The Journal provides an international forum for the discussion and rapid dissemination of research findings in the field of Social Sciences, Physical and Numerical Sciences, Humanities, Life Sciences, Engineering and Health Sciences ranging from primary level to provincial, national and international levels. Additionally, The research invites commentaries and original opinion pieces or analyses of issues and events of concern to the concern domains. Views expressed in the Journal are authors’ views, based on their research works and analyses, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the research itself. The aims to provide a platform for researchers, academicians, professionals, practitioners, and scholars to impart and share knowledge in the form of high quality empirical and theoretical based research papers, case studies, literature reviews, and book reviews. The Journal provides a forum for the publication of original papers on a variety of subjects reflecting the socio-economic, political issues, and sustainable development goals. Areas of interest for the Journal include, but are not limited to, the following Subjects: Business Studies, Education, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, International Relation, Economics, Sports Science, Tourism, Law, English language, Linguistics and literature, Home Economics, Islamic Studies, Geography, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Pharmacy, Agriculture Sciences, All Fields of Engineering and Health Sciences. Preference is given to the contributions based on empirical research. However, book reviews and theoretical articles of immense importance and relativity; and of social scientists are also published. The Journal provides an international forum for the discussion and rapid dissemination of research findings in the field of Economics, Finance and social sciences from the primary level to provincial, national, and international levels. Additionally, the invites commentaries and original opinion pieces or analyses of issues and events of concern to the concerned domains. Views expressed in the Journal are the authors’ views, based on their research works and analyses.
Collaborative Educational Learning Institute
A Comparative Analysis of the Western and Islamic Fundamentals of Economics
Since the rise of the western system of economics there have occurred tens of economic crisis throughout the world. Despite repeated reviews of the system by the World Bank and the other relevant international institutions the condition remains the same and vulnerability of the western model continues rising. The latest but not the last among all such collapses was the one occurred in 2008 and caused loss of trillions of dollars. Therefore, it may safely be said that the western economic system has not been able to provide sustainable solution to the human’s economic problems so far, despite its centuries long trials and tribulations. This fact is increasingly and universally realized and recognized by the leading economists and academicians of our time. On the other side, Islamic fundamentals of economic, tested and tried for over a millennium by several Muslim dynasties and great empires including Abbasid and Ottomans, never posed such economic challenges to the world. Although the decline of these Muslim Empires can certainly be ascribed to the political fragmentation yet not to the economic principles, in vogue, in those vast Muslim regions. Thus, the economic principles and precepts stand today as a beacon as ever before since revealed and recorded in the last holy scripture. Therefore, this article is an attempt to review these golden principles and precedents in comparison with the Western model in order to provide an insight into the unique economic foundation laid by the Prophet of Islam on the soil of Arabia which is arguably needed today to relieve the mankind from the ‘moral-free Economic Order’ comprising over centuries. Keywords: Economy; Crisis; West; Islam; Finance.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dialogue Social Science Review (DSSR)
Silent Hazards: Bridging Policy And Practice In Hospital Waste Management In Pakistan
Over the last few decades, Poor segregation, weak enforcement of regulatory systems and inadequate capacity of the healthcare system to manage hazardous streams of waste have contributed to hospital waste management as a high profile public health and environmental issue in Pakistan. Biomedical waste types are infectious, chemical waste, pathological waste, and sharps waste, which when not well disposed, exposes medical workers, waste workers, patients, and the communities to risks. In spite of the national policy directives in the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA, 1997) and Healthcare Waste Management Rules (2005), organizations obeying it is low and rather disjointed. According to the recent research, the lack of knowledge, training, and infrastructure in both public and private hospitals remains a persistent issue, and unsafe behaviors, including recapping needles and conflating the infectious waste with the general garbage, are still frequent. The level of awareness among nurses and paramedical staff is unequal, and core operational practices cannot be deemed as per defined by WHO standards. This study builds on a secondary data exploration method through which the research critically evaluates the existing situation of hospital waste management in Pakistan through synthesising peer-reviewed reports, national case study evaluation and policy analysis. Problems outlined through analysis included inefficient segregation, inefficient training programs, unreliable treatment technologies and lack of monitoring. The article identifies such environmental liabilities as open dumping and incompetent incineration, and focuses on the occupational risks of health care workers. Recommendations emphasize the necessity to have tighter enforcement mechanisms, capacity building, investing in sustainable technologies and community-based awareness activities. The findings should help guide policymakers, hospital administrators, and environmental regulators to sustainable hospital waste control that safeguards the health of the people and the environment.
