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Farmer’s perception on climate change induced drought in Balochistan; A case Study of Tehsil Karezat, District Pishin

Shabana Faiz — 2026-06-10

Drought is frequently occurring natural hazard, which affects the livelihoods of people across the globe and is considered as one of the most damaging natural disasters in economic, social and environmental terms. The contemporary data on climate in Pakistan indicates that the country has witnessed severity and high frequency of drought due to raise in temperature and the adverse effects of EI Nino and decrease in the rainfall intensity over a long period of time. The current study assesses the perception of farmers regarding the climate changed induced drought in the district. The study has used focus-group discussions and a total of 377 households as sample size selected for the primary household survey, using proportionate allocation method. The results reveal that farmer’s perceptions confirm that about 75% of the respondents have sold their household assets (Tractor, Livestock, etc.) and about 17% of the farmers have sold even their lands to mitigate the adverse impacts of drought. Around 75% farmers cultivated low delta crops which are resilient in drought condition such as Apricot, Gaja apple, American grapes and vegetables instead of foremost apple varieties like Shin Colo and Tor Colo which consumes more water. The results regarding migration as a coping strategy show that 37% family or their family members migrated from their native places towards urban areas to find out the other sources of income. The study recommends the long and short terms preparedness measures, trainings, support from the government and agriculture extension services to the farmers to combat drought hazard in the study area for sustainable development.

Keywords; Climate Change, Drought, Balochistan, Formers’ Perception

Ideological Framing and Ecolinguistic Construction of Climate Change in Pakistani English Newspaper Discourse

Sehrish Nawaz — 2026-06-09

Climate Change is one of the most serious challenges faced by Pakistan today. Pakistan's is one of the top 10 of the most climate-sensitive countries in the world. The issue of language is very significant in the Pakistani newspapers' representation of this crisis. Media language has influence on how the reader understands the issue of climate responsibility as well as the ecological risk and the role of the state. This study adopted a qualitative research design. The study explored how the climate change discourse is presented in the three major English newspapers in Pakistan i.e. Dawn, The Express Tribune and The Nation. There are 91 headlines in the data set from 2023 to 2026. The combination of two frameworks is used in this study. The first one is Van Dijk's Socio-Cognitive Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). The latter is Stibbe's "Ecolinguistics" (2015). We analyzed these elements, ideological framing, power relations, and the six ecolinguistic categories of framing, metaphor, identity, conviction, salience and erasure in a combined analysis. The results indicate that urgency language is used to highlight the climate crisis in all three newspapers. However, they also defy the voices of affected communities, and seldom question structural inequalities that leave people vulnerable to climate change. The study reveals some striking incongruities between urgency discourse and accountability of government in climate coverage of newspapers in Pakistan. The study adds to the existing body of literature on the environmental discourse in the media of South Asian countries.

Keywords: Climate Change Discourse, Critical Discourse Analysis, Ecolinguistics, Van Dijk, Stibbe, Pakistani Newspapers, Ideological Framing, Ecological Narratives

Marching Through Contested Ideologies: A Socio-Cognitive Critical Discourse Analysis of Aurat March Coverage in Dawn Newspaper (2018–2026)

Amna Rajab Ali — 2026-06-09

This study examined the coverage of the Aurat March feminist movement in the leading English language newspaper, Dawn, of Pakistan for the period 2018 – 2026. The Aurat March started in Karachi in 2018. Now it has become prevalent in all major cities of Pakistan. The movement calls for equality for women, autonomy of the body and the elimination of violence from the hands of men. But it also has a lot of opposition from religious organizations, the state and conservative voices. This research was a type of qualitative research. A total of 60 news articles, editorials, opinion pieces and repression reports from Dawn newspaper have been analyzed using Van Dijk's Socio-Cognitive Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). The analysis shows three major ideological frames that have been used in Dawn's reporting. These are legitimation of the liberal feminists, containment of the patriarchs, and securitization of the state. Results indicate that a supposedly liberal newspaper such as Dawn, establishes feminist activism in conflicting socio-cognitive spaces. The study updates the previous research on the events up to the year 2026 including new and previously unanalyzed events like Sindh NOC (28 conditions) and detentions of feminist activists by Islamabad police.

Keywords: Aurat March, Critical Discourse Analysis, Van Dijk, Socio-Cognitive Model, Feminist Discourse, Pakistani Media, Dawn, Ideological Framing

Spoken Fluency, Clinical Documentation, and Interprofessional Communication: A Multi-Dimensional ESP Needs Analysis of Pakistani Nursing Students

Amina Bibi — 2026-06-09

The study is a multi-dimensional English for Specific Purposes (ESP) needs analysis of 99 female undergraduate nursing students of School of Nursing, The University of Faisalabad (TUF), Pakistan. This needs assessment, breaks down into three theoretically and empirically distinguishable dimensions: Spoken Fluency (patient facing oral communication; items C1, C2, C4, C5), Clinical Documentation (professional writing; items D1–D4) and Interprofessional Communication (clinical English use with healthcare staff and ward participation; items B2, C3). Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired-samples t-tests, one way ANOVA, Pearson correlation and multiple regression, and the questionnaire used was on a CLT-oriented Likert scale with an α of .900. Dimension was highest with Clinical Documentation (M = 4.109, SD = 0.613), followed closely but significantly by Spoken Fluency (M = 3.747, SD = 0.690) and Interprofessional Communication (M = 3.712, SD = 0.824). The paired t-tests indicated that documentation was significantly greater than spoken fluency (t = −5.023, p < .001) and interprofessional communication (t = 4.793, p < .001) while there was no significant difference between spoken fluency and interprofessional communication (t = 0.516, p = .607). One-way ANOVA results indicated significant differences in Spoken Fluency (F = 3.979, p = .005) and Interprofessional Communication (F = 3.547, p = .010) by academic level but not Documentation (p = .671). When all three dimensions were analyzed together in a multiple regression, all three accounted for 23.5% of the variance in ESP learning needs (R² = .235), with Clinical Documentation being the best predictor factor (β = +0.237). In Section G, the priority checklist had an agreement in four out of six priorities with Spoken Fluency (ranks 1-2) and Interprofessional Communication (ranks 3, 5). This study has found that the oral communication ability of TUF students is underdeveloped, which is a multi-dimensional communication problem, and clinical English teaching should be urgently re-designed according to the dimension of CLT.

Keywords: ESP Needs Analysis, Spoken Fluency, Clinical Documentation, Interprofessional Communication, Nursing Education, CLT, Pakistan, Multi-Dimensional, Regression Analysis

Investigating the Role of English in Pakistani Street Banners and Political Poster Discourse

Menahil Aslam — 2026-06-08

The use of English in political banners and posters were studied in Pakistan. It utilized a linguistic perspective of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to study ten posters that were gathered from protest scenes in major cities in Pakistan. In these posters Urdu, regional language (Sindhi) and English were used. The study examined the reasons behind protesters' use of English, how it can be utilized with visual components, and what it tells about identity, power and politics. The results indicate that English is used for various purposes. It is a way to get protest messages to the international community. It denotes schooling and progressiveness. It also does not show a sense of resistance to the state. SFL demonstrates the significance of language in terms of meaning and emotion. CDA brings to light the dynamics of power in these messages. The overall impact is enhanced through the use of visual elements like color and typography. This study helps discourse studies because it demonstrates the use of both linguistic and visual means by Pakistani protesters to create the sense of solidarity and influence public discourse

Keywords: English, Political Banners, Systemic Functional Linguistics, Critical Discourse Analysis, Multilingualism, Pakistan

A Critical Discourse Analysis of Punjabi Language Marginalization in Pakistan's English-Language Print Media

Roop Zahra — 2026-06-08

This study explored the linguistic portrayal of marginalization of the Punjabi language in three dominant newspapers in Pakistan namely Dawn, The News International and The Express Tribune. The qualitative research design was employed. This study utilized Socio-Cognitive Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework by Van Dijk (2008) to analyze a corpus of twenty-one editorials and opinion articles from 2010 – 2025. The analytical approach is based on three levels: macrostructure (global thematic and ideological significance), microstructure (lexical choices, metaphors, suppositions, syntactic structures), and superstructure (organization of the genre and the distribution of voice). The results revealed that all these newspapers have a deficit approach towards constructing Punjabi while they simultaneously show sympathy towards the language and reiterate the ideological hierarchy that prioritizes Urdu and English. But there are marked differences in newspaper types: Discourses in Dawn are most often structurally critical and polyphonic, with institutional/class-based explanations for marginalization being foregrounded; The News International is the most often cultural/soft power framing; and The Express Tribune is the most often identity stigma/historical nostalgia framing. All three newspapers, however, in the end naturalize Punjabi's ban from institutional spaces. The results of this research help add to the body of knowledge in the field of language ideology, media discourses and linguistic inequality in multilingual societies in South Asia.

Keywords: Critical Discourse Analysis, Van Dijk, Punjabi language, marginalization, print media, language ideology, Dawn, The News International, The Express Tribune, Pakistan

The Use of Meta-Cognitive Self-Assessment Strategies: An Experimental Study of Developing Writing Skills among Students of District Malakand

Abida khanam — 2026-06-09

Metacognition plays a vital role in the teaching and learning process which involves reading, writing development, problem-solving, self-control, attention, communication and personality development. Knowing how to teach the procedure for awareness of learning does not ensure effective teaching, and if not, teaching to the student deteriorates to trial-and-error and dull. It was an experimental study to find the impact of metacognitive self-assessment strategies on writing skills of grade 9 and 10 girl students of government girls secondary school Dargai and Sakhakot, District Malakand, KPK, Pakistan. A quasi-experimental pretest/posttest control group design was used. Four government girls' high schools were chosen. A total of 120 students (60 experimental group and 60 control group) participated. The intervention group was given a 30-day period for the implementation of metacognitive self-assessment strategies (planning, monitoring, evaluating and reflecting using rubrics, journals and feedback) and the control group was provided with traditional lecture approaches. The data collection tools consisted of a researcher-developed Writing Skills Test (pre- and post-test) for vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, organization, and writing in an essay, as well as a teacher questionnaire that included 26 items on metacognitive approaches to developing writing. The instruments were expertly validated and pilot tested with Cronbach's Alpha of 0.89 for test and 0.87 for questionnaire. The data was analysed using SPSS 26 with descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and independent samples t-tests. No significant differences between groups were revealed by the results of the pre test. A post test indicated that there was a statistically significant difference for the experimental group in all components (overall t = -8.12, p < .001). Self-assessment strategies were rated as very effective with high agreement among teachers. The study results show that metacognitive self-assessment strategies make a significant contribution to improving writing skills. Teachers are advised to incorporate these strategies within the English classroom and have training in metacognitive teaching.

KEYWORDS: Metacognitive Self-Assessment, Writing Skills, Experimental Study, District Malakand, Secondary Students, Pakistan, Quasi-Experimental Design

Global Labor Market and Islamic Economic Ethics: A Critical Evaluation of the Economic Exploitation of Migrant Women under the Kafala System

Rubeena Shaheen — 2026-04-10

This study provides a critical evaluation of the economic exploitation faced by migrant women workers, particularly domestic helpers, under the contemporary Kafala (sponsorship) system within the global labor market framework. Operating primarily in the Gulf region, this administrative structure grants employer’s asymmetrical legal authority over workers, trapping vulnerable migrant women in institutional dependency. Analytically examining this structural imbalance, the paper details how practices such as the non-payment or delay of wages, arbitrary salary deductions, passport confiscation, and excessive working hours severely restrict female labor autonomy and plunge them into economic paralysis. This research contrasts these capitalist exploitations with a robust conceptual framework of Islamic economic ethics, rooted in the core pillars of Adl (justice), Ihsan (benevolence), and the universal injunction of avoiding mutual harm (La Tazlimuna wa la Tuzlamun). The analysis reveals that the current institutionalized Kafala framework fundamentally contradicts Islamic principles of human dignity and fair labor compensation, diverging sharply from the historical, protective concept of sponsorship in Islamic law. Concluding with actionable structural reforms, the study advocates for direct state-backed regulatory oversight, a legally enforced minimum wage, and independent legal assistance to align modern labor practices with comprehensive human rights and Islamic economic justice.

Keywords: Kafala System, Islamic Economic Ethics, Migrant Women Workers, Economic Exploitation, Labor Rights

Provincial Reconfiguration in Pakistan: A Case Study of the Hazara Region and its Multi-Dimensional Implications

Haseeb Ullah — 2026-06-07

This research paper examines the demand for a separate Hazara Province and its multidimensional implications for Pakistan's federal structure. The study explores the political, cultural, administrative, and developmental factors that have contributed to the emergence and persistence of the Hazara Province movement. The research study is qualitative and exploratory in nature, using document analysis of the relevant scholarly literature, government documents, policy documents, parliamentary documents and other secondary sources related to the research. The theoretical structure is based on Federalism Theory to analyze the aspects of regional autonomy, regional governance and state restructuring. Analysis of the document revealed that political marginalization, cultural and linguistic identity, unequal resource distribution and governance-related issues are the most important factors driving the movement. The research also shows that a reconfiguration of the provinces could improve regional development, political representation and administrative effectiveness. The establishment of a new province, however, brings constitutional, fiscal and institutional issues that need to be thoughtfully considered. The study finds that the Hazara Province movement is not a localized one but is a part of the bigger issue of decentralization, regional equity and inclusive governance in the federal system of Pakistan. The paper suggests that to resolve regional grievances without compromising national unity and federal stability, local governance must be strengthened, resources must be distributed fairly, and evidence-based strategies and models of provincial restructuring must be used.

Keywords: Hazara Province, Provincial Reconfiguration, Federalism, Decentralization, Regional Autonomy, Governance, Pakistan.

Comparative Effects of Inductive and Deductive Teaching Methods on Elementary Students’ Academic Achievement in Science: An Experimental Study

Robina Kousar — 2026-06-07

The present study aimed to compare the effect of two teaching methods (inductive and deductive) on academic achievement in science for elementary students. A quantitative true experimental design (pretest – posttest control group) was used. A total of 60 elementary students were randomly selected from an accessible population of 132 and equally divided between experimental and control groups. The experimental group taught with inductive teaching method and the control group taught with deductive teaching method. Data were gathered using a researcher-made Science Achievement Test (SAT) inspired from Bloom's Taxonomy, which was expert-tested and piloted. Descriptive statistics and independent and paired samples t-tests were used to analyze the data, as well as One-Way ANCOVA. The gain scores and post-test achievement of the experimental group were found to be significantly higher than those of the control group in the results. The ANCOVA results also showed that there was a statistically significant difference in students' science achievement due to teaching method after the pre-test scores were considered (F = 105.735, p < .05, η² = .650). The findings showed that the implementation of inductive teaching model was more effective in improving science achievement of science students at elementary level than deductive teaching model. The study suggests that teachers use more activity-based, inductive and enquiry-based teaching methods to improve students' understanding of concepts and academic achievement in science; and curriculum planners should add more student-centered learning tasks to a curriculum to enrich students' conceptual understanding and academic achievement in science.

Keywords: Inductive Teaching Method, Deductive Teaching Method, Science Achievement, Elementary Students, Experimental Study, Academic Achievement

From Geopolitics to Geoeconomics: Is Pakistan's Strategic Shift Sustainable?

Dr. Nadia Shaheen — 2026-06-07

The evolving international system is increasingly characterized by economic interdependence, strategic connectivity, technological competition, and the growing use of economic instruments as tools of statecraft. While traditional geopolitical considerations continue to influence interstate relations, economic resilience, trade integration, infrastructure development, and investment flows have emerged as critical determinants of national power. In response to these changes, Pakistan has sought to recalibrate its strategic outlook by shifting from a predominantly geopolitical orientation toward a geoeconomic framework centered on economic security, regional connectivity, and sustainable development. This transition gained formal expression through Pakistan's National Security Policy (2022–2026), which identifies economic security as the foundation of comprehensive national security.

This article examines the rationale, opportunities, and challenges associated with Pakistan's geoeconomic transformation. It argues that the shift represents a necessary adaptation to changing global realities rather than a departure from traditional strategic concerns. Drawing upon contemporary debates on geoeconomics, economic security, and regional connectivity, the study evaluates the sustainability of Pakistan's geoeconomic agenda in light of domestic constraints, regional security dynamics, and evolving patterns of global competition. Particular attention is given to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), regional connectivity initiatives, economic diplomacy, climate security, and changing security architectures in the Middle East and South Asia. The article concludes that Pakistan's geoeconomic shift possesses considerable potential but requires sustained institutional reforms, political stability, improved governance, and regional cooperation to achieve long-term success.

Keywords: Geoeconomics, Pakistan Foreign Policy, Economic Security, CPEC, National Security Policy, Regional Connectivity, Economic Diplomacy, South Asia.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20580341

Gwadar Beyond CPEC: Pakistan's Quest to Become a Regional Connectivity Hub

Dr. Nadia Shaheen — 2026-05-20

Gwadar Port has emerged as one of the most significant strategic and economic projects in Pakistan's contemporary history. Initially viewed primarily as the maritime centerpiece of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Gwadar has gradually evolved into a symbol of Pakistan's broader geoeconomic ambitions. Situated near the Strait of Hormuz and at the intersection of South Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa, Gwadar possesses the potential to transform Pakistan from a strategically important state into a regional connectivity hub. However, the realization of this vision depends on far more than infrastructure development alone. It requires economic viability, regional integration, political stability, effective governance, and a secure operating environment.

This article examines Gwadar's significance beyond CPEC and evaluates its potential to serve as a regional connectivity hub. It argues that while Gwadar enjoys significant geographic advantages and occupies a strategically important location, its success depends upon Pakistan's ability to integrate the port into broader regional trade networks and transform it from a transit point into a comprehensive commercial, industrial, and logistics ecosystem. The article concludes that Gwadar possesses the potential to become a major regional hub, but only if Pakistan adopts a long-term strategy focused on connectivity, economic competitiveness, and regional cooperation.

Keywords

Gwadar Port, CPEC, Regional Connectivity, Geoeconomics, Maritime Trade, Pakistan, Central Asia, Indian Ocean, Economic Corridors, Regional Integration.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20580262

An Analytical Study of the Objections of Orientalists on the Marriage of Umm al-Mu'minin Hazrat Safiyyah (R.A.)

Asim Shahzad — 2026-06-07

In the contemporary era, the institution of polygyny (multiple marriages) of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ remains one of the primary subjects exploited by Orientalists to target Islam and his revered personality. Specifically, the Prophet's ﷺ marriage to Hazrat Safiyyah (R.A)—the daughter of the chief of Banu Nadir—following the Expedition of Khyber, has been a focal point of severe criticism by Orientalists and detractors of Islam. The core of these objections revolves around issues such as her marriage immediately after the killing of her former husband and family, her status as a captive, and the age disparity. Western writers have attempted to paint these events in a psychological, political, and aggressive light (God forbid). By leveraging the context of this marriage, her captivity, and her family background, they have raised baseless objections against Islamic Jihad, women's rights, and Islamic ethics.

However, rigorous research reveals that the Orientalists' objections are fundamentally rooted in the distortion of historical facts, a disregard for context, and deep-seated prejudice. This paper demonstrates that this marriage was neither the result of coercion nor driven by personal desires (God forbid); rather, it was a profoundly wise decision viewed within the geopolitical and social matrix of Arabia. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ granted Hazrat Safiyyah (R.A) complete freedom and the choice to remain practicing her own religion, yet she willingly and gladly chose Islam and the companionship of the Prophet ﷺ. This marriage was, in fact, a magnificent manifestation of consensus, emotional consolidation (Ta'leef-e-Qalb), and the restoration of the familial dignity of influential Jewish tribes like Banu Nadir and Banu Qurayzah.

This research paper presents an analytical study of the Orientalists' objections regarding the marriage of Umm al-Mu'minin Hazrat Safiyyah bint Huyayy ibn Akhtab (R.A). While Orientalists often characterize this marriage as a matter of political opportunism, forced marriage of a prisoner of war, or a byproduct of anti-Semitism, this study evaluates these claims in the light of historical context and authentic Islamic sources. Contrary to the Orientalist narrative, prophetic sources confirm that Hazrat Safiyyah herself prioritized Islam and the marriage despite being offered unconditional freedom by the Prophet ﷺ. Thus, the marriage symbolizes honor, protection, religious freedom, and reconciliation, rather than retribution against the Jewish leaders of Banu Nadir. Furthermore, Hazrat Safiyyah's esteemed position in Islamic society, her jurisprudential insight, and her contributions to Hadith narration thoroughly refute these Western allegations.

In conclusion, the Orientalist perspective is built upon preconceived notions, academic biases, and a selective or biased reading of Islamic sources. This study concludes that this marriage stands as a practical paradigm of prophetic wisdom, moral values, and equilibrium in interfaith relations, rather than an act of compulsion or political exploitation.

Keywords: Hazrat Safiyyah, Orientalists, Marriage (Nikah), Objections, Analytical Study, Khyber, Jews.

Caregiver Burden, Psychological Distress, and Social Rejection in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Mizna Shabbir — 2026-06-07

The current study aims to observe the relationship between caregiver burden, psychological distress, and social rejection among mothers of children with autism. In addition, this research explores how demographic differences relate to caregiver burden, psychological distress, and social rejection among mothers of children with autism. A cross-sectional research design was used, and data were collected from 100 mothers of children with autism through purposive sampling. The Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview, Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (Adult Version), and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K‑10) were administered. Pearson correlation, regression, independent t‑test, and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. Correlation and regression analyses showed that caregiver burden had a clear positive association with psychological distress, and it significantly predicted distress levels. Social rejection did not show a meaningful relationship with psychological distress and did not emerge as a significant predictor. The association between caregiver burden and social rejection was also non‑significant. An exploratory comparison indicated that working mothers reported higher caregiver burden and psychological distress than household mothers, while no difference appeared in social rejection. The study highlights the psychological challenges faced by mothers of children with autism and emphasizes the need for interventions, awareness, and support systems.

Keywords. Autism Spectrum Disorder, Caregiver Burden, Psychological Distress, Social Rejection, Mothers

Negotiating Sustainability in Central Asia: An Interpretive Analysis of Socio-Economic, Environmental, and Paradigmatic Pathways: From Soviet Legacies to Sustainable Futures: Interpreting the Central Asian Paradigm

Shabir Hussain — 2026-06-05

Sustainability in Central Asia is neither a fixed trajectory nor a purely technocratic goal; it is a negotiated paradigm shaped by global discourses, national strategies, and everyday practices. This article examines the region’s pursuit of socio-economic and environmental sustainability through the lens of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while situating these efforts within the region’s historical legacies of Soviet industrialization, post-independence transitions, and contemporary authoritarian governance. Drawing on a critical review of recent scholarship and international reports, the analysis integrates three theoretical strands resilience theory, ecological modernization, and political ecology into a single interpretive framework. The findings reveal a persistent tension between state-led modernization projects, community-level resilience strategies, and the political ecologies of land, water, and migration. While governments emphasize “green economy” narratives and large-scale infrastructure, households often rely on migration and informal adaptation practices to sustain livelihoods. Regional water governance illustrates both the necessity and fragility of cooperation, as upstream downstream disputes remain unresolved. At the same time, authoritarian governance shapes sustainability discourses by privileging global image-building over participatory or inclusive practices. This study contributes to sustainability debates by reframing Central Asia’s trajectory as plural, contested, and negotiated rather than linear or uniform. The argument underscores the importance of contextual sensitivity: global frameworks like the SDGs provide useful benchmarks, but they risk irrelevance unless translated into locally meaningful strategies. By synthesizing theory with empirical cases, the article advances an interpretive approach that humanises sustainability, recognizing it as a process rooted in lived realities and unequal power relations. Ultimately, the research highlights that the future of sustainability in Central Asia depends less on importing universal models than on acknowledging negotiation as its defining characteristic, where resilience, modernization, and political struggle converge in shaping the region’s developmental pathways.

