Journal of Development and Social Sciences

Environmental Pollution and Industrialization in Pakistani Short Fiction: An Eco-Stylistic Analysis

2025-07-02T00:03:39+05:00

The objective of this research is to analyze selected Pakistani short fiction which depicts environmental pollution and industrialization through a combined lens of ecocriticism and stylistics which is referred to as eco-stylistics. The research examines the language and narrative devices used by selected fiction writers for describing ecological and human-related issues. This research highlights the significant use of words and the employment of symbols in analyzing conflict between characters and nature. The arrangement of sentences spoken by the individuals and the character’s voice both portray the environmental conflict as well as the political side of it. A close reading of the selected stories by Tariq Rahman, Daniyal Mueenuddin, and Mohammed Hanif reveal that the environmental pollution is sometimes described in literal sense and sometimes is seen as a symbol of troubles in the society. The research shows that the novels and short stories also criticize industrial growth and the treatment of people towards nature. The research further focuses on the social and economic differences among individuals. The research is significant in adding to the growth of eco-stylistics as a theoretical and methodological strategy in South Asian literature. The study also gives fresh outlook on the ecological awareness from the perspective of Anglophone Pakistani fiction.

Impact of Corporate Governance on Firm Performance with Moderating Role of Leverage: A Study of Non-Financial Listed Firms on Pakistan Stock Exchange

2025-07-05T18:59:22+05:00

This study investigates the moderating role of leverage in the link between corporate governance variables and business performance using data from non-financial companies registered on the Pakistan Stock Exchange for the years 2018–2023. The findings show that performance is much enhanced by board size, independence, and experience, with firm size also having a substantial impact. As a moderating variable, leverage has a direct negative influence on performance, but it also mitigates the effects of governance variables like company age, board independence, and board meetings. The study emphasizes how crucial sound corporate governance is, as well as how leverage plays a complicated moderating role in influencing business performance. These results offer valuable perspectives for scholarly investigations and business operations in developing economies such as Pakistan.

Selling Authority: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Power Dynamics in Language Used in Pakistani Advertising Captions

2025-07-10T00:02:30+05:00

In today’s fast-moving consumer culture, advertising isn’t just about selling products—it’s about shaping minds. In Pakistan, the language used in advertising captions often goes unnoticed, yet it carries weight in how people see themselves, others, and the world around them. This study sets out to understand the hidden power dynamics in the language of Pakistani advertising and moreover,the choice of pronouns, emotional hooks, and cultural references that resonate with Pakistani audience. In a world where advertising shows not only what we buy but also how we think, the language in advertising captions has more than just a marketing message—related to power. This study explains how linguistic choices in contemporary Pakistani advertising captions overtly construct and reinforce power relations. For this study, we have taken a qualitative approach, using Norman Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis model to closely examine advertising captions from Pakistani TV, print, and social media. Instead of just reading the words, we have focused on how they were used—looking at tone, pronouns, and cultural hints—to understand how power and influence quietly operate through language. Taking Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), the research investigates how these brief but persuasive captions use authority, social positioning, gendered language, and cultural symbolism to influence consumer behavior and identity. By interpreting a diverse range of Urdu and English advertisements from television, social media, and billboards, this study puts light on the silent but potent strategies advertisers use to command attention and obedience. In doing so, it enlightens the ways language becomes a vehicle for power in everyday consumer culture. Moreover, the findings of this study reveal that even the simplest advertising captions carry subtle layers of power. Undoubtedly, Brands often use friendly, familiar language to sound close to the audience, but underneath, they maintain authority—shaping how people think, feel, and respond through culturally loaded and emotionally charged words.

Work Motivation and Organizational Commitment in Retail Market: Moderating Role of Personality Traits

2025-07-10T00:26:42+05:00

Retail is a thriving economic sector that boosts industry and organization development, economic stability, and success. Retail has become Pakistan's main economic asset. Pakistani industry shunned retail a few years ago. Retailers face obstacles, problems, and fierce rivalry. Any firm or industry succeeds due to its employees' motivation, involvement, loyalty, honesty, hard work, and performance. A correlational research design has been used to examine the moderating relationship among the variables. A cross-sectional survey methodology was used to obtain data from participants using questionnaires. The sample included N = 212 persons from the retail industry, including male and female employees aged 20 to 60 years. The purposive sampling method was used because it is suitable for research with specific objectives related to the population. Organizational commitment, recognized regulation, and external regulation were strongly correlated with extraversion. Agreement was strongly correlated with commitment, internal, integrated, recognizable, introjected, and external regulation. Awareness was linked to commitment, internal, integrated, recognizable, introjected, and external regulation. Neuroticism correlated strongly with regulation discovery. Openness influenced internal, integrated, acknowledged, introjected, and external regulation. Internal regulation, integrated, identified, introjected, external regulation, and amotivation were strongly correlated with commitment. Extroversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness strongly interact to affect job motivation. The findings revealed significant mean differences in agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, openness, commitment, and work motivation across various age groups. Research has shown that work motivation positively correlates with organizational commitment.

A Cross-Regional Study of Built Heritage Conservation in South Asia within the Global Heritage Discourse

2025-07-11T16:08:18+05:00

This paper explores the built heritage conservation perspectives around the globe while analysing the international charters and local practices in the South Asian region.The international charters provided extensive guidelines for the protection of heritage while following procedures. The implementation in diverse regional and cultural context still requires additional research and formulation of procedures. The study employed two phase qualitative methodology starting from the literature mapping for the synthesis of key trends and paradigms in global heritage discourse, highlighting the material-centric conservation to inclusive community engaged approaches for sustainability. The second stage analysis of global case studies to explore the operational challenges within the South Asian context. The finding reveals that in this part of the world the global heritage frameworks are embedded in conservation practice but facing severe issue due to the socio-cultural, political and historical factors in addition to the economic instability. The paper concludes with the recommendations for application of context-sensitive approach embedded with the traditional aspect and the global construct.

Impact of Good Governance on Dividend Payout Ratio: Moderated Mediation Effect of legal Origin and Corporate Reputation

2025-07-12T22:02:24+05:00

This study investigates whether legal origin moderates the relationship between corporate governance and dividend payout policies, mediated by corporate reputation, among Fortune 500 firms (2014–2022). Corporate governance, reputation, and dividend payout significantly impact corporate finance. Nevertheless, their combined influence across legal systems, especially common-law versus civil-law jurisdictions, remains underexplored. This quantitative study analyzed panel data of 324 Fortune 500 companies, yielding 2,808 firm-year observations across common-law and civil-law countries. Corporate governance and financial data were collected from Bloomberg, reputation rankings from Fortune, and country-level controls from the World Bank. Statistical analysis involved panel regressions and moderated mediation models. Robustness checks employed alternative dividend measurements and verification tests. Common-law countries exhibited strong governance enhancing corporate reputation and subsequently increasing dividends. Conversely, civil-law jurisdictions demonstrated weaker governance impacts, diminished reputational influence, and lower dividend payouts. Common-law regulators and managers should reinforce governance standards to sustain dividends via reputation. Civil-law jurisdictions must improve investor protections and governance frameworks for similar effectiveness.

Investigating Environmental Performance and Competitive Advantage with the perspective of Green Supply Chain Management

2025-07-13T13:25:34+05:00

Green supply chain management is a modern practice adopted by manufacturing firms having greater influence on environmental sustainability. This study, based on the resource-based view theory, determine the impact of GSCM practices and moderating role of environment management system and firm size on environmental performance by leading towards the competitive advantage. Due to emerging demand of sustainable performance, organizations are struggling to improve their supply chain for getting competitive advantage Therefore, different parameters of supply chain along with implemented management systems is critically important to review. By quantitative cross-sectional approach and using questionnaire as a tool, purposive sample of 209 organizations of Punjab, Pakistan was taken to investigate the impact. It revealed that GSCM dimensions influence directly to the environmental performance and indirectly to the competitive advantage for large sized firms while this response is dull in case of small size firms while effective environment management system accelerates the strength of these relationships. This study contributes theoretically by providing a lens to judge the GSCM and EP relationship in the context of firm size and provide guidelines to industrial practitioners for implementing GSCM strategies in order to get long-term competitive advantage under the umbrella of environmental sustainability.