Can Taxes Save the Planet? Assessing the Role of Pigouvian Taxation in Addressing Environmental Externalities in Pakistan
The capacity of Pigouvian taxation to internalize environmental externalities remains empirically contested in developing economies characterized by structural constraints and governance weaknesses. This study evaluates the interaction between fiscal policy, institutional quality, and carbon emissions in Pakistan over the period 1996–2024. The analysis incorporates per capita CO₂ emissions as the dependent variable and examines the effects of energy consumption, fossil fuel dependence, renewable energy penetration, tax revenue, economic growth, and government effectiveness using time-series data from the World Development Indicators and Worldwide Governance Indicators. To ensure econometric robustness, unit root tests and diagnostic procedures are implemented to address non-stationarity and potential heteroskedasticity. The empirical model is estimated using Robust Least Squares with heteroskedasticity-consistent standard errors. The results indicate that total energy consumption and fossil fuel reliance exert significant positive effects on emissions, whereas government effectiveness has a statistically significant mitigating impact, emphasizing the importance of institutional capacity in environmental governance. Tax revenue is positively associated with emissions, suggesting weak environmental targeting of fiscal instruments. Furthermore, the empirical evidence does not support the presence of an Environmental Kuznets Curve during the sample period. The findings suggest that environmental taxation in Pakistan cannot operate effectively in isolation but must be embedded within institutional reforms and structural energy transition policies to achieve sustainable emission reductions.
Integrating Narratives and Statistics: A Mixed-Methods Study of Immigrant Experiences of English Language Learning in KPK
This study investigates the experiences of immigrants from Waziristan and Afghanistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan, focusing on their challenges in learning English. English proficiency is crucial for social integration and professional success, but immigrants often face emotional, psychological, and cultural barriers. This research explores how these factors affect their language learning and social integration. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining narrative analysis of 30 immigrant participants' personal stories with quantitative data on socio-economic factors. The qualitative data were gathered through in-depth interviews, while the quantitative data were collected via a survey assessing socio-economic factors such as age, education level, family support, and access to resources, and their relationships with English proficiency. The study reveals several key barriers to English acquisition. Emotional and psychological barriers, such as language anxiety and self-doubt, hindered progress. Culturally, many immigrants experienced identity conflicts that made it more challenging to embrace English. Coping strategies such as self-regulation, social support, and community-based learning helped mitigate these challenges. The quantitative analysis showed that education level and family support were significant predictors of language proficiency, with higher levels of education and greater access to resources leading to better outcomes. The findings emphasize the need for supportive educational policies and community engagement to enhance language learning for immigrants in KPK. Immigrants benefit from social networks, family support, and informal learning environments. By addressing the emotional, psychological, and cultural barriers to English learning, more inclusive and effective language programs can be developed to facilitate immigrant integration in KPK.
The Role of Social Support in Reducing Mental Health Stigma: A Study on Support Networks for People with Mental Illness
This study examines the importance of social support on decreasing stigma of mental health and psychological well-being in people living with mental illness, including depression and schizophrenia. Mental health stigma is a major obstacle to recovery, which often makes people with mental health conditions feel even more isolated, shamed and hopeless. Social support networks, such as family, friends and support groups have been shown to help reduce stigma and ensure better mental health outcomes. Data was obtained from 200 participants (100 males, 100 females) from four major healthcare centers at Peshawar and Mardan, Pakistan. The participants filled out standardized questionnaires measuring perceived stigma, social support and psychological wellbeing. The results showed that the higher the level of social support, especially from the family and friends, the significantly lower the perceived stigma and the better the psychological well-being of the sufferer. The results of a multiple regression analysis showed that social support was a strong predictor of lower stigma and better mental health outcomes. Family support has been found to have the greatest impact in reducing stigma and well-being, and indicates the importance of involving families in mental health interventions. These findings highlight the need of interventions for strengthening social support networks, especially family-based support in order to help diminish mental health stigma and enhance psychological health.
