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Insanity Defense in Criminal Law in Norway

Ali Ajmal — 2025-10-07

The objective of this study is to analyze the law governing the defense of insanity in Norway. The doctrinal legal analysis research method was used to study the law on the defense of insanity in Norway. Norway recognizes the defense of insanity in section 20 of the Penal Code of Norway (2005). Norway follows the medical model of insanity defense, which requires no proof of a causal link between the abnormal mental condition of an offender and the crime committed for the establishment of legal insanity of an offender; rather, the defense of insanity in Norway is based on the presence of the mental disorder in the offender. To determine the legal insanity of an offender, the mental health evaluation by the mental health professionals is mandatory in Norway, but ultimately it is at the discretion of the courts to decide on the legal insanity of an offender. This study has implications for legislatures and legal and mental health professionals in Norway.

Keyword: Crime, Insanity, Legal, Mental, Norway

Damaged Human Psyche and Consequent Criminal Tendency: A Marxian Eco critical Analysis of Mohsin Hamid’s Moth Smoke

Muhammad Arif — 2025-10-07

This article makes an Eco critical study of the novel Moth Smoke by Mohsin Hamid with a Marxist perspective. It attempts to present how the polluted environment damages human psyche and how class distinction gives way to different social crimes. The novel sets a parallel between infected environment and infected human conditions as resulted from the economic gulf that separates the upper class from the rest of the society. The theoretical framework which has been employed is Marxist Ecocritical study. The study elaborates that how class distinction and the pernicious effect of the pollution become the causes of Darashikoh’s (the hero) moral and economic downfall in the novel. Thus, the basic objective of this paper is to find out that how a polluted environment leads to the pollution of the human psyche and consequently to a criminal tendency.

Keywords: Marxism, Ecocriticism, Class Division, Environmental Pollution, Human Psyche, Morality, Devastation

Digital Surveillance and Political Expression: Analyzing the Effects of State Monitoring of Influencers and Public Figures on Online Political Discourse in Pakistan

Noor Ul Ain Nasir — 2025-10-07

Digital media in Pakistan have been growing at a very fast pace, and it has revolutionized political communication so that people who influence, and those who are influential in politics can have direct communication with the citizens and also be able to control the political discourse. But this democratization of discourse has come more and more to fall under the shadow of the state surveillance. This report looks at how digital surveillance has impacted political speech among the Pakistani influencers and publicity. Based on a qualitative and interpretive study design, the data were gathered in the form of semi-structured interviews with 18 respondents, who were journalists, digital activists, and media figures. Using thematic analysis, we found five prevalent themes, which were the perceived ubiquity of surveillance, fear and self-censorship, strategic response via coded communication, digital disillusionment, and reclaiming agency via covert resistance. Evidence indicates that surveillance gives rise to a paradoxical process, as on the one hand it inhibits free expression as a result of fear and intimidation, but, on the other hand, surveillance leads to imaginative, oblique forms of dissent and the re-invention of civic life. Influencers will use selective silence, humor, and symbolic language to negotiate visibility in order to find a balance between influence and personal security. The paper ends by concluding that the surveillance of Pakistani citizens by the state has transformed the politics of the internet to give rise to a space of restrained expression and defensive communication and not blunt repression. These insights form part of the larger debates on digital authoritarianism and freedom of expression by hybrid democracies. The study highlights the importance of open digital governance, enhanced privacy and renewed focus on democratic communication ethics in the changing digital Pakistan.

Keywords: Online Censorship, Political Expression, Influencers, Pakistan, Online Discourse, Self-Censorship, Hybrid Regimes.

China’s Policy Towards Afghanistan in the Aftermath of the U.S. Withdrawal

Sadia Iqbal — 2025-10-07

This paper investigates China’s expanded involvement in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of the United States and NATO forces in 2021. The U.S. withdrawal profoundly changed the regional security landscape, providing China with an opportunity to enhance its strategic and economic engagement with Afghanistan. This research explores how China’s economic, security, and strategic engagement in Afghanistan enhances its regional clout, especially regarding counterterrorism initiatives, infrastructure development, and regional connectivity. It also discusses the difficulties China faces in negotiating Afghanistan’s complicated political environment, including the instability brought on by the Taliban's rule and the involvement of other regional and international actors. Using the theoretical framework of geoeconomics and geopolitics, this study analyzes the evolving relationship between China and Afghanistan from a broader contextual perspective. Through the study of key primary documents and qualitative interviews with the policymakers and scholars, it contributes to a deeper understanding of the changing dynamics of China-Afghanistan interactions.