Keywords: Central Asia, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Resilience and Adaptation, Ecological Modernization, Political Ecology, Water Governance, Migration And Remittances, Authoritarian Governance

Influence of Dietary Regimes on the Yield Dynamics and Physio-Chemical Attributes of Marecha Camel (Camelus dromedarius) Milk"

Tariq Nadeem — 2026-06-05

A comparative feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of fodder and concentrate rations on milk yield and composition in Marecha camels. Twenty lactating camels were randomly assigned to two groups: control (fodder and grazing) and treatment (fodder, grazing, and concentrate supplementation), with 10 animals in each group. The trial lasted one month. Camels receiving concentrate supplementation produced significantly higher milk yield (P<0.05) than those fed only fodder and grazing. Milk specific gravity and body weight were not significantly affected (P>0.05). However, fat, total solids, solids-not-fat (SNF), and lactose percentages were significantly improved (P<0.01) in the treatment group. The results indicate that concentrate supplementation enhances both milk production and milk quality in Marecha camels.

Key words: Marecha Camel, Concentrate Ration, Milk Composition, Fat Percentage, Lactose

Nuclear Diplomacy versus Military Action: The Breakdown of Negotiations and Strategic Outcomes in the Iran-Israel-United States Conflict

Hasnain Iqbal — 2026-06-04

The failure of the nuclear diplomacy between Islamic Republic of Iran, the State of Israel and the United States in early 2026 and the subsequent launch of Operation Lion's Roar on 28 February 2026 are one of the most impactful shifts in international security since the Cold War's ends. This paper details the causal mechanisms that blocked the prospect of military escalation despite long multilateral negotiations and reviews systematically the outcomes of the negotiations that have reshaped the structures of security in the region and beyond. The analysis is based on Deterrence Theory, Coercive Diplomacy, Structural Realism, and Security Dilemma Theory to trace the process of diplomacy breaking down into armed conflict. The paper presents a critical analysis of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as a case of impermanent multilateral containment, and identifies the structural vulnerabilities that were uncovered by the unilateral withdrawal of the United States (US) in 2018 and Iran's continued enrichment activities since then. It also explores the three-step approach to preventing negotiations: Israel's preventive military strategy, the dual-track U.S. strategic approach, and Iran's nuclear nationalism. Comparative analysis of diplomatic and coercive instruments is used to evaluate strategic outcomes, such as regional destabilization, erosion of the non-proliferation regime, economic disruption and geopolitical realignment that result from military escalation. The paper ends with an outlook on forward-looking policy scenarios and recommendations for reconstructing a multilateral nonproliferation governance post-conflict.

Keywords: Nuclear Diplomacy, JCPOA, Iran Nuclear Program, Coercive Diplomacy, Deterrence Theory, Operation Lion's Roar, Middle East Security, Non-Proliferation

Spatial Land Use and Land Cover (Lulc) Changes in Swat River Basin from 1992-2022

Sumaira Kousar (Corresponding Author) — 2026-06-05

Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes significantly influence environmental processes and watershed dynamics. This study examines the spatio-temporal LULC changes in the Swat River Basin, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, over a period of three decades (1992–2022). Multi-temporal Landsat imagery acquired from Landsat-5 TM and Landsat-8 OLI was processed using Google Earth Engine (GEE). A Random Forest (RF) supervised classification algorithm was employed to classify six LULC classes: snow cover, forest, agriculture, barren land, water bodies, and settlements. Classification accuracy was evaluated using Overall Accuracy (OA), Kappa Coefficient, Producer Accuracy (PA), and Consumer Accuracy (CA), yielding satisfactory results with the highest OA of 87% and Kappa value of 0.84. The findings reveal substantial changes in the basin's landscape. Snow cover decreased dramatically from 30% to 3%, while forest cover declined from 36% to 17% between 1992 and 2022. Conversely, agriculture expanded from 4% to 19%, barren land increased from 28% to 54%, and built-up areas grew from 1% to 5%. Water bodies remained relatively stable throughout the study period. The observed changes are primarily attributed to climate change, population growth, urban expansion, agricultural development, and deforestation. The study highlights the effectiveness of GEE and RF algorithms for long-term LULC monitoring and provides valuable information for sustainable watershed management and environmental planning in the Swat River Basin.

Keywords: Land Use and Land Cover (LULC); Spatio-temporal Change Detection; Swat River Basin; Google Earth Engine (GEE); Random Forest Classification; Landsat Imagery; Watershed Management; Climate Change; Deforestation; Urban Expansion; Land Cover Dynamics; Remote Sensing.

Revisiting the 1991 Water Accord: Climate Change and Interprovincial Water Conflicts in Pakistan

Kamran Siraj — 2026-06-04

This study critically examines how climate change has transformed water scarcity in Pakistan from a manageable resource challenge into a major non-traditional security threat that fundamentally destabilizes interprovincial relations and threatens national cohesion. Drawing on empirical hydrological data, policy analysis of the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord, and assessment of institutional performance within the Indus River System Authority, the research demonstrates that accelerated glacier melts in the Himalayas and Karakoram, erratic monsoon patterns, and prolonged drought episodes have rendered the Accord's fixed provincial allocations increasingly inadequate for managing distribution under conditions of heightened climatic variability. The findings reveal that downstream provinces, particularly Sindh, bear disproportionate socioeconomic consequences including agricultural decline, livelihood destruction, forced migration, and severe ecological degradation in the Indus Delta where seawater intrusion has increased salinity by approximately 70 percent since 1990. Persistent governance weaknesses, including inadequate transparency in water measurement and the absence of adaptive allocation mechanisms, exacerbate provincial mistrust and fuel political narratives that polarize upstream downstream relations. The study concludes that revisiting the Accord through a climate-sensitive lens, strengthening institutional capacity for real-time monitoring, and integrating flexible allocation protocols are essential for ensuring equitable water access, safeguarding agricultural sustainability, and preserving federal harmony in Pakistan's increasingly volatile environmental landscape. Without proactive reforms, water insecurity risks deepening political divisions and jeopardizing long-term national stability.

Keywords: water scarcity, 1991 Water Accord, climate change, interprovincial conflicts, Indus River System

The Cartography of Belonging: Hybridity and Memory in Sorayya Khan’s We Take Our Cities with Us

Aqsa Qadeer — 2026-06-03

This research article explores the intricate dimensions of transnational identity, geographical dislocation, and mnemonic preservation in Sorayya Khan’s seminal memoir, We Take Our Cities with Us: A Memoir (2022). Operating at the vital intersection of postcolonial life writing, memory studies, and spatial theory, this paper argues that Khan constructs a sophisticated “cartography of belonging” that resists static, essentialist definitions of nationhood, race, and home. By analyzing how Khan weaves together her complex Pakistani-Dutch-American heritage across seven cities and three continents, this study deploys Homi Bhabha’s theory of cultural hybridity and the Third Space alongside Pierre Nora’s formulation of lieux de mémoire (sites of memory), Marianne Hirsch’s paradigm of postmemory, and Gaston Bachelard’s poetics of space. The analysis demonstrates how Khan reconfigures domestic and urban spaces including Lahore, Islamabad, Vienna, and Amsterdam as active, psychological archives. These environments transcend passive backdrops for personal grief, functioning instead as palimpsestuous landscapes where macro-historical ruptures such as the 1947 Partition of British India, World War II traumas in Nazi-occupied Europe, and post-9/11 Islamophobia intersect with micro-histories of maternal loss and familial survival. Ultimately, this article illustrates how Khan’s narrative models a form of rhizomatic belonging. Through this self-reflexive process, narrative documentation operates as an architectural act of counter-mapping, establishing the sovereign page as the ultimate space of habitation and existential endurance for the hyphenated, global subject.

Keywords: Sorayya Khan, Hybridity, Third Space, Lieux de mémoire, Postmemory, Spatial Theory, Pakistani Anglophone Literature, Transnational Life Writing.

Impact of Climate Change on Tourism Industry in Baltistan: Governance Challenges, Community Perceptions, and Sustainable Adaptation Strategies

Aamir Kaleem — 2026-06-03

Gilgit-Baltistan, located in the northern region of Pakistan, and it is globally recognized for its glaciers, high mountains, natural landscapes, and cultural heritage, which making tourism a major source of socio-economic development for local communities. However, climate change has increasingly threatened the region through glacier retreat, glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs), irregular weather patterns, flash floods, and environmental degradation. Baltistan, as one of the major tourism hubs of Gilgit-Baltistan, which is particularly vulnerable due to its dependence on mountain tourism and climate-sensitive natural resources. This research explores the impact of climate change on the tourism industry, local livelihoods, and environmental sustainability in Baltistan. The study adopted qualitative research using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and secondary policy documents to examine institutional responses, climate-related risks, governance challenges, and adaptation strategies. The findings reveal that climate change is significantly affecting tourism activities, infrastructure, accessibility, and the socio-economic conditions of local communities. The study further highlights the importance of climate-resilient infrastructure, community engagement, sustainable tourism planning, and institutional coordination for the long-term sustainability of tourism in Baltistan.

Keywords: Climate Change, Gilgit-Baltistan, Tourism, Sustainable Tourism, Mountain Communities, GLOFs, Socio-Economic Development

Crossing the Rajhistan Painesville through the (NWSR); Geniuses of Railway in Great Thar Region: Bahawalpur, Bikaner & Jodhpur

Dr. Saeed Ahmad — 2026-06-03

The aim & objectives of study to highlight the Gigantic Railway Network of Communication in North-West part of British India. In order to cater the Commercial, Logistic & Defense Strategic Services; East India Company EIC (1612-1857) devised a mega project in this area. The Rajasthan Painesville occupied the massive area; it is largest part of British Raj. Rajistan consists of 23 States & more than 340,000 sq.km. It also known as Rajputana States. The Rajistan possesses a unique state in British Empire. It comprises mostly on barren & deserted area. Geographically; Great Thar is located in North-West part of British India. It consists of over 2 lac sq km. Moreover, it is 18^th largest desert of the world. Post 1857; a new era begins in Subcontinent; British Raj adopted modern method of communication & provided the multiples services in India. In this regard; Government established various Railway Lines & Stations. Therefore; British Officers & Engineers were appointed on the States. In 1872-78; a Gigantic Bridge (Empress Bridge) on Sutlej River was built which connected the entire region by Railway network. So, it was mandatory to connect between Province Sind, State BWP and Rajistan States & Provinces of Punjab. The connection between Punjab Railway & Karachi brings revolution. It was 1st ever mega project of the region. Later; second route of Indian Railway North West State Railway (NWSR) was commenced in Rajputana State. From 1875-1900 (NWSR)Railway Line was launched & finally 2^nd major route approaches to Delhi-Karachi via Bhatinda, Ajmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Luni, Mewera, Burmer, Umar Kot, Hyderabad & Karachi.

Keywords: Development of Road Rail Infrastructure in Thar &Rajasthan States.

Enhancing Biker Safety through Ergonomic Design: An Integrated Smart Helmet Solution for Lahore Market

Muahmmad Qamar — 2026-06-03

The aim of the study is to examine the trends of usage and challenges of wearing helmet among motorcyclists in Lahore, study the ergonomic constraints of the current helmets in the local market, and design an ergonomically optimized smart helmet design that improves the safety and usability of the riders. The study is based on the fact that although people are aware of helmet safety, the rate of wearing a helmet remains low because people experience practical discomforts and functional limitations. Thus, the research is concerned with recognizing actual user issues and converting them to effective designed solutions using a user-centered methodology.

The approach to the study was a mixed-method research to meet the study objectives. The quantitative part was carried out with the help of a descriptive cross sectional survey of 100 motorcyclists including delivery riders to examine their behavior in terms of helmet use and the challenges associated with it. The qualitative aspect comprised of case study analysis of five of the different helmets available including branded, institutional and locally available helmets to assess the ergonomics features, the use of materials and the integration of technology to the different helmets. The results of the two approaches were integrated to formulate the design requirements, which informed the concept development and digital 3D modelling of the proposed smart helmet.

According to the results, the key obstacles to the use of helmets include thermal discomfort, communication challenges, and limited visibility as opposed to lack of awareness. The current helmets were observed to be ineffective in ventilation, ergonomic comfort and incorporation of user-relevant technologies. In reaction to this, the study suggests a smart helmet design that will include multi-point ventilation system, hands-free calling using Bluetooth connectivity and rear-view camera with a front-mounted display to enhance situational awareness. The study concludes that a user-based and ergonomically informed design approach can greatly increase the usability of the helmets, as well as stimulate their constant use, thus, contributing to better road safety results.

Keywords: smart helmet, ergonomics, user-centered design, helmet design, ventilation system, Bluetooth communication, rear-view camera

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20532181

A Critical Study of Torture and Custodial Death: Case Study of Prevention and Punishment Act, 2022

Dr. Muhammad Asif Safdar — 2026-06-03

This study has demonstrated that Pakistan possesses constitutional and statutory prohibitions against custodial torture that meet international standards in many respects. Article 14(2) of the Constitution explicitly prohibits torture for evidence extraction, a provision absent from many national constitutions. The 2022 Act criminalises custodial violence and establishes procedural mechanisms for investigation and trial. These are not insignificant achievements. However, this study has also demonstrated that legal provisions alone do not prevent custodial violence. The absence of implementing rules under the 2022 Act, the FIA's conflict of interest as investigator, the lack of independent oversight mechanisms, the failure to secure convictions under the Act, and the judiciary's inconsistent enforcement of constitutional safeguards collectively explain why custodial torture continues unabated.

Key Words: Custodial Torture. UNCAT.Fair Trial. Procedural Rights.Courts. Constitutional Guarantees. Freedom of Speech.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20523634

From Colonial Silencing to Post-9/11 Stereotypes: Reclaiming Pashtuns’ Voice in Kamila Shamsie’s A God in Every Stone (2014)

Dr. Muhammad Ilyas — 2026-04-30

Since the colonial era, Pashtuns have been subject to persistent stereotyping, a pattern that intensified during the War on Terror. Once created by the British Raj’s historians as colonial tropes about Pashtuns, these stereotypes have been revived and reproduced during the last two decades by global media, academia, and policy narratives. Pakistan in itself is the victim of the War on Terror; but, Pashtuns as an ethnic group in Pakistan faced double marginalization: internationally as well as domestically within Pakistan. Pashtuns are often depicted by Pakistani media as violent and terrorists after the War on Terror. Apart from the deaths and displacement of thousands of Pakistani Pashtuns in the wake of War on Terror, they also suffered emotional and psychological pain due to their negative stereotyping in the international world as well as within Pakistan. The present study employs Spivak’s (1988) “Can the Subaltern Speak?” as theoretical framework, to investigate Kamila Shamsie’s A God in Every Stone as an attempt to reclaim Pashtuns’ marginalized voice since colonial era to their post-9/11 stereotyping. Shamsie tries to reclaim voice of Pashtuns in A God in Every Stone as subaltern ethnic group in Pakistan against their negative stereotyping in the wake of War on Terror. The novel tries to reclaim Pashtuns’ voice by representing the nuanced image of Pashtuns through their portrayal as peace-loving, cultured, and talented people. In contrast to the current stereotyping of Pashtuns as extremists, intolerant, and uncivilized, an attempt has been made in the novel to reclaim Pashtuns’ voice through their historical linkage with an ancient civilization and by portraying the Peshawar of colonial India as center of religious and cultural harmony.

Keywords: A God in Every Stone (2014), The War on Terror, Pashtuns’ stereotyping, Epistemic violence, Textual analysis

The Right to Be Forgotten: Legal Foundations, Contemporary Challenges, and Future Implications

Sohail Sattar Rajper — 2026-06-01

In the contemporary world, the inter linkage between technology and the personal lives of individuals has created unprecedented moments in human history. While this development often provides opportunities to preserve and recall meaningful experiences, it also carries significant negative implications by exposing fewer desirable aspects of personal life to public scrutiny. Given the vast scale and permanence of the Internet, once information enters the digital sphere, it becomes extremely difficult, if not impossible, to remove. As awareness of this erosion of privacy continues to grow, an increasing number of individuals now regard it as a serious concern. Consequently, lawmakers at both bdomestic and international levels have begun proposing regulatory frameworks aimed at limiting the permanent storage and dissemination of personal data on social media platforms.

Keywords: Right to Be Forgotten (RTBF), Right to Erasure, Data Protection, Privacy Rights, Digital Privacy, Personal Data, GDPR, European Union Law

A Comprehensive Review of Machine Learning Algorithms for Predicting Student Dropouts in Educational Data Mining

Rabia Bhutto — 2026-05-30

Student dropout is one of the major challenges faced by educational institutions, as it negatively affects aca-demic performance, institutional reputation, and overall stu-dent success. This study presents a machine learning-based framework for predicting student dropout using educational data mining techniques. A publicly available dataset obtained from the UCI Machine Learning Repository was utilized for experimental analysis. The dataset contains students’ demo-graphic information, academic performance, attendance records, assignment results, socio-economic background, and engagement-related attributes. Several machine learning algorithms including Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, Random Forest, Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), k-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) were implemented and evaluated for student dropout prediction. Data preprocessing techniques such as cleaning, normalization, and handling of imbalanced class distributions were applied to improve model reliability and prediction performance. The dataset was divided into training and testing subsets, while 10-Fold Cross-Validation was used to ensure robustness and generalization capability of the models. The performance of the classifiers was evaluated using Accuracy, Precision, Recall, and F1-Score metrics. Experimental results demonstrated that the Support Vector Machine (SVM) achieved the highest classification performance with an accuracy of 93.80%, precision of 0.939, recall of 0.938, and F1-score of 0.938, significantly outperforming the remaining classifiers. Random Forest, Multilayer Perceptron, KNN, Decision Tree, and Logistic Regression achieved comparatively lower prediction accuracies. The findings further revealed that academic performance, atten-dance percentage, assignment scores, engagement level, and socio-economic background are among the most influential factors affecting student dropout prediction. The proposed machine learning framework provides an efficient and practical solution for identifying at-risk students at an early stage, enabling educational institutions to implement timely intervention strategies to improve student retention and academic success.

Keywords: Educational data mining, Machine Learning, Student dropout, Prediction, Classification

Psychological and Competence Pathways to Academic Success at Higher Education Level

Rahat Yasmeen, PhD — 2026-05-30

Academic success of the university students is contingent on various aspects as literature revealed and it is a matter of great concern among various researchers. By considering the gap of literature, current study aimed to find out the psychological and competence pathways to academic success at higher education level. Present study followed quantitative research method; research was descriptive in nature. By using cross-sectional survey research design, data was collected from a sample of 320 undergraduate students. Respondents were selected from four departments of university of Sargodha; department of Plant Pathology (Faculty of Agriculture), Sargodha Medical College (Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences), Department of English (Faculty of Arts and Humanities) and department of Social Work (Faculty of Social Sciences) by using convenience sampling technique. Data was collected online by using Google form by using two adapted questionnaires. Data was analyzed by using moderation and mediating analysis technique; it is established that an insignificant moderating and mediating effect of student’s emotional intelligence in relation with generic competence and academic success was found. On the basis of results, it was recommended that instead of focusing solely on grades and CGPA, future studies may look into a wider range of measures of academic success for different results.

Keywords

Emotional Intelligence, Generic Competence, Academic Success, Students, Undergraduate

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20459729

Does Inclusion Drive Motivation? Evidence from Public Education Institutions

Alhagie O Camara — 2026-05-29

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) have become increasingly important in public-sector organizations, yet limited empirical attention has been given to whether DEI climate is associated with employee motivation in public education institutions. Existing research largely links inclusive workplace climates to outcomes such as well-being, participation, psychological safety, commitment and engagement, but the direct motivational relevance of DEI climate remains underexplored, especially in resource-constrained public-sector education contexts where financial incentives and promotion opportunities may be limited. This study examines the relationship between DEI climate and employee motivation using survey data from 113 employees drawn from public education institutions across multiple regional education jurisdictions. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling was applied using ADANCO 2.4.1 to assess the measurement and structural models. The findings show a positive relationship between DEI climate and employee motivation, with DEI climate explaining 32.5% of the variance in motivation. The structural model indicates that DEI climate has a substantively meaningful positive association with motivation (β = 0.5705), while the effect size is large (f² = 0.4824). These findings suggest that employees who perceive their workplace as fair, inclusive and respectful are more likely to report stronger motivation. The study contributes to DEI, organizational behavior and public-sector management literature by positioning DEI climate not only as a policy or compliance issue, but also as a non-financial workplace condition associated with employee motivation. Practically, the findings highlight the importance of inclusive leadership, equitable treatment, employee voice and respectful institutional climates in sustaining motivation within public education institutions. Given the cross-sectional design and measurement limitations, future research should test this relationship using larger samples, longitudinal designs and expanded models incorporating mediating mechanisms such as psychological safety, perceived organizational support or workplace belonging.

Keywords: Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); employee motivation; public education institutions; workplace inclusion; organizational behavior; public-sector management; PLS-SEM; employee engagement

Key Determinants of Employee Retention and Turnover in Pakistan’s Private Retail Banking Sector

Zubar ul Qamar Khan — 2026-05-29

This study looks at the retail private banking business in Pakistan's Islamabad Region, with an emphasis on employee turnover and retention. Key findings from interviewees at A Bank include excessive workloads, management behaviour, workforce shortages, gender discrimination, and questions about promotion fairness. Job satisfaction is highly influenced by workload and a lack of supportive management, whereas gender prejudice and staffing issues have an impact on service quality. Despite these challenges, many employees remain because of limited career opportunities and workplace familiarity. The study emphasises the importance of tailored tactics to promote employee satisfaction, and it makes recommendations for future research that will look into solutions across different geographies.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20467535

STUDY OF COLLIGATION: A COMPARISON BETWEEN NATIVE LEARNERS AND NON-NATIVE PAKISTANI LEARNERS

Amina Mumtaz — 2026-05-28

When two lxical items are co-occur through grammatical association that is called colligation. Colligations can enhance the potential by binding of the words with different structures by lexical items. The purpose of this research study has drawn the comparison in between the native learners and nonnative Pakistani learners of English. The corpus has extracted from the ICNALE written essays. In ICNALE written essays, we have extracted the 400 files from native learners and 400 files from nonnative Pakistani learners. We have drawn the comparison. All these corpus files have tagged with the TagAnt, and identified the problem to use the colligation in the nonnative Pakistani learners. In this comparative research study, we have identified the misplacement of lexical items and errornous of colligation in the Pakistani learners. The reason of this problem is the attitude of syllabus designers and influence of L1 background of Pakistani learners.

Keyword: TagAnt; corpus; ICNALE (International Corpus Network of Asian Learners of English); Colligation

Power of Throwball in Enhancing Muscle Strength and Mental Health

Dr. Mehwish Manzoor — 2026-05-27

Throwball is an emerging team sport that combines physical activity, coordination, teamwork, and strategic movement. Over recent years, sports scientists and health professionals have increasingly recognized the importance of recreational sports in improving physical fitness and mental wellbeing. This article explores the significant role of throwball in enhancing muscle strength and promoting mental health. Regular participation in throwball contributes to muscular endurance, cardiovascular fitness, body coordination, and flexibility while simultaneously reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. The social and recreational nature of the game also improves emotional stability, confidence, and teamwork skills. This paper highlights the physiological and psychological benefits of throwball and recommends its inclusion in educational institutions and community wellness programs.

Keywords: Throwball, Muscle Strength, Mental Health, Physical Fitness, Sports Psychology, Wellness, Team Sports.

South Asia’s Geo-Strategic Significance and Its Role on Changing World Order

Kashif Hamayoun — 2026-05-26

The region of South Asia is at the center of the transformation of the world order, given its geographies linking the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, Central Asia, East Asia and the larger Indo Pacific region. The area is home to nuclear powered rivals, growing maritime links, significant energy corridors, large consumer markets and states that come in ever increasing contact with the strategic rivalry between China, the United States and others outside the region. This study explores South Asia's geo-strategic importance and the way it has participated in the shift from a predominantly US-centric ordering to a more competitive, multipolar and geo-economic international system. It is studied based on a realist approach focusing on the key explanatory variables power, security, state survival, balancing and strategic geography. The method used in the study is qualitative with purposive sampling technique for participants which are 13 key informants who are academics, former diplomats, security analysts and regional connectivity experts. Thematic analysis was used to analyses data. The four main themes that arose were: South Asia as a strategic pivot of multipolar rivalry, Pakistan as a geo-economic bridge of connectivity and CPEC, Pakistan's stabilizing role in regional security and strategic restraint, and Pakistan's role in promoting multilateralism, Muslim world diplomacy and regional cooperation. The results indicate that the participants saw Pakistan as not just a security player, but also a constructive state, whose geostrategic outlook, diplomacy, connectivity initiatives and balancing act have the potential to contribute positively to the stability of the region. The study finds that South Asia would be even more important in the increasingly competitive world of politics and that Pakistan's positive contribution will rely on economic consolidation, institutional stability and on regional diplomacy and geo-strategic location being transformed to geo-economic influence.