Demographic Moderators in the Work–Family Conflict and Cognitive Bandwidth Relationship: Evidence from Dual-Career Married Adults in Pakistan

2025-07-19T11:46:30+05:00

This study investigates how the relationship between work-family conflict (WFC) and cognitive bandwidth (CB) is moderated by gender, family system, employment type, years of marriage, and number of children among dual-career married adults in Pakistan. Cognitive bandwidth is the limited mental capacity available to manage daily demands. In dual-career households, especially in collectivist societies like Pakistan, family dynamics can influence how WFC affects mental resources. However, limited research addresses these effects contextually. Using a cross-sectional quantitative design, 400 married dualcareer individuals were surveyed through purposive sampling. Standardized tools included the WFC Scale (Haslam et al., 2015) and a newly developed cognitive bandwidth scale. Demographic data were also collected. OLS regression with interaction terms tested moderation effects. Family system and number of children significantly moderated the WFC-CB relationship. Nuclear families and more children intensified the negative impact. Gender, employment type, and years of marriage were not significant. Culturally tailored workplace policies should support nuclear families with caregiving loads to preserve cognitive capacity and reduce burnout.

Impact of US Dollar Exchange Rate and Interest Rate Volatility on Stock Market Capitalization in Pakistan: Empirical Evidence from 2007 to 2016

2025-07-21T09:29:29+05:00

This study examines the impact of US dollar exchange rate and interest rate volatility on Pakistan’s stock market capitalization during 2007–2016, focusing solely on annual macroeconomic indicators. In emerging economies like Pakistan, fluctuations in key macroeconomic indicators can significantly shape stock market performance. Despite extensive global research, limited evidence exists on their combined long- and short-run effects in the Pakistani context. The research adopts a quantitative time-series design using annual data from the Pakistan Stock Exchange (market capitalization), the State Bank of Pakistan (interest rates), and international financial databases (PKR/USD exchange rate). Key statistical tools include the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test for stationarity, Johansen cointegration for long-run relationships, Error Correction Model (ECM) for short-run dynamics, Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), and Granger causality tests. The study models log-transformed variables and ensures robust diagnostics through multicollinearity and residual testing. Exchange rate volatility had a significant positive long-term impact on market capitalization, while interest rate volatility showed a weaker, negative effect. In the short run, only exchange rate movements were significant. Granger causality confirmed that both variables influence market capitalization, with 22% of disequilibrium corrected annually. Policymakers should prioritize exchange rate stability and adopt measured interest rate policies to support stock market growth and investor confidence.

From Occupation to Accountability: International Legal Remedies for the Kashmir Crisis

2025-07-21T11:34:09+05:00

This study critically examines the legal status of the Kashmir conflict through the lens of international law, emphasizing the right to self-determination, the role of international legal instruments, and the failure of global institutions, particularly the United Nations, in addressing this prolonged dispute. The research adopts systematic doctrinal legal approach to critically analyze the legal standing of Kashmir dispute under international law. The study intends to develop a legal case in support of the right to self-determination of people of Kashmir and evaluate the degree to which international legal norms have been respected, disregarded or infringed in this context. The study after detailed deliberation concludes that the revocation of Article 370 and ongoing military occupation by India in Jammu and Kashmir violate jus cogens norms, including the Geneva Conventions, the UN Charter, and the Genocide Convention. It not only highlights systemic human rights abuses and alleged crimes against humanity, but also advocates for legal recourse through the International Criminal Court and other judicial bodies. The work underscores that the Kashmir issue should be re-framed as a humanitarian crisis rather than a bilateral or territorial dispute. A forward-looking legal strategy is recommended, urging international judicial intervention to ensure accountability, uphold human dignity, and support the Kashmiri people's inalienable right to self-determination.

Human Capital and Labour Productivity: An Analytical Study

2025-07-22T19:40:29+05:00

Any business tends to improve its human resources in an attempt to get the most of its employees. The major interests of an entrepreneur include long-term survival and sustainability besides the attainment of the corporate goals. This paper aims to review how human capital contributes to labor productivity with particular respect to Pakistan. The age of employees, training, working time, wages and education you want to define are using to determine the human capital, which is one of the independent variables of our research, whereas the productivity of labour is the dependent one. To analyse this relationship, a cross-sectional study is conducted and 40 businesses in Multan are surveyed to obtain information. The paper applies Generalized Method Moments (GMM) approach in the study of influence of human capital on labor productivity. The results of the study showed that the coefficient in the labour productivity and employee education shows that the relationship between the two is good. The coefficient of Employee Wage is 0.006543 implying that the wages has a positive and significantly influence on labor productivity. The coefficient of training employees informs us that when there is an increase in one percent in the investment in training, results in a 0.10 percent increase in labor productivity. There is a negative relationship far as the variable of age among the employees and productivity of labour is concerned. Based on findings of the study the study recommends that both the government and business need to invest more in human capital to enable workers to exploit their talents and become more productive.

Social Workers’ Medical Social Services Units Practices: Challenges and Opportunities to Medical Social Officers in Sargodha Division

2025-07-22T19:52:17+05:00

This study aims to examine the challenges and opportunities to Medical Social Officers (MSOs) in Sargodha Division. MSOs are considered to be an integral part of healthcare system by providing clinical, social and emotional support to patients. This qualitative research was carried out by using interview guide and participants were selected using purposive sampling to assure relevance to the study goal. Data was collected from 12 MSOs when it reached to saturation. It has identifies key themes of Multiple faces of Challenges in Medical Services Units, Trainings or Capacity Building opportunities and Ethical Dilemmas and Medical Social Services Units Practices. It concludes that confronted challenges move around background education of MSOs, lack of collaboration of hospital administration, resources constraints and their professional growth. It is recommended that MSOs practices can be improved through advance training programs in alliance with current needs of the patients.

College Student Suicidal Ideation: Perceived Burden Someness, Thwarted Belongingness, and Hopelessness

2025-07-22T19:54:57+05:00

Students subjected to academic stress, social isolation, and other mental health problems work together to increase the vulnerability for suicidal ideation. Current research examined the burdensomeness, combined with belongingness and hopelessness, serving as a link between risk factors and suicidal thoughts among students. Using a convenient sampling technique, a sample of 522 college students (n=259 females and n=263 males) was selected from Mansehra, Haripur, and Abbottabad. Data were gathered using the interpersonal need questionnaire with two subscales(i.e., Perceived Burdensomeness and Thwarted Belongingness), Beck Hopelessness scale, and suicidal ideation scale. The study results demonstrated that burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and hopelessness function as critical factors that link risk factors to suicidal ideation. Research results showed that perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and hopelessness displayed positive connections with suicidal thoughts. Research conclusions create critical requirements for developing programs that aim to eliminate suicidal thoughts among students. Education policy makers, along with other mental health professionals, should focus on solving problems with burdensomeness along with issues related to belongingness and feelings of hopelessness to support student mental health and overall well-being.

Evaluation of the Career Guidance Facilities in Secondary Schools of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

2025-07-24T11:53:29+05:00

Career guidance assists students in effective career planning at secondary level. It ensures the successful entry of secondary level students into future aspired careers. Therefore the study aimed to evaluate the career guidance facilities in secondary schools of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Objectives of the study were to evaluate the career guidance facilities in secondary schools and to develop strategies for development of career guidance facilities in secondary schools. Study’s design was quantitative nature. Its population was 30439 students. Study’s sample was 380 students, selected with simple random sampling. A questionnaire about career guidance facilities was developed, validated and pilot tested for the collection of data. Data were gathered with self-administered questionnaires and analyzed with using mean scores, standard deviations and the chi-square test. The study found the non-availability of career guidance facilities in schools. Services of trained career guides and assistance in subjects’ selection was not available. Career support, career planning mechanism and ssessment mechanism for identification of students’ interests was missing. The study recommended the provision of career guidance facilities in schools. Trained career guides may be appointed. Moreover, assistance in subjects’ selections for students and career orientations may be provided to students in secondary schools.

Psychological Detachment in Relation with Social Cyberloafing and Creativity among Higher Education Employees

2025-07-24T12:12:42+05:00

This study aimed to find out the relationship between social cyberloafing, psychological detachment, and creativity among higher education employees. Second objective was to find out mediating role of psychological detachment between social cyberloafing and creativity. Employees' various online behaviours have drawn more attention to social cyberloafing, which is the practice of using workplace internet resources for non-work-related, personal purposes. Therefore current study intended to explore social cyberloafing in the workplace, particularly among higher education employees who frequently deal with high levels of stress and cognitive demands. Quantitative research design along with the correlational survey research method was used. Sample of 322 faculty and administrative staff from the Hazara Division , were selected using convenient sampling technique. Standardized measures including the Social Cyberloafing Scale, Psychological Detachment Scale, and Self-Rated Creativity Scale were used to collect responses. Results revealed a significant positive correlation among the three variables. Psychological detachment was found to partially mediate the link between social cyberloafing and creativity. The findings highlight social cyberloafing as a potentially restorative activity that supports psychological wellbeing, social interaction, and workplace productivity.