Keywords: Geo-Economics, Geopolitics, BRI, China-Afghanistan Relations.

Reforming the Death Penalty Constitutional, Human Rights, and Policy Dimensions

Rana Muhammad Shahid Naseem — 2025-10-07

The death penalty has always been one of the most debatable topics within the context of the current law, politics, and human rights. Although over two-thirds of the states in the world have legally or in practice abolished it, some retentionist jurisdictions still defend capital punishment on deterrence, retribution and public safety grounds. This point of departure represents complicated crossings of constitutional power, global human rights duties and domestic policy agendas.

This paper offers a critical analysis of the death penalty based on the three interconnected aspects of the death penalty, which include the constitutional, human rights and policy aspects. It starts by examining constitutional controversies, like in the tension between the right to life and state sovereignty, judicial interpretation in a variety of legal systems, and the use of developing constitutional principles, such as proportionality and dignity. It then discusses the human rights issues that a death penalty presents, considering the international and regional instruments, the jurisprudence of human rights courts and the arguments on whether the death penalty violates the jus cogens norms of international law. Another policy issue discussed in the paper would be the dilemma of deterrence, false conviction, cost, and the feasibility of other alternatives like life imprisonment and restorative justice.

By comparatively analyzing the reforms in both the abolitionist and retentionist states, the study recognizes the world trends and lessons that the jurisdictions struggling with the capital punishment should learn. Finally, it contends that reform must be meaningful and must therefore entail balancing the constitutional protection, conforming to international human rights norms and embracing practical policy innovations. The paper has concluded that the way forward does not only lie in a legal reform but also in a reconciliation of justice, human dignity and the developing moral consciousness of societies.

Keywords: Death Penalty Reform, Constitutional Law, Human Rights, Criminal Justice Policy, Capital Punishment Debate

Economic Analysis of Tomato in Taluka Hyderabad, Sindh

Adil Baig — 2025-10-06

This study investigated the economic analysis of tomato production in Taluka Hyderabad, Sindh, focusing on the socio-economic characteristics of farmers, cost structures, labor dynamics, production expenses, market-related costs, and overall profitability. Primary data were collected through surveys and interviews with tomato growers, and a detailed cost-benefit analysis was conducted to assess the economic viability of tomato cultivation in the region. The findings revealed that tomato prices fluctuated seasonally, dropping during peak harvest months (May–June) and increasing during off-season shortages (e.g., November). Farmers in the study area were typically middle-aged with modest educational backgrounds and managed small-scale farms averaging 7.8 acres. Despite the relatively recent adoption of tomato farming, averaging just three years of experience, the activity proved to be economically promising. The total production cost per acre was calculated at PKR 117,380, while gross returns averaged PKR 378,000, resulting in a substantial net profit of PKR 260,620. The input-output ratio of 1:3.22 and a benefit-cost ratio of 1:2.22 underscored the strong profitability and efficient resource use in tomato cultivation. The study recommended enhanced market access, technical training, subsidies, and research investments to support and expand profitable tomato production in the region.

Keywords: Economic Analysis, Tomato Production, Taluka Hyderabad, Sindh, Socio-Economic Characteristics of Farmers, Cost Structures, Labor Dynamics, Production Expenses, Market-Related Costs.

Exploring the Role of Technologies in Building Organizational Resilience towards Organizational Stability: A Case of Kazakhstan

Gahwar Bhatti — 2025-10-06

In the rapid technological developing world business and organizations must create robust strategies to adapt and withstand new disruptions. This study investigates the role of technologies in enhancing organizational resilience, eventually leading to organizational stability. The study employs qualitative research design by applying Gioia methodology to analyze semi-structured interviews with organizational leaders across various industries. Five principal types of disruption were discovered: geopolitical instability, pandemics, cybersecurity threats, natural disasters, and economic or trade disruptions. The results of the study reveal how organizations perceive and cope with such crises and illustrate the role of technological solutions in adaptation and recovery. The main contribution of this study is the development of a process model that clearly shows how organizations respond to certain disruptions with technology to get organizational stability. The data obtained represent both a theoretical contribution to research on sustainability and digital transformation, as well as a practical guide for managers interested in creating resilient and flexible organizations.

