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Water is an essential element on earth, which provides human a variety of services in domestic use, agriculture, or industries. However, some serious health risks of drinking water are associated with microbial contamination, particularly with fecal matter. Therefore, microbial quality assessment is considered to be a necessary component of water quality assessment. This study investigates microbial contamination of water distributary system around the city by comparing groundwater (GW) and tap water (TW) quality in Quetta city. 31 GW samples and 31 TW samples were collected in the study area during the months of September, October, and November. Fecal coliform test was carried out in laboratory and their average total coliform contamination was computed. Results showed that the TW sample were all contaminated by coliform except for Chiltan town, hence are not considered suitable for drinking without any treatment according to WHO drinking water quality standards. The average coliform concentrations were 12 in Quetta main city, 11.6 in Jinnah town, 5.3 in Satallite town, 10 in Shahbaz town and 5 in Brewery town (0/100 mL CFU) and the TW samples from the three towns were even more contaminated with E.coli. Whereas among the GW, average microbial concentrations were 1.8 in Quetta main city, 2 in Satallite town, 1.4 in Shahbaz town, and 0.4 in Chiltan town (0/100 mL CFU), respectively, which shows that the contamination is occurring within the water distributary pipeline system when the water flows through the pipelines. Moreover, this research will be valuable for researchers and administrative authorities to conduct elaborative studies, and develop new policies to prevent further deterioration of drinking water in the water distribution system by pathogenic microorganisms and ensure safe drinking water to the public of Quetta city.

The article discusses the impact of emerging technologies on nuclear deterrence in Southern Asia, focusing on China, India, and Pakistan. It highlights the pursuit of credible minimum deterrence by these nations and the influence of strategic partnerships on their nuclear capabilities. The article explores how emerging technologies such as hypersonics, cyber weapons, and AI could disrupt deterrence stability and trigger arms races. It emphasizes the need for dialogues and collaborative efforts among Southern Asian states to address shared challenges and mitigate the risks posed by emerging technologies. [Extracted from the article]

The Russia–Ukraine war has reignited global debates on the role of nuclear weapons, particularly concerning security guarantees and deterrence. This article examines Pakistan's nuclear policy, which developed outside the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and was shaped by pressing regional security concerns, particularly Pakistan's relationship with India. Unlike non-nuclear-armed states such as Ukraine, which have relied on security assurances under the Budapest Memorandum, Pakistan's decision to pursue nuclear capabilities reflected a deep skepticism toward such external security commitments. While Pakistan's case is distinct in the country's development of nuclear weapons as a non-NPT state, it also serves to highlight the ongoing challenges faced by non-nuclear states within the global nonproliferation regime. Despite growing global attention to nuclear weapons in light of the Russia–Ukraine war, this article argues that the nonproliferation framework remains resilient, even as global conflicts test its boundaries. For non-nuclear-armed states, the path to nuclear weapons remains fraught with diplomatic, economic, and security barriers, suggesting that, while nuclear deterrence remains central for states such as Pakistan, widespread nuclear proliferation remains unlikely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the categorization of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and argues that the term can be misleading and misdirect resources. It specifically focuses on radiological weapons (RWs) and examines the programs of Egypt, Iraq, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The authors use a structured and focused comparison method to analyze the reasons for pursuing and ultimately renouncing RWs. They find that bureaucratic in-fighting and organizational politics played a significant role in inhibiting the deployment of RWs, and that the effectiveness and utility of these weapons were called into question. The article also highlights the obstacles to deterrence and emphasizes the importance of not disregarding the threat posed by RWs. [Extracted from the article]