Muted Voices and Omitted Truths: A Social Constructivist Analysis of Child Rape in Pakistani Media

2025-07-24T12:26:49+05:00

This research study on child rape is conducted from the social constructivist perspective about gender and sex in connection with the dynamics of power relations in the Pakistani social system. The study is conducted with intersectional methodology using the discourse theory to analyze media texts. CDA is conducted through textual-linguistic analysis and the media texts consists of all the opinion columns and editorials about the selected case study. Zainab Ansari rape case in January 2018 was selected for study. Newspaper articles (editorials and opinion columns) were selected for analysis because these texts present detailed discussion (nature of the problem, causes, effects, solutions and value judgments) about the phenomenon contrary to the news items in which the reporter is supposed to maintain neutrality about the factual description of the event. In our reviewed case, the victim girl was raped and murdered but media made prominent the murder more than the rape. Findings and results of the study lead to outline a new theory called Chance-Adventure-Complex (CAC) Theory of Child Rape. This theory transcends existing theoretical frameworks of rape and provides starting points for further sociological investigations in the phenomenon. Findings revealed that media discourses mainly remain superficial and hollow when describing child rape cases. The perpetrators’ descriptive details are dominantly omitted and the survived victims are muted in the media discourses.

AI Driven Defense in Europe: Shaping the Future of Military

2025-07-24T12:38:51+05:00

This research examines the way Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing defense strategies among prominent European players France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Spain, and the EU, with a focus on its military uses. The research confines its examination to state-level and EU-level. AI integration within European defense reflects evolving geopolitical priorities, ethical challenges, and new regulatory demands. Employing qualitative case study approach grounded in Regional Security Complex Theory (RSCT), the research draws on official policy briefs and reports. Results show Germany and France dominating AI defense innovation, while the UK emphasizes ethical AI and NATO interoperability. Italy and Spain are emerging powers with growing public-private partnerships. The EU, lacking military capability, exerts normative influence through regulatory tools like the AI Act. These dynamics reshape regional defense cohesion and power relations. Future efforts will have to be focused on cooperative regulatory strategies, ethically sound innovation, and collective defense policies to optimize ethical AI militarization and strategic autonomy in Europe. Cooperative European defense initiatives and testing regulation frameworks need to be investigated in future research. Comparative analysis with Asia or North America like regional complexes would better convey how regional systems determine AI governance, innovation, and military integration worldwide.

The AI Assistant: Empowering Pakistan’s Teachers in Low Resource Schools

2025-07-26T13:49:21+05:00

This study explores the integration of mobile-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in a low-resource government school setting in Karachi, Pakistan. It specifically investigates how public sector teachers utilize generative AI technologies within the classroom environment. The research is grounded in the assumption that AI remains largely absent from Pakistan’s public education system, primarily due to infrastructural constraints and limited teacher training. As a response to this gap, the study implements a localized AI intervention in the Government Girls Lower Secondary School (GGLSS) in District Malir, Karachi. Using a qualitative case study approach, a field experiment was conducted involving 20 teachers. A structured 90-minute workshop introduced participants to mobile-friendly generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Meta AI. To support continued learning and real-time pedagogical assistance, a dedicated WhatsApp group was created for the participating teachers. Following the intervention, in-depth, face-to-face interviews were conducted to capture firsthand experiences and reflections. Thematic analysis of the data revealed that 98% of the participants incorporated AI tools into their daily teaching practices. Approximately 70% reported improvements in lesson delivery and a noticeable reduction in workload. Teachers identified AI-assisted lesson planning and audio storytelling as the most impactful applications. The intervention also fostered increased technological confidence among teachers, which translated into higher student engagement in the classroom. This empirical case study suggests that scalable, mobile-based AI training can effectively support digital inclusion in Pakistan’s public education system. It highlights the transformative potential of low-cost, context-sensitive AI interventions in enhancing teaching quality and bridging the technological divide in under-resourced schools.

Relationship among Job Satisfaction, Organizational Commitment and Turnover Intentions of Secondary School Teachers

2025-07-29T11:21:56+05:00

This study aimed to examine the relationship among job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and turnover intentions of teachers at the secondary level, focusing specifically on government schools in Faisalabad. It excluded private and rural schools to maintain a clear scope. Job satisfaction and organizational commitment are critical factors influencing teacher retention, while turnover intention reflects the likelihood of leaving the profession. Understanding these dynamics can guide strategies to improve teacher stability and performance in educational institutions. A quantitative approach was used, employing the Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS) by Spector (1985), the Organizational Commitment Scale (OCS) by Meyer and Allen (1991), and the Turnover Intention Scale (TIS) by Roodt (2004). The sample comprised 289 secondary school teachers. Reliability coefficients were JS α=0.93, OC α=0.71, and TI α=0.75. Data were analyzed to explore differences based on gender and experience. Findings showed a strong positive link between job satisfaction and organizational commitment, while both had a weaker association with turnover intentions. Gender and teaching experience significantly influenced these relationships. Enhancing working conditions, recognizing teacher contributions, and providing opportunities for professional growth are vital for increasing satisfaction and reducing turnover intentions

Reconstructing the Past: The Medieval and Pre-Medieval Makran

2025-07-29T22:54:56+05:00

Makran, the gateway of Balochistan, is an ancient land and the only part of Balochistan that has been recorded in numerous chronicles of different times. The region has witnessed several invasions, starting with the Greeks and Persians, and continuing with the Arabs. Interestingly, it has been interpreted differently by historians of different powers. The medieval and pre-medieval Makran are highly connected in terms of discourse. Medieval writings not only sketch a wide picture of the contemporary realm but also connect it to the pre-medieval Makran in terms of socio-economic and political developments. A qualitative-based approach wasas used to analyze the literature developed on Makran in medieval and pre-medieval times. For the analysis of the extracted data, a conceptual analysis was used. The geo strategic and socio-economic realities of current Makran cannot be fully understood unless medieval and pre-medieval chronologies are critically evaluated.

Role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Students’ Psychomotor Learning at Elementary Level

2025-07-29T23:11:56+05:00

The main objective of the study was to investigate how ICTs contribute to pupils’ psychomotor development in elementary schools. This survey-based study utilized both quantitative and qualitative methods (QUAN-qual.), with a sample consisting of 96 elementary school teachers, and 288 elementary school children for a total sample size of 384 individuals. Research tools included questionnaires based on three parts: Part-1 Demographic; Part-2 Closed-ended; and part-three Open-ended questions from sampled respondents. Additionally an observation sheet was used for data collection specific to elementary class children. SPSS-24 was employed which involved utilizing relevant formulas such frequency measurement percentage measures standard deviation etc. thus enabling properly arranged results presented analyzed accurately according gathered statistics throughout this comprehensive investigation into role of ICT in students psychomotor learning found within elementary level environments across identified regions or locations examined by these researchers striving towards optimal outcomes possible under existing paradigms evaluated motivating continued progress forwards moving forward! The teachers and students surveyed agreed that recognizing use of ICT was a valid method. Overall, most respondents supported this approach.

Language as Ecology: A Comparative Analysis of Environmental Narratives in Khan’s Thinner Than Skin & in Robinson’s The Ministry for the Future

2025-07-31T13:05:35+05:00

The research unravels the interrelations between the concept of ecology and language. The study explores the environmentalism in literary fiction. The research is based on ecological narratives in Khan’s Thinner Than Skin and Robinson’s The Ministry for the future. A deep comparative environmental analysis is conducted to explore different language discourses in selected novels . The study aims to find out destructive , beneficial and ambivalent language discourses to in order to mark the representation of ecological narratives in present study . For this regard , Stibbe’s model of Ecolinguistics is employed in both selected novel. The comparative qualitative study is used as research design for following research. Through purposive sampling and content analysis techniques, ecological language discourses are analyzed. The findings of the study shows in novel Thinner Than Skin , destructive environmental discourse is discussed broadly, while in novel , The Ministry for the future, ambivalent discourse is prominent.

An Analysis of the Factors Responsible for Dropout of Female Learners at University Level in Karachi Pakistan

2025-08-01T00:32:00+05:00

This article analyzes the current situation of enrollment and drop outs of female students at University level in Karachi, Pakistan. It also highlights the factors responsible for dropout from the universities. This Study works on primary as well as secondary data. Phenomenological research is carried out to study the trends. Qualitative method is used in this study. Purposive sampling technique is used. This Study works on primary as well as secondary data. Data is collected from the female students Universities through interviews and structured questionnaire. Moreover, secondary data is collected from the university registrar. Obtained data is analyzed through percentages. Data for four years is used and analyzed. This study reveals that awareness about Female education has been increasing over the years. This has led to increased number of female enrollment at university level. However, there is still a very big gap between female and male students enrollment. Dropout rate in female students is more than the male students. Factors responsible for female dropouts includes privilege to male over female, harassment, increase in fee, low income of parents, early marriages, migrations, insensitivity towards gender harassment, increased transportation expense, family pressure, guideline deficit, weak counseling and placement without interest.