Keywords: Organizational Resilience, Technology, Digital Technologies, Organizational Stability, Disruption.

Impact of Digital Technologies Enhancing Transparency and Reducing Corruption in Government Institutions

Dr. Muneer Ahmed Shah — 2025-10-06

The digital transformation of government services has emerged as powerful tool in enhancing transparency and curbing corruption across Public institutions. This research investigates that new technologies curbing the corruption and drove transparency in government sector Pakistan especially in Sindh. This study focuses on the new technology PIFRA adopted in treasure department khairpur district. Multifaceted impact of digital technologies such as E-Governance platforms, systems, on improving accountability and minimizing opportunity for corrupt practice within government sector to information government can reduce discretionary powers of officials, stream services delivery, and foster a culture of openness. This study uses a quantitative method approach, quantitative data analyses from global indices such as corrupt practices index. This research based on hundred four respondents the employees of government institution treasury Khairpur, among the all hundred four respondents hundred four questions were distributed and the data was analyzed using SPSS, the findings show that there are positive and correlation between digital technologies with transparency and digital technologies with reducing corruption and corruption between transparency. The recommendations offer government seeking to leverage digital technologies and strategic avenue for good governance transparency and public trust and for any scholar to there is still need of research in this why government not ready to adopt new technologies.

Keywords: Digital Transformation – DT, Enhancing Transparency – ET, Reducing Corruption – RC, Project to Improve Financial Reporting and Auditing - PIFRA

Role of Demographic Factors in Predicting Psychological Adjustment among Adults

Iram Naz (Corresponding author) — 2025-10-06

The purpose of the study was to investigate how demographic characteristics can predict adults' psychological adjustment. Data was gathered using a cross-sectional research methodology. The data for the 300 adult participants came from 300 individuals in Jhelum and Gujarat. Convenient sampling, or a non-probability sampling strategy, was used to choose the sample. Participants' ages were asked on the demographic sheet, while Naz, Bano, and Leghari's Scale of Adjustment for Adults was used to assess psychological adjustment. The results of neural network in the study showed that adult psychological adjustment was influenced by demographic factors because there was little disparities found between the relative errors of training and testing. If there was a smaller difference between the relative errors of training and testing it indicates a stronger predictive connection between the variables. The neural network model has also emphasized the importance of forecasting demographic factors for psychological adjustment in adults. The findings showed that marital status was the most significant predictor of psychological adjustment, followed by education, birth order, father's education, rural–urban area and age. Marital status had a stronger effect on psychological adjustment. It was determined that the most significant predictor of psychological adjustment was marital status. Adults' psychological adjustment is influenced by a number of factors, including age, father's educational background, birth order, rural versus urban location, and subsequent education.

Keywords: Demographic Factors, Adult, Cross sectional study, Psychological Adjustment, Neural Network

Assessment of the Effectiveness of Social Media in Shaping the Perception of the Public on National Security Matters in Pakistan: A Securitization Theory Perspective

Adnan Saghir — 2025-10-05

Social media has evolved a lot and at the same time, it offers an opportunity to make statements on strategic communication platforms to reach billions of people within the shortest time. This study aims to determine the role of social media in constructing people’s perceptions of national security issues in Pakistan based on securitization theory. Securitization theory provides a way of analyzing how political issues are put in a category of existential threats by discourses that require exceptional measures. This paper highlights the importance of social media as a securitizing actor to produce and circulate narratives that inform the opinion of the public and policymakers. Social media plays an important role in the securitization process proved by examination of the framing techniques, audience acceptance as well as the media-state interaction. Social media also has issues related to the presence of misleading information and its consequences for national security policy. Future perspectives focus on the opportunities provided by the development of superior technologies like artificial intelligence and predictive analytics for improved analysis of securitization processes on social media. There is a need to establish better communication, media control, and public participation in constructing positive security discourses.