Keywords: South Asia, Geo-Strategy, Changing World Order, Realism, Pakistan, CPEC, Multi-Polarity and Regional Security.

Marketing Strategies through Linguistic Expression: A Multimodal Analysis of Sales Advertisements of Shoe Brands in Pakistan

Syeda Ammara Kaleem — 2026-05-25

A tactical interplay of textual and visual rhetoric makes the most of persuasive meaning in advertising today. The present multimodal study analyses the way Pakistani static sales advertisements integrate linguistic and visual semiotic cues to inspire consumer behavior. To attain this objective, twenty static advertisements of sales in the footwear market were qualitatively explored drawing on Kress and van Leeuwen’s Visual Grammar Framework (2006). Representational, interactive and compositional meanings were explored keeping in view how textual and visual rhetoric influence the viewer. The findings expose that the most dominant textual and visual technique is the typographic hierarchy, promoting the price-dominant language and persuading the consumer to avail the discount offer. Conceptual symbolic representation of discount figure along with high visual modality like saturated colour scheme increases the economic value of the offer. Moreover, the intentional spatial positioning of discount percentages and sales slogans in visually prominent zones highlight the promotional offer, creating a sense of urgency in customers. The tactful combination of visual composition and persuasive language guarantees strong consumer appeal. The study concludes that the synergia of textual and visual elements in sales advertisements shape consumer perception and stimulate urgency in taking purchasing decisions.

Keywords: Multimodal Discourse Analysis; Visual Grammar; Textual Rhetoric; Visual Rhetoric; Information Value; Salience; Framing; Typography; Pakistani Sales Advertisements; Persuasion

The Morphology and Syntax of Adjectives in English and Pashto: A Contrastive Study

Bibi Ayesha Kifayat — 2026-05-25

This study is an attempt to carry out a contrastive analysis of adjectives in Pashto and English, adopting a corpus-based approach to examine their morphological and syntactic properties. The study highlights the way Contrastive Analysis (CA) can be useful in understanding the uses of adjectives along different parameters in Pashto and English languages and facilitates the learning of English as a second language. The findings of the study show that adjectives show both similarities and differences in the target language (English) and in the source language (Pashto) and learners generally map their knowledge of adjectives in English on the basis of their morphology and syntax of Pashto adjectives. The study reveals that one of the causes of grammatical inaccuracies concerning the use of English adjectives among the Pashto native speakers is the interference of their first language (Pashto). This study addresses a key concern for Pashto-speaking learners interested in learning English worldwide. The Contrastive Analysis of English and Pashto provides a foundation for designing more effective language learning strategies. Moreover, this analysis can also help in predicting potential obstacles a learner may possibly face in the learning of English as a second language.

Keywords: Linguistic Interference, Contrastive Analysis of Pashto and English, Syntactic Structure, Morphological Changes, Cross-linguistic Comparison

English in Clinical Settings: A Target Situation Analysis of Nurse-Patient and Interprofessional Communication Needs Among Undergraduate Nursing Students in Pakistan

Sehar Eman — 2026-05-24

The present study was conducted Target Situation Analysis (TSA) of 99 female students of nursing undergraduate programme at School of Nursing, The University of Faisalabad (TUF), Pakistan. The study highlighted two key areas of clinical English use for nurses and patients, interprofessional communication and nurse–patient communication. Applied a quantitative survey method with a six-section Likert-scale questionnaire to compare the two domains in terms of their requirements for clinical English. The use of paired-samples t-test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis. According to the results, there was a statistically significant difference between the interprofessional communication use (B2; M = 3.646) and nurse–patient communication use (B3; M = 2.889) and this difference was confirmed by a paired t-test (t = 7.242, p < .001). The response distribution of the item B3 was very spread out (SD = 1.203) and there were 42.4% of students who disagreed or strongly disagreed with the item in the entire instrument, thus recording the lowest mean. Interprofessional communication (B2) was rated significantly higher on both measures and there was no significant difference between them (t = 0.547, p = .586). The results presented a higher correlation between the use of interprofessional communication and ESP needs (r = .285), course evaluation (r = .502) and speaking self-competence (r = .544) than between speaker competence and nurse–patient communication use. There were no statistically significant differences among academic levels for either domain in the ANOVA results, indicating that the two-tier gap does not differ significantly across clinical experience. Communication with the nurse (39.4%) and interprofessional communication (37.4%) were the second and third highest of the priorities selected in the Section G priority checklist, next to pronunciation fluency (43.4%). The overall instrument had excellent reliability (ɑ = .900). The results show that there is a two-tiered system of clinical English use in TUF, which suggests an urgent clinical English intervention needed in TUF based on CLT.

Keywords: target situation analysis, nurse–patient communication, interprofessional communication, ESP, nursing education, CLT, Pakistan, clinical English, needs analysis

Constructing Conflict through Words: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Lexical Framing and Agency in Global Media Coverage of the 2025 India–Pakistan Air Clash

Muhammad Awais Younis — 2026-05-24

This study critically analyzes how the ten big media houses discursively produced India-Pakistan air clash in 2025 using the tools of language. This study is interested in the text level in Fairclough's (1992, 1995) Three-Dimensional Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) model. Three aspects of language are analysed: the lexical structuring of conflict intensity and legitimacy; metaphoric or rhetorical structuring of the conflict; syntactic features such as passivisation, modals and hedging. The 10 news articles selected for the week were from CNN, Al Jazeera, Reuters, The New York Times, TRT Global, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Bloomberg, Asia Times and Middle East Eye. The analysis of data was carried out using a self-designed analytical framework based on the works of Fairclough (1995), Charteris-Black (2004), van Dijk (1998), and van Leeuwen (2008) which focused on the textual level. The analysis shows that Pakistan military used words like 'act of war,' 'retaliation,' and 'battlefield achievement ' in all the sources to dramatize the war and build the agency of Pakistan military as powerful and technologically sound. The conflict was brought into the spotlight of a symbolic East–West ideological struggle through a series of dramatic metaphors, like 'ticking flashpoint,' 'dogfight,' and 'arms race. The passive voice was used to depict military operations in Pakistan, whereas the Indian agency was camouflaged using passive voice and institutional silence. Hedging and modality were used as tools that reflect a superficial neutrality of journalists and allowed to subtly influence perceptions of legitimacy and responsibility. The findings validate Fairclough's claim that there is no neutral language in the media, which is ideologically and politically formed and determined by power.

Keywords: India–Pakistan conflict, Critical Discourse Analysis, international media, lexical choices, metaphors, modality, passive voice, Fairclough's model, war reporting, geopolitical framing

Evaluating Immersive Reader's Impact on Fourth Grade English Reading Comprehension: A CALL Approach in Context of Pakistan

Seemab Gul — 2026-05-24

The study aims to examine the effectiveness of using Immersive Reader (IR), created by Microsoft, in improving the reading comprehension ability of 4th-grade students of The Educators School, Islamabad, Pakistan. The research measures reading comprehension, vocabulary learning and pronunciation accuracy. The research design used in this research is pre-posttest with control and experimental design utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. The results indicated that students who use Immersive Reader improve significantly in pronunciation correctness, comprehension, and vocabulary skill. Also, the students' feedback shows a positive attitude towards the integration of CALL. Overall, the study highlights the importance of integrating technology, such as Immersive Reader, into language learning to enhance reading skills effectively. English language proficiency is a critical issue in Pakistan, and innovative strategies such as Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) are essential for its solution. Policymakers should focus on making technology a part of language education policies and providing resources and training for language teachers. Incorporation of CALL and policy adjustments can help improve the quality of language teaching in Pakistan, strengthen teachers, and prepare students for success in a globally interconnected world.

Keywords: CALL, Immersive Reader App by Microsoft, Reading skills, Comprehension skills, Vocabulary skills, Pakistan

Quranic Perspectives on the Creation of the Universe: A Textual and Theological Analysis

Raza Ali Shah — 2026-05-24

The Quran, as the foundational scripture of Islam, offers multifaceted insights into the origin and creation of the universe. This article systematically examines the key Quranic verses related to cosmogenesis, exploring their linguistic, theological, and philosophical dimensions. Central to this study is the concept of Badi' (Originator), the debate surrounding creatio ex nihilo versus creation from pre-existing matter, and the Quranic model of a universe created through divine command (Kun Fayakun). Drawing on classical Quranic exegesis and the works of scholars such as Ibn Rushd (Averroes) and Jane Mcaullife, this paper argues that the Quranic text does not unequivocally support the doctrine of creation from absolute nothingness. Rather, it consistently depicts creation as a transformative divine act upon pre-existing metaphysical realities. The article further explores the cosmological significance of Quranic verses referring to primordial water, smoke, and divine throne, situating them within a broader Islamic cosmological framework. The implications of these findings for Islamic theology and the science-religion dialogue are discussed.

Keywords: Quran; cosmogenesis; creation; Badi'; creatio ex nihilo; Kun Fayakun; Islamic cosmology; divine command; metaphysical universe

Constructing Conflict: Fake News Typology, Artificial Intelligence, and Political Ideology in Indian War Journalism during the 2025 Indo–Pakistan Escalation

Haris Maqsood — 2026-05-23

This study analyzed ideologically motivated disinformation propagated built by Indian television journalists during the armed escalation between India and Pakistan during 2025. The focal point of the study was to explore the nature, motive and socio-political impacts of fake news being aired by leading Indian news channels and to understand the process of reinforcing nationalism, militarism and enemy-othering through fake news. The use of the qualitative-critical research design, which was applied at the social practice level in interpreting the media discourse, is based on the Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) model by Fairclough (1995) and analyzed based on the ideological and institutional context of the media. Another two theoretical lenses were used for classification of false content: the Information Disorder Framework introduced by Wardle and Derakhshan (2017) which classifies misinformation, disinformation, and misinformation; and the Typology of Fake News introduced by Tandoc et al. (2018) which classifies fabrication, manipulation, and propaganda. The corpus consisted of 98,060 war related news items in television news coverage during the conflict in May 2025 from the top seven channels Aaj Tak, Republic Bharat, Times Now, NDTV, ABP News and others. Content was fact-checked using fact-checking organizations Alt News, BOOM FactCheck and Deutsche Welle (DW). Content analysis and discourse-level analysis were carried out using SPSS which focused on the factuality, emotional framing, intent to deceive and ideological positioning. The results revealed that the amount of news that was fabricated, manipulated or propagandistic was as high as 99% of the war related news spread by several channels. Media was used not as a medium of information but as an instrument of the State ideology, using AI-produced images, content from overseas sources and super-nationalist slogans to create fear, pride and hostility. The lack of democratic debate and citizens' confidence in government was further eroded by emotional manipulation and institutional censorship. The study brings in a theory-driven, empirically grounded analysis of wartime journalism to enrich the scholarship on media discourse and disinformation and emphasizes the need to enhance the accountability of the media and protect public discourse from state related disinformation in times of war.

Keywords: Fake News; Disinformation; India–Pakistan Conflict; Critical Discourse Analysis; Nationalism; Media Ethics; Propaganda; Misinformation; AI-Generated Content; Ideological Narrative

A Historical Analysis of Colonial Rule and Its Long-Term Effects on Socio-Cultural Development

Anees-Ur- Rehman — 2026-05-22

This study provides a historical analysis of colonial rule and its long-term effects on socio-cultural development. Colonialism reshaped political structures, education systems, economic organization, and cultural identities across colonized regions, leaving lasting impacts that continue to influence contemporary societies. The study examines how colonial governance policies altered indigenous cultural practices, social hierarchies, language systems, and identity formation. A qualitative historical research design is adopted, supported by secondary data analysis. The dataset includes colonial administrative records, historical archives, census reports, academic books, and peer-reviewed journal articles on post-colonial studies. Comparative historical analysis is used to evaluate changes across pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial periods. The study also applies thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns in cultural transformation, social restructuring, and institutional development. The findings indicate that colonial rule significantly disrupted indigenous socio-cultural systems by introducing foreign administrative structures, education models, and legal frameworks. While some modernization occurred, it often resulted in cultural displacement, identity fragmentation, and long-term socio-economic inequalities. However, hybrid cultural forms also emerged through cultural interaction and adaptation. Measurable outcomes include changes in literacy rates over time, linguistic shifts, transformation in social stratification patterns, and institutional continuity or disruption indices. The study concludes that colonial legacies continue to shape socio-cultural development, requiring critical reassessment to understand present-day inequalities and cultural dynamics.

Keywords: Colonialism, Socio-Cultural Development, Post-Colonial Studies, Cultural Transformation, Historical Analysis, Identity, Institutional Change

Rainfall–Wheat Yield Dynamics in Sindh: A VAR Time Series Approach

Fayyaz Hussain Ghanghro (Corresponding Author) — 2026-05-22

Agriculture in Sindh, Pakistan, is highly sensitive to climatic variability, particularly rainfall fluctuations that directly affect wheat productivity. This study analyzes the dynamic relationship between annual rainfall and wheat yield using time series data from 1991 to 2024. The Augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) test confirmed non‑stationarity at levels, which was corrected through first differencing. The optimal lag length was selected as 2 based on the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). A Vector Autoregression (VAR) model was estimated, followed by Impulse Response Functions (IRFs), Forecast Error Variance Decomposition (FEVD), and short‑term forecasting. Results reveal that rainfall shocks exert significant short‑term effects on wheat yield, while adjustments occur over time. FEVD analysis further indicates that rainfall variability explains a considerable proportion of yield fluctuations. The forecasting exercise (2025–2029) highlights a modest decline in yield immediately after rainfall shocks, followed by gradual stabilization, consistent with IRF patterns. These findings underscore the importance of climate‑resilient agricultural strategies and provide empirical evidence for policy interventions aimed at stabilizing wheat production under changing climatic conditions.

Keywords: Wheat Yield, Rainfall Variability, Vector Autoregression (VAR), Impulse Response Functions (Irfs), Climate Resilience.

The Evolution of Back-of-the-Book Index (BoBI) Systems: A Review

Abdul Rehman Baloch — 2026-05-21

The Back-of-the-Book Index (BoBI) is an important section in publications and Information Management (IM), providing readers with the ability to locate specific topics. The development of BoBI has been a key factor in the evolution of books, ensuring that topic can be navigated efficiently. As computing technology advanced, text-based interfaces helped to streamline, with the advent of PC, BoBI software began to GUIs, user-friendly experience. Combination of more advanced algorithms and methods enabled efficiency and flexibility. By the turn of the time, indexing softwares to support multi capabilities. The innovations made indexing faster, precision and accurate. Findings reveal a clear progression from stand alone applications to integrated. By examining both the current state of softwares and predicting future trends. In this review research the BoBI systems have evolved since the 1970s. Trends include greater ability with publishing, user interfaces, and to handle complex content structures. A comparative evaluation highlighted in the end, and mentioned that how these systems preserve the serious difficulty of traditional indexing, and the ability to manage the comlex indexing.

Keywords: Automated Indexing; Indexing System; Indexing Software; Back-of-the-Book Index (BoBI)

Effect of Sports Betting and its Potential Risk on Emotional Control and Entertainment of Players

Saman Fatima — 2026-05-20

The study explored the relationship between effect of sports betting and its potential risk on the emotional control and entertainment of players. Researcher has used cross-sectional survey approach for the purpose of data collection. Descriptive statistical (mean, frequency, percentage, and standard deviation), and inferential statistics (t-test) were utilized to find out the results from collected data. The study based on quantitative measure in nature. To access the effect on emotional control to optimize the effect on match fixing and fraud and to find out the effect on entertainment on personality of players. Finding of the study showed that the mean difference between the sample mean (M=2.5014) and the test value was 2.501362. The 95% confidence interval for the difference in means ranged from 2.4100 to 2.5927, indicating that the true population mean difference is expected to fall within this interval. Both emotional and entertainment aspects showed statistically significant differences from a test value of 0, as indicated by the very low p-values (p=0.000). Over time, these practices can cause mood swings, anxiety, and even despair, especially when losses accrue. Furthermore, the persistent chase of wins can breed obsessive tendencies and hamper decision-making abilities, harming personal relationships and professional duties.

Keywords: Emotional control, entertainment, match fixing & fraud, social aspects.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20315561

Racial Diversity in Kuang's Yellowface: A Neo-Colonial Study

Ayesha Nasir — 2026-05-20

This research explores the neo-colonial perspective on racial diversity as depicted in R.F. Kuang's novel Yellowface, where the publishing industry’s commodification of diversity is examined through the story of June Hayward, a white writer who claims her deceased Asian American friend Athena Liu’s manuscript as her own. Through this morally complex narrative, Kuang critiques how the industry manipulates and profits from diverse voices, reshaping cultural identities to suit Western audiences while sidelining authentic representation. This study employs a qualitative research design, utilizing close reading, thematic analysis, and comparisons with real-world publishing practices to investigate how Kuang’s narrative sheds light on power imbalances and ethical dilemmas within the industry. Grounded in postcolonial theory and Critical Race Theory, the analysis connects Kuang’s fictional events to broader practices of neo-colonialism, illustrating how racial diversity is selectively promoted as a token of inclusivity while ultimately reinforcing existing power structures. This research aims to reveal yellow face as both a sociopolitical commentary and a critique of diversity initiatives in literature that prioritize profit over authentic storytelling. By framing diversity as a resource subjected to neo-colonial exploitation, Kuang challenges the industry’s superficial commitment to inclusivity, questioning who truly benefits from racial diversity in publishing. This study thus contributes to discussions on race, power, and ethics, underscoring the need for deeper systemic change in cultural representation.

Keywords: Racial Diversity Neo-colonialism Cultural Appropriation Representation Identity Politics Postcolonial Literature White Privilege Authorship and Authenticity

A Critical Analysis of Secondary School Heads in Cultivating Effective Teaching and Learning Environments in District Panjgur

Sagheer Ahmed — 2026-05-20

Educational leadership is a critical determinant of successful learning experiences worldwide. The role of school principals is pivotal in student achievement, teacher development, and enabling schools to adapt to evolving pedagogical, technological, and societal demands. This study examines the multifaceted leadership roles of secondary school principals in Panjgur, Balochistan, encompassing academic, administrative, social, community, and infrastructural responsibilities. Using descriptive statistics, data were analysed from surveys of 34 school heads and 432 teachers. Findings reveal that principals demonstrate strong commitment, effective time management, and initiatives for school improvement. They provide academic supervision, uphold fair examination procedures, and mentor teachers, while administratively maintaining discipline, allocating responsibilities, and adhering to regulations. However, challenges such as political interference and resource shortages persist. The study concludes that addressing gaps in staffing, infrastructure, and community engagement, alongside professional development, can empower principals to build more efficient and integrated school systems. The study suggests that empowering secondary school heads in Panjgur requires targeted staffing support, leadership training, improved resource management, stronger community participation, and investment in infrastructure and health facilities to create effective and inclusive learning environments.

Keywords: School Leadership, Teaching Environment, Secondary Education, Panjgur, Academic Administration

Principals and Teachers’ Perceptions of Supervision and Evaluation Practices in Federal Directorate of Education, Islamabad

Nosheen Akhtar — 2026-05-20

Teacher supervision in Pakistan’s Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) schools has historically been a summative, confidential process, prioritizing administrative control over professional growth. This study assessed the pre-existing concepts of school principals and teachers regarding these traditional evaluation practices. A mixed-methods explanatory sequential design was employed, gathering quantitative data through Likert-scale questionnaires from five principals and five teachers in Islamabad, followed by qualitative thematic analysis to explore perceptions in depth. Findings revealed a unanimous view of evaluation as an annual, authoritarian exercise that provides minimal diagnostic feedback or collegial support. A significant lack of awareness of formative, clinical supervision models was evident among both groups. The study concludes that there is an urgent need to transform these hierarchical practices by introducing collaborative, reflective supervision models, such as clinical supervision integrated with individual professional development plans, to foster genuine teacher development and improve instructional quality.

Keywords: Teacher Supervision, Clinical Supervision, Teacher Evaluation, Professional Development, Federal Directorate of Education, Instructional Leadership

Interplay of Geopolitical Risk, Economic Growth, and Renewable Energy

Aamir Nawaz — 2026-05-20

Despite widespread consensus on the need for renewables-based energy systems, the deployment of green infrastructure remains uneven and structurally bottlenecked. Most macroeconomic literature broadly aggregates the energy transition into a one-dimensional, static factor, thereby concealing the dichotomy between decarbonization aspirations and economic reality. This paper bridges this gap by quantifying the macroeconomic, structural, and geopolitical determinants affecting renewable energy transition using panel data from 42 countries over 2002-2022. Methodologically, this study disaggregated the dependent variable into a three-tier supply-chain (installed capacity, generation, and end-use consumption) and leveraged a Two-Way Fixed Effects model with Driscoll-Kraay standard errors to account for cross-sectional dependence and heteroskedasticity. Global market integration and rising geopolitical tension were identified as significant drivers that incentivized countries to diversify their energy supply with domestic green infrastructure. At the same time, urbanization and lagging greenhouse gas emissions were negative determinants of green energy generation, pushing economies toward continued utilization of fossil-fuel energy grids. Perhaps most importantly, while higher levels of domestic income were positively correlated with renewable capacity buildup, they had a negative correlation with end-use consumption, demonstrating that developing economies revert to traditional approaches to meet the excess demand. Baseline regulatory quality was also found to be statistically insignificant across all models, implying that environmental decrees are insufficient to impact the energy transition on their own.

Keywords: Geopolitics, Renewable Energy Transformation, Renewable Energy Consumption

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20315673

Challenges Faced by School Management in Transforming a Conventional Teaching Classroom to a Learner-Centered Teaching Classroom Using Active-Learning Pedagogies

Hijab Naveed — 2026-05-20

This research is aimed to study all the challenges that a school management faces in an effort to change the teaching and learning philosophy from conventional to learner-centered approach using active-learning strategies. This research has also focused on the aspects of why teaching and learning strategies in schools need a significant shift keeping in view all the 21st Century skills and students’ learning needs. Through this research the researcher has tried to communicate a burning issue which is also a general misconception around the world that student-centered teaching through active learning can only be followed in schools following Problem-based/Project -based learning approach. Irrespective of the curriculum, any teaching and learning philosophies can be adopted keeping in view the main objective of creating life-long learners. The scope of this research is quite huge as it encompasses all the important pillars of education, with school management at the top of the hierarchy.

Keywords: Conventional teaching, learner-centered teaching, 21st Century skills, active learning, life-long learners

An Investigation of Lexical Innovation, Internet Slang, and Semantic Creativity in Online Discourse

Muhammad Alyas — 2026-05-20

This study investigates lexical innovation, internet slang, and semantic creativity in contemporary online discourse, focusing on how digital communication platforms reshape language use and meaning-making processes. It examines the rapid emergence of new lexical forms in social media environments and explores how users creatively manipulate language to express identity, emotion, and group affiliation. The research adopts a qualitative corpus-based methodology, analyzing linguistic data collected from selected social media platforms, online forums, and digital communication channels. Data is examined through thematic categorization of lexical items, semantic shifts, abbreviations, neologisms, and multimodal expressions such as emojis and hashtags. The theoretical framework is grounded in sociolinguistics and lexical semantics, with particular emphasis on language variation theory and digital discourse studies. These perspectives help explain how language evolves in response to technological, cultural, and social influences in online environments. The findings reveal that internet discourse is highly dynamic, characterized by continuous lexical expansion, semantic re-contextualization, and creative linguistic adaptation. Internet slang functions as both a communicative strategy and a marker of identity, enabling users to signal belonging within specific digital communities. The study further highlights that semantic creativity in online spaces accelerates language change and challenges traditional linguistic norms. It concludes that online discourse serves as a powerful site of linguistic innovation where language is constantly reshaped by user interaction and digital culture.