Application of ICT Resources by Prospective Teachers: A Qualitative Perspective

2025-08-03T13:36:20+05:00

Research indicates that utilization of computer technology was under discussion across a prolonged timeframe, but there was very little information. The objective of the study was to explore the utilization of digital resources by prospective educators, investigate the role of ICT by prospective teachers, and identify the integration of ICT by prospective teachers. The study was designed using a qualitative research methodology. For the study, purposive sampling technique was used. Prospective Teachers were the population of the study. Datum was collected from 15 respondents using semi-structured interviews, and the data were analyzed through thematic analysis. The research identified that, the utilization of ICT in schools varied. A considerable number of formal institutions used it, while another significant group used it to a limited extent. A smaller number of schools were reported to be fully embracing the technology in all aspects of their operations. With the help of ICTs, students became more involved in classroom activities and their participation in various class works had increased. Therefore, the school administration should provide guidance on the pedagogical utilization of digital tools for effective instructions.

The Moderating Role of Sibling Relationships in the Link Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Marital Satisfaction

2025-08-05T11:10:02+05:00

This study examines how sibling relationship quality moderates the link between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and marital satisfaction among married Pakistani adults. While ACEs are known to negatively affect marital satisfaction, protective factors like sibling bonds (warmth, trust, shared coping) may buffer this impact. A cross-sectional survey (N = 150) was conducted using purposive sampling. Measures included the ACE Questionnaire, Couples Satisfaction Index (CSI-31), and Lifespan Sibling Relationship Scale (LSRS). Moderated regression analysis was performed via SPSS v25. All scales showed reliable internal consistency (α > .70). Sibling relationship quality significantly moderated the ACEs-marital satisfaction link (p < .05). High sibling warmth mitigated the negative effects of ACEs on marital satisfaction. Therapists should assess sibling dynamics and incorporate sibling-based resilience strategies within trauma-informed couples therapy.

AI-Driven Servant Leadership: Enhancing Learning Ambidexterity and Resource Management in Higher Education

2025-08-05T17:56:27+05:00

In this research, the effect of artificial intelligence-worked servant leadership on staff results in higher education organisations is investigated with a concentration on job sectors, work association, and work performance. It also examines how the moderate impact of AI-derived leadership practices facilitates employee work outcomes. Through an analysis of data gathered from academicians on professors as well as lecturers, this study employs a quantitative research approach to assess the relationships between AI-adopted servant leadership model, job resources, work engagement, burnout and job performance. Thus, the findings demonstrate that the index of AI-driven servant leadership positively increases job resources which, in return, improve work engagement and job performance respectively. Further, the analysis of moderated multiple mediator model provided a reasonable result showing that there is a moderation effect of AI-driven leadership on job resources and work engagement. These findings show the need for incorporation of the AI tools in leadership management to enhance the employee’s engagement and overall performance. The study establishes that the use of AI in servant leadership can lead to greater positive results on the employees, meaningful insights useful for higher learning institutions and other organisations willing to create a healthy working environment and improve organisational productivity.

Development And Validation of a Scale for the Assessment of Adjustment Issues in First Year Students

2025-08-06T11:11:41+05:00

This study was aimed to develop a valid and reliable scale for assessment of adjustment that students face during transition from school to college. The transitions from school to college are a major change in early adulthood life, attending new institute is a chance to learn and experience new ways and opportunity for psychosocial development. College life is a new environment for students and it takes time for adjusting in it. For the construction of indigenous scale of adjustment problems interviews with open ended questions were conducted with 30 individual first year college girls in one to one session. After expert validation 36 items scale was constructed with 4 point rating scale. In this current research, Principle Component Analysis with Varimax Rotation was performed on 36 items and 2 factor solution was extracted named academic problems and social problems. This scale has satisfactory internal consistency was .70 and concurrent validity was .58. Universities and colleges should regularly administer the developed scale to assess the adjustment level of first-year students and identify those who may need psychological or academic support.

Assessing Teachers’ TPACK Readiness for Blended Learning at the Higher Education Level

2025-08-06T18:45:29+05:00

Today’s world is a global village where almost everything is being operated with the use of technology. People of today are more technologically smart, advanced and much aware than those of the past. Technological advancement has made our lives easier and education nowadays is quite different from what it was in the past. Keeping in view the significance of technological literacy in today’s world, this study was designed to analyze teachers’ readiness for blended learning at the higher education level on university teachers in the Islamabad region. This study followed a quantitative approach, with a sample of 520 university teachers selected through proportionate stratified sampling, ensuring equal sampling proportion from each subgroup by taking 10% from each group. A “Knowledge of Teaching and Technology” questionnaire based on the seven domains of Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPACK) by Schmidt et al. (2009) was adapted to analyze blended learning readiness. Data was statistically analyzed using Cronbach's Alpha reliability, correlation, and mean. The findings, with a mean score of 4.06, showed that university teachers were highly ready to implement blended learning. The results reflected strong technological and pedagogical preparedness among the faculty. Considering these results, it is suggested that university teachers may be provided with more opportunities to explore new technologies that are integrated into the teaching and learning process worldwide by keeping their knowledge updated on innovative pedagogies which may ensure a conducive learning environment holistically.

Navigating Digital Accounting: Lived Experiences of University Students in Pakistan

2025-08-07T16:16:06+05:00

This study explores the factors influencing the adoption of accounting tools by university students in Pakistan and examines their impact on skill development, self-confidence, and employment potential. The investigation is delimited to undergraduate accounting students across four public-sector universities. With the growing digitalization of accounting practices, proficiency in accounting tools has become essential for future professionals. However, in developing contexts like Pakistan, the integration of such technologies in education remains inconsistent due to infrastructural and pedagogical limitations. A qualitative research design was adopted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 accounting students from four Pakistani universities. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo 14 software to uncover the key enablers and barriers to tool adoption in academic settings. Students’ use of accounting software is driven by perceived usefulness, ease of use, access to technological infrastructure, and availability of training resources. Institutional support and instructor engagement emerged as critical facilitators. Adoption of accounting tools significantly enhanced students’ analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and professional confidence. Universities should invest in improving digital infrastructure and offer targeted training programs to encourage technology adoption. Faculty development initiatives should be prioritized to integrate practical tool-based learning into accounting curricula effectively.Accounting Tools

Guidance and Counseling Services for Students at Public Sector Universities: A Case of Gilgit-Baltistan

2025-08-07T17:15:03+05:00

The focus of this study was to identify, how students of a public sector University get benefits from different guidance and counseling services provided by the organization during their academic life. This research further explored the challenges hindering the provision of guidance and counseling services in universities in Pakistan. The provision of effective guidance and counseling (G&C) services is crucial for supporting students' academic success, emotional well-being, and career development—particularly in regions facing unique socio-economic and geographic challenges. Gilgit-Baltistan, a remote and underrepresented area of Pakistan, presents a distinct context where students often confront psychological stress, limited exposure to career opportunities, and academic adjustment difficulties due to isolation, cultural constraints, and underdeveloped institutional support systems. The researcher selected a qualitative approach for data collection and data analysis, and case study design was selected and KIU (Karakoram International University) was the case. A number of 12 participants were selected using a convenient sampling technique, where semi-structured interviews were conducted for data collection. Through semi-structured interviews with faculty, heads of departments, and students from different departments. It was identified that there is a lack of proper planning, trained resource persons, financial aid, and infrastructure to provide such services. Additionally, there is a lack of awareness on behalf of the administration, teachers, and students. Furthermore, the administration does not pay adequate attention to providing such services. The researchers discussed issues related to trustworthiness, teacher’s attitude towards adaptation to new responsibilities, and the lack of human resources and infrastructure as some of the major hindrances in providing guidance and counseling services. It is recommended that proper planning, training, and awareness are necessary to make these services available for all students in universities in Pakistan. Univeristies should provide such awareness and trainings to students and staff.