Keywords: Public Perception, Securitization Theory, Social Media, National Security

Capital Structure Decisions: Balancing Debt and Equity in the Pakistan Corporate Sector

Aqeel Ahmad — 2025-10-05

This study empirically investigates the determinants of capital structure and the applicability of theoretical frameworks for non-financial firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). Against a backdrop of macroeconomic volatility, high inflation, and a developing capital market, understanding how Pakistani firms balance debt and equity is crucial for corporate governance, investment, and policy. Utilizing a quantitative research design, a stratified random sample of 100 firms from five key sectors (Cement, Energy, Chemical, Automobile, and Textile) was analyzed over a ten-year period (2014-2023) using panel data regression techniques. The findings reveal a significant negative relationship between profitability and leverage, indicating that more profitable firms prefer internal financing, a core tenet of the Pecking Order Theory. Conversely, asset tangibility and firm size showed a positive and significant relationship with debt usage. The study also identified substantial sectoral disparities in leverage ratios. The results challenge the pure Trade-Off Theory, suggesting that the Pecking Order Theory provides a more descriptively accurate model of firm behavior in Pakistan’s unique economic context. The research offers practical implications for managers to prioritize internal funds and strategic debt usage, for investors to contextually interpret leverage ratios, and for policymakers to deepen capital markets and enhance stability to support robust corporate financing.

Keywords: Capital Structure, Trade-Off Theory, Pecking Order Theory, Leverage, Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), Corporate Finance, Firm-Specific Determinants

Female Suffering in Khalid Hosseini’s Novel: A Thousand Splendid Suns

Nazia Ujan — 2025-10-05

Khalid Hosseini is an afghan writer. He wrote a novel “a thousand splendid suns” in (2007). The novel is the masterpiece and the best replicate of the suffering of females in Afghanistan that vividly depicts the sufferings of females. He explores every aspects of the suffering in his novel. Sometimes, women suffer in different role of being mother, daughter, sister and wife. Females give their full potential but don’t get their rewards. They only bear and suffer in the male dominant society. Focusing on the themes of sufferings, this study found that those sufferings do not occur intentionally. It happens when a female does not meet her goals, which include physical and mental. However, it affects deeply, destroying the inner feelings of a person. It also brings mental destruction, which changes into anger, depression and anxiety, which result in sufferings.

Keywords: Novel, Female, Sufferings, Mental Problems

Climate-Related Crimes: Conceptualizing Ecocide in International and Domestic Criminal Law

Dr. Faiz Bakhsh — 2025-10-05

Climate-based crimes are becoming one of the most critical challenges that are threatening human survival and world security. Although the scope of environmental law has conventionally been regulation and compliance, the magnitude of the ecological destruction that climatic changes have brought about has led to the emergence of the concept of ecocide as a possible international crime. The paper will discuss the conceptual basis, law evolution and domestic measures of ecocide, in the context of international and national criminal law. It explores the new controversies of including ecocide in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), as well as domestic legal advances in places like France, Ukraine, and the European Union. Moreover, it considers the place of ecocide in enhancing environmental human rights, especially the right to a healthy environment. The analysis ends by suggesting reforms in codification and enforcement, and critically analyzes the problems of sovereignty, enforcement and definitional sharpness.

Keywords: Ecocide; Climate Change; International Criminal Law; Environmental Crimes; Human Rights; Rome Statute; Pakistan

Arbitration and Constitutional Justice in Pakistan: Reconciling Party Autonomy with Fundamental Rights

Khizar Hayat — 2025-10-05

The ascendancy of arbitration as the preferred mechanism for commercial dispute resolution, championed for its efficiency and the principle of party autonomy, has engendered a complex legal confrontation with the foundational tenets of constitutional justice in Pakistan. This article argues that the relationship between arbitration, governed by the pro-enforcement Recognition and Enforcement (Arbitration Agreement and Foreign Arbitral Awards) Act, 2011, and the enforcement of fundamental rights under the Constitution of 1973, is not one of hierarchy but of a necessary and evolving symbiosis. The analysis identifies the precise crucibles of this conflict: arbitration involving State-Owned Enterprises and public funds, the non-waivability of fundamental rights, procedural fairness under Article 10A, and the tension between confidentiality and the public's right to information. The article critically examines the Pakistani judiciary's jurisprudential tightrope, navigating between a trend of deference to arbitral finality in private disputes and an interventionist trend, via Article 184(3) and an expansive "public policy" doctrine, in matters of significant public interest. Ultimately, the article proposes a calibrated "spectrum of scrutiny" model as a pathway to reconciliation, where the level of judicial intervention is context-dependent. It concludes that for arbitration to thrive as a credible institution, it must operate within the constitutional shadow, requiring disciplined judicial focus on procedural integrity, legislative clarity, and a heightened sense of duty from arbitrators to uphold mandatory law, thereby balancing private commercial efficacy with the state's inviolable duty to protect constitutional norms and public trust.