Keywords: Lexical innovation, internet slang, semantic creativity, online discourse, sociolinguistics, digital communication, language change

Fragmented Selves in Social Media Narratives: A Baumanian Reading of Pakistani Influencer Culture

Muhammad Abdulwahab — 2026-05-19

This Study explores the phenomenon of fragmented digital identity in the context of Pakistani influencer culture, with a focus on the ways in which social media influencers perform multiple, sometimes contradictory, identities across multiple online platforms. The aim of the study is to analyze the ways in which fragmented identity performance is constructed through varied narrative styles, including persona development, emotional self-disclosure, and self-presentation on social media sites. The Study is important because, while the phenomenon of influencer culture has become the mainstay of identity development in the digital era, very little scholarly attention has been paid to the fragmented nature of identity in the non-Western world. The study is based on a qualitative thematic content analysis of publicly available content from Pakistani influencers on Instagram and TikTok from May to September 2025. The analysis is informed by the sociological perspective of Zygmunt Bauman, whose theory of liquid modernity understands the concept of identity as unstable, fluid, and continually reconstructed in the dynamic social environments. The results of the analysis show that the construction of the influencer identity is fragmented through the enactment of contradictory roles, the deployment of emotional vulnerability, and the adaptation of the self-presentation across different digital platforms. The fragmented construction of the influencer identity is an expression of the instability of the concept of digital identity in general. The analysis contributes to the field of digital identity and influencer culture by highlighting the fact that the fragmented construction of the influencer identity is not a deficiency of coherence but a fundamental feature of the construction of the concept of identity.

Keywords: Digital Identity; Identity Fragmentation; Influencer Culture; Social Media Narratives; Zygmunt Bauman; Liquid Modernity

Moderating Role of Academic Stress on Self-Efficacy, Self-Compassion, and Psychological Well-Being among University Students

Noor Ulain — 2026-05-19

This study investigated the moderating role of academic stress in the relationship between self-efficacy, self-compassion, and psychological well-being among university students in Pakistan. A cross-sectional research design was employed with a sample of 202 students (123 males and 79 females) aged 18–30 years, selected through a stratified sampling technique from universities in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Participants completed validated scales measuring self-efficacy (GSE), self-compassion (SCS-SF), psychological well-being (PWB-42), and academic stress (ESSA). The results revealed significant positive relationships between self-efficacy, self-compassion, and psychological well-being. Furthermore, academic stress showed a significant moderating effect on the relationship between self-efficacy and psychological well-being. Gender differences were also observed, with female students reporting higher levels of self-efficacy, self-compassion, and psychological well-being, whereas male students experienced greater academic stress. The findings highlight the importance of addressing academic stress through targeted interventions, such as stress management programs and resilience-building strategies, to enhance students’ mental health and academic performance. This research provides valuable insights for educators, mental health professionals, and policymakers in fostering supportive academic environments.

Keywords:Academic Stress, Self-Efficacy, Self-Compassion, Psychological Well-Being, University Students.

Individuation And The Collective Unconsciousness in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime of The Ancient Mariner

Areebah Imran — 2026-05-19

The research applies Jungian analysis to investigate The Rime of the Ancient Mariner which Samuel Taylor Coleridge created because the Mariner reaches his personal growth through his application of fundamental human symbols which exist in the collective human psyche. The paper studies the poem's supernatural elements because they function as essential components which create a continuous dream structure that displays internal mental battles through visual elements and narrative development. The actual albatross killing demonstrates how Shadow emergence occurs while Death and Life-in-Death present Anima archetypes which the character must battle and water-snakes blessing shows the character's initial development of Selfhood. The study uses thorough textual examination which applies Carl Jung's archetype and individuation theories to prove that the Mariner's journey from guilt and brokenness to spiritual healing follows the established mental growth patterns which people experience. The poem presents a dual framework which shows human weakness through sin and redemption while displaying how people manage their conscious and unconscious self-realization processes.

Key words: Collective unconscious, Individuation, Jungian archetypes, psychological transformation, Dream imagery, Shadow & Anima, Spiritual redemption

Artificial Intelligence and the Erosion of Student Effort A Critical Analysis of Research Dependency and Diminishing Critical Thinking in Pakistani Universities

Dr Bushra Salahuddin — 2026-05-19

Over the past few years, AI-driven tools from large language models to automated writing platforms and AI-enhanced search engines have quietly but profoundly reshaped how students in Pakistani universities go about their academic work. The convenience these tools offer is undeniable, yet something troubling is happening beneath the surface. Students are increasingly outsourcing their thinking. They submit AI-generated responses without wrestling with the material themselves, and in doing so, they may be forfeiting the cognitive struggle that genuine learning demands. This study looks directly at that problem. Drawing on survey data from 412 undergraduate and postgraduate students across five Pakistani universities, collected through a validated 60-item questionnaire on a 9-point Likert scale, the research examines how AI usage patterns relate to student research effort, critical thinking, and academic originality. The results are sobering: habitual AI use is significantly and negatively associated with all three outcomes. These findings make a case for institutions to move urgently to develop AI literacy curricula, rethinking assessment design, and crafting policy frameworks that encourage students to engage with ideas rather than simply retrieve them.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, student effort, critical thinking, academic dependency, research skills, Pakistani universities, AI literacy, higher education

Effect of Cognitive Development Stages on Academic Problem-Solving Ability among Adolescents

Maryam Khalil — 2026-05-19

This paper focuses on exploring how cognitive developmental stages affect problem-solving abilities academically for adolescents. Cognitive development is a major factor that determines students' thought processes, reasoning, and academic performance. On the other hand, problem-solving ability is an academic attribute that enables students to solve problems encountered in education. This paper will seek to explore cognitive development stage among adolescent learners, assess academic problem-solving ability and establish the relationship between the two variables. A quantitative research design based on survey methodology was employed for the research. The research subjects consisted of secondary school learners sampled randomly. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from learners. Data analysis was done using statistical methods including means, standard deviations, and correlations. Results indicated a significant positive correlation between cognitive development and academic problem-solving ability. Learners who had advanced cognitive development showed superior reasoning and problem-solving abilities than others. Cognitive development significantly improves the academic problem-solving ability among learners. Therefore, it is essential that teachers employ appropriate teaching strategies aimed at promoting cognitive development among learners.

Keywords: Cognitive Development, Problem-Solving Ability, Adolescents, Educational Psychology

Mediating Role of Technostress and Exhaustion in the Relationship Between Digital Overload and Student Engagement

Zubair Ahmad — 2026-05-18

The present study examined the impact of digital overload on student engagement in correlation to the mediating role of technostress and exhaustion among Pakistani Universities’ students. The S-O-R model was used; the study is a quantitative cross-sectional design, where 300 undergraduate students enrolled into public sector universities of Malakand Division (Pakistan) were taken for data collection. Scales on digital overload (Lee et al., 2016; Loh et al., 2022), technostress (Cao et al., 2018; Lin et al., 2021), exhaustion (Cao et al., 2018; Y u e t al., 2019), and student engagement (Fredricks et al., 2016) were used. Results showed that digital overload was significantly correlated to technostress (r = .41, p < .01) and exhaustion (r = .37, p < .01). Digital overload was found to be weakly but significantly positively correlated to student engagement (r = .25, p < .01). In addition, exhaustion showed a significant mediating role (B = .34, p < .001) in the association between digital overload and student engagement, while technostress was not a significant mediator. Although it had both facilitative and inhibitive psychological effects, digital overload only had a direct positive impact on student engagement; in other words, students were still able to “do” academic work after having engaged in substantial amounts of digital activities, but tired more easily. Findings suggest that universities need to foster digital wellness and provide interventions towards exhaustion to prevent students from disengagement and poor academic performance in reference to SDG no 3 and 4 (Good Health & Wellbeing, Quality Education)

Keywords: S-O-R Framework; University Students; Digital Overload; Technostress; Exhaustion, Student Engagement.

A Research Study of the Causes, Background, and Impacts of the Migration to Habasha on Islamic History

Asif Nawaz — 2026-05-15

The migration to Abyssinia (Hijrah to Habasha) represents one of the earliest and most significant events in Islamic history, reflecting both the resilience of the early Muslim community and the universal values of justice and religious tolerance. This study examines the causes, context, and consequences of the Hijrah to Abyssinia, focusing on the socio-political conditions in Makkah that compelled Muslims to seek refuge under the Christian ruler, King Najashi (Negus) of Abyssinia. The research explores how persecution, social boycott, and threats to religious freedom motivated this strategic migration. It further analyzes the reception of Muslims in Abyssinia and highlights the role of interfaith dialogue, particularly the famous exchange between Ja‘far ibn Abi Talib and the king, as a model of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.

Using a historical and analytical methodology, the study investigates primary sources from classical Islamic literature and modern scholarly interpretations to assess the broader implications of this migration. The findings suggest that the Hijrah to Abyssinia not only ensured the survival of the early Muslim community but also established foundational principles for asylum, diplomacy, and interreligious harmony in Islam. Additionally, the research connects these historical lessons with contemporary global challenges related to migration, minority rights, and religious pluralism.

Keywords: Hijrah to Abyssinia, Early Islam, Religious Persecution, King Najashi, Interfaith Relations, Islamic History, Migration, Religious Tolerance

Sustainable Development: A Mediating Proposition between Two Paradigms Pro-Development and Pro-Environment (A case study of Balochistan, Pakistan)

Dr. Abdul Rahim Changezi — 2026-05-17

The province Balochistan is the largest one among its four provinces including the areas such as Gilgit Baltistan and FANA/PATA areas, rich in terms or having access to Arabian Sea through its coastal best i.e. Makran regions. At the same time, it’s rich in terms of having highly demanded mineral and natural resources such as Oil, Gas, Copper, Gold, Coal and many others. Despite of such richness, the masses here in the province is ranked amongst the poorest of poor. The situation in today’s globalized world due to technological advancement such as Google and AI software tools remained no more undisclosed, but open to all including economically sound countries of the Western countries and multinational national corporations MNCs for business i.e. “maximization of profit” at any costs like IMF, World Bank and Asian Development Bank through their proxies including federal and provincial government of the country. Consequently, a large number of programs and projects have since long been initiated in order to primarily justify the ruling parties governance partially and providing huge space to all such internationally recognized investors to invest to gain benefits out of the lethargic, inefficient, ineffective and somewhat indifferent governance in countries such as Pakistan including the states and provinces, which is relatively rich in term of natural resources, weak governance and somewhat already persuaded to share burden and seek financial help from abroad specially western countries and their business counterparts .China, for being, closest, friendly and economically sound country took the advantage to explore by investing billion dollars in Balochistan, only for one reason i.e. one belt and one route also called BRI to maximize its profit and find new market for its already over produced production in almost all aspects of daily life including both necessity and luxurious items of household and economic activities of a country such as efforts are primarily aims to look into the matter and while logically and according set standards internationally and get benefitted from these mega CPEC, Gwadar Deep Sea Port, Reko Diq and Saindak Copper and Gold Mining projects were launched, however without meeting the set standards set by UN in the form of four major indicators of “sustainable development” such as economic viability, social/ cultural acceptability, political feasibility and, indeed, environmentally friendly suitable interventions. All such mega projects do face various issues including scientific investigations. This research paper is a preliminary effort in this regard aiming to raise political and social awareness among masses in general, and concerned communities and researchers in particular.

Keywords: Sustainable Development, Economic Viability, Political Feasibility, Social/Cultural Acceptability and Environmentally Friendly, Mega Project and, Environmental Justice

Reimagining Human–Nature Relationships: An Ecocritical Study of Selected Contemporary American Poems

Zeeshan Ullah Swati — 2026-05-16

The aim of this study is to examine the representation of nature and human-nature relations in certain poems written by contemporary American poets through ecocriticism. With increasing global warming and environmental degradation, the importance of literary analysis for understanding human perception of the environment and its behavior has grown significantly. Literature has received little attention within ecocriticism research and is predominantly found in novels, postcolonial literature, and environmental stories. In this study, a comparative ecocriticism approach is applied on five contemporary American poems. Data are gathered from the following five poems: EAT by Joy Harjo, Remembering a Honeymoon Hike near Drakes Bay, California, while I cook our dinner at the feet of Colorado’s Front Range by Camille T. Dungy, If Fire by Jake Skeets, To a Blossoming Saguaro by Eduardo C. Corral, and Heliophilia by Aimee Nezhukumatathil. Through the use of a qualitative research methodology and comparative textual analysis, the study employs the ecocritical theory of Cheryll Glotfelty, Lawrence Buell, Rob Nixon, and Kate Soper to explore the way in which these poems reject anthropocentrism and form an ecocentric idea of existence. The results show that nature is not depicted as merely a backdrop against which human stories are told, but as an entity that actively influences identity, memory, justice, and belonging. Anthropocentric hierarchies are destabilized as nature is endowed with agency, environmental oppression is highlighted, and the poems bring to light the ecofeminist aspects of care and vulnerability to domination. Moreover, the poems illustrate the fact that the ecological crisis has much more to do with history, colonization, and displacement than previously acknowledged. Through this research, current ecocriticism theory is advanced, as the poems serve as a site of resistance in response to the ecological crisis, and contemporary American poetry provides an insightful literary answer to the ecological crisis.

Keywords: Ecocriticism, Contemporary Poetry, Environmental Justice, Ecofeminism, Non-human Agency, Human–Nature Relationship, Contemporary American Poetry

Strategic Control of Energy Trade: Iran's Economic Leverage Through the Strait of Hormuz in Times of Conflict

Shanza Gull — 2026-05-15

This article examines Iran's strategic control over energy trade and the Strait of Hormuz as a powerful instrument of economic leverage during recent war. It argues that Iran's geographic position at one of the world's most important oil passage has enabled it to influence global energy markets, and strengthen its bargaining position in the time of war. The article also discusses the historical evolution of Iranian relations with the United States and Israel, the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and the subsequent breakdown of diplomatic ties. It also explores how the nuclear issue, sanctions, proxy conflicts, and repeated military confrontations have expanded the rivalry. The article further analyses recent escalations, including the Iran–Israel clashes of 2025 and recent Iran-US-Israel war in 2026, to show how Iran uses the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of deterrence and negotiation. At the same time, it highlights the limitations of the strategy, especially Iran's own dependence on Hormuz for oil exports and the vulnerability of its energy infrastructure to foreign strikes and sanctions.

Keywords: Iran, US, Islamic Revolution, Strait of Hormuz, Sanctions

Effectiveness of AI-Based Chatbots and Digital Tools for Adult Mental Health: A Systematic Review

Ms Zainab Ilyas — 2026-05-15

Chatbots and other digital tools based on artificial intelligence are becoming more and more applicable to the field of adult mental health, but the evidence on their efficiency, user interaction, and safety is still partial. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize existing studies on the efficacy of AI-based chatbots and digital mental health tools use among adults, and discuss engagement patterns and safety outcomes in particular. The search has been performed in the key medical and psychological databases to locate randomized controlled trials and controlled observational studies on the subject of adults (18 years and older). Predefined eligibility criteria were used to screen studies and the methodologic quality was evaluated with the help of established risk-of-bias tools. Because there was heterogeneity in which interventions and outcome measures were measured, a narrative synthesis was conducted on the effectiveness outcomes, whereas a thematic analysis was conducted on the engagement and safety results. Thirty-two studies, assessing a variety of AI-based interventions, most frequently chatbot-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy, were included in the review. On the whole, AI-based interventions showed small to moderate depressive and anxiety symptoms improvements, as compared to inactive controls. Participation was significantly different among studies and the adherence was higher in structured and guided interventions. The reporting on safety outcomes was inconsistent with not many studies systematically monitoring adverse events or crisis escalation. These results indicate that AI-based chatbots and digital tools can have a slight mental health advantage to adults, especially to depression and anxiety, yet the constraints are associated with the maintenance of engagement and the safety analysis. More strict studies will be needed to prove the long-term effectiveness and safe implementation.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence, Chatbots, Depression, Digital mental health, Systematic review

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20209915

Consuming Power: A Marxist Critique of Consumerism, Class, and Political Economy in Omar Shahid Hamid’s The Party Worker

Sobia Perveen — 2026-05-15

This study examines the representation of consumerism, class hierarchy, and political economy in The Party Worker through a Marxist critical framework. Set within the socio-political environment of urban Pakistan, the novel exposes the ways capitalist power structures, ideological manipulation, and material desire shape political authority and social relations. Drawing upon the theories of Karl Marx, Antonio Gramsci, and Louis Althusser, this research explores concepts such as commodity fetishism, hegemony, ideology, and class struggle to analyze how consumer culture functions as a mechanism of domination and social control in the narrative. Using a qualitative textual analysis and interpretivist approach, the study investigates the relationship between economic privilege, political corruption, and urban capitalist structures portrayed in the novel. The findings suggest that consumerism operates not only as a cultural practice but also as an ideological force that reinforces class inequality, alienation, and exploitation within society. Furthermore, the study argues that the novel critiques the interconnectedness of capitalism and political violence by revealing how material aspirations and economic interests influence both individual identity and collective social structures. By situating The Party Worker within Marxist literary criticism and postcolonial political economy, this research contributes to contemporary scholarship on Pakistani literature, capitalist ideology, and class-based power relations in South Asian fiction.

Keywords: Marxism, Consumerism, Pakistani Literature, Class Struggle, Political Economy

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20205202

The impacts of Digital Marketing on Sports Development at University Level: A Case study of Southern Punjab

Dr. Sundas Hashmi — 2026-05-12

In recent years, digital marketing has proven to be a game-changer for marketing university sports in areas with limited resources, such as Southern Punjab, Pakistan. The study in this paper explored how digital marketing strategies (social media, website, email campaigns, and content marketing) can be used to drive participation, event organization, funding of sports infrastructure, identification of talents, and engagement of stakeholders within the context of sports development as it applies to the University of Layyah. A survey with a structured questionnaire was carried out with 280 participants (students, athletes, coaches, and administrators). The data were analysed by descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, and multiple linear regression achieved by SPSS Version 26. The results showed that there was a significant positive effect (R² = 0.672, p < 0.001); social media engagement showed the highest effect (β = 0.51). Overall, digital marketing contributed to a considerable increase in participation (mean +28 %) and event visibility. The study suggests that the inclusion of digital marketing in the curriculum of universities' sports programs and providing a budget for social media marketing could help speed up sports development in Southern Punjab.

Keywords: Impacts, Digital Marketing, Sports Development, University Level, Case Study, Southern Punjab

From Legal Writing to Oral Advocacy: An ESP Needs Analysis of Professional Communication Competence among Final-Year Law Students in Pakistan

Menahil Aslam — 2026-05-14

The present quantitative needs analysis examined the needs of final-year LLB students (9th Semester; N = 56) in oral and written communication at the College of Law, Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF) in Pakistan. The study used descriptive statistics, Pearson bivariate correlations, paired-sample t-test to map the needs profile of students on the verge of joining the legal profession. A 20-item five-point Likert-scale instrument utilized for data collection in four areas, which are Legal Writing Needs (Section I), Legal Genre and Accuracy Awareness (Section II), Curriculum Adequacy and Training Gap. Findings show consistent high average scores in each of the four sections (overall M = 4.09, SD = 0.54), with the largest ones on items of career-anchoring: strong speaking skills are essential to becoming a lawyer (Q20: M = 4.55), writing skills are essential to the career of a lawyer (Q6: M = 4.50), and a course in specialised legal communication Section IV (Legal Speaking: M = 4.173) is marginally higher than Section I (Legal Writing: M = 4.149) but a paired-samples t-test shows that there is no significant difference between the two areas (t(55) = -0.448, p =.656), meaning that final-year students equally are in need in both domains at the same time Pearson correlations demonstrate that there are significant correlations between inter-domain, especially between Legal Writing and Legal Speaking (r =.810, p < .001) and Legal Writing and Legal Genre (r =.809, p <.001), which proves that oral and written legal communication competences are co-constituted and demand a curriculum response in a form of integrated form. The mean correlation of inter-items between all 20 items (r2 =.443) shows there is sufficient instrument consistency. Results suggest that a special Legal English Communication course must be introduced at the College of Law at GCUF based on the Pakistani legal genres, oral advocacy practice based on task, and scaffolding of legal writing.

Keywords: Legal English, Speaking Needs, Writing Needs, ESP Needs Analysis, Final-Year Law Students, Pakistani Legal Education, Oral Advocacy, Legal Writing, Curriculum Gap

A Critical Analysis of Systemic Rivalry and the Reconfiguration of the Global Order in the 21st Century

Muhammad Ammar — 2026-05-14

The 21st century international system is undergoing a profound transformation marked by intensifying systemic rivalry among major powers, particularly between the United States and China. This study critically analyzes how such rivalries are reshaping the structure, norms, and institutions of the global order. Drawing on major theoretical frameworks in International Relations including realism, liberalism, and constructivism the research examines the shift from a unipolar to an increasingly multipolar system. It explores key dimensions of competition, including economic statecraft, technological supremacy, military posturing, and ideological contestation. The study also evaluates the role of emerging powers, regional alliances, and non-state actors in influencing global governance. By synthesizing contemporary scholarly debates and policy developments, it highlights how systemic rivalry contributes to institutional fragmentation, strategic decoupling, and the evolution of new governance mechanisms. The findings suggest that while rivalry may destabilize existing structures, it simultaneously fosters adaptive transformations within the international system. The study concludes that the reconfiguration of the global order is not merely a consequence of power shifts but also a reflection of changing norms, interdependence patterns, and global challenges. This analysis provides critical insights into the future trajectory of international politics in an era defined by uncertainty and strategic competition.

Keywords: Systemic rivalry, global order, multipolarity, great power competition, economic statecraft, strategic decoupling, global governance

A Comparative Linguistic Analysis of Lexical Diversity in AI-Generated and Human-Written Academic Research

Suriya Farooq — 2026-05-14

The study compares the lexical diversity of AI generated academic research and human written academic research and provides a comparative linguistic analysis. As AI assistants like ChatGPT are becoming more prevalent in the world of academic writing, issues of authenticity, vocabulary usage, and linguistic originality are gaining in prominence. The main goal of this research is to analyze differences and similarities with regard to the lexical diversity, the lexical sophistication and the vocabulary variation between AI-generated and human written academic texts. The methodology adopted in the study is a corpus-based qualitative and quantitative research approach, and the samples from the academic field are selected from the products of human research and AI systems, which are then analyzed by linguistic and computational methods. Linguistic richness and variation are measured through various lexical indices such as type-token ratio, lexical density and vocabulary sophistication. It will be revealed that the texts created with AI are grammatically consistent and formal, however, they might lack in the domain of the context in terms of creativity and repetition of lexical patterns as opposed to human written research. On the other hand, texts produced by human writers often will show more lexical diversity, context sensitivity, and subtle text choices. The study has implications for applied and corpus linguistics and digital humanities as it brings a better understanding of the relationship between AI and academic discourse that has developed over time. It also explores the pedagogical and ethical issues arising from AI-supported academic writing in modern education. Also, the study highlights the increasing need for digital literacy and critical thinking skills when assessing academic materials generated by AI. It aims to offer useful suggestions to teachers, researchers and policy makers on how to responsibly incorporate AI technologies in academic environments. The study also seeks to inspire future research in the field of linguistics to explore how AI will affect language and scholarly communication over time.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, Lexical Diversity, Academic Writing, Corpus Linguistics, AI-Generated Texts, Human-Written Research, Applied Linguistics, Vocabulary Sophistication, Digital Humanities

From Khudai Khidmatgar to Awami National Party: A Comparative Study of Ideology and Political Legacy

Khayal Muhammad — 2026-05-14

The study provides a brief overview of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement and the Awami National Party (ANP). The Khudai Khidmatgar, founded by Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Bacha Khan), was a socio‑political reform movement in North‑Western India that mobilized Pashtuns through non‑violent resistance against British colonial rule. After Pakistan’s creation, the movement’s members joined the National Awami Party (NAP), which embraced leftist, secular, and socialist politics. Though influential, NAP eventually fragmented, leading to the formation of the ANP, which claims to uphold the Khudai Khidmatgar legacy. This research critically examines the strategies, aims, ideologies, and organizational structures of both movements, highlighting continuities and transformations. Using a qualitative and analytical approach, it explores how ANP represents a continuation of Khudai Khidmatgar principles while adapting to new political contexts, noting both similarities and differences in their agendas and legacies.