Exploring the Relationship between Empathy, Prosocial Behavior and Birth Order among Adolescents and Young Adults

2025-08-08T19:32:06+05:00

This research investigated the relationship between empathy and prosocial behavior among adolescents and young adults, considering the role of birth order. In a world shaped by empathy and kindness, understanding what drives people to help others has never been more important. A quantitative, correlational survey design was employed, and data was collected from 226 participants (154 females, 72 males) aged 13–40 years using a convenience sampling technique. The Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ) and Prosocial Behavior Scale were used to measure the variables. Two hypotheses were tested using correlational analysis and One-Way ANOVA via SPSS version 25. Results revealed a significant relationship between empathy, birth order, and prosocial behavior. However, no significant difference was found in empathy and prosocial behavior based on birth order. An important implication is that early evidence-based empathy training and positive parenting can nurture emotionally secure, prosocial individuals. Future research may benefit from using larger, more diverse samples to validate these findings.

CPEC-Driven Energy and Infrastructure Investments as Catalysts for Entrepreneurial Growth and Economic Development

2025-08-12T21:48:54+05:00

This study is designed to highlight the impact of the CPEC on Economic development through investments in energy, infrastructure, and job creation. Secondary data was obtained from a research paper published by the Ministry of Planning and Development. As the project is in process, conclusive data constantly needs to be updated; therefore, the data used consist of facts as well as hypotheses. This study highlights the multidimensional benefits of CPEC, which will help Pakistan overcome its energy crisis that has engulfed the economic growth of the country over the past few years. Overall, national problems are probably resolved by the CPEC; for example, it will be helpful in overcoming energy deficiency, reducing the unemployment level and hence the poverty level, and improving the living standards of common men by contributing to the growth in GDP. This project will encourage the overall growth of entrepreneurship and development as a catalyst for economic growth. The quantitative method is adopted using secondary data, as the data consists of facts as well as the hypothesis, the interpretation may not provide the result with 100 % accuracy. This will help student researchers and teachers in academia understand CPEC and open new horizons for research. The results reveal that the economic corridor links economic stakeholders within a geographic location, coupled with the concentration of enormous resources and people in the uplift of an area. Society can better understand the social implications of these projects through social reforms. It is recommended that a holistic impact study be conducted to assess the effects on the economy. Expand business and entrepreneurial creations, particularly in the energy sector. Ultimately, it will affect businesses by providing the opportunity for expansion, the government by increasing it in the form of taxes, and so on.

A Conservation of Resources (COR) Perspective on Counterproductive Behavior: The Role of Incivility and Social Undermining

2025-08-12T21:52:04+05:00

This study investigates the impact of workplace incivility and social undermining on counterproductive work behavior (CWB) among faculty in public-sector universities of Quetta, Pakistan. Workplace mistreatment can deplete employees’ psychological resources and trigger harmful behaviors. In academia, such behaviors may impair teaching, research, and collegiality. Using the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, this study explores the link between social mistreatment and CWB. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted with 330 academic staff using validated scales. Proportionate stratified random sampling was applied. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression, with reliability and regression assumptions confirmed. Both workplace incivility (β = 0.356, p < 0.01) and social undermining (β = 0.361, p < 0.01) significantly predicted CWB, explaining 41% of its variance. Findings support COR theory, showing that persistent mistreatment drains resources, fostering retaliatory or withdrawal behaviors. Universities should adopt preventive policies, leadership training, and confidential reporting channels, alongside support systems to reduce mistreatment and its negative outcomes.

Studying e-HRM Practices with Employer Branding: The Mediating Role of Human Resource Service Quality and Moderating Effect of Organizational Commitment

2025-08-16T12:41:47+05:00

The objective of this study to statistically investigate the relationship between e-HRM practices, and employer branding though mediating role of human resource service quality and moderating effect of organizational commitment. In order to keep up with the rapid development of computing power, human resources departments are using e-HRM strategies. Concurrently, employee branding has become an important tool for competing for and keeping top personnel in today’s tight job market. AI-driven HR practices to centralize HR procedures, enrich the employee experience, and boost performance as a direct result of the fast development of digital technology. To investigate the relationships in connection with the purpose matter, data were collected from the operational staff of top two commercial banks of Pakistan whtich were selected with based on its profitability. The cross-sectional five points and close-ended Likert scale was through questionnaire. The Sample size was selected as 559 and responses were received as 313 participants from the population size of 6440. Partial least square structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses by using PLS-SEM version 3.0. The study’s results highlighted that e-HRM practices have a positive and significant impact on human resource service quality and e-HRM practices has subsequently a strong predictor of employer branding, same as the organizational commitment has also subsequent significant impact on human resource service quality. Resultdently, the result of PLS-SEM analysis supports the hypothesis with significant signs of moderating relationship of organizational commitment between e-HRM practices and human resource service quality. The HRSQ mediates between e-HRM practices and employer branding. Further, the study’s findings also help to promote e-HRM practices in the banking sector of Pakistan as it is evident in findings of this study that the significant moderating relationship of organizational commitment on e-HRM practice and human resource service quality. Further this study recommends that that effective e-HRM practices lead to strong employer brands. In addition, the research implements the quality of HR services as driving factor in the correlation between e-HRM and employer brands.

The Indus Waters Treaty Dispute between Pakistan and India: The Role of the International Court of Justice and the Impact of Non Compliance

2025-08-17T15:45:57+05:00

The research paper explores the legal, historical, and geopolitical aspects of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960, between India and Pakistan, especially the methods of dispute settlement and emerging issues regarding its current developments. The paper follows the historical backdrop of the Treaty, its organizational framework, and the arbitral functions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in decision-making, the milestone occurrence of the Baglihar Dam (2007), and the Kishenganga Project (2013). The 2025 PCA rulings are reviewed to assess their impact on treaty interpretation, compliance, and enforcement. Particular emphasis is placed on the issue of non-compliance, its legal implications in the context of the international water law, and the way the latter harms the stability of the Treaty. Through a doctrinal approach to legal research, this paper combines the treaty law, case law, and the international principles of law to assess whether the IWT has indeed solved the problems of safeguarding the rights of Pakistan to water. Research results point to the necessity of procedural shifts, a higher level of enforcement, the strategy of climate adaptation, and improved monitoring by third parties. The study points out that the IWT is an essential template of trans boundary water governance. Still, its sustainability requires relevant parties to conform to the international adjudications and future policy formulations to meet the changing challenges. The research suggests intensifying the dispute settlement schema of the IWT, integrating climate change implications, and developing cooperative mechanisms to monitor water security, peace, and stability in South Asia in the long run.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Business Decisions: A Qualitative Perspective

2025-08-18T15:33:16+05:00

Artificial intelligence is the fastest growing technology of today's world. Almost every industrial or non-industrial sector is transforming its activities towards digital technology named artificial intelligence. This study aims to investigate how artificial intelligence impact the decision making process into different industries, especially in business sectors organization. A qualitative based approach was used to analyze this study. Data was gathered from the prior published study on the domain to identify that how much artificial intelligence is impacting the decisions in business sector. From the findings of literature analysis, it was found that in Pakistani business sector artificial intelligence usage is very minimal as compared to global usage. Although there are several recommendations for the business sector as per the results of this study, the main findings suggest the business sector increase the usage of artificial intelligence in business sector to increase their decision efficiency.

Political Economy and Tourism Policies in the Golden Ring Countries: Comparative Assessment and Future Directions

2025-08-20T19:33:02+05:00

Tourism is one of the most prominent and rising industries in the world economy. It plays a key role in promoting the economy of every nation. Increasing tourism flows can offer favorable economic results to countries, by directly increasing Gross National Product (GDP) and employment. This implies that tourism acts as a catalyst for economic growth. The article aims to explore the political economy of tourism of Golden ring countries. It elaborates the tourism policies of "Golden Ring Countries" and examines the influence of these policies on their economic development. The study adopted a qualitative secondary approach. By elaborating tourism policies of golden ring countries this paper attempted to highlight the need for a combined trade policy for the Golden Ring economies. The main findings from this study reveal that economic growth is significantly driven by tourism development. This study recommends that legislators should concentrate on policies that focus on promoting tourism because of its huge potential across the region.

Blended Learning a Boon or a Bane: Students Perspectives

2025-08-20T19:39:15+05:00

The current study examines the blended learning experiences of the university students from the South Punjab, Pakistan. It also justifies whether these practices are useful in "Education in Emergency" and the other impending threats like COVID19 and monkey pox. The students are both a crucial component and a major stakeholder in education. The study was delimited to only two Universities situated in southern Punjab. Four hundred students (221 male and 179 female) from these public sector universities were taken as a sample. The Islamia University of Bahawalpur and Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan were included in this study. A self-developed Questionnaire on five point rating scale comprising 40 statements was used as a tool for data collection from the defined sample. The findings of the study reveal that blended learning is a fruitful if delivered carefully and technically. Some of the students preferred to learn on campus than online due to lack of facilities, expertise and internet disruption. The study recommends a proper training for the teachers and the taught as well as the availability of the required equipment during such type of teaching learning.