Keywords: Arbitration, Constitutional Justice, Party Autonomy, Fundamental Rights, Public Policy, Pakistan, Judicial Intervention, State-Owned Enterprises

Relationship between Students’ Emotional Intelligence and Their Academic Resilience at University Level

Dr Fahd Naveed Kausar — 2025-10-04

Students’ emotional intelligence and their academic resilience are closely linked, as emotionally intelligent students are better able to regulate emotions, cope with stress, and maintain motivation in the face of challenges. This connection enables them to persist in their academic pursuits, adapt to difficulties, and achieve sustained success in higher education. The objective of the study was to find the level of Students’ Emotional Intelligence and Their Academic Resilience and to examine the effect and association between students’ emotional intelligence and academic resilience at University Level. The present study employed a descriptive research design, situated within the positivist paradigm of quantitative inquiry. The population of interest consisted of all public and private universities in the Lahore district. A multistage sampling technique was used to select participants. The data collection instruments consisted of two questionnaires. To ensure the validity of the instruments, expert reviews were obtained, while reliability was established through pilot testing. Data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Both descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient) were employed to address the research objectives. The findings of the study revealed that there was highly significant effect and relationship between students’ emotional intelligence and academic resilience at University Level. It is recommended that universities should integrate structured emotional intelligence (EI) development programs, focusing on self-awareness, self-regulation, and motivation to strengthen students’ resilience.

Keywords: Students’ Emotional Intelligence, Academic Resilience, University Level

Techno Economics Analysis of Industrial Scale Chicken Bone by-products: A Case Study Evidence in Pakistan

Abdullah Irshad — 2025-10-04

The research studied the chicken bone by-product case evidence from Pakistan. I have solved the environmental problem by getting calcium, phosphate, and phosphorus from chicken bones and have also produced pet food, fertilizer, and chalk. I have taken primary (marriage halls and questionnaires) and secondary data (FAO reports, Pakistan poultry association). The methodology used in this study was Technoeconomic Analysis (TE) and calculated costs such as grinder costs, building costs, equipment costs, etc. The model used in this study is SWOT. The conclusion is that it was beneficial for developing countries because the cost of collecting bone was low, the revenue from chicken power was high, and it also generated employment and increased economic growth (GDP).

Keywords: Techno Economics, Industrial Scale, Chicken Bone, By-products, Pakistan.

The Double-Edged Sword: Artificial Intelligence, Electoral Integrity, and the Future of Democracy in Pakistan

Nimra Javaid — 2025-10-04

The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the electoral arena is a paradigm shift to the global democracies with a paradigmatic duoism. This two-sided sword in this article by the author is the case of a weak democratic culture in the country of Pakistan with certain weaknesses, including political polarization, poor digital literacy rates, and election fraud. A qualitative case study design is employed in the present study to evaluate the dual aspects of AI as the source of the transformative opportunities in the form of how to make the processes of electoral administration and voter participation better and as the threat to existentialism in the form of weaponized disinformation, manipulation of micro-targets, and algorithmic bias. It is based on the combination of theoretical frameworks of the Democratic Theory and the Social Shaping of Technology which claim that the influence of AI is not predetermined but formed by the agency of institutions. The article appraises critically the nascent policy and legal framework in Pakistan, such as the National AI Policy (2025), Election Act (2017), and PECA (2016) and shows that these rules and legislations have major gaps in regulation and lack an institutional capacity within the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The lessons learnt during comparative analysis of the regulatory vacuum in India, the proactive governance of the European Union, and the rather disjointed approach of the United States can be considered to be crucial. The results also indicate that AI has already started undermining the electoral integrity and trust in Pakistan as the 2024 election in the country has been marked by a completely unregulated use of AI to spread misinformation, deepfakes, and targeted suppression campaigns. The paper concludes that Pakistan is at a cross-road and that multi-stakeholder intervention is much needed. It offers practical suggestions, such as AI guidelines suggested by ECP, legislative changes to protect data and criminalise malicious deepfakes, and a voluntary code of practice among political parties to exploit the democratic benefits of AI and resolve unequivocally the dangers it poses.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Electoral Integrity, Pakistan, Democracy, Disinformation, Micro-targeting, Election Commission of Pakistan, Regulatory Framework