Symbolic Violence and Gendered Aspirations: A Bourdieusian Study of Educational Choice and Achievement
This study investigates the role of symbolic violence in shaping gendered educational aspirations and achievement through a Bourdieusian framework. Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus, field, capital, and symbolic violence, the research examines how institutional norms, socialization, and evaluative practices influence students’ perceptions of ability, subject choice, and career trajectories. A qualitative research design was employed, using purposive sampling to select relevant literature from online digital databases. Thematic analysis identified seven major themes: symbolic violence, gendered habitus, capital and recognition, structured agency, institutional regulation, intersectionality, and resistance and reflexivity. Findings reveal that educational aspirations are socially conditioned rather than purely individual, with cultural, social, and symbolic capital differentially recognized along gendered and classed lines. Intersectional factors further mediate opportunities and outcomes, whereas students simultaneously negotiate, resist, and reinterpret institutional expectations. The study concludes that educational trajectories are structured by both power and agency, reproducing or challenging gendered inequalities. These insights underscore the importance of critically examining institutional practices and socialized dispositions to promote more equitable educational policies and pedagogical interventions.
From Commodity to Provenance: Constructing the ‘Pakistan Origin Products’ as a Luxury Terroir Brand.
Pakistan's finest agro-products have "world-class" quality but are stuck in a commodity chain export model, thereby creating a substantial "perception gap." This mixed-methods diagnosis, by conducting 'thematic' analyses of 47 stakeholder inputs, including a survey of 312 UAE and UK consumers, identifies this perception gap and offers a strategic framework for developing a "Pakistan Origin" luxury 'terroir' brand. Data highlights that there is "baselined" ignorance, a "fragmented" administration structure, and an "enormous willingness" among UAE and UK consumers to pay an "aggregate 40% to 60% markup" for guaranteed “provenance” (geographic indications), 'terroirs &amp; Stories' of provenance, and &amp; luxury packaging. The report ends with the conclusion that there needs to be a paradigm shift from “production focus to ‘brand focus’ in governance” and a “Pakistan Origin Council” needs to be formed to “co-create and manage this identity to convert geographic richness into economic prosperity.”
Relationship between Social Networking Sites Usage and Collaborative Learning Practices among Students
The study titled “Relationship between Social Networking Sites Usage and Collaborative Learning Practices among Students” aimed to examine the association between students’ use of social networking platforms and their collaborative learning engagement. Specifically, the study had three objectives: to explore the relationship between SNS usage and collaborative learning practices, to investigate the link between SNS usage and students’ participation in collaborative learning activities, and to determine the influence of SNS usage on students’ engagement in collaborative learning. A quantitative research design was employed to achieve these objectives. The population of the study consisted of all students enrolled in government schools of District Attock and Tehsil Jand, from which a sample of 368 students was selected using simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, which was validated through expert review and tested for reliability using Cronbach’s alpha, indicating it was reliable for measuring both SNS usage and collaborative learning practices. The main finding of the study revealed a strong positive correlation between social networking sites usage and collaborative learning practices among students. Based on this finding, it is recommended that teachers and educational institutions integrate SNS into collaborative learning activities to enhance student participation and engagement. The study is significant as it highlights the potential of social networking tools to promote active learning, improve collaboration among students, and support educational outcomes in the modern digital learning environment. Keywords: Social Networking Sites, Collaborative Learning, Student Engagement, Academic Participation, Educational Technology. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18590177
Energy Security, Regional Power, and Pragmatic Diplomacy: Rethinking U.S.–Iran Relations
This article discusses the role of Iran in the foreign policy of the United States and why it should be considered as a strategic ally even though there has been a long history of hostility and ideological differences between the two countries. It provides an overview of the historical development of U.S.-Iran relations, noting that confrontation, sanctions, and isolation have not had any sustainable results. The paper examines the geopolitical positioning of Iran, its dominance of major maritime routes, its immense reserves of energy, and its massive presence in the region, which shows that the U.S. interests regarding regional security, international energy security, counterterrorism, and non-proliferation of nuclear arms cannot be met without involving Iran. The specific focus is on nuclear diplomacy, in particular, the influence of negotiated agreements in proliferation prevention and the threat of conflict reduction. The article also evaluates the shortcomings of forced policies and provides a focus on diplomacy, dialogue, and selective cooperation as the means of U.S.-Iran relations management that may work better than coercive policies. Finally, the article concludes that the United States does not require Iran as a partner but as one who has to be considered in regional and international systems in order to guarantee stability and security in the Middle East in the long term.