Evaluating the Challenges and Barriers in S-D logic adoption in the Public Sector organization: The Case of Pakistan Railways

2025-08-22T16:19:14+05:00

This research looks into the issues and impediments of the implementation of Service-Dominant (S-D) Logic in Pakistan Railways from the point of view of customers, employees, and suppliers to reflect a whole supply chain view. S-D Logic shifts the focus from goods and transactions to service and value co-creation. Although Pakistan Railways operates as a traditional Logistics Service Provider (LSP), structural, cultural, and operational barriers limit its ability to implement S-D Logic. A qualitative case study design was utilized based on indepth interviews among the three most important groups of stakeholders: customers, workers, and suppliers to understand their views about service delivery and value co-creation. Findings document bureaucratic inertia, resource limitation, and a huge organizational structure that diminishes agility. Workers are resistant to change because of colonial-era HR practices, whereas customers and suppliers view relationships dyadically. Operational inefficiencies, delay, and inadequate coordination further impede adoption. The research suggests reorganization, technology investment, cultural change program, and enhanced operational coordination for value co-creation and service delivery throughout the supply chain.Service-Dominant Logic

Promoting Green Purchase Behavior among the Youth: A Goal Framing Theory Perspective

2025-08-22T16:25:55+05:00

All nations are confronting environmental hazards like climate disruption, ecospheric warming, and other hazards. Ecological deterioration has become an obstacle for the whole planet. Studies results suggest that the main contributors of environmental pollution are unsustainable consumption. In this research we explore how individuals can be inspired to adopt green purchase behavior through the Goal framing theory perspective. The GFT is an environmental psychology theory which motivates individuals to adopt sustainable consumption behavior by adopting its goal frames. In this study we explore the behavior of youth in adopting sustainable behavior. Data was collected from the main cities of Pakistan and were able to collect 485 surveys. Out of these some of the responses were rejected and then we were left with 449 respondents. The survey result shows that the most important goals influencing green purchase behavior were normative goals and hedonic goals. Gain goals was also significant but in an indirect way. Another variable e-worm did not positively moderate between normative goals and green purchase behavior. The study has many implications which are very crucial in comprehending the customer psychology in green purchase intention.

Politics of Reconciliation: The Pakistan People’s Party and Parliamentary Political Culture in Pakistan, 2008–2018

2025-08-22T22:44:44+05:00

This paper analyses the approach to reconciliation of the Pakistan People Party (PPP) since 2008 to 2018 and the effects it had on parliamentary culture in terms of consensus-building, coalition governing and legislative output, and finally what it contributed to the democratic consolidation. After decades of civil-military crises and political hostilities, the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz welcomed the 2006 Charter of Democracy and the conciliatory model following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. The strategy of reconciliation was designed to protect the survival of the regime, uphold electoral mandates and reconcile societal differences, which resulted in unparalleled unity on major constitutional amendments. The qualitative research design that examined parliamentary proceedings, the dynamics of coalitions, and media discourse allowed the study to conclude that the PPP strategy produced broad-based coalitions, higher levels of legislative output, and crucial reforms. Nonetheless, there have been threats since 2013 following populist demonstrations of PTI and military interference in the form of Hybrid model. Recommendations focus on the urgency of broadening reconciliation beyond elite agreements to include all democratic players.

From Classroom to Practice: ESP-based Needs Analysis for Psychology Students

2025-08-25T17:33:29+05:00

This study aims to conduct a needs analysis for psychology students regarding an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) course, and it seeks to identify the English language requirements associated with the professional careers of psychology students and to examine their specific linguistic needs at the University of Gujrat. Additionally, it investigates the gaps present in their current general English course. This study is limited to undergraduate students and faculty members of the Psychology department. The General English courses taught to psychology students focus on grammar and related linguistic features. These courses do not adequately prepare students for discipline-specific tasks. Therefore, a gap exists between academic preparation and professional practice. To address this issue, the study employed a mixed-methods approach. The data for this study were collected by using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. One hundred students from the BS psychology program are selected to complete the questionnaire, and three teachers from the psychology department are chosen for interviews as part of the study's sample. The collected data is then analyzed with the help of needs analysis theory (Hutchinson & Waters, 1987). The analysis indicates that general English courses fail to meet students' needs for using English in professional settings. These courses teach them grammar, syntax, and other linguistic features and do not focus on the specific use of the English language in psychology. There is a noticeable gap between professional use of English and general courses that can be addressed by adding an ESP course. Cooperation between English language instructors and psychology faculty is suggested for developing a curriculum that prepares students for academic and professional success.

Innovative Pedagogical Practices of Secondary School Teachers: Insights into Modern Teaching Approaches

2025-08-27T13:43:28+05:00

This research was conducted to study innovative pedagogical practices among the secondary school teachers like flipped classroom, technology integration, project-based learning, blended learning, and feedback evaluation with limitations restricted to secondary-level teaching. Creative pedagogies play an instrumental role in the promotion of teaching and learning, and their implementation among different set ups is not equal. Methods like technology integration and feedback-based assessment are also on the rise, whereas less is known about the approaches of flipped- and blended learning, which are in need of systematic assessment. A quantitative descriptive survey design was utilised The study was done on 624 teachers in secondary schools by using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to determine levels of adaptation and gap analysis helped to determine discrepancies between the ideal practices and the ones that are being followed. The sample was split into the male and female teachers to determine the disparities that existed on gender basis. The results indicated that the most concerned practice was the use of technology (M=4.72) and feedback assessment(M =4.62). On the other hand, flipped classroom (M = 4.10) and blended learning (M = 4.50) were the least adopted ones. In the gap analysis, flipped classroom and blended learning appeared to be the most mismatched (M = 1.09 and 1.07, respectively), with a little adoption of project-based learning. The similarity was found in the patterns of adaptation and gaps obtained by visual analysis of the data obtained equally among the male and female teachers. The professional development must be aimed at developing skills of flipped and blended learning. Alongside, project- based learning must be introduced more systematically and continue the good practices in terms of use of technology and feedback/evaluation.

Re-Orientalism and Diasporic Identity in Kamila Shamsie’s Churail: Negotiating Exoticism and Rationality in South Asian Anglophone Fiction

2025-08-29T18:23:47+05:00

This study examines Kamila Shamsie’s short story Churail through the lens of Re-Orientalism, as theorised by Lisa Lau, to investigate the ways diasporic narratives represent the East. It focuses on the manner in which the story’s characters, dialogues, and symbolic elements embody and engage with orientalist tropes, particularly regarding exoticism, rationality, and diasporic identity. The study further explores the extent to which South Asian diasporic writers, while articulating their cultural specificities, interact with and respond to Western literary expectations, thereby shaping representations of the Orient for global readerships. Using close textual analysis, the research demonstrates how the short story Churail exaggerates and subverts traditional narratives, critiques both inherited cultural beliefs and Western perceptions of Eastern immigrants, and illustrates the complex construction of diasporic identity. The study is significant for advancing understanding of how contemporary South Asian Anglophone fiction operates within global literary markets while simultaneously challenging and reshaping orientalist imaginaries.

Relationship between Hotels' Service Quality Factors and Customers' Dining Behavioral Outcomes: A Mediating Role of Brand Trust

2025-09-01T11:33:03+05:00

This study investigates the impact of Hygiene and Safety measures, consumer brand experience, and food and service quality on consumers' willingness to pay more, dine-out intentions, and intention to spread eWOM in Pakistani restaurants. The introduction of lockdowns and movement restrictions during the pandemic had a negative effect on the restaurant and hospitality sectors, requiring a change in the way of service delivery. The sector showed its resilience despite the difficulties it encountered, although it needed quite some effort to regain the trust of consumers in eating establishments. This study also investigated how brand trust functions as a mediator. This study focused on Pakistani individuals aged 18 years and above who dined at restaurants post-pandemic. Four hundred eighty-nine (489) individuals participated in the online self-administered survey utilized for data collection. The results revealed the importance of brand experience, as well as food and service quality in restaurants, and they were positively associated with customers' willingness to pay more, dine-out intentions, and intentions to spread electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). The function of brand trust as a mediator has proven to be beneficial. Restaurants can understand the factors that contribute to an improved dining experience. This research will substantially enhance the current knowledge in hospitality and marketing by analyzing the importance of hygiene and safety protocols, brand experience, and the quality of food and service on consumers' brand trust, willingness to pay a premium, intentions to dine out, and propensity to share electronic word-of-mouth in the post-pandemic context.