China-India Strategic Competition and the Fragmentation of Asian Regionalism

Dr. Muhammad Naveed Ul Hasan Shah — 2025-10-03

The evolving strategic rivalry between China and India has emerged as one of the most consequential dynamics shaping the future of Asian regionalism. Since the 1962 border war, their competition has transcended traditional security concerns, encompassing economic influence, infrastructure development, normative leadership, and institutional engagement. This article investigates how the China–India strategic competition has contributed to the fragmentation of Asian regionalism from the Cold War period to the contemporary Indo-Pacific era. Using a qualitative and historical-analytical approach, the study integrates primary sources, policy documents, and secondary literature to assess the patterns and consequences of their rivalry. It argues that the Sino-Indian competition has transformed from bilateral territorial disputes into a structural contest for leadership over overlapping regional architectures including ASEAN, SAARC, SCO, BRICS, and Indo-Pacific initiatives. This competition manifests in parallel institutional designs, competing connectivity projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) versus India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), and divergent strategic alignments, all of which undermine the coherence of regional multilateralism. The study finds that the persistence of mistrust and geopolitical competition between Beijing and New Delhi has intensified institutional fragmentation, weakened collective security mechanisms, and reduced the capacity of Asian states to form unified responses to global challenges. By highlighting these trends, the article contributes to broader debates on regional order formation and offers insights into the prospects of cooperative frameworks amid rising multipolarity. It concludes that unless China and India can reconcile their strategic visions, Asian regionalism will remain fractured, limiting the continent’s ability to act as a cohesive actor in global governance.

Keywords: China–India Rivalry, Asian Regionalism, Indo-Pacific, Belt And Road Initiative, Multipolarity, Institutional Fragmentation

Hard Power over Soft Power: India’s Strategic Approach towards Pakistan

Sadia Zaheer — 2025-10-03

Regional stability in South Asia suffered a significant setback in May 2025 when India, accusing Pakistan of sponsoring cross-border terrorism, launched Operation Sindoor. This military escalation marked a new peak in the longstanding hostility between the two nuclear-armed neighbours and posed a serious threat to regional peace. While India has actively employed soft power strategies such as cultural diplomacy, development aid, and media influence across much of its neighbourhood, its approach toward Pakistan has remained predominantly hard power-oriented, largely due to enduring territorial and water disputes. Drawing on Joseph Nye’s concept of soft power, this article critically examines the 2025 India-Pakistan war to evaluate limitations of soft power in this volatile bilateral relationship. The study further explores the challenges that Pakistan may face in the post-conflict landscape. The study reveals that India’s unwillingness to utilize and promote soft power in Pakistan stems from multiple factors that remain unaddressed to date, consequently hampering the bilateral soft power potential. By adopting a case study approach, the research investigates the prevalence of hard power in India-Pakistan relations and exposed the limitations and potential of soft power in crisis management.

Keywords: Soft Power, India, Pakistan, Operation Sindoor, 2025 India-Pakistan war

Middle Powers in Flux: Rethinking ASEAN’s Role in a Multipolar Asia

Dr. Fazeel Ashraf Qaisrani — 2025-10-03

The transition from a unipolar to a multipolar international order has profoundly reshaped the strategic landscape of the Asia-Pacific. As the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China intensifies in the post-2020 era, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) stands at a critical crossroads, balancing between competing powers while striving to maintain its centrality and cohesion. This article examines ASEAN’s evolving role as a collective middle power navigating the complex dynamics of security, geopolitics, and economic integration in a rapidly changing regional order. Through a synthesis of middle power theory and regionalism, it explores how ASEAN’s diplomatic strategies, institutional mechanisms, and normative frameworks are being recalibrated to respond to emerging challenges, including great-power rivalry, shifting trade patterns, and new security architectures. The study employs a qualitative research design, drawing on official ASEAN documents, policy statements, and scholarly literature to assess ASEAN’s strategic choices and their broader implications for regional stability. Findings suggest that while ASEAN’s normative emphasis on neutrality and consensus remains central, it faces increasing pressure to adapt to structural changes, diversify partnerships, and assert a more proactive strategic identity. The article concludes that ASEAN’s ability to redefine its role will depend on its success in strengthening internal cohesion, enhancing institutional capacity, and engaging constructively with external powers without compromising its autonomy.