Keywords: Khudai Khidmatgar Movement, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Non‑Violent Resistance, Pashtun Mobilization, British Colonial Rule, National Awami Party, Secular and Socialist Politics, Awami National Party, Political Legacy.

Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy: Intersections in Pakistan’s Strategic Decisions

Hina Tariq — 2026-05-14

The processes of making decisions in Pakistan's Foreign Policy are embedded in the arena of internal governance. The article explores the nature of internal political processes such as civil military relations, the federal–provincial relations and economic controls in Pakistan's external relations and strategic decisions. Based on the neoclassical realist theory and empirical facts of the period 2018-2025, it is found that Pakistan's foreign policy is holistic for national security. The study focuses on three key areas: the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as an example of development and strategic cooperation; the Afghanistan policy as an example of regional stability efforts; and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) engagements as economic reform tools. The results indicate a gradual process by which Pakistan has been attempting to link economic strength with foreign policy stability. The text is a contribution to the literature on domestic sources of foreign policy and provides insights for international partners dealing with Pakistan.

Keywords: Pakistan, Civil Military Relations, Foreign Policy, CPEC, National Security, Economic Security

Mainstreaming Climate Change into National Development Planning in Pakistan Policy Integration, Institutional Coordination, and Implementation Gaps A Qualitative Document-Analysis Study

Syed Zohaib Ullah Shah — 2026-05-09

This study examines why Pakistan’s official climate policies fail to work properly within the everyday system of national and provincial development planning, despite the country's extreme vulnerability. Using a careful analysis of 24 important government documents and planning manuals published between 2021 and 2025 including the National Climate Change Policy (2021) and the National Adaptation Plan (2023) this paper looks at how decisions are actually made.
The results show a big gap between policy words and real action. For instance, even though the 2022 floods affected 33 million people, killed over 1,730, and caused USD 14.9 billion in damages, and the 2025 monsoon caused over 1,000 deaths with PKR 822 billion in losses, checking for climate risks is still not mandatory. The Planning Commission allocated only 0.22% (PKR 2.78 billion) of the total federal budget directly to the Ministry of Climate Change, and checking for climate risks remains an optional suggestion rather than a strict requirement when designing and approving development projects in the PC-1 form.
The study highlights six main barriers: poor cooperation between different ministries, weak coordination between the federal and provincial governments, a habit of funding traditional projects rather than climate-safe ones in development programs (PSDP and ADPs), a lack of clear climate budgeting rules, limited technical skills in government departments, and poor monitoring. Because of these issues, climate safety remains limited to official speeches, while government funds continue to be spent on projects that ignore climate risks.
The study concludes that Pakistan does not need new departments. Instead, the government must build strict and mandatory climate rules directly into its existing main institutions specifically the Planning Commission and the Finance Division making climate safety a compulsory rule for all public investments.
Keywords: climate mainstreaming; national development planning; policy integration; institutional coordination; implementation gap; climate governance; public investment management; PC-1 appraisal; PSDP; climate budget tagging; Pakistan.

Can Digital Infrastructure Drive Climate Resilience? Evidence from Pakistan

Asad Abbas Khan — 2026-05-13

Pakistan is one of the most disaster-prone nations of the world, but the amount of digital and innovation infrastructure and its disaster risk reduction (DRR) preparedness are inadequately studied in relation to each other. The research questions are: What is the relationship between internet penetration (H1), ICT infrastructure depth (H2), and the moderation of the two by government effectiveness (H3, H4) and DRR readiness measured as ND-GAIN Country Index Readiness Score. Based on the annual time-series data on Pakistan (2005–2023, N = 19), we approximate a set of OLS models with HC3 heteroskedasticity-robust standard errors with extensive pre- and post-estimation diagnostic testing. The findings indicate that ICT infrastructure depth is a robust, highly significant, and positive predictor of DRR readiness (b = +0.175, p < 0.001), which provides the best-fitting parsimonious model of all specifications estimated (adjusted R² = 0.685, AIC = −64.49). The direction of the internet penetration is positive but statistically non-significant in the primary model, which is explained by the presence of severe multicollinearity with the linear time trend and not by the actual lack of the effect. Government effectiveness moderation is directionally consistent with theory, i.e., the marginal payoff to internet penetration is about four times higher at high governance levels than at low governance levels, but fails to attain traditional levels of significance due to the small sample. The ongoing stagnation in governance in Pakistan during the study period indicates the possibility of a structural ceiling of the DRR returns that can be obtained by digital investment in isolation of concomitant institutional reform. These results are the first systematic econometric study of digital facilitators of AI-based climate risk management in Pakistan and have direct, practical implications on the ICT investment prioritisation, governance capacity building, and disaster preparedness policy.

Keywords: Disaster risk reduction, Digital capacity, ICT infrastructure, Government effectiveness, Pakistan, ND-GAIN, OLS, HC3, robust standard errors

PROFILING WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT ROLE: FEMINIST POSTSTRUCTURALIST DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF BBC 100 WOMEN 2015

Afsah Zia — 2026-05-13

The present study focuses on selected interviews of one hundred of the most inspirational women across the world in 2015 named by the BBC which seeks to better represent women in the BBC's international news output. The BBC 100 Women brings out the stories of those women who are often overlooked but determined to mark their identities in the world. In this paper only five interviews-based video footages are selected through random sampling, and that also from the category of nurses. The study aims at finding out the identical representation of such women through their language performativity in respective discourse. By applying the methodology of Feminist Poststructuralist Discourse Analysis, the study aims at throwing light on issues faced by women more necessarily variant practices to solve these issues. The study further seeks to find the women’s issues being nursing women by analyzing the spoken interviews in qualitative way. The present study also oversees as to how these women are defying stereotypes in the world. The analysis leads to observe the women’s strategy of using emphatic language which results in making their position strong. The result also indicates discursive ideologies of feminist discourse across the world and how by speaking women are finding their ways through competing discourses for empowerment.

Key Words: Feminism, Feminist Discourse. FPDA, language performativity, empowerment

Child Labor: A comparative Study on Child Labor and related Law Practices in Pakistan

Syed Hassan Abbas — 2026-05-12

Child labor remains one of the most pressing socio-economic and human rights issues in Pakistan. This study conducts a comparative analysis of the determinants, psycho-social consequences, and legal framework of child labor with special focus on Punjab and Sindh provinces. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research employed a structured questionnaire with 200 respondents and conducted in-depth interviews along with Focus Group Discussions involving child laborers and NGO representatives in Sadiqabad and Lahore in 2021. The findings indicate that poverty is the primary cause of child labor (82.8%), compounded by large family size, costly and poor-quality education, rural-urban migration, cultural norms, and corruption. Although 87.7% of respondents strongly opposed child labor, it is still viewed as a “necessary evil” for survival among poor families. Children working mainly in agriculture and the automobile industry suffer severe psycho-social problems including physical and sexual abuse, drug exposure, lack of education, and emotional trauma. Despite a comprehensive legal framework comprising constitutional provisions (Articles 3, 11(3), 25(A), 37(e)) and provincial laws such as the Punjab Employment of Children Act 2016 and Sindh Children (Prohibition of Employment) Act 2017, weak implementation, lack of political will, corruption, and poor monitoring mechanisms continue to undermine its effectiveness. The study concludes that child labor is a multifaceted problem rooted in poverty and governance failures, and recommends integrated interventions focusing on poverty alleviation, quality education, strict law enforcement, and institutional strengthening.

Keywords: Child Labor, Poverty, Legal Framework, Pakistan, Punjab-Sindh Comparison

The Female Body as a Site of Resistance: A Radical Feminist Study of Violence and Control in The Vegetarian

Imran Khan — 2026-05-12

The paper delves deep into the analysis of Female body as site/agency of resistance in The Vegetarian by Han Kang by employing the critical lens of radical Feminist theory. The novel portrays the dystopian plot of a Protagonist Yeong-Hye who stands in opposition of stipulated social and cultural norms by relinquishing the meat eating and turns vegetarian. An ordinary woman, Yeong-Hye, decides unconventionally which signifies the unilateral freedom of body as the meat consumption was not only a social tradition but also a familial norm. The outright shift from meat to vegetables storms the family and challenges the social norms. The decision sparked a conflict leading to the repudiation of sexuality and human identity. The decision was normal in the perspective of Yeong-Hye but response was unwanted and conflictual. The conflict manifests the urge of feminine freedom to choice and the way social control system resists woman from personal choices and bodily autonomy. The research paper draws on the feminist critical framework of Kate Millet and Andrea to interpret and analyze the dystopian experiences of Yeong-Hye as a female body in the Vegetarian. To understand the deeper layers of underlying meanings and concepts, the crucial patriarchal elements are discussed which tend to cover, restrict, regulate, discipline and appropriate the female body. Millet on the one hand underscored the subjugation of women via ideological tenets and physical enforcement. Meanwhile, Andrea situates that women suffer at the hands of patriarchal chains by the means of objectification of violence and the violation of human body. Besides, the paper seeks to relate the Michel Faucalt’s concept of Disciplinary power in order to view at the novel plot as the body of Yeong-Hye undergoes strict surveillance, normalization and punishment. The paper treats the novel beyond its literal underpinnings. The meat is the novel is not looked at as a food choice but a symbolic element of rejection and non-compliance and non-conformity. Yeong-Hye in the novel transforms into plantlike creature and flee from the sexual interactions which entails her deep desire to escape the socially stipulated chains as both consumption and control complicate her life. The refusal or physical resistance carries many symbols, from getting rid of unseen prison, fomenting her identity as a female and the way to destroy her identity too. Consequently, the article brings about the minute details, contradictions, concepts and stipulations with reference to the radical feminist ideas. The female body turns out to be a medium of denial against the social control. The story of Yeong-Hye proves that both liberation and destruction can flick out of resistance and most probably the destruction. The novel is replete with the underpinnings which offers a solid ground for patriarchal critique.

Keywords: Female Body, Resistance, Radical Feminist, Study of Violence, The Vegetarian, Feminist Ideas.

Contemporary Trade Relations with Dar-ul-Harb: An Analytical and Research Study in the Light of Al-Siyar-ul-Kabir

Zia Ul Haq — 2026-05-12

This research study explores contemporary trade relations with Dar al-Harb in the light of Al-Siyar al-Kabir, focusing on Islamic legal principles governing commerce with non-Muslim states, especially Dar al-Harb. It analyzes classical rulings on trade, entry into Dar al-Harb, and restrictions on strategic goods, while evaluating their relevance in present-day international trade. Using an analytical approach, the research examines the views of classical jurists, particularly Imam Muhammad bin Hasan al-Shaybani, and connects them with modern economic and legal frameworks. The study indicates that Islamic jurisprudence permits trade with non-Muslim states, including Dar al-Harb, under ethical and strategic constraints to ensure the protection of Muslim interests and security. It concludes that Al-Siyar al-Kabir provides a flexible and comprehensive framework for regulating contemporary international trade in accordance with Shariah principles and international norms.

Keywords: Dar al-Harb, Al-Siyar al-Kabir, Islamic Jurisprudence, Contemporary Trade, Strategic Restrictions, Muslim–Non-Muslim Commerce.

Invisible Barriers: How Socio-Cultural Norms Restrict Entrepreneurship in Balochistan

Dr. Anjum Parvez — 2026-05-11

Entrepreneurship in Balochistan remains significantly underdeveloped despite its potential to drive economic growth and youth employment. The core problem addressed in this study is the presence of deeply rooted socio-cultural barriers that restrict entrepreneurial participation, particularly among youth and women. Traditional norms, risk-averse attitudes, tribal structures, and gender-based constraints often discourage innovation and limit access to business opportunities. While existing research primarily focuses on financial and institutional challenges, there is limited empirical understanding of how socio-cultural factors shape entrepreneurial behavior in the province. The purpose of this study is to examine how socio-cultural norms influence entrepreneurial intentions, decision-making, and participation in Balochistan. It seeks to identify key cultural constraints and assess their impact on the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem. The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative survey data collected from 300 respondents across major districts with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews. Statistical analysis, including correlation and regression techniques, is used to examine relationships between socio-cultural variables and entrepreneurial engagement, while thematic analysis is employed to interpret qualitative data. The findings reveal that socio-cultural norms significantly hinder entrepreneurship by reinforcing risk aversion, limiting mobility, and restricting women’s participation. Social expectations and fear of failure discourage individuals from pursuing business ventures, while lack of social support further constrains entrepreneurial growth. However, emerging youth aspirations and exposure to digital platforms indicate gradual shifts in attitudes. The study concludes that addressing socio-cultural barriers is essential for fostering entrepreneurship in Balochistan. Policy interventions must focus on awareness, education, and inclusive support systems to create an enabling environment for sustainable entrepreneurial development.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Socio-Cultural Barriers, Balochistan, Youth, Gender Norms

Assessing the Role of Social Media in Shaping Political Awareness Among Pakistani Youth

Javeria Ahmed — 2026-04-28

This study investigates the influence of social media on the political awareness of Pakistani youth. In today's digital world, social media sites are the main places where people get political information, especially young people who spend a lot of time online. Pakistan, characterized by its swiftly expanding youth demographic and rising internet accessibility, offers a substantial framework for examining the impact of digital media on political knowledge, perceptions and engagement. The research is based on Agenda-Setting Theory, Framing Theory and Cultivation Theory, which together explain how being exposed to media affects how we think and feel. A quantitative research design was utilized and data were gathered from 100 respondents aged 18 to 27 via a structured questionnaire through convenience sampling. Descriptive statistics, such as frequencies and percentages, were used to look for patterns in social media use, exposure to political content, levels of engagement and feelings of trust and misinformation. The results show that a large number of people who answered the survey use social media every day and see political content often. But even though people are very aware of politics, they don't often take part in discussions or share political content. Also, worries about false information and a moderate level of trust in political content show that social media may not be the best way to learn about politics.The study finds that social media does a lot to raise political awareness among young people in Pakistan, but it doesn't do much because of problems with credibility, selective exposure and limited engagement. The results highlight the significance of fostering digital literacy and responsible media consumption to enhance informed political engagement in Pakistan.

Keywords: Pakistan Media Influence, Political Communication, Political Awareness, Youth, Social Media

Artificial Intelligence in Predictive Policing In Pakistan: A Qualitative Analysis of Legal, Ethical, And Institutional Challenges

Maliha Soomro — 2026-05-11

The role of AI in law enforcement has grown significantly over the years, especially with the advent of predictive policing models that aim to improve crime prevention and resource distribution. This study discusses the legal, ethical and institutional issues surrounding the creation and application of AI predictive crime prevention models in Pakistan. Data was collected using qualitative research approach and analyzed using thematic analysis, in-depth interviews were conducted with legal experts, law enforcement officials, and technological specialists. The findings indicate that while there is great potential for Pakistan to leverage AI to enhance policing effectiveness, the current legal framework, which mainly comprises the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, is inadequate to govern AI systems, including in terms of data privacy, algorithmic accountability and transparency. The study also sheds light on the important issues concerning surveillance practices, algorithmic bias, absence of informed consent and threats to the constitutional right to dignity of humans. The stakeholders highlight the need for a well-defined regulatory framework to ensure that AI technologies are used in an ethical and legal manner, which includes the proposed Personal Data Protection Bill 2023. The study finds that a combination of legal changes, technical measures, institutional controls, and interdisciplinary cooperation is necessary to make AI-driven predictive policing effective while respecting the rights of individuals and promoting technological advances in crime prevention.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Predictive Policing, Crime Prevention, Data Privacy, Algorithmic Bias, Legal Framework, Pakistan, PECA 2016, Data Protection, Ethical AI

Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education: Exploring the Impact of AI-Powered Tools on Teaching Effectiveness, Student Engagement, and Learning Outcomes through a Systematic Qualitative Review

Dr. Farah Naseer — 2026-05-11

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered technologies into higher education has transformed traditional teaching and learning environments, creating new opportunities as well as complex academic and ethical challenges. Despite increasing scholarly attention, a comprehensive qualitative understanding of how AI tools influence teaching effectiveness and student learning outcomes remains limited. This study presents a systematic qualitative literature review examining the impact of AI-driven educational technologies on instructional practices, student engagement, learning performance, and institutional adaptation in higher education between 2019 and 2025. Using thematic analysis of peer-reviewed journal articles, policy documents, and theoretical studies, the research identifies four major themes: (1) the transformation of pedagogical practices through adaptive and personalized learning systems; (2) the evolving role of educators in AI-assisted academic environments; (3) the influence of AI tools on student engagement, creativity, critical thinking, and academic performance; and (4) ethical, institutional, and equity-related concerns associated with AI integration in higher education. The findings reveal that AI-powered tools, including intelligent tutoring systems, learning analytics, automated feedback mechanisms, and generative AI applications, can significantly improve instructional efficiency and personalized learning when implemented within clear pedagogical and ethical frameworks. However, the study also highlights persistent concerns regarding academic integrity, digital inequality, overreliance on automation, data privacy, and the potential decline of higher-order cognitive skills. The paper proposes a conceptual framework titled the Responsible AI Integration Model (RAIM) to guide universities and policymakers in balancing innovation with ethical responsibility and educational quality. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of faculty training, curriculum redesign, institutional governance, and inclusive digital policies to ensure the effective and responsible integration of AI in higher education.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence in education; higher education; teaching effectiveness; student engagement; learning outcomes; systematic literature review; digital learning; academic integrity

Breaking the Silence: Unauthorized Polygamy as a Ground for Divorce. A Critical Analysis of Section 6 MFLO 1961 and Section 2(iia) DMMA in Light of Dr. Faryal Maqsood v. Khurram Shahzad Durrani (PLD 2025 SC 262)

Dr. Sayed Zubair Shah — 2026-05-10

This article examines the judicial interpretation of Section 6 of the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961 (MFLO) in conjunction with Section 2(iia) of the Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act 1939 (DMMA), as elucidated by the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in Dr. Faryal Maqsood and another v. Khurram Shehzad Durrani and others (PLD 2025 SC 262). The decision represents a watershed moment in Pakistani family jurisprudence, affirming that unauthorized polygamy a husband's contracting of a second marriage without the mandatory permission of the Arbitration Council under Section 6 MFLO constitutes a valid and independent ground for the dissolution of marriage under Section 2(iia) DMMA. The Court further clarified the procedural prerequisites for khula, holding that courts cannot order dissolution on this basis without an express or implied request from the wife. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the statutory framework, the historical evolution of polygamy regulations in Pakistan, the doctrinal significance of the Supreme Court's ruling, and the practical implications for family law practitioners. The judgment is situated within the broader context of constitutional protections for women's rights and the ongoing jurisprudential struggle to reconcile classical Islamic law principles with contemporary legislative interventions.

Keywords Muslim Family Laws Ordinance 1961, Section 6, Section 2(iia), Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act 1939, Polygamy, Arbitration Council, Women's Rights, Pakistan Supreme Court, Dr. Faryal Maqsood v. Khurram Shahzad Durrani, Judicial Khula, Dower Rights

University Faculty Attitudes towards Inclusive Education for Students with Special Educational Needs: A Case Study of the University of Karachi

Toqeer Zahra — 2026-05-09

This study investigates university Faculty attitudes towards inclusive education for students with special educational needs at the University of Karachi. Utilizing a quantitative descriptive survey design, data were collected from a sample of 250 faculty members across various departments using stratified random sampling. The instrument was adapted from the SACIE-R scale and administered through both online and printed questionnaires. The findings reveal that university teachers generally hold positive attitudes and strongly support the inclusion of students with special educational needs in mainstream classrooms. However, they demonstrated lower confidence in actual teaching practices due to insufficient training, lack of resources, inadequate assistive technologies, large class sizes, and limited institutional support. Gender-based differences were not significant, while confidence and perceived support varied across faculties. The study highlights the gap between positive attitudes and practical readiness. It recommends targeted professional development programs, better resource allocation, and stronger institutional policies to promote effective, inclusive education in higher education institutions in Pakistan.

Keywords: Inclusive Education, University Teachers, Faculty Attitudes, Special Educational Needs, University of Karachi, Higher Education, Pakistan.

Designing Effective Environmental Policies in Pakistan: The Role of Socioeconomic Status in Shaping Green Behavior

Dr. Syed Hilal Mubarak — 2026-05-08

Environmental degradation has emerged as a critical challenge in Pakistan, driven by rapid urbanization, industrialization, and unsustainable consumption patterns. While policy interventions have been introduced to address environmental issues, their effectiveness often depends on behavioral responses shaped by socioeconomic conditions. This study examines how socioeconomic status (SES) measured through income, education, and occupation influences pro-environmental behavior in Pakistan. Using a conceptual and empirical framework grounded in environmental economics and behavioral theory. The study employs Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and logistic regression models to estimate the impact of SES on environmental behavior. The paper highlights disparities in environmental awareness, access to green technologies, and participation in sustainable practices across different socioeconomic groups. The findings suggest that higher SES is positively associated with environmentally responsible behavior, while lower-income groups face structural constraints that limit their participation. The study concludes by proposing targeted, inclusive, and behaviorally informed environmental policies to enhance sustainability outcomes in Pakistan.

Keywords: Environmental Policy, Socioeconomic Status, Green Behavior, Pakistan, Sustainability, Environmental Economics

Argumentation from the Initial Creation for the Proof of Resurrection according to Wahbah al-Zuhayli: An Analytical Theological Study"

Mr. Abdul Quddos — 2026-05-08

This study explores the methodological and theological approach adopted by Wahbah al-Zuhayli in establishing the Islamic doctrine of resurrection (al-Baʿth) through the Qur’ānic argument of inference from the initial creation to re-creation, as presented in his renowned exegetical work Al-Tafsir Al-Munir. The research aims to analyze the intellectual foundations, exegetical principles, and rational dimensions underlying this argument, while highlighting its significance within contemporary Islamic theological discourse. The Qur’ān repeatedly employs the analogy between the first creation of humanity and its re-creation after death as a decisive rational proof for affirming resurrection and refuting the doubts of deniers. Al-Zuhayli presents this argument in a balanced and accessible manner, integrating textual evidence with sound rational reflection and demonstrating the harmony between revelation and reason. The study examines how al-Zuhayli derives theological implications from Qur’ānic verses that emphasize divine power, wisdom, and the observable realities of creation in nature and human existence. It further investigates the extent to which his methodology is rooted in the classical Sunni theological tradition while simultaneously reflecting a contemporary exegetical style that avoids excessive speculative theology and philosophical complexity. The research highlights his reliance on clear Qur’ānic reasoning, linguistic analysis, and logical coherence in proving the possibility and certainty of resurrection. Moreover, it discusses how al-Zuhayli reformulates traditional theological proofs in a way that addresses modern intellectual challenges, especially materialistic and secular claims denying the afterlife on the basis of empirical limitations and scientific reductionism. His interpretive methodology contributes significantly to renewing Islamic theological discourse and strengthening faith-based responses to modern ideological challenges related to resurrection and the afterlife.

Keywords: Resurrection, Origination of Creation, Theological Argumentation, Al-Tafsīr al-Munīr, Wahbah al-Zuḥaylī, Islamic Theology (ʿIlm al-Kalām).

University Faculty Attitudes towards Inclusive Education for Students with Special Educational Needs: A Case Study of the University of Karachi

Dr. Muhammad Arif — 2026-05-08

Keywords: Inclusive Education, University Teachers, Faculty Attitudes, Special Educational Needs, University of Karachi, Higher Education, Pakistan

A Desktop Review of Sociolinguistic Dimensions, Well-being Impacts, and Pedagogical Strategies: Comparing Sindhi L1 and Urdu L1 ESL Learners

Dr. Abdul Waheed — 2026-05-07

This desktop review paper employed qualitative content analysis of published literature to examine the sociolinguistic dimensions perceived as most salient by Sindhi L1 and Urdu L1 ESL learners, their effects on cognitive, emotional, and social well-being, the comparative challenges faced by the two groups, and the pedagogical strategies derived. A systematic search of five databases (2010–2026) yielded 35 peer‑reviewed articles, book chapters, and policy reports, which were analyzed using inductive category development (Hsieh & Shannon, 2005). The synthesis reveals distinct patterns: Sindhi L1 learners are consistently reported to face accent‑based discrimination and script transfer issues, while Urdu L1 learners experience greater anxiety over code‑switching stigma. Emotional well-being is more negatively affected in Sindhi learners across multiple studies. Pedagogical implications include targeted accent training, translanguaging practices, and teacher training in sociolinguistic awareness. The Review identifies critical gaps, including a lack of longitudinal studies and research from rural Sindh. Recommendations for policy and classroom practice are provided.

