrelsome interview' with a constantly interrupting Karan Thapar. He didn't lose his cool or poise for one minute, despite the hectoring anchor with a single point agenda.'
Business Recorder
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
‘Political masterclass': Bilawal showered with praise for his collected responses to Karan Thapar
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has calmly destroyed Indian propaganda point by point in an interview with seasoned journalist Karan Thapar, earning enormous praise from not only Pakistanis but people world over including India itself. Responding to a query, the former foreign minister dismissed Indian allegations of Islamabad's supporting terrorist outfits to conduct cross border attacks. He said: 'Pakistan does not willingly permit […] the groups you mentioned or any group to conduct terrorist attacks outside of Pakistan but also within Pakistan.' Bilawal apprised the journalist that Pakistan itself had been victim of terrorism for years and years and had lost more than 90,000 precious lives while battling this menace. The world is well aware that Pakistan faced the brunt of terrorism over the past many decades, he said. 'Pakistan is fighting and has been fighting the largest inland war against terrorism. We've lost 92,000 lives altogether. Just last year, we lost more than 1,200 civilian lives in more than 200 different terrorist attacks. 'At the rate at which terrorist attacks are taking place just this year alone, if they continue at this pace, this year will be the bloodiest year in Pakistan's history.' Reminiscing the murder of his mother, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, he said, he too was a victim of terrorism. 'I feel the pain of the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. I understand the trauma that their families are experiencing in a way more than many others can ever imagine.' He said following the Pahalgam attack, PM Shehbaz Sharif right away stated that Pakistan is 'willing to be part of any impartial international inquiry into the incident, our hands are clean.' 'We had that sort of confidence. It was the Indian government that rebuffed that offer. To this day, the Indian government has not shared with Pakistan or the international community.' People were pleasantly surprised by the way Bilawal handled the journalist's allegations with his cool and calm demeanour, which has particularly been lauded against Thapar's frothing at the mouth while abortively and interruptingly trying to grill the PPP legislator. Political commentator Nadeem Farooq Paracha said: 'Karan Thapar lost a large chunk of his journalistic credibility when interviewing Bilawal. All he had as 'questions' was rhetoric moulded by the Modi regime. He constantly interrupted Bilawal, and started to foam in the mouth when Bilawal kept his cool and stuck to facts. These 'icons' of Indian journalism are being exposed one by one. They just can't swallow the fact that militarily and diplomatically, 'shining India' was delivered a swift knockout blow by Pakistan.' A social media activist, Mansoor Ahmed Qureshi loved how Bilawal schooled Thapar by saying, 'We are not destined to be enemies. Let's not damn our future generations to fight forever.' PPP MNA Sharmila Faruqui said, 'Bilawal Bhutto didn't just hold his ground, he dismantled Karan Thapar, point by point. Calm, clinical, and utterly unshaken. This wasn't an interview. It was a political masterclass.' A journalist Farzana Shah said facing Thapar, the PPP chairman turned tough questions into a diplomatic slamdunk, proving his grip on global affairs. Singer Ali Zafar also loved Bilawal's responses in the interview, saying, 'As we enter a new era of awareness and intelligence, old ways lose their grip. One day, children of this land may ask, was it true India and Pakistan were once enemies? That people couldn't even meet or listen to each other? Why didn't they just hug it out and resolve their issues sooner by communicating? Who taught them to hate so deeply? This generation can choose peace. And it can be beautiful. Senator Sherry Rehman said: 'Amazing grace by @BBhuttoZardari in this 'quarrelsome interview' with a constantly interrupting Karan Thapar. He didn't lose his cool or poise for one minute, despite the hectoring anchor with a single point agenda.'