Keywords: ASEAN, Multipolarity, Middle Power, Regionalism, Geopolitics, Indo-Pacific

Exploring Women Oppression: A Radical Feminism Study of “The Story of an Hour, By Kate Chopin”

Hafiza Rimsha Malik — 2025-10-03

The primary cause of women's oppression in modern civilization is male society. Kate Chopin's "The Study of an Hour" illustrates the detrimental effects of male dominance on the lives of women. To reform an entrenched system, strong resistance is required. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to use the primary character, Mr. Mallard, to emphasize radical feminism. The researchers employed a contextual approach to analyze the data. The secondary data for this study include Kate Millet's women's movement from sexual politics and the concept of the patriarchal system. In this study, the researchers investigates the idea that women's subordination is a result of patriarchal practices. Oppression entails skepticism of women's leadership, a lack of recognition or identity for men, and an inability to enjoy the same rights as men. The female protagonists use the resistance to drastically alter both their own lives and the society in which they live.

Keywords: Radical Feminism, patriarchy, subordination, female resistance, Kate Millet.

Principles of Justice and Equality in Shura and Democracy: A Comparative Study in the Light of Hanafi Jurisprudence

Dr. Muhammad Zakariya — 2025-10-02

This paper discusses the comparative philosophy of justice and equality in Shura (consultative governance) and Democracy, and this is done in the prism of Hanafi jurisprudence. The study notes that although in its modern context, democracy has been seen as the best form of government, it is anchored on the popular sovereignty, but in Islam, it is Allah who is the only sovereign with human beings serving as his vicegerents to enforce justice. Shura, which has its foundation in the Quran and Sunnah, is based on collective consultation with divine principles whereas democracy is based on majority rule and secular legal systems. The research is a qualitative and analytical research that uses the primary sources of Islam, the Quran (particularly, Surah Al-Shura and Al-Imran), Prophetic traditions, and classical works of Hanafi such as the al-Hidayah, al-Mabsut, and Radd al-Muhtar. It also includes the current works of scholars like Yusuf al-Qaradawi and Taha Jaber al-Alwani. The study examines four key areas, including (i) conceptual framework of Shura as a model of Islamic governance, (ii) principles of democracy, and its history in the West and in the Muslim world, (iii) Hanafi principles of justice, equality and social balance, and (iv) comparative analysis of the two systems in respects of human rights, minority representation, women, and leadership. Results indicate that Shura and democracy are similar in that they encourage consultation and representation, accountability, but differ essentially in their sources of legitimacy and moral limits. Within the Hanafi jurisprudence, the idea of justice not only implies equality before the law, but also the economic and moral equality, the ability to protect everyone, both women and minorities, under the system of the divine law. The paper finds that a balanced approach to the governance system in the Muslim societies, in which democratic institutions are supplemented by Shura and Hanafi principles, is capable of offering Muslim societies a more balanced system of governance that protects the concepts of justice, equality, and socio-political harmony.

Keywords: Shura, Democracy, Hanafi Jurisprudence, Justice and Equality, Islamic Political Thought

Astronomy and Islam: An Analytical Study of Scientific and Jurisprudential Aspects in the Light of Quran and Hadith

Haroon Ur Rasheed — 2025-10-01

Astronomy, as the study of celestial bodies such as stars, planets, the sun, the moon, galaxies, and cosmic phenomena, has always occupied a central place in human intellectual curiosity. In Islam, astronomy holds a unique significance as the Qur’an frequently invites humankind to reflect upon the heavens and the earth as signs of divine power and wisdom. This article explores the importance of astronomy in Islamic tradition, analyzing its scientific and jurisprudential dimensions in the light of the Qur’an and Hadith. Nearly fifteen hundred verses of the Qur’an emphasize cosmic phenomena, presenting them as evidence of divine oneness, wisdom, and order. Classical exegeses, such as those of Ibn Kathir, al-Tabari, al-Sa‘di, and modern interpretations by thinkers like Sayyid Qutb, highlight how these verses signify both theological truths and scientific realities, many of which align remarkably with modern astronomical discoveries.

The article further examines the jurisprudential relevance of astronomy in Islamic law. Acts of worship such as prayer times, fasting schedules, Eid determination, Hajj rituals, and zakat calculations are all intimately linked to the movement of the sun, moon, and stars. The role of lunar observations in the Islamic calendar and the debate over moon-sighting versus astronomical calculations are discussed in detail. Moreover, the study addresses modern challenges, including prayer and fasting in polar regions, satellite-based observations, and issues arising from the International Date Line. Contributions of classical Muslim astronomers such as al-Battani, al-Biruni, Ibn al-Shatir, and Ulugh Beg are also highlighted as evidence of the Islamic legacy in advancing astronomical sciences.