Asthma Blues: Socio-Demographics as Predictors of Psychological Distress among Asthma Patients

2025-09-01T11:41:49+05:00

The current research designed to investigate the socio-demographics as predictors of psychological distress among asthma patients. Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition which is characterized by airways restriction and has co-morbid psychological distress. The study design was correlational, comparative and within group design. Through purposive sampling, 120 asthma patients were taken from different public and private clinics and hospitals of Faisalabad’s. The variables were measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress (DASS) Urdu version (Aslam, 2007). The data were analyzed using Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient (r), regression analysis and independent t-test. The findings showed a highly substantial correlation between asthma and psychological distress. It was concluded that female, older adult and chronic patients show higher level of Depression, Anxiety and Stress and are the strong predictor of psychological distress among asthma patients. It is suggested that the specific asthma illness be selected for future research in order to get the most precise and comprehensive information.

Effective Workplace Communication: Integrating Soft Skills into an ESP Course for Administrative College Staff

2025-09-01T12:26:16+05:00

This paper presents the development of a customized ESP course, based on a multi-method needs analysis, that incorporates soft skills modules for the administrative staff of the college. Administrative staff in higher education institutions are required not only to be fluent in English but also to possess interpersonal and professional soft skills. The staff are assigned specific roles, including front desk officers, accounts officers, admission team members, and exam coordinators, who interact with students, faculty, directors, and external stakeholders. These interactions need not be solely functional; rather, there is a critical need for professionalism, adaptability, empathy, and workplace readiness. This study employs a mixed-method design, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. Using communicative language teaching and experiential learning theory, the course designs modules that simulate real-life workplace situations and conversations common in the workplace. Findings reveal that professional communication skills and workplace confidence are improved by combining language instruction with soft skills development. It is suggested that higher education should introduce ESP courses that integrate soft skills to enhance the professionalism of administrative staff.

The Role of Conscientiousness Personality Trait and Gender in Predicting Sleep Quality among Elite-Level University Student Swimmers Vs Non-Athletes University Students

2025-09-04T17:12:33+05:00

Personality traits and sleep quality play a major role in the mental well-being and performance of university students. While earlier research has explored the overall connection between personality and sleep, there hasn't been enough focus on how conscientiousness and gender might influence sleep quality, especially considering differences related to athletic backgrounds. This leaves an important gap in our understanding. To fill this gap, this study aimed to explore how both conscientiousness and gender could predict sleep quality among university students, including both elite swimmers and students who are not athletes. The study involved 180 students, with 90 elite-level university student swimmers (Mean age 20.62 years, SD = 2.246) and 90 non-athlete students (Mean age 19.89 years, SD = 1.814). We used a cross-sectional method with self-report questionnaires to gather demographic information, the BFI-10 to measure personality traits and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess sleep quality. The analysis showed that conscientiousness was a significant predictor of sleep quality in both groups. Interestingly, in elite-level university student swimmers, higher conscientiousness was linked to better sleep and the same pattern was observed among non-athletes. Gender was only a major predictor in the early stages of analysis for elite-level university student swimmers but did not remain important once other factors were considered, nor was it major for non-athletes. Overall, these results suggest that conscientiousness is consistently associated with better sleep quality, regardless of athletic status, while gender appears to have only a limited role. This indicates that efforts to improve sleep should consider personality traits, along with gender differences and that strategies might need to be customized differently for athletes and non-athletes.

Bridging The Gap: Implementing SDG 13 in Pakistan: Theory To Practice

2025-09-04T17:18:43+05:00

The world is facing the observable and direct impacts of climate change in the shape of extreme weather changing, increase in global warming and global temperature, irregular precipitation, glacial melt, sea-level rise, higher oceanic temperatures, damage to natural ecosystems, and biodiversity. These all impacts led the global community towards the agreements; Paris Agreement 2015 and Sustainable development goals. These agreements provided a policy framework and collective efforts to secure environmental sustainability. Pakistan is at 6th number in most vulnerable states. After Paris agreement and sustainable development goals, Pakistan also took steps towards the climate change mitigation efforts and introduced policies related to climate change. This Qualitative research highlights the problems which Pakistan is facing regarding climate change and its impacts. The main purpose of this article is to bridging the gap in implementing SDG 13 in Pakistan from theory to practice.

Beyond the Ballot: Inter-personal Trust, Social-Media Networks, and Emerging Class–Ethnic Cleavages Shape Vote Choice in Islamabad Capital Territory

2025-09-07T17:23:32+05:00

This study investigates how interpersonal political trust, social-media exposure, and class- ethnic cleavages shape vote choice in the Islamabad Capital Territory. The analysis is delimited to urban voters and applies a novel Credibility–Connectivity–Cleavage (3C) framework.Political behavior in Pakistan is increasingly shaped by both traditional networks of trust and new digital environments. Social media algorithms amplify identity- based narratives, while class and ethnic cleavages remain salient in electoral mobilization. Examining the interaction of these factors is crucial for understanding democratic accountability in rapidly urbanizing contexts.The study adopts a mixed-methods design. A two-wave panel survey was conducted with 1,200 registered voters (T1: October 2023; T2: February 2024). Digital-trace data from 400 consenting respondents were linked to survey responses to capture algorithmic personalization effects. Additionally, 30 semi-structured elite interviews provided qualitative insights into campaign strategies. Analytical techniques included fixed-effects and instrumental-variable models, supplemented by spatial discontinuity tests to validate causal claims.Findings show that interpersonal trust increases the likelihood of voting for a trusted candidate by 12 percentage points (p < 0.01). However, this effect diminishes by half beyond a 2-km trust radius and is neutralized when pro-candidate social-media exposure is high. Algorithmic targeting magnifies cleavage- consistent appeals, reducing the trust effect to 4 percentage points (p < 0.05) among voters primed by class-ethnic identity. Spatial discontinuity analyses corroborate these patterns, highlighting the geographic and digital boundaries of trust-based voting.The results suggest that regulating micro-targeted political advertising could limit the amplification of cleavage- based divisions. Strengthening offline civic intermediaries and neighborhood-level engagement may help rebuild interpersonal trust networks and foster more accountable democratic practices in Pakistan’s urban centers.

Maintenance of Wives and Children in Pakistani Law: An In-Depth Legal Review

2025-09-08T19:14:46+05:00

This academic review analyses the Pakistani law of maintenance (nafaqah) for wives and children, tracing its historical evolution from colonial Section 488 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, to the current framework under the Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961 (MFLO) and the West Pakistan Family Courts Act, 1964. It synthesises Islamic jurisprudential principles applied by Pakistani courts with statutory text and leading precedents on scope, duration, and parties obligated. The paper reviews key judicial themes, including interim maintenance, annual indexation, discovery of means, and strike-off of defence for default. It also examines persistent gaps, such as illegitimacy, post-iddat support, and practical hurdles in execution, and proposes reforms, including clearer statutory definitions, guidelines formulated for quantum, stronger enforcement tools, and social-policy supports. The analysis aims to provide a rigorous, practice‑relevant roadmap for litigants, judges, advocates and policymakers. This research analyses the gaps between the theory and practice and the enforcement mechanism of the decree for maintenance within Pakistan and outside Pakistan.

A Study on Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy as the Theoretical Basis of China’s Multipolar World Vision

2025-09-09T19:49:23+05:00

This article examines the implications of Xi Jinping Thought for diplomacy as the theoretical foundation of China’s vision of a multipolar world. Xi Jinping Thought adapts Marxism to the Chinese context, combining China’s modernization process in line with socialism and its global vision. Diplomacy serves China's national goals and contributes to the development of a multilateral international order. This thought aims to promote multipolarity in the face of hegemony. The article analyzes the dimensions of Xi Jinping Thought through a qualitative analysis and assesses how it has shaped China’s foreign policy. Xi Jinping Thought underpins China’s major-country diplomacy and consolidates China’s role in global governance by combining socialism and global vision. Moreover, by taking a more active role on the world stage, China aims to build a shared future for mankind, combating hegemonic structures, and pursuing a global order based on justice and equality. Promoting China’s vision of a multipolar world requires developing foreign policy strategies focused on greater global cooperation and equality. Furthermore, the integration of Xi Jinping Thought into a broader international framework can further strengthen China’s global role.

Accessibility Requirements for External Environment, Internal Environment, Building Accessibility and Emergency Egress Specifically for PWDs

2025-09-10T19:40:28+05:00

The current study aims to determine if government organizations in two Baluchistan cities were constructed in accordance with the approved building accessibility code, 2006, given the dearth of research on building accessibility for persons with disabilities (PWDs). A significant percentage of the population is made up of people with impairments, which hinders their ability to move around and utilize their surroundings. Until these people are able to move around and use their surroundings, full participation and equality cannot be attained. The current study is objective and is based on positivism approach. Data for this quantitative study, data was gathered using physical observation chechlist from 53 government organizations. The data was collected between July 2024–March 2025. Data analysis was done using Excel software. People with disabilities (PWDs) can access only 31% of government organizations overall. Approximately two-thirds of public institutions are inaccessible to people with disabilities due to inadequate infrastructure and services. Funding for projects pertaining to accessibility should be increased by the federal and provincial governments. Additionally, teaching key institutions on universal design principles is crucial for successful implementation of accessibility code.