Keywords: Desktop Review, Content Analysis, Sociolinguistic Dimensions, Well-Being, Sindhi, Urdu, ESL, Pakistan

AI Replacing Careers: A Critical Analysis of Workforce Displacement through Corporate Case Studies

Prof Dr. Samia Rehman Dogar — 2026-05-06

This research looks at AI-related job displacement with case studies of Oracle, Microsoft and Anthropic. It will look at task substitution, job redesign and labor market effects. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the nature of organizations, markets and jobs. Automation has traditionally focused on blue-collar jobs, but new developments in generative AI and agent technologies are increasingly affecting white-collar jobs. This study critically investigates whether AI is actually displacing jobs, or whether companies are using AI as a cover-up to restructure. Through case studies of Oracle, Microsoft and Anthropic, as well as emerging research and industry evidence, we examine the scale, nature and consequences of AI-related job displacement. The study concludes that while AI is not yet completely replacing jobs, it is accelerating job restructuring, decreasing staff numbers in routine cognitive jobs, and changing skill requirements. The paper offers policy and corporate insights to manage innovation and workforce needs.

Keywords: Corporate Case, Anthropic, Organizations, Anthropic, Displacement, investigates, cognitive

The Role of International Law in Global Conflict Resolution: A Comprehensive Analysis of Mechanisms, Limitations, And Emerging Challenges

Ms. Saira Ali — 2026-05-05

The international law is the main mechanism of managing and solving international conflicts. It is increasingly becoming the system of precepts that now regulates the relations between the sovereign states. This article uses a doctrinal legal approach supplemented by comparative case studies analysis and relies on empirical research of quantitative studies investigating territorial disputes. It focuses on the efficacy of international law machinery, that is, adjudication of territorial controversies by the International Court of Justice to the mediation work of the United Nations, and critically analyzes structural constraints presented by state sovereignty and the Security Council veto. The research differentiates between hard and soft law, investigates ethical dilemmas of international criminal justice and evaluates emerging threats like cyber warfare and armed non-state actors. The results have shown that international law has led to the establishment of stability by way of boundary delamination as well as codification of human protection norms. Experience demonstrates that in cases where the principles of law are clear, and one party has an unambiguous advantage, disputes are fifty-seven percent more likely to be resolved peacefully. However, the international law is still hampered by lack of enforcement mechanisms, political gridlock and a state centric system which restricts the participation of non-state actors. The article closes by observing that institutional reforms, strengthened veto restraint devices, integration of various dispute resolution practices and strategic use of soft law as a bridge to progressive legal development are all needed.

Keywords: International Law, Conflict Resolution, Sovereignty, Global Governance, Security Council Veto, Focal Point Theory

The Impact of Islamization on Pashtun Society: A Case Study of District Loralai, Balochistan

Asfandyar — 2026-05-05

Islamization in Pakistan, especially during General Zia-ul-Haq’s regime (1977–1988), reshaped social, cultural, and political life. In Pashtun society, tribal codes such as Pashtunwali interacted with Islamic reforms, altering leadership, education, gender roles, and conflict resolution. This study focuses on District Loralai, examining how madrassas, mosques, mullahs, and religious parties transformed traditional structures. Using qualitative method, field observations, interviews, and secondary sources, the research explores localized effects of Islamization on identity, authority, and daily life. Findings contribute to understanding how Islamization reshaped tribal societies and inform policy and educational reforms in Balochistan.

Keywords: Islamization, General Zia-ul-Haq, Pashtun society, Pashtunwali, District Loralai, Madrassas, Mosques, Mullahs, Religious Parties

Keywords: Islamization, General Zia-ul-Haq, Pashtun society, Pashtunwali, District Loralai, Madrassas, Mosques, Mullahs, Religious parties

Moderating-Mediating Role of Marital Status and Risk Tolerance in the Relationship of Behavioral Biases and Equity Investors Decision Making

Dr. Muhammad Afzal — 2026-05-05

The study examines the Pakistani equity market, where many investors unknowingly fall prey to these biases, affecting both individual investment outcomes and the investor-advisor relationship. The study is carried out by considering that humans are not fully rational agents and their decision making is based on heuristic and shortcuts. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire from the 1015 individual equity investors. The data were analyzed by using the multivariate analysis, followed by the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equational Model (SEM). The results show that there is statistically significant effect of representative bias, overconfidence bias, anchoring bias, and availability bias on investment decision making whereas optimism bias is no effect of investment decision making. The behavioral biases including representative bias, overconfidence bias, availability bias and optimism bias significantly influence the investment decision making through the mediators like risk tolerance. The marital status moderates between the behavioral biases and investment decision making.

Keywords: Behavioral Biases, Investment Decisions, Socio-Demographics, Risk Tolerance, Pakistani Equity Market, Behavioral Finance, Marital Status, Pakistan Stock exchange.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20038144

A Comparative Study of Politeness Strategies: An Analysis of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris Speeches in the Presidential Election Campaign

Komal — 2026-05-04

This study explores politeness strategies in the campaign speeches of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris during the 2024 U.S. presidential election. According to Brown and Levinson’s Politeness Theory (1987), linguistic strategies of face management, political identity construction, and audience engagement were examined. A total of seven speeches per candidate have been analyzed qualitatively in NVivo 12 based on four main strategies—Positive Politeness, Negative Politeness, Bald On Record, and Off-Record. Both candidates use positive politeness as the main strategy, but for different purposes. If, as in Trump's case, positive politeness is mixed with some on-record directness, Trump mostly uses it to establish his authority and rev up his primary group. Harris, by contrast, uses all four strategies to convey cooperation and inclusiveness in institutional decorum through hedging, irony, and metaphor. The research has established that politeness strategies are highly strategic tools for managing face while creating political identities that influence voters in contemporary political discourse.

Keywords: Politeness Strategies; Political Discourse; Election Campaign Speeches; Brown and Levinson; Donald Trump; Kamala Harris

Green HRM Practices and Sustainable Performance: The Mediating Role of Employee Green Behavior

Naimat Ullah — 2026-04-04

The paper is an exploration of the connection between Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) practices and sustainable performance and whether the connection between these two is mediated by employee green behavior (EGB). The paper is based on the Ability-Motivation-Opportunity (AMO) theory and the Social Exchange Theory (SET) and aims to suggest that HR systems should integrate sustainability into the routine business processes by shaping the green competencies of the employees, encouraging their motivation to act eco-friendly, and presenting them with opportunities to be involved in the green projects. It involved a quantitative, explanatory survey design, data collection from full-time employees in manufacturing and service organizations, and structural equation modeling as the analysis tool. The findings have shown that GHRM practices have a positive correlation with sustainable performance, based on the triple bottom line (environmental, social and economic outcomes). GHRM has a positive impact on EGB, and EGB significantly predicts sustainable performance. Mediation analysis supports the claim that EGB partially moderates the relationship between GHRM and sustainable performance, and that employee behavior is one of the main mechanisms through which HR practices are translated into sustainability outcomes. The study is significant because it helps understand the behavioral pathway the GHRM has on overall sustainable performance and provides practical recommendations for shaping HR policies that reinforce day-to-day sustainability implementation.

Keywords: Green HRM, Employee Green Behavior, Sustainable Performance, AMO Theory, Social Exchange Theory, Triple Bottom Line, Mediation

Renewable Energy Policies and National Energy Security in Pakistan: An Empirical Analysis of Policy Effectiveness and Public Adoption

Hadia Jathol (Correspondent Author) — 2026-05-04

This study evaluates Pakistan’s renewable energy policies against international best practices, assesses socioeconomic and environmental impacts, and examines international cooperation, notably the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Despite abundant solar and wind potential, Pakistan faces severe energy insecurity due to fossil fuel dependence. The Alternative and Renewable Energy Policy targets a higher renewable share, yet implementation remains ineffective due to institutional fragmentation and weak public engagement. Using a mixed-methods approach in Punjab province, data from 410 participants (222 male, 188 female) via a Likert-scale questionnaire revealed high awareness of renewable energy but low adoption rates. The data were analyzed with the help of descriptive and inferential statistics. Key barriers include poor policy awareness, inaccessible government support, and high upfront costs. Nevertheless, public support for renewable investment is strong. Recommendations include simplifying net metering, establishing subsidized financing, and strengthening public-private partnerships through international cooperation to enable an inclusive and sustainable energy transition.

Keywords: Pakistan, Policy, Renewable Energy, Punjab, Economy, Awareness

Constructing Courage: A Psychoanalytic Analysis of Disability in Joni: An Unforgettable Story

Nida Sahito — 2026-05-03

This study examines the construction of courage within the lived experience of disability through a psychoanalytic analysis of Joni: An Unforgettable Story (Tada, 1976). Drawing on Freud’s (1923/1961) structural model of the psyche, the research investigates how the interaction between the id, ego, and superego shapes responses to trauma, adaptation, and identity reconstruction. Rather than conceptualizing disability solely as a physical limitation, the study approaches it as a complex psychological and interpretive experience. Using qualitative narrative analysis, the study argues that courage is not an inherent trait but a dynamic psychological construct that emerges through the negotiation of instinctual drives, adaptive mediation, and moral interpretation. The findings demonstrate that autobiographical narration functions as a critical mechanism for integrating trauma into identity, enabling suffering to be reinterpreted as meaningful. The study contributes to psychoanalytic literary criticism by offering a nuanced understanding of courage as an evolving psychological process.

Keywords: Freudian Psychoanalysis; Disability and Identity; Courage as Process; Trauma and Adaptation; Narrative Analysis; Autobiographical Narrative; Resilience

Renewable Energy, Electricity Access, and Oil-Shock Resilience in Africa: Evidence of Complex Resilience Effects from the Iran War Shock

Baboucarr Nyang — 2026-05-02

This study examines the relationship between renewable-energy share, electricity access, and domestic oil-shock resilience in Africa using a monthly panel of 20 countries. Building on earlier evidence that the Iran war shock increased domestic fuel-price and inflation stress while higher renewable-energy shares reduced vulnerability, the analysis tests whether electricity access conditions the resilience effect of renewable energy. The results show that the Iran war shock significantly increased both fuel-price and inflation stress across the sample. Renewable-energy share and electricity access each display shock-buffering effects, although the electricity-access effect is stronger and more robust, especially in the inflation models. However, the findings do not support the expectation that electricity access strengthens the resilience effect of renewable-energy share. Instead, the interaction estimates indicate that the negative effect of renewable share weakens as electricity access rises. Conditional-effect analysis confirms that renewable share exerts its strongest protective effect at lower levels of access, with the effect fading at higher levels. The findings therefore suggest that renewable energy and electricity access function as complementary but non-reinforcing resilience channels. These patterns remain broadly consistent in the dynamic fixed-effects and system GMM robustness checks for the inflation equation. The study contributes to the African energy-security literature by showing that the relationship between renewable penetration, access, and shock resilience is more complex than a simple amplification framework would suggest.

Keywords: Renewable energy; electricity access; oil-shock resilience; Africa; fuel-price stress; inflation stress; panel data; energy security

The AI Co-Pilot: Impact of ChatGPT Usage on the Work Performance of University Librarians in Punjab, Pakistan

Mishal Fatima — 2026-05-02

This paper is an empirical research study that provokes the impact of the artificial intelligence application ChatGPT on the professionalism of university librarians in Punjab, Pakistan. The survey design used was a quantitative, cross-sectional survey, which relied on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and the data were collected among 300 librarians working in universities (both public and private). The study evaluated how perceived usefulness of ChatGPT moderated task execution, proactive behaviour and engagement of librarians in their occupation. Some of the statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, reliability analyses, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression modelling. Findings showed that the perception about ChatGPT was significantly positive, and among all three dimensions of performance, the perceived usefulness became a salient predictor. The less experienced librarians indicated so much more perceived usefulness as compared to their more experienced colleagues. Therefore, the current paper builds on TAM by providing a direct connection between perceived usefulness and multidimensional work performance outcomes, thus, providing evidence-based proposals to the library administration, policy formulation, and Library and Information Science education to enable the effective implementation of the generative AI into the academic libraries of developing-counties contexts.

Keywords: ChatGPT, Academic Libraries, Work Performance, Artificial Intelligence, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), LIS Professionals

Geopolitical and Geo-economic Implications of a US–Israel Conflict with Iran: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Pakistan–Iran Relations

Syed Yousaf Raza — 2026-05-02

This paper will discuss the geopolitics and economic consequences of a war in progress between the US and Israel, with Iran, with a focus on the effects it would have on the political relationship between Pakistan and Iran, and its economic interdependence. The rising tensions among these actors in an unstable international system are not only threatening the stability of the Middle East but also that of other regions, namely South Asia. (Liu, 2025, pp. 130-153) The study will employ a mixed research design, which will combine qualitative research of foreign policy action, diplomatic speech, and strategic-level alignments with quantitative analysis of trade flows, energy interdependencies, and macroeconomic variables.

The findings show that such a huge war would cause extreme political and economic instability, and Pakistan would have to seek means of escaping the complex diplomatic tensions between the big and regional blocs of countries. As Pakistan tries to balance competing interests and political tension is likely to strain its diplomatic ties with the United States, Iran, and the Gulf states in an effort to maintain a close balance between all these relationships. Iran and the Gulf countries Economically, the analysis shows how greatly energy supply chains are exposed to the Strait of Hormuz to potential disruption, higher volatility of the world oil markets, and trade routes.

Moreover, as shown in the paper, the current sanctions imposed on Iran and a change in the relations in the region can further discourage bilateral economic cooperation between Pakistan and Iran. In the meantime, these changes do not provide much opportunity for strategic change. The present work will also play a role in the further elaboration of the changes that have happened in the region due to the conflict. It is based on theoretical insights into realism and geo-economics. The paper concludes with a conclusion and policy options which will help Pakistan to meet its geopolitical obligations as well as protect its economic interests in the rapidly changing strategic environment.

Keywords: War of the US and Iran, Tensions between Israel and Iran, Pakistan and Iran, Geo-economics, mixed methods, foreign policy.

Foreign Direct Investment Inflows and Financial Modernization: A Study of BRICS

Muhammad Adnan (Correspondent Author) — 2026-04-30

This study explores the relationship between the Inward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and the financial modernization of the recipient economy. This study uses 30 years of data ranging from 1994 to 2023. Panel ARDL is used to calculate long-term and short-term results. The results show the positive and significant effect of FDI inflows on financial modernization. The results are found to be consistent in long term as well as in the short term although the effect in long term is slightly less significant compared to the short-term coefficient. Further, the country-specific analysis also suggests that significant coefficients are consistent across all cross-sections. For robustness of the results, this study incorporated FMOLS and the results are positive and significant for inward FDI. This study has significant implications for policymakers regarding the inflow of foreign direct investment. The policies must be supporting the FDI inflows for the hosting country.

Keywords: Financial Modernization, Foreign Direct Investment, Financial Development, Economic Development, Trade Liberalization

Analysis of the Problems in the Usage of Verb Phrase Ellipsis for Undergraduate Students of Hazara Region

Sajid Hussain — 2026-04-30

This study investigates the challenges faced by undergraduate English language learners in Hazara region in using elliptical constructions such as verb phrase ellipsis (VPE), including gapping and sluicing. Ellipsis, as an economy-driven grammatical phenomenon, plays a central role in natural discourse but remains underexplored in Pakistani EFL context. The primary objectives of this research were to examine the accuracy and error patterns in learners’ use of these constructions, to identify the influence of instructional gaps and structural complexity, and to propose pedagogical strategies for improvement. The samples were collected from two hundred and eighty-six participants enrolled in different universities of Hazara region at undergraduate level. They were administered diagnostic grammar tasks that assessed VPE, gapping, and sluicing in controlled written tasks. The answers given by the learners were contrasted and compared with the native samples of the British National Corpus (BNC) and Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA). The findings revealed the existence of an apparent rank of competence, that VPE had been marginally the most robust category that had moderate accuracy, that sluicing had been partially learned, but that recoverability had been an issue and gapping had been the worst-behaving category in regards to avoidance rates. Patterns in errors suggested that there is low coverage of ellipsis in the curricula and low frequency of input in natural texts. Such pedagogical implications include the explicit teaching of grammar, training in parallelism, training in discourse, and materials based on corpus. The study adds to the existing literature on syntactic acquisition in Pakistani EFL learners and the value of introducing more sophisticated grammar phenomena in a controlled manner to increase communicative competence.

Key Words: Elliptical Constructions, VPE, Gapping, Sluicing, EFL, BNC, COCA

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19922589

Space Warfare: Legal Regulation of Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Weapons under International Humanitarian Law and Space Law

Tahseen Akhtar Memon (Corresponding Author) — 2026-04-29

This paper scrutinizes the disposition of Space Laws; in a way they are being followed by countries in current geopolitical and Astropolitical situation. There are many international treaties which deal with space but hardly any treaty which state that whether Anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons are permissible, when it comes to International Humanitarian Law? This Paper gathers all vital information which can clarify the legal capacity of this question. The paper also discusses the comments of countries which possess this technology and the reason which made them to ban these weapons.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Criminal Justice System, Policy and Surveillance, Rule of Law and AI Accountability.

Nature, Identity, and Narrative Form in Margaret Atwood’s Surfacing: An Ecofeminist Analysis

Rakshanda Sayad Jan — 2026-04-29

This paper explores Margaret Atwood's Surfacing from an ecofeminist perspective and the link between women and nature in a patriarchal society. It is considered the representation of the oppression of women and nature and moreover shows how they are both being exploited in patriarchal societies. The research also readdresses the limits of previous studies and it focuses on themes and narrative form in previous studies by considering the use of first-person narration, fragmented memories, and silence to construct the protagonist's ecofeminist identity and to express her feelings of isolation and trauma. Employing a qualitative textual analysis method and the authors suggest that narrative form is an important way to give voice ecofeminist concerns. The results indicate that the protagonist's reengagement with nature helps her to heal and reflect, allowing her to stand up against patriarchal norms. Ultimately, this paper reveals that Surfacing does not only offers ecofeminist themes but also narrative approaches to enhance the understanding of the connection between the exploitation of nature and the oppression of women.

Keywords: Ecofeminism, Female Identity, Patriarchy, Nature, Narrative Techniques, Memory Fragmentation.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19927636

Development and Establishment of Reliability and Validity of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Scale

Asma Riffaqat — 2026-04-29

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic disorder increasing overtime, hence in need of its proper timely assessment. To achieve this objective a valid and reliable tool is needed which gives the accurate assessment of the disorder. There are some scales which already fulfills this function but they are in foreign language which may not yield sound results. For the said purpose 70 statements in Likert format were devised which were reduced to 50 after the thorough check by the expert. The remaining items were scrutinized quantitatively by applying it on a sample of 300 respondents (n=122 OCD & n=178 normal). Item-total correlations resulted in the deletion of five statements less than .30 loading. Independent sample t test also showed that OCD sample scored significantly high than normal population on the scale. Coefficient alpha of .931 also revealed that the newly developed scale is a highly reliable scale. The present scale can be used in clinical and research settings for the proper assessment and treatment of OCD.

Keywords: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Qualitative Item Analysis, Foreign Language, Chronic Disorder

The Establishment of the State of Medina and Principles of Governance: An Analytical Study of Shia and Sunni Traditions

Syeda farkhanda Batool — 2026-04-28

The earliest systematic polity in the history of Islam is the State of Medina (622632 CE) which was founded by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) after the Hijrah. The paper gives an analytic analysis of its origin, the structure of its constitution and the principles of its governance, based on Sunni and Shia historical narratives. It explores the crucial phases of its establishment such as the building of the Prophet Mosque as the administrative and spiritual headquarters, the Brotherhood (Muakhat) between the Muhajirun and the Ansar, and the historic Constitution of Medina (Mithaq-e-Madina) the first written constitution to establish pluralism, religious freedom, and collective defense in the world. This paper examines the political, economic, social, and defensive ideology that formed the foundation of Medinan leadership. They are Shura (consultation), justice as the basis of the state, economic welfare in the form of Zakat and Bait-ul-Mal, rights of women and minorities, ethical warfare, and foreign policy. Although the Sunni and Shia traditions reveal a total consensus on the initial stage and pillars of justice, consultation, and welfare in the lifetime of the Prophet, disagreements arise, mainly on the leadership and succession in the post-Prophet era. The study emphasizes the universal and eternal applicability of the Medinan model to the modern societies of the Muslims. It provides a practical teaching to contemporary Islamic states in such areas as constitutionalism, rule of law, democratic consultation, economic justice, social harmony, and ethical foreign policy. To the Muslim world, and especially to Pakistan, the State of Medina provides a model to solve the problems of sectarianism, corruption, inequality, and crises of governance in the region and enhance unity, ethical leadership, and human dignity. The article ends with the conclusion that the Medinan state is an evolving and inclusive example that can help Muslim countries to lead to just, prosperous and united societies in the 21 st century.

Keywords: State of Medina, Constitution of Medina, Islamic Governance, Shura, Medinan Model, Shia-Sunni Perspectives, Economic Justice, Pluralism, Contemporary Islamic State, Rule of Law, Pakistan, Muslim World, Ethical Leadership, Social Welfare.

The Concept of Tolerance in the Light of Islamic Teachings and Its Contemporary Applications: A Research Study

Kausar Shaheen — 2026-04-28

This research work discusses the concept of tolerance (Rawadari) in Islamic teachings and its relevance in the modern era with particular emphasis on Pakistan. Tolerance in Islam is not passive tolerance of differences but an active virtue derived from the Quran and Sunnah that advocates respect, justice, understanding and harmony among people of diverse backgrounds. The research traced the origins of tolerance from Quranic teachings on religious freedom, benevolence toward the adversaries, and human dignity, to the examples of tolerance from the Prophetic tradition, especially the Treaty of Medina and the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) forgiving attitude towards the people of Makkah and the People of the Book. It also examines the historical implementation of tolerance in the Rashidun Caliphate, Andalusia, and the Ottoman Empire, focusing on rights of non-Muslim minorities and intellectual exchanges in the field of tolerance. In the modern era, the study points to the key factors responsible for intolerance, including religious extremism and sectarianism, political manipulation, and the dark side of social media. The research highlights contemporary practices such as interfaith and intra-faith dialogues, educational reforms for tolerance, cultivating tolerance in the family and society, and constitutional provisions to ensure religious harmony. With a particular reference to multi-ethnic and multi-faith Pakistan, the paper highlights the need for tolerance to promote national unity, social harmony and peaceful co-existence. It finds Islamic tolerance more holistic and divinely inspired than Western secular tolerance. The paper suggests incorporating tolerance education in school curricula, launching interfaith programs, controlling hate speech on social media, and initiating nationwide campaigns on tolerance.

Keywords: Tolerance in Islam, Rawadari, Quranic teachings, Prophetic examples, Religious freedom, Interfaith dialogue, Sectarianism, Social harmony, Pakistan context, Contemporary applications, National unity.

Exploring Pakistan’s Participation in Un Peacekeeping as an Instrument of International Image-Building

Ammar Zulfiqar — 2026-04-28

Pakistan has always been one of the highest troop contributing nations in United Nations peacekeeping activities, and the country used it as a foreign policy tool. This study explored the role of Pakistan in the UN peacekeeping operations and discussed how this involvement could be considered as an instrument in the international image-building process. The researchers adopted qualitative research design and used the secondary sources of data, such as official UN reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, and foreign policy documents. The researchers used thematic analysis to identify the trends that connect the role of peacekeeping in Pakistan to its overall diplomatic and other soft power goals. The results indicated that Pakistan employed a role of peacekeeping to project a role of a responsible state, advance military credibility, disrupt the negative discourses associated with terrorism, and solidify bilateral and multilateral ties. The paper also found that the economic incentives and institutional prestige supported the long-term participation of Pakistan to UN missions. The researchers concluded that the presence of peacekeeping was a multidimensional tool of foreign policy, which served reputational, diplomatic, and strategic interests at the same time. This work added to the overall knowledge of how developing states negotiated the world politics by an institutional interaction and not by hard power.