The article concludes that astronomy is not merely a secular science but a vital discipline that bridges faith and reason. It not only strengthens theological convictions by revealing the grandeur of divine creation but also serves as a practical necessity for religious observance. The integration of traditional jurisprudence with modern scientific methods is essential for addressing contemporary issues. The study recommends the establishment of specialized Islamic astronomical centers to harmonize religious principles with scientific advancements, ensuring both spiritual enrichment and intellectual leadership for the Muslim community.

Keywords: Qur’an and Astronomy, Hadith and Cosmic Phenomena, Islamic Jurisprudence and Astronomy, Moon-Sighting and Astronomical Calculations, Muslim Contributions to Astronomy

Critical Discourse Analysis of Quaid-i- Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s first speech in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on 11 August 1947

Ali Sher Jamali — 2025-10-02

The aim of this study is to critically analyze the historic speech of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah made at the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on 11 August 1947. The research applies the frameworks of CDA. The Fairclough’s model of social practice is also applied to analyze the speech. The social analysis of the address under discussion also constitutes the significant section of the study. In this regard, the Quaid’s stance against social problems of corruption, nepotism and black-marketing is also presented. The socio-political views in the address have been evaluated by discourse analysis. The study also stresses upon the analysis of ideology, principles, freedom, justice and equality in the speech of the founder of nation.

Keywords: Quaid-i-Azam, Muahammad Ali Jinnah, Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, Speech, Discourse, Critical Discourse Analysis, Socio-Political

The Changing Role of the United Nations in Global Governance in the 21st Century

Rameez Haider — 2025-10-01

The United Nations, established in the wake of World War II to safeguard international peace and security through a state-centric framework, faces an existential test in the 21st century. This article argues that the organization is defined by a central paradox: it is simultaneously adapting to new global challenges while being constrained by its outdated institutional architecture. The analysis employs a qualitative case study approach, drawing on UN documentation and secondary scholarship, and is guided by a theoretical framework synthesizing Liberal Institutionalism, Human Security, and Network Theory. The findings reveal a significant capacity for normative innovation, as seen in the adoption of agendas like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), and for operational adaptation through robust peacekeeping and multi-stakeholder partnerships. However, these advancements are consistently undermined by profound structural rigidities, most notably the Security Council veto power, which leads to paralysis on critical issues, and a volatile, donor-driven funding model. The discussion interprets these findings, highlighting the tension between the UN’s progressive agenda-setting and its regressive operational limitations, explained through the competing logics of different International Relations theories. The article concludes that while the UN remains an indispensable platform for global cooperation, its long-term effectiveness hinges on bridging the gap between its 21st-century ambitions and its 20th-century hardware. Its future likely lies not as a world government, but as the central node in an increasingly fragmented and polycentric global governance network.

Keywords: United Nations, Global Governance, 21st Century, Multilateralism, Security Council Veto, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Human Security, Multi-stakeholderism

The Role of Pakhtun Women in Militant Organizations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan) and Nangarhar (Afghanistan)

Fauzia Ali — 2025-10-01

The involvement of women in militancy is a growing reality across the world, yet their roles often remain hidden or underestimated. In societies like the Pakhtun belt of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan and Nangarhar (Afghanistan), women are usually seen as confined to domestic spaces. However, evidence shows that they too participate in militancy, both directly and indirectly. This study explores the ways in which Pakhtun women contribute to militant organizations, the factors that draw them into such activities, and the differences and similarities across the two regions. The research is based on qualitative methods, using unstructured interviews with women who have been directly or indirectly linked to militancy, along with secondary sources such as literature, reports, and documentaries. Findings reveal that women in these regions are not merely passive supporters but play active roles in militancy. Their contributions range from providing money and shelter, spreading militant ideology, and assisting with logistics, to spying and even carrying out suicide bombings. Patriarchal control, unquestioned religious devotion, and experiences of personal or communal loss emerge as the most powerful motivations. A comparison of KP and Nangarhar shows many parallels, though the forms of women’s involvement vary with local conditions and the structures of militant groups. The study argues that addressing women’s involvement in militancy requires more than just security measures. It calls for policies that empower women, challenge patriarchal structures, and offer alternative roles in peace-building and community resilience.

Keywords: Militancy, Terrorism, Pakhtun Women, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Nangarhar, Gender and Conflict