Local Governance Challenge in Karachi: A Crisis of Authority and Coordination

2025-09-10T20:17:45+05:00

This research paper examines the structural and political factors contributing to Karachi’s governance issues, primarily stemming from an excessive number of bureaucrats and inadequate coordination. Karachi, the largest city and economic centre of Pakistan, is home to almost 20 million people. The city’s weak infrastructure and poor governance lead to numerous issues. Despite accounting for nearly 25 per cent of the nation’s GDP, the city is poorly managed and has a dysfunctional power structure. Racial politics and continuous power struggles between various political factions within the provincial bureaucracy are the primary reasons why attempts to decentralise government have not resulted in efficient local management. Among the city’s many major problems are insufficient public transit, erratic water supply, garbage collection problems, and unbridled urban expansion. These issues show how urgently improved governance is needed.

Form as Protest against an Enduring Legacy: A Postcolonial Reading of Khalid Iqbal’s Painting

2025-09-11T18:32:01+05:00

This study investigates Khalid Iqbal's realist landscape paintings of rural Punjab and contextualize them with a comparative analysis of selected European artists, particularly Camille Pissarro, to consider forms of postcolonial resistance. Iqbal's realism in his landscapes counters modernist abstraction, revealing ecological and cultural realities and dissent against authoritarian censorship, highlighting the silenced experiences of rural Punjab. The study uses visual analysis and critical theory to interpret Iqbal's paintings as symbolic resistance sites, incorporating hybridity, subalternity, and cultural decolonization theories, and examining transhistorical cultural politics. Iqbal's realism critiques provincial decline, military authoritarianism, and cultural suppression, highlighting marginalized communities' everyday lives and psychological endurance. His work archives ecological and social memory, contrasting official histories. The study suggests re-examining Khalid Iqbal's art within global postcolonial and ecological art histories, highlighting its political significance and the potential for cultural preservation.

Packaging Information Cues and Willingness to Pay Premium for Private-Label Functional Foods: The Mediating Role of Brand Attachment

2025-09-11T18:51:33+05:00

This study seeks to investigate the influence of packing information cues on willingness to pay premium price, in private label function food context, and the mediating role of brand attachment. Packaging information cues are an important part of the consumer decision-making process. Understanding the relationship between these cues and consumer willingness to pay premium prices is crucial to retailers who want to position themselves competitively while the mediating role of brand attachment in this relationship has been under-explored in the functional food context. The study used a cross-sectional quantitative approach using data gathered from 384 consumers of private-label functional foods using a fully-structured questionnaire. The sample population was composed of consumers frequently purchasing private-label functional food products. Date analysis was performed using partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) by Smart PLS software. The authors concluded that packaging information cues have important implications for consumers' willingness to pay a premium price for private-label functional foods. Brand attachment was found to partially mediate the relationship demonstrating that not only did packaging information cues directly influence price premium willingness, but they worked indirectly by building greater brand attachment. These results highlight the dual pathway through which packaging information influence consumer purchasing behavior in functional food market. It is recommended that retailers use their packaging strategy to keep their own brands competitive. Future research should examine the effectiveness of specific elements of packaging information for functional foods to identify whether certain health benefits or nutritional claims are more effective to trigger consumer responses than others.

Text-Based Personality Recognition Based on User Content

2025-09-13T13:22:54+05:00

Personality recognition from textual data, a topic of growing interest, has gained significant importance in the fields of psychology, marketing, and human-computer interaction. This research explores the domain of text-based personality recognition, focusing on user-generated content to uncover the complex aspects of an individual's personality traits. It leverages state-of-the-art transformer-based models, including BigBird, Albert, and DistilBERT, enhanced with NLP statistical features. The primary objective is to evaluate and compare these cutting-edge models' performance comprehensively, concatenated with NLP statistical features, against conventional methods for personality trait recognition across diverse textual datasets, including Facebook and essay datasets. This research employs two classifiers, BiGRU and BiLSTM, to classify the five personality traits of the Big Five personality trait model using Facebook and essay datasets. BigBird, when combined with NLP statistical features and using BiLSTM as a classifier, achieves impressive F1 scores for traits EXT, NEU, AGR, CON, and OPN, demonstrating accuracies that underline the effectiveness of this approach. The findings show that pre-trained models in combination with NLP statistical features have improved the performance of the Personality recognition model in terms of accuracy and F1-score across the myPersonality datasets.BigBird

Climate Justice and Women: Adaptation Strategies in the Global South and North

2025-09-13T17:55:05+05:00

Climate injustice underscores the ethical and social dimensions of climate change, highlighting how systemic inequalities exacerbate environmental harm. In the Global South, particularly in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, women face disastrous impacts due to systematic inequalities, socio-economic vulnerabilities, and women's exclusion from policy frameworks. This is a comparative analysis of climate adaptation strategies adopted by women in South Asia and women’s climate policy contribution in the Global North, specifically Sweden, Canada, and the European Union. This interpretive, qualitative research study employs the methodology of discourse analysis and an exploratory research technique. The theoretical framework analyzes feminist political ecology, which refers to how gender, power, and environmental issues intersect. The intersectionality theory critically highlights how overlapping systems of oppression, such as racism, sexism, and colonialism, interact to shape social inequalities. These two combined examine women’s participation in the climate adaptation strategies in both regions. It is an attempt to understand in what ways climate adaptation policies can become more gender-responsive and regionally inclusive, and how women in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh experience and respond to climate change differently compared to their counterparts in the Global North. The Global North VS South comparison reveals stark regional disparities in climate policies regarding women and underscores the importance of integrating gender-responsive adaptation into national and international climate agendas. The findings call for transformative policy interventions that recognize women not only as vulnerable populations but also as agents of change by recognizing their active roles in developing, implementing, and driving effective climate solutions.

Terrorism Catastrophizing, Social Support and Psychological wellbeing amongst the Students of Balochistan, Pakistan

2025-09-13T18:10:07+05:00

The present study aimed to address the profound gap in the literature by investigating the relationship between terrorism catastrophizing, social support, and psychological well-being among college students in Hub, Balochistan. Terrorism continues to exert intense effects on the social and psychological wellbeing of individuals, particularly students who represent a valuable and vulnerable segment of society. Earlier researches have examined the consequences of terrorism, but little attention has been paid to its connection with social support and psychological well-being. A total of 203 students (103 males, 100 females) from Government Degree College Hub participated in the study. To collect the data, standardized measures, including the Terrorism Catastrophizing Scale (TERCS), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Psychological Well-being Scale (PWBS), were employed. Results show that terrorism catastrophizing was negatively associated with social support and its domains, but showing a positive relationship with psychological well-being. Social support, in turn, was found to be negatively associated with psychological well-being, indicating a complex interplay between these constructs in terrorism-affected settings. Demographic analyses further showed significant variations across age and educational levels, offering deeper insight into students’ coping responses. These findings highlight how prolonged exposure to terrorism reshapes students’ perceptions of social life and personal growth. The study findings highlight the importance of context-specific interventions within educational institutions that not only address the psychological consequences of terrorism but also strengthen adaptive coping strategies to enable students to pursue academic goals while maintaining psychological health.

An Empirical Evaluation of Technology Acceptance Model in Mobile Devices in Healthcare Industry

2025-09-14T23:18:27+05:00

Digital technology is spreading overall industry with a rapid growth, especially in the healthcare industry. Researcher are globally working on different models of technology acceptance but from the initial day technology acceptance was a dilemma for the scientists. This study aims to investigate how patient trust on the healthcare related mobile applications will leads towards their usage and what is the role of the technology acceptance model in this prospective. Primary data was collected from the 345 different patients of Karachi city who are the users of different mobile healthcare applications by a closed ended questionnaire through judgmental sampling. The gathered data was analyzed by using a Partial Least Square approach with SmartPLS software. The result of this study shows that trust is one of the key factors which promotes the usage of the healthcare mobile applications through the technology acceptance model among the patients of Karachi city. Results also shows that the usage of the healthcare related applications are mainly based on how much patients trust the application. More trust in the result and more usage of the application devices. Furthermore it is recommended to the healthcare sector to increase their investment in the area of artificial intelligence to enhance it accordingly.