Keywords: United Nations, Peacekeeping Activities, Foreign Policy, International Image-Building Process, Bilateral and Multilateral Ties, Pakistan

Use Of Drones in Armed Conflict and Compliance with International Humanitarian Law

Obhayo Khan — 2026-04-28

States across the worldwide are emerging technologies designed for contemporary warfare. The modern world adopts new technologies in which the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, are among these developments. Continuously, the use of drone is expending beyond traditional functions such as surveillance, intelligence collection, and reconnaissance to target minorities and carrying out precision attacks. This research examines the legal framework governing the use of drones in armed conflict and assess the compliance of drone operations with fundamental principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and propose recommendation for strengthen legal accountability and civilian protection. This study argues that the use of drone, in war legally or ethically, heightened concerns under international humanitarian law and international human rights law. This research adopts a doctrinal and qualitative legal research methodology, primary sources include international treaties such as Geneva Convention, Additional Protocols, and Customary International Law. Secondary sources consist of scholarly articles, books report by international organizations and relevant case laws. The Conclusion explains that Under International Humanitarian Law, the legal ambiguities concerned with drone warfare poise fundamental threats so the attack of armed must be identified in which civilians must be separated and if civilians are targeted and high civilian causalities happened, in this situation, the main principles of IHL, distinction and necessity will be violated which are central to IHL.

Keywords: Drone Warfare, International Humanitarian Law (IHL), Armed Conflicts, Autonomous Weapons, Legal Accountability.

Escalation, Deterrence, And Regional Order: An International Relations Analysis of The U.S.–Israel–Iran Conflict

Muhammad Irfan Magray — 2026-04-04

This paper looks at the strategic crises between the United States, Israel and Iran using the concept of international relations within the context of international relations theory, the dynamics of escalation, deflection and transformation of regional order in the Middle East. It holds that the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict is a triangular security dilemma whereby security seeking by each of the involved actors increases the instability in the region as it goes about strengthening deterrence based restraint. Underlying the work are realism, offensive realism and the deterrence theory, which illustrate that instability has become embedded in strategic mistrust, politics of alliance and military posturing and has failed to lead to full scale interstate war. The paper also analyzes the security architecture implication of this conflict to Middle Eastern architecture and evaluates the policy implication of this conflict on Pakistan. It arrives at the conclusion that the regional order is still threatened of being shaken by strategic rivalry unless institutionalized crisis management and rejuvenated diplomatic involvement is enforced.

The Security Consequences of the Abraham Accords

Shoaib Hassan Soomra — 2026-04-27

In 2020, the signing of the Abraham Accords is a historic normalization of the relations between Israel and various Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Such deals represent a dramatic change in the Middle Eastern diplomacy, whose effects go beyond bilateral affairs to regional security politics. This paper discusses the implications of the Abraham Accords on the security front, in terms of military collaboration, strategic partnerships and changes in the perception of threats. Although the Accords are vowed to be a better cooperation in security, it instead adds more tension to the ones already on the table, specifically Iran and certain groups in the Palestinian territories. In terms of developing closer relationships between Israel and Gulf states, the Accords redefine the old ways of friendship and animosity, both in terms of the classical military equilibrium and the wider geopolitical landscape. The study puts emphasis on the two-sidedness of the Accords: they present both avenues of stability and cooperation, but they also add new fault lines in an already turbulent area. By integrating qualitative analysis and synthesis of the research on the topic of regional security, this study offers an insight into how the architecture of the Middle East security has changed and offers implications to policy-makers, academics and regional stakeholders. The results indicate that the emergence of alliances should be handled with a lot of care to avoid spiral growth and a strategic balance within the region.

Keywords: Abraham Accords, Middle East Security, Israel-Gulf Relations, Regional Stability, Strategic Alliances, Geopolitics

Rethinking Teacher Education in a Digital Learning Era

Sanober Baloch — 2026-04-26

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence, immersive learning environments, and learning management systems into K‑12 classrooms has fundamentally reshaped teaching and learning, yet teacher education programs remain largely analog in their pedagogical core. This conceptual article argues that the persistent gap between digital classroom demands and traditional teacher preparation requires a systemic, program‑wide rethink rather than isolated technology courses. Drawing on a critical synthesis of empirical literature published between 2020 and 2026, we first identify three dimensions of disconnect: the mismatch between hybrid, data‑rich classrooms and outdated curricula; the over‑reliance on single ed‑tech courses; and the damaging absence of digital pedagogy modeled by teacher educators themselves. We then propose a reconceptualized framework based on three signature pedagogies for digital teacher educators: practice‑based digital design, where pre‑service teachers build and test authentic learning modules; data‑informed reflection, using LMS analytics and AI‑generated transcripts to analyze simulated teaching; and equity‑centered digital praxis, which explicitly addresses digital access, culturally responsive online materials, and algorithmic bias. The framework integrates four overlapping domains Digital Fluency, Pedagogical Reasoning, Critical Ethics, and Clinical Practice. Finally, we outline four implementation pathways including redesigning clinical placements with tech mentors and virtual reality simulators; replacing observation checklists with e‑portfolios and AI‑assisted reflection; investing in faculty development and cross‑disciplinary partnerships; and leveraging accreditation standards to require direct evidence of digital teaching performance. Without such systemic change, teacher education will continue to produce graduates unprepared for the classrooms they will enter. This article offers teacher educators, administrators, and policymakers a rigorous, evidence‑based roadmap for bridging the most urgent educational divide of our time.

Keywords: Teacher Education Reform; Digital Pedagogy; TPACK; Signature Pedagogies; Clinical Practice; Artificial Intelligence

Examining Media Narratives on Pakistan Army's Role in UN Peacekeeping and Global Peace-Building Efforts

Dr. Ruqiya Anwar — 2026-04-26

This article examines the transformative role of youth as an emerging force in shaping contemporary governance structures worldwide, with particular emphasis on developing democracies. Through a mixed-methods approach combining secondary data analysis, interviews with young activists and politicians, focus group discussions, and case studies from regions including South Asia and Africa, the study traces the historical evolution of youth movements from traditional student activism to digital-era hybrid mobilization. It analyzes theoretical foundations, contemporary mechanisms of influence via social media and youth-led initiatives, and their tangible impacts on climate policy, anti-corruption efforts, education reform, and digital governance. Findings reveal that despite significant demographic advantages and innovative contributions, youth remain severely underrepresented in formal institutions due to structural barriers, ageism, and economic constraints. The research highlights both successful integration models and cautionary examples of tokenism, underscoring the urgent need for institutional reforms to convert youthful energy into sustained governance outcomes. By bridging the gap between participation and influence, societies can harness the demographic dividend, strengthen democratic resilience, and address pressing global challenges more effectively. The study concludes that meaningful youth inclusion is essential for building innovative, accountable, and future-ready governance systems in an era of rapid change.

Keywords: Youth Political Participation, Digital Activism, Governance Reform, Demographic Dividend, Youth Representation, Intergenerational Politics

Youth in Politics: A New Force Shaping Governance

Dr. Qamar-un-Nisa — 2026-04-24

Keywords: Youth Political Participation, Digital Activism, Governance Reform, Demographic Dividend, Youth Representation, Intergenerational Politics

Unraveling Gender Discrepancy and a Feminist Call for Social Change: A Transitivity Analysis of Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s Selected Poems

Fatima Ahmed — 2026-04-26

This study explores the representation of women and gender discrepancy in selected poems of Charlotte Perkins Gilman through the lens of Transitivity, a key component of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) developed by M.A.K. Halliday. The research adopts a qualitative approach and analyzes six poems: The Housewife, One Girl of Many, To the Indifferent Women, An Obstacle, Wedded Bliss, and To Mothers. By examining process types, participant roles, and circumstantial elements, the study uncovers how linguistic choices construct social meanings and reinforce or challenge patriarchal ideologies. The findings reveal a dominant use of material, relational, and mental processes to depict women lived experiences, subordination, and evolving awareness. The study concludes that Gilman’s poetic discourse not only exposes gender inequality but also functions as a powerful call for social reform.

Keywords: Gender Discrepancy, Feminism, Transitivity, SFL, Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Minilateralism in Nuclear Governance: Functional Adaptation or Normative Fragmentation?

Tariq Abbas — 2026-04-10

This article examines the growing role of Minilateralism in contemporary nuclear governance and assesses whether it constitutes an effective adaptation to multilateral stagnation or a source of deeper regime fragmentation. While the global nuclear order remains formally anchored in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear weapons, persistent legitimacy deficits, compliance asymmetries, and procedural paralysis have encouraged the rise of smaller, issue-specific coalitions. Using a qualitative comparative case study methodology, the article analyzes three prominent cases: the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and AUKUS. The study applies an integrated theoretical framework combining neorealism, neoliberal institutionalism, and constructivism to evaluate minilateralism through three analytical dimensions: power, efficiency, and legitimacy. Findings indicate that minilateral arrangements often outperform universal forums in terms of speed, targeted coordination, and technical problem-solving. However, these gains are frequently offset by selective participation, concentrated authority, and inconsistent norm application, which weaken perceptions of fairness and erode the coherence of the broader non-proliferation regime. The article argues that minilateralism is neither a replacement for multilateral nuclear governance nor a purely benign supplement. Rather, it is producing a hybrid governance order in which universal institutions retain symbolic legitimacy while smaller coalitions increasingly exercise operational authority. This transformation carries significant implications for strategic stability, norm durability, and the future architecture of global nuclear governance.

Keywords: Nuclear Governance; Non-Proliferation Regime; Regime Fragmentation; Strategic Competition; Global Nuclear Order; International Security

Diplomatic Correspondence of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with the Negus: Analytical Review of its Consequences and Implications

Sayed Noor Ullah Shah — 2026-04-25

This research paper explores the strategic and diplomatic significance of the letters dispatched by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to the Negus (Ashama ibn Abjar) of the Kingdom of Aksum. Beyond their primary theological objective, these missives established a foundational framework for international relations and diplomatic immunity in early Islamic history. By employing an analytical and descriptive methodology, this study examines the immediate outcomes of this correspondence, such as the provision of political asylum to the early Muslim migrants and the subsequent recognition of Islam in the African continent. Furthermore, the paper provides a contemporary reassessment of this diplomatic encounter, presenting it as a normative model (Uswah) for modern-day Muslim minorities living in non-Muslim states. It argues that the Prophetic approach emphasizes mutual respect, interfaith dialogue, and legal integration while maintaining religious identity, offering vital insights for navigating the socio-political challenges of the 21st century.

Keywords: Prophetic Diplomacy, Abyssinia, Tolerance, Kingdom of Aksum, The Negus, Muslim Minorities, International Relations, Political Asylum, Ethiopia, Correspondence, Interfaith Dialogue.

Derivation of Economic Principles from the Seerah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and a Critical Analysis of the Current Global Financial Crisis

Dr. Qazi Abdul Manan — 2026-04-24

This research critically assesses the economic lessons from the Seerah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and their application as an alternative to the current global economic crisis of 2025-2026. The study demonstrates the pitfalls of the capitalist interest-based economy with rampant debt, speculative markets, income inequality, ethical degradation, and periodic financial bubbles, which have resulted in inflation, joblessness, poverty, and economic instability. By contrast, the Prophetic economic system prioritises justice, risk-management, ethics, moderation and real economic growth. The research draws on the Meccan and Medinan phases of the Seerah to identify key principles such as the prohibition of usury (riba), prohibition of hoarding (ihtikar), encouragement of profit-loss sharing (mudarabah and musharakah), zakat-based wealth redistribution, fair trade practices, and state regulation of markets. The principles are juxtaposed with modern economic aberrations such as interest-based debt cycles, scarcity, consumerism and moral decay. The study also examines the implementation of these principles in contemporary Islamic finance, takaful, zakat-based social welfare and ethical finance. The study shows Islamic finance has excelled during the 2025-2026 crisis, far better than conventional finance due to its asset-based and risk-sharing structures. The research concludes that the Seerah provides a holistic, ethical and sustainable economic model that can resolve current issues such as inequality, financial crises and environmental sustainability. It recommends embracing Prophetic principles to create a just global economic system in the interests of humanity and sustainability.

Keywords: Seerah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Islamic Economics, Global Financial Crisis 2025-2026, Interest-free Banking, Zakat and Wealth Circulation, Ethical Finance, Profit-Loss Sharing, Sustainable Economy

Shari'ah and Ethical Review of Investment in Unstable Currencies: A Research Study in the Context of the Iranian Rial

Dr. Zeeshan — 2026-04-24

This research paper provides an in-depth Shariah and ethical perspective on investment in volatile currencies with particular focus on the Iranian Rial. In a world of economic sanctions, geopolitical tensions and inflation, unstable currencies are a complex challenge for Muslim investors looking for halal investment opportunities. The research analyses the extent to which investment in highly unstable currencies such as the Iranian Rial is in accord with Islamic economic principles. It examines fundamental Shariah principles of Bay‘ al-Sarf (currency exchange), Riba (interest), Gharar (excessive uncertainty) and Qimar (gambling). It concludes that trading for speculation, leverage and margin trading, and holding currencies only for the expected price appreciation in the market of the Iranian Rial include elements of Gharar fahish and Qimar, making such investments prohibited. The research examines live economic data from 2025-2026 and the Iranian Rial's extreme volatility (1.3-1.6 million IRR per USD), inflation (68.9%), and high liquidity risks due to sanctions. From a moral standpoint, the study finds that exploiting a sanctioned and distressed economy is economic exploitation, contrary to the Islamic objectives (Maqasid al-Shari‘ah) of the preservation of wealth and avoiding injustice. It highlights Islamic brotherhood and justice, noting that these investments create divisions among Muslims. The paper concludes that investing in volatile currencies for speculative gains is prohibited by Shariah. It suggests Muslim investors engage in ethical and real economic activities such as productive businesses, gold, real estate, and Shariah-compliant financial instruments. The paper offers recommendations for individuals, Islamic financial institutions, and policymakers to encourage halal investment in volatile economic situations.

Keywords: Unstable Currencies, Iranian Rial, Shariah Analysis, Gharar, Riba, Islamic Finance, Ethical Investment, Sanctions, Speculation, Maqasid al-Shari‘ah.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Students’ Engagement and Satisfaction in Public Sector Universities of Quetta

Mariya Mengal — 2026-04-23

The present study aimed to investigate the impacts of artificial intelligence on students’ engagement and satisfaction level at higher education in Quetta. The proposed work employed a quantitative approach or was descriptive survey design of research in nature. Data was collected through an adaptive standardized Questionnaire using simple random sampling technique from a sample including all of the public university students of Quetta. This study was focused on investigating the impacts of artificial intelligence on students’ engagement and satisfaction level at higher education. The present study was beneficial for educational planners, stakeholders, educational systems to incorporate AI- driven platforms in learning activities and make informed decisions regarding integration of AI-powered tools in the curriculum. SPSS Software version 23 was used as to summarize and interpret the data by analysis of descriptive and inferential Statistic. The findings of the present study will inform the policy makers and stakeholders and collaborators to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) powered platforms and adaptive systems in higher education to enhance the learning outcomes of the students.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Engagement, Satisfaction and Higher Education.

Assessing Capability Maturity in Freight Forwarding and Third-Party Logistics Firms in Pakistan: A Mixed-Methods Approach Using the Capability Maturity Index

Mudasser Awais — 2026-04-24

This research assesses process maturity of freight forwarding and third-party logistics (3PL) companies in Pakistan using the Capability Maturity Model (CMM). While logistics play a pivotal role in ensuring efficiency of trade and effectiveness of the supply chain, there is lack of empirical evidence on process maturity in the logistics industry of emerging economies. The study adopted a mixed research approach, incorporating exploratory interviews with top managers and a quantitative structured questionnaire to 125 member firms of the Pakistan International Forwarders and Freight Agents Association (PIFFA). The qualitative analysis provided insights on the major drivers of immaturity: low adoption of modern digital systems, lack of process standardization and integration, failure to take data-driven decisions, and inadequate monitoring and feedback measures. This helped develop a quantitative measurement tool based on the Capability Maturity Index (CMI). As shown, the majority of firms are at Maturity Level 2 (Managed) and 3 (Defined) with little advancement toward higher levels of process optimization. Inferential testing reveals ownership structure and age of firm as significant predictors of maturity levels. Overall, the industry appears to have capability issues that reflect lack of technological integration and performance management processes. The results offer learnings for digital innovation and process standardization to improve logistics capabilities in Pakistan.

KEYWORDS: Capability maturity; freight forwarding; third-party logistics (3PL); logistics performance; digital transformation; supply chain capability; emerging economies; Pakistan

Necessities, Lacks, and Wants in Allied Health Education: An ESP Needs Analysis of English Language Learning Priorities among Pakistani Health Sciences Students

Tooba Sadia — 2026-04-22

This study examines the English language learning requirements of allied health students at Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF) in Pakistan, based on the Hutchinson and Waters (1987) needs analysis model of necessities, lacks and wants. A quantitative descriptive survey approach was employed and 309 allied health students (DPT, Pharm-D, MLT, RIT, Nursing, OTT) participated in the 3rd, 5th and 7th academic semesters. Structured five-section questionnaire was used to measure perceptions of previous Functional English teaching, self-competence in professional communication, and ESP course needs and priorities, as well as language learning preferences through a 5-point Likert scale. The analysis was done through SPSS, descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha, independent samples t-tests and one-way ANOVAs were calculated. Findings indicate that the needs of students revolve around patient communication and counselling (90.0% agreement; first on the D8 checklist as rated by 64.7% of the respondents), clinical documentation and field-specific medical vocabulary. Lacks represent a medium assessment of the current Functional English classes (M = 3.46, 0893), the lowest score is given to the genuine use of material (M = 3.21). Wants are articulated by high demands on authentic clinical scenarios (M = 4.38, 89.6%), activities that are task-focused and interactive learning modalities. The instrument reliability was also good (α=.917). There were no found large differences in ESP needs in terms of gender or semester, which proves the universality of the need among the aq. The study presents empirically-based evidence regarding the design of a contextually-appropriate ESP course in allied health education at GCUF, and higher education as a public sector.

Keywords: necessities, lacks, wants, ESP needs analysis, allied health education, health sciences English, Pakistan, GCUF, clinical communication, Hutchinson and Waters

Narratives of Resistance: Women's Self-Empowerment in Selected Fiction of Angelou and Atwood

Aqsa Ashraf — 2026-04-21

This study explores narratives of resistance and women's self-empowerment in selected works of Maya Angelou and Margaret Atwood through the lens of intersectional feminism. Using qualitative textual analysis and close reading, it examines how female protagonists negotiate patriarchal oppression, racial marginalization, and socio-cultural constraints. Drawing on Crenshaw's (1989) concept of intersectionality and feminist literary theory, the study analyzes The Heart of a Woman (1981) and The Edible Woman (1969) to uncover strategies of resistance, Identity formation, and empowerment. The findings reveal that empowerment is a gradual process involving self-awareness, resistance, and redefinition of identity. This study contributes to feminist discourse by highlighting cross-cultural similarities in women's struggles and emphasizing literature as a transformative tool for social critique and personal liberation.

Keywords: Intersectionality, Feminism, Women's Empowerment, Resistance, Maya Angelou, Margaret Atwood, Narrative Analysis, Self-Identity

The Rights of Indigenous Peoples to their Ancestral Land in Pakistan: A Critical Analysis of the Existing Laws and Policies

Shah Faisal Hamad — 2026-04-21

In Pakistan, the concern over the rights of the natives does exist over the lands of their forefathers, as policies and laws are usually not effective enough to protect them. Despite international obligations, which Pakistan has ratified, in several instances, land rights remain ambiguously defined or entirely unrecognized in Pakistan’s domestic law for the indigenous people and one witnesses forced evictions, land grabbing and environmental degradation as well. The main and primary aim of this research paper is to critically analyze the existing legislation includes the Land Acquisition Act 1984, Forest Act 1927 and the absence of constitutional protection to indigenous people’s land rights. Furthermore, this research paper will also look into Pakistan’s commitments to the international organizations including the UN Declaration on the Rights of indigenous Peoples and the International Labour Organization. This study primarily relies on doctrinal legal research, focusing on the critical analysis of laws and their practical implementation. TThis study aims to examine the urgency of legal reforms which will also be analyzed to safeguard land rights of natives in Pakistan through an analysis of legal gaps, policy shortcomings and case studies. In conclusion, Pakistan has to meet the international standards and preserve the culture diversity of its indigenous people as they are taken by the developed countries, which demonstrate constitutional recognition, land restitution, and participatory governance are not possible but necessary to achieve justice and reconciliation.

Keywords: Indigenous People Rights, Ancestral Land, Cultural Protection, Land Acquisition, UNDRIP, Legal Framework.

Healing the Land, Healing the Future: A Transformative Ecocritical Study of “A Worm to the Wise”

Eman Ihsan — 2026-04-19

In this paper, we will look at the intimate relationship between healing the earth and healing ourselves through an ecocritical approach. The paper sheds light on how the soil reclamation process evolves into a potent symbol of reconnecting human emotions, values, and relationships in a world devastated by climate through the story A Worm to the Wise by Marissa Lingen. The narration reveals that it is not only a scientific challenge but also a personal and emotional experience of a person to restore the Earth. The story revolves around Augusta, who is a young journalist and starts off at a soil reclamation farm, at first necessity. But with time spent attending to the land, she gradually learns to feel more responsible, purposeful and part of nature. The broken land she works on is symbolic of the greater evil that humans have caused to the Earth, and her increasing commitment points to the fact that people can be a part of the solution. Just as Augusta gets to know how to cherish the soil, she also reinvents her place in a climate-changed world. This transformation makes the story important in terms of ecology and the way it contributes to the healing of man, particularly during crisis. The article states that inner healing and environmental restoration go hand in hand. It highlights the ecological accountability that contributes to reconstructing inner strength and community values through the metaphor of soil reclamation.

Keywords: Ecocriticism; soil reclamation; environmental healing; human–nature interconnection; ecological accountability; climate crisis; sustainability; narrative and ecological consciousness.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19654607

Fabrication and Characterisation of ZnO Nanoparticle-Reinforced Aluminum Alloys for Sustainable and Economically Feasible Architectural Applications

Engr. Muhammad Arshad (Corresponding Author) — 2026-04-19

The rise in the need to have sustainable, durable, and economical construction materials has promoted the creation of high level metal matrix composites to be used in architectural constructions. In this paper, the artificial, characterisation, as well as the empirical analysis of ZnO nanoparticle reinforced aluminium alloy is explored with an emphasis on its mechanical behaviour, future sustainability, and economic viability. The composites were made through the stir casting method with a different fraction of weight of the ZnO nanoparticles to increase dispersion and bonding of the matrix. To examine material performance mechanical properties such as hardness and tensile strength, and microstructural behaviour were studied. Furthermore, a survey was carried out in the form of a structured survey among construction and materials engineering professionals to assess perceived sustainability and economic viability. SmartPLS-based structural equation modelling was used to analyse the collected data to determine the relationships between material performance, sustainability, and economic feasibility. The findings show that ZnO nanoparticle reinforcement has a significant effect in enhancing mechanical strength, hardness and thermal stability of the aluminium alloys. The analysis of SmartPLS proves that the material performance produces the positive influence on sustainability and economic feasibility to a great extent. Moreover, sustainability also shows the substantial positive effect on economic viability, which means that eco-friendly materials also help to achieve cost-effectiveness over time. The model has a decent explanatory and predictive power, which proves the strength of the proposed framework. In general, the results indicate that ZnO-reinforced aluminium composites are very well adapted to sustainable architectural uses since they have improved performance and lifecycle cost advantages. The paper concludes that the incorporation of nanotechnology into the construction materials can be crucial in the development of sustainable infrastructure especially in the developing economies where cost effectiveness and durability is paramount. Further studies are suggested to identify industrial-scale applications and environmental lifecycle analysis.

Keywords: ZnO Nanoparticles; Aluminium Alloys; Metal Matrix Composites; Sustainable Construction Materials; Smartpls Analysis; Economic Feasibility; Nan Composites

Investigating the Role of Learner Motivation in Enhancing English Language Proficiency among College Students in Pakistan

Saeed Ahmed Wadho (Corresponding Author) — 2026-04-06

This study investigates the role of learner motivation in enhancing English language proficiency among college students in Sindh, Pakistan. English, being a global lingua franca and a key medium of instruction in higher education, demands effective learning strategies supported by strong motivational factors. The research aims to examine how intrinsic and extrinsic motivation influence students’ abilities in reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. A quantitative research design was employed, involving a random sample of college students. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire measuring motivational levels and language proficiency indicators. The findings reveal a significant positive relationship between learner motivation and English language proficiency. Students with higher intrinsic motivation, such as personal interest and self-development goals, demonstrated better language competence than those primarily driven by extrinsic factors, such as grades or employment prospects. Additionally, the classroom environment, teacher support, and the integration of engaging instructional strategies were found to play crucial roles in fostering motivation. The study concludes that enhancing learner motivation is essential for improving English language outcomes among college students. It recommends that educators adopt student-centered approaches, incorporate technology, and design interactive activities that stimulate learners’ interest and engagement. Policymakers are also encouraged to develop curricula that emphasize motivational strategies alongside linguistic skills. This research contributes to the existing literature by highlighting the contextual significance of motivation in language learning within Sindh’s educational landscape.

Keywords: Learner Motivation, English Language Proficiency, Intrinsic Motivation, Extrinsic Motivation, College Students

Teaching the Writing of English: Exploring the Impact of SRSD-Based ESL Writing Instruction on the Undergraduate Students

Abdul Ghaffar Jat — 2026-04-19

This study investigated the effectiveness of the Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) model in improving the writing skills of undergraduate students. A quantitative quasi-experimental design was used. A total of 60 students were selected through random sampling and assigned to an experimental group that received SRSD-based instruction. The intervention was conducted over 12 weeks, with two class sessions per week. A pre-test and post-test were administered to measure students’ writing performance before and after the treatment. The results showed a significant improvement in the writing performance of the experimental group after receiving SRSD instruction. Students demonstrated better organization of ideas, improved writing quality, and stronger self-regulation in writing tasks. The findings indicate that the SRSD model is an effective instructional approach for enhancing writing skills at the undergraduate level. It also helps improve students’ confidence and reduces writing-related difficulties. However, further studies are recommended to test the effectiveness of SRSD in different educational settings and larger populations.

Keywords: SRSD, self-regulation, undergraduate students, ESL writing, writing performance, quantitative study

A Review on Internal Control Lapses in Public Sector Universities

Shahzad Akhtar — 2026-04-18

This systematic literature review synthesizes the evolving body of research on internal control lapses in public sector universities, drawing on 115 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2026. The analysis reveals a significant surge in scholarly attention, particularly post-2020, driven by global pressures for accountability, post-pandemic financial scrutiny, corruption risks, and alignment with international public sector accounting standards (IPSAS) and Sustainable Development Goals. Leadership especially ethical and transformational styles emerges as a critical catalyst that orchestrates innovative processes such as AI-driven anomaly detection, blockchain-enabled procurement traceability, ERP-integrated real-time monitoring, and automated compliance systems, thereby embedding robust governance across financial, operational, compliance, and strategic dimensions. Ethical leadership fosters moral stewardship, relational trust, and long-term institutional orientation, while transformational leadership inspires visionary change and adaptive behaviors, collectively enabling COSO-aligned controls, fraud minimization, and resilience amid resource constraints. Descriptive findings highlight methodological dominance of quantitative designs (50%), geographic concentration in developing economies (Asia/Africa 65%), and sectoral focus on general public universities (50%), with notable under-representation of social/ethical lapses, small/regional institutions, and longitudinal studies. Thematic synthesis identifies five interconnected clusters such as leadership/governance styles shaping control dynamics, innovation pathways, internal control pillars (COSO framework), antecedents and skills (ethical culture, training, technological acumen), and performance outcomes (reduced audit findings, financial integrity, and institutional resilience). Despite robust evidence of leadership’s catalytic role, persistent gaps include limited longitudinal depth, cultural contingency models, and integrated frameworks for resource-constrained contexts. The review advances prior work by explicitly bridging internal control theory with innovation and leadership as pathways to holistic governance, offering both theoretical insight and a forward-looking agenda. It calls for methodological pluralism (qualitative and mixed-methods), empirical expansion into underrepresented sectors (e.g., healthcare universities) and geographies, theoretical integration with agency, stewardship, and institutional theories, and practical tools for university administrators to assess and strengthen internal control systems.

Keywords: Internal Control Lapses, Public Sector Universities, Ethical Leadership, Digital Innovation, COSO Framework, Governance Resilience

Students’ Attitudes toward Research: An Empirical Study of MPhil Students at Universities in Turbat, Balochistan

Nazeer Ahmed — 2026-04-18

The title of this research article is Students Attitudes towards Research, An Empirical Study on MPhil Students at University at, Balochistan and the authors aimed to establish the trends of responses of MPhil students to research-related experiences. The research design was used a quantitative survey research, which sought to establish the attitude of the students towards research. The population of the study is comprised 60 MPhil students enrolled in various departments of the university. The sample of the study is consisted of 40 MPhil scholar in respective department. Data were collected from the study subject, convinced sampling method was employed to collect data. Questionnaires was administrated to the subjects, five point Likert scale was used to collect responses of the participants. There were four variables in the questionnaire, the Research usefulness, (RU) Research anxiety (RA), Positive attitudes (PA) and Research Difficulties (RD) and the reliability test provided a Cronbachs alpha of 0.70 with a decisive ruling in favor of good internal consistency. Interpretation of the data was done using the descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) in SPSS 23. The findings gave an impression of the general research attitude of MPhil scholars who noted patterns in perceptions, engagement and reactions to research experiences.

Keywords: Research Attitudes, Research Anxiety, Research Difficulties

Psychological Capital as a Moderator between Job Stress and Work-Life Balance: Evidence from Married Working Women

Muhammad Naeem — 2026-04-16

This quantitative correlational study examined psychological capital as a moderator of the association between job stress and work-life balance among married working women in Pakistan. Grounded in Conservation of Resources Theory, Spillover Theory, and Role Conflict Theory, the research utilized a cross-sectional survey design with a purposive sample of 210 married women employed across public and private sectors in Lahore, Pakistan. Standardized instruments included the Job Stress Scale (Parker & DeCotiis, 1983), the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (Luthans et al., 2007), and the Work-Life Balance Scale (Fisher et al., 2009). Pearson product-moment correlations indicated that job stress exhibited a significant inverse relationship with psychological capital and with all subdimensions of work-life balance. Conversely, psychological capital demonstrated significant positive associations with work-life balance dimensions. Moderation analysis via Hayes’ PROCESS macro (Model 1) revealed a significant interaction effect (B = .021, p < .001), with the overall model accounting for 37.8% of the variance in work-life balance. Simple slopes analysis showed that women reporting high psychological capital sustained or improved work-life balance under elevated job stress, while those with low psychological capital displayed a marked deterioration in work-life balance at comparable stress levels. The findings empirically validate the buffering function of psychological capital within Pakistan’s sociocultural milieu, where married working women navigate compounded occupational and domestic role demands. Results advocate for targeted organizational strategies such as resilience-based training, structured mentorship programs, and institutionalization of family-supportive policies to cultivate psychological capital and foster sustainable work-life balance.

Keywords: Job Stress, Psychological Capital, Work-Life Balance, Married Working Women, Moderation

Efficacy of Vocabulary Teaching through Podcasts on Vocabulary Knowledge at the Tertiary Level

Ume Rubab — 2026-04-16

The study examined the effectiveness of podcasts in teaching vocabulary at the tertiary level and considered students' views on their use in language learning. The research employed a mixed-methods design, incorporating quantitative and qualitative data to provide a more comprehensive view of the use of podcasts in ESL vocabulary teaching. In the quantitative phase, tertiary-level learners were allocated into control and experimental groups. The experimental group was taught with the help of podcast-based materials with transcripts, glossaries, and follow-up tasks, whereas the control group was taught traditionally. The outcomes of the post-test revealed that there was a significant difference between the two groups and that the experimental group scored higher than the control group, which indicated that podcast-based instruction was more effective in vocabulary acquisition and retention. In the case of the qualitative stage, the results of the responses of students demonstrated that they had rather positive attitudes toward the use of podcasts. Students reported that podcasts were interesting, adaptable and useful in contextual and repeated exposure to vocabulary. They also claimed that podcasts also promoted learner autonomy and made the process of vocabulary learning more engaging and individualized. Nevertheless, there were certain difficulties observed, particularly, foreign accents and absence of non-verbal or visual signals. Generally, the research finds that podcasts are a practical and student friendly means of acquiring vocabulary at a tertiary level, particularly when supplemented with other teaching resources and not as an alternative to the conventional teaching.

Keywords: Podcasts, Vocabulary Learning, ESL learners, Language Teaching

Methodological Foundations of Legal Research: A Critical Examination of Doctrinal, Comparative, and Socio-Legal Approaches

Mr. Ayaz Khan — 2026-04-15

Legal research methodology has undergone significant transformation over the past several decades, evolving from traditional doctrinal analysis toward increasingly interdisciplinary and empirical approaches. This paper provides a comprehensive critical examination of three foundational methodological paradigms in contemporary legal scholarship: doctrinal legal research, comparative law methodology, and socio-legal studies. Through systematic analysis of recent scholarly developments, this study evaluates the epistemological foundations, methodological procedures, strengths, and limitations of each approach. The paper argues that while doctrinal research remains essential for maintaining legal coherence and normative clarity, its integration with comparative and socio-legal methodologies offers the most robust framework for addressing complex legal challenges in an era of globalization and rapid social change. The analysis draws upon verified scholarly sources to demonstrate how methodological pluralism has become not merely an academic preference but a necessity for effective legal research. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on legal research methodology by proposing a synthesized framework that preserves the rigor of traditional doctrinal analysis while incorporating the contextual insights of comparative and empirical approaches.

Keywords: Legal Research Methodology, Doctrinal Research, Comparative Law, Socio-Legal Studies, Empirical Legal Research, Interdisciplinary Legal Scholarship

Impact of Relationship Marketing on Customer Loyalty, moderating effect of Commitment and Trust: Age and Management Type as a moderator in SMEs

Dr. Sayyed Adnan Shabbir — 2026-04-14

In today's extremely competitive market place, customer loyalty is believed to have a pivotal role in the achievement of corporate sector. This study investigates the influence of relationship marketing on customer loyalty, while interceding trust and commitment. Research in this area says that acquiring customers are cost effective, so companies must emphasize on retaining the existing customers. Relationship marketing is an effort towards identification of the factors which may have a positive bearing upon customer loyalty in SME’s. The data collected was from 300 customers and 15 different stores in Rawalpindi/ Islamabad, Pakistan. Study was cross sectional and data collection was done on 5-point Likert scale which makes it a quantitative study. The outcome of testing hypothesis illustrates that the relationship marketing has a noteworthy role on the customer loyalty, along with customer trust and commitment, pays a vital role in maintaining a strong relation-ship between them. For store owners/managers, the present study has important implications in terms of creating an overall climate within store which stress the importance of creating and preserving relationship with clienteles. Finally, implementations are strained from these outcomes, limitations and future research guidelines are also proposed.

Keywords: Relationship Marketing, Customer Loyalty, Trust, Commitment, SME’s

A Comparative Study of Great Power Conflicts and Islamic Principles of Jihad and Diplomacy

Asma Musharaf — 2026-04-14

This study is a comparative analysis of the great power struggles and the Islamic values of jihad and diplomacy in the modern international system. It also looks critically at the way hegemonic states engage in power politics due to political interests, economic assets and ideological confrontations to often result in long term instability, civilian casualties and degradation of international norms. The research specifically concentrates on the crisis in 2026 in Iran, caused by the US-Israel collaborative military operation Operation Epic Fury that took place on February 28, 2026, and led to the destruction of Iranian military, nuclear, and leadership facilities, which caused regional spurring, Strait of Hormuz disruption, and a tenuous ceasefire at the beginning of April 202 The paper uses the Quranic teachings and Prophetic traditions as the basis of understanding the Islamic ideas of jihad as being mainly defensive, justice-seeking, and adhering to stringent ethical guidelines of engagement that emphasize the safety of non-combatants, proportionality, and war as a final option. It compares this to the current realpolitik whose aggression and collateral damage is often normalized. The study also examines Islamic diplomacy in the light of the strategies of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) such as the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, which is evidence of strategic forbearance, adherence to pacts and avoidance of confrontation in favor of compromise. An explicit case study of the Iran-US conflicts proves that though power-based strategies only worsen the situation, Islamic concepts are a more morally appropriate and practically realistic model that focuses on mediation, toleration, and peacebuilding. The possibility of the Ummah in the form of institutions such as the OIC is brought out as a channel of ethically resolving conflict. The paper concludes that Islamic ideas of jihad and diplomacy offer a strong moral alternative to the current approaches of great power that encourage long-term peace based on justice, and not dominance. It provides policy suggestions to statesmen and indicates the future research path on the implementation of these rules in hybrid warfare and multilateral venues.

Keywords: Great power conflicts, Islamic jihad, Islamic diplomacy, power politics, Operation Epic Fury, Iran-US tensions 2026, just war theory, conflict resolution, mediation, global peacebuilding

Social Capital and Desistance: A Qualitative Analysis of Incarcerated Juveniles' Experiences in Pakistan's Juvenile Justice System

Rizwan Ali — 2026-04-14

The juvenile justice systems of the low- and middle-income countries have focused on legal conformity to the international conventions including the UNCRC, but legal adherence often fails to provide social reintegration. The data were reinterpreted through a social capital lens to explore desistance-related themes. The present research changes the analytical emphasis on structural implementation to the socio-psychological desistance processes by focusing on the perceived role of social capital in the desistance process among incarcerated juveniles in Pakistan. The qualitative socio-legal design was used to conduct semi-structured interviews with 30 incarcerated juveniles, 8 civil judges/judicial magistrates and 20 legal practitioners (advocates and prosecutors) in Karachi. Using the typology of bonding, bridging, and linking social capital, our thematic analysis shows a serious paradox of access versus impact: almost all juvenile prisoners said that they had universal access to legal services, and educational opportunities, but nearly one-third of population believed that they had positively changed as a result of rehabilitation programs. Judges came to a unanimous opinion that the absence of rehabilitation infrastructure is the most significant obstacle in the way of restorative sentencing, and legal practitioners emphasized the failure to implement the Juvenile Justice System Act 2018, and demanded independent rehabilitation centers. Results showed that bonding social capital (family/peer support) is fairly strong yet not enough to create desistance, and bridging capital (relationships to employment, mentors, diverse social groups) and linking capital (institutional trust and advocacy) are extremely weak, a phenomenon known as a bonding trap, and which impairs long-term desistance. The paper concludes that community-based initiatives in LMICs should be characterized as network-promoters that proactively create both bridging and linking relationships based on vocational training and employment placement, mentorship contracts and formalized relationships with civic institutions. Policy recommendations are mandatory quality audits of reintegration using social capital measures, amendment of law enforcement standard operating procedures to construct linking capital, and creation of special juvenile rehabilitation facilities that deliver trauma-informed, self-efficacy-building care. The paper provides a practical framework of how to transform juvenile justice by changing it to an asset building model, by contributing empirical evidence in a South Asian context to the growing body of literature on social capital and desistance.

Keywords: Juvenile Justice, Social Capital, Desistance, Bonding, Bridging, Linking, JJSA, Rehabilitation

Macroeconomic Instability in Pakistan: The Interplay of Inflation Dynamics, Debt Sustainability, and Energy Sector Inefficiencies under IMF Programs

Dr. Tasneem Akhter — 2026-04-13

This study investigates the interconnected dynamics of inflation, public debt, and energy sector inefficiencies in Pakistan over the period 2000–2026, focusing on the post-IMF program context. Pakistan’s economy has faced persistent macroeconomic challenges, including high inflation, rising fiscal deficits, and an acute energy crisis characterized by circular debt. These factors not only undermine price stability but also constrain industrial growth and overall economic development. Using annual data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the State Bank of Pakistan, and the World Bank, this research employs advanced time-series econometric techniques, including the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model and Vector Autoregression (VAR/VECM), to analyze both short-run and long-run relationships among key macroeconomic variables such as inflation (CPI), interest rates, public debt, circular debt, industrial growth, and exchange rates.The findings provide evidence on the effectiveness of monetary policy in controlling inflation amidst structural and external vulnerabilities, and they reveal the significant impact of circular debt on industrial productivity. The simulated ARDL, VAR, and VECM results highlight the short-term dynamics, causal relationships, and long-run equilibria that are critical for formulating macroeconomic policy. The study emphasizes the need for integrated policy measures that combine fiscal prudence, energy sector reform, and strategic monetary interventions to stabilize inflation, enhance debt sustainability, and promote industrial growth. These insights are expected to guide policymakers in designing resilient macroeconomic strategies for Pakistan in the post-IMF era.

Keywords: Macroeconomic Instability in Pakistan, Inflation Dynamics, Debt Sustainability, Energy Sector and Inefficiencies under IMF

The Institutional Paralysis in Asymmetric Conflict: Testing Neoliberal Institutionalism Through The Gaza Crisis

Muhammad Ansaar Mehsood — 2026-04-13

International institutions are usually regarded as the instruments that can be used to control conflict, enforce the international law, and safeguard civilians. According to Neoliberal Institutionalism, state behavior can be restrained, and humanitarian damage can be reduced through rules, norms, and interaction between institutions. These assumptions are critical in the Gaza crisis. International law adherence was extremely low and even with the existence of political, legal, and humanitarian institutions, there were still massive civilian sufferings. This research paper reviews the work of international institutions in the Gaza crisis to determine the disparity between the mandate of the institutions and empirical results. The study examines the roles of the United Nations Security Council, international legal institutions and humanitarian agencies using a qualitative analysis, which is informed by secondary data, which includes institutional reports, legal proceedings, and scholarly sources. The results indicate a tendency of institutional engagement that has not been enforced influenced by political paralysis, power asymmetry as well as geopolitical interests. Institutions were still functionally alive but substantively dead in changing the conflict dynamics or protecting civilians. The paper proves that institutional efficiency is very conditional and limited in asymmetric conflict. The Gaza case underscores the constraints of the neoliberal institutionalist expectations and more generally the issue of the ability of world governing frameworks to limit conflicts in circumstances of power domination.

Keywords: Gaza Crisis, Neoliberal Institutionalism, Power Politics, UN, Security Council, Israel, Palestine

Green Consumerism and Contemporary Fiction: An Eco-Marxist Study

Rakia Imtiaz — 2026-04-13

This article interrogates the complex portrayal of green consumerism within contemporary fiction through the theoretical lens of Eco-Marxism. It argues that while literature often reflects the growing societal push towards environmentally conscious purchasing, it simultaneously subjects this phenomenon to a rigorous critique, exposing its limitations and contradictions within the overarching structure of capitalism. By analyzing a selection of key contemporary novels, including Richard Powers's The Overstory, Paolo Bacigalupi's The Water Knife, Abbi Waxman's The Garden of Small Beginnings, and Christy Lefteri's The Beekeeper of Aleppo, this research demonstrates how narrative fiction serves as a vital medium for Eco-Marxist thought. These works not only depict the commodification of nature and the ensuing ecological crises but also problematize the notion that individual consumer choice can suffice in addressing systemic failures. The findings suggest that contemporary eco-fiction functions as a powerful pedagogical tool, challenging the ideologies of green capitalism and advocating for a fundamental, systemic transformation towards ecological socialism as the only viable path to genuine sustainability.

Keywords: Eco-Marxism, Green Consumerism, Contemporary Fiction, Ecocriticism, Capitalism, Sustainability, Commodification of Nature

A Critical Evaluation of Pakistan National Climate Change policy 2012

Abdul Basit (Corresponding Author) — 2026-04-13

This study demonstrates a critical evaluation of Pakistan's National Climate Change Policy 2012, investigating its effectiveness in addressing the country's growing environmental challenges. The research examines the key policy objectives, implementation strategies, and institutional framework in relation to climate change adaptation and mitigation. It appraises the extent to which policy corresponds with international climate commitments and sustainable development goals; nevertheless, it identifies the gaps in governance, execution and monitoring operations. Specifically, attention is given to the sectoral responses, evapotranspiration, agriculture, water resources, and disaster risk management. Furthermore, the study explores the role of stakeholders, policy coherence, and institutional capacity in shaping climate outcomes. Findings reveal that the policy provides a comprehensive framework. Nevertheless, its influence has been constrained due to weak implementation, limited resources, and coordination challenges.

Keywords: National Climate Change Policy 2012, NCCP 2012, Pakistan, Climate Change Policy

Contribution of Social, Moral & Fiscal Family Support on Sports Achievements of Players of Punjab Province

Afifa Iqbal — 2026-04-08

The main purpose of the study was to find out how social, moral, and financial support of family affects Punjabi athletes' sporting accomplishments. Quantitative metrics were the foundation of the previous study. All student-athletes from Punjab public universities made up the population of this study. For the study, 2000 volunteers in total were enlisted. One thousand survey cases made up the sample size. Using a purposive sample approach, the target group consisted of student-athletes between aged (19 to 25), who were keenly participating in sports at university level. Two self-made structured questionnaires were used to gather data. Both descriptive (mean, percentage, & standard deviation) and inferential statistic were used. Multiple linear Regression was used to assess the influence of social, financial and moral support of family on sports achievement of athlete at university level. All statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS. The results investigated that all the independent variable (social, moral and fiscal support of family) had significant contribution athlete’s achievements in sports. It was concluded that if proper contribution of social moral & fiscal family support provided to the Punjab Province players, this might have significance of positive effect on sports achievements.

Keywords: Social, moral, & fiscal support, athletes, sports achievements, & university level.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19475158

Why Pakistan Needs a Graduated Legal-Criminal Justice Response to Digital Radicalisation: Importance, Necessity, and Applications of the AYAZ KHAN Model

Mr. Ayaz Khan — 2026-04-07

Digital radicalisation has transformed the legal and institutional landscape of counter-extremism in Pakistan. Online extremist ecosystems now operate through social media, encrypted messaging, video-sharing platforms, and increasingly fragmented digital environments that blur the boundary between protected expression, extremist advocacy, facilitation, and terrorism-linked conduct. Drawing on a wider socio-legal doctoral study, this article explains the importance, necessity, and applied value of the AYAZ KHAN Model, a structured legal-criminal justice framework developed to address digital radicalisation in Pakistan. The article argues that existing law remains fragmented across the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 and its later amendments, regulatory practice, and institutional routines. That fragmentation produces conceptual instability, threshold ambiguity, evidentiary fragility, institutional overlap, and procedural vulnerability. In response, the AYAZ KHAN Model proposes eight integrated components: assessment of risk, yardsticks of legal threshold, authentication and attribution of digital evidence, zoned intervention and response, knowledge-led institutional coordination, human rights and procedural justice safeguards, accountability and appellate review, and neutralization, rehabilitation, and normative reintegration. The article demonstrates why this model is needed, how it improves on both the current Pakistani framework and selected comparative approaches, and where it can be applied across prevention, investigation, prosecution, adjudication, rehabilitation, and policy coordination. It concludes that Pakistan requires not a more punitive but a more coherent, reviewable, and evidence-based response to digital radicalisation.

Keywords: Digital Radicalisation, Pakistan, Criminal Justice, Preventive Justice, Digital Evidence, Terrorism Law

Plato’s Theory and the Metaphysical Dualism

Qurratulain Sardar, Dr. — 2026-04-07

Plato’s theory of imitation (mimesis) is inherently grounded in the philosophical foundations of the existence of reality. His reflective introspection on arts and poetry deeply echoes in the theoretical doctrines of The Republic and Ion, ascends mainly from the theoretical concerns about reality, knowledge, and existence (Plato, trans. 1997). To Plato, art is inseparable from metaphysics, presents within the paradigm of existing structure of reality, where the eternal world of ideas (perfect) is superior to the world of senses (imperfect,) in other way, the four D reality (world of forms) is where from the ideas flow to the three D world (world of sensory appearance) to become the part of the reality.

Keywords: Plato, Metaphysical Dualism, Theory of Forms, Ontology, Epistemology, Reality vs Appearance, Idealism, Utopia