“Educating Homes, Empowering Futures: Investigating The Impact Of Parental Education On Children’s Learning Outcomes In Pakistan”
This study allows at how parents' education impresses their children's school performance, beside how well they do in school, their interest in erudition, and their study routines. The study employs a special research method that combinations both numbers-hung and word-hung approaches to better decide how parents with more education impress their children's learning. The study appeared at how well students beseemed in school by assimilating those whose parents mastered help with education to those whose parents didn't, employing tests and other ways to means erudition results. The qualitative part complicated descanting with parents and teachers through semi-structured interviews to decide their views, feelings, and how they contend erudition at home. The data were calculated employing statistical methods that aid backup predictions and thematic analysis to descry common themes and how different parts chain. The results disport that when parents enjoy more education, their children lean to charge better in school, are more motivated to master, and enjoy better ways of boning. The findings also disport that when parents are complicated, it aids chain their level of education to better erudition results, which expresses that how parents are commonsensible and bespoke disports a key role in how well their children do in school. This research annexes new information to what is already specified by exhibition real examples from Pakistan. It also contributes useful ideas for people who backup education policies, school leaders, and programs that base on parents. These ideas can aid bust differences in education and buttress long-term erudition success
The Constitution vs. the Evidentiary Exceptions: A Critical Re-appraisal of Custodial Discoveries under Article 40 of the QSO 1984.
It is a study about the deep legal conflict over absolute constitutional immunity against self-incrimination versus the admissibility of custodial interrogation by statute. Although Article 13(b) of the Constitution of Pakistan is an initial protection against forced confessions, Article 40 of the Qanun-e-Shahadat Ordinance (QSO) 1984 still functions as a procedure avoidance by supporting information resulting in the discovery of a fact. The argument suggests that the doctrine of confirmation by subsequent recovery is a long-lived jurisprudential anachronism that squarely conflicts with the principles of due process and the Right to a Fair Trial (Article 10A) under the current standards. Moreover, the paper examines how this loophole in the evidence offers a system-wide incentive towards investigative coercion, and therefore, compromises the very purpose of the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act, 2022. Through the study of comparative jurisprudence and the hierarchy of norms, the article suggests that Article 40 should be left out to provide Pakistan with an order of statutory inconsistency that removes the conflict between the criminal justice system and constitutional provisions. The study promotes a shift on independent forensic methodologies which are focused on human dignity rather than the result-oriented custodial extractions.
Analysis of Departmental Climate, Diversity Equity and Inclusion in Higher Education Institutions
Important elements influencing teacher experiences and student achievement in higher education institutions include departmental atmosphere and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Assessing the current state of diversity, equity, and inclusion in various departments of higher education institutions, examining the unique obstacles faced by staff, faculty, and students from diverse backgrounds in the departmental climate, and examining the impact of departmental leadership on fostering a diverse and inclusive climate were the goals of the study. Descriptive in nature, the study employed a survey to collect data from the faculty and students at Islamia University of Bahawalpur and Cholistan University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences Bahawalpur. The sample comprised 100 male and female teachers and 500 students from the universities in the districts of Bahawalpur. A questionnaire was created based on the study objectives and a review of pertinent literature to gather the perspectives of teachers and students. A questionnaire was provided both in person and via correspondence for data collection from the universities in the study. The responses obtained from the respondents were tallied, analyzed, and interpreted by the objectives using SPSS software. The conclusions were derived from the study's findings, and recommendations were proposed in the form of a novel model to enhance interaction inside the distance system.
Examining the Role of Higher Education Quality in Promoting Professional Mobility for Economic Development
Education play a dynamic role in preserving a strong lifestyle in Pakistan. Higher Education with an unemployment perspective form one of the main origins to generate frailty and depression in graduates in Pakistan. The major purpose of the study was to identify the role of higher education in economic and social development in the context of the prevailing socioeconomic situation in Pakistan. The present study addressed the objective, for this purpose the quantitative design was used. The sample was drawn through a random sampling technique and the sample size was about 600 students from the Public and Private Universities in Punjab and Islamabad (ICT). A quantitative questionnaire was distributed to collect data, the questionnaire comprised two sections main sections, demographic and baseline evidence. After the collection of data through a questionnaire tool, the statistical package (SPSS version 20) was used and descriptive statistics, frequency percentage, mean, and correlation and t- test was employed to draw the results. The findings of the study revealed that education was adequately playing an important role in personal and professional mobility to the maximum output of tangibly contributing towards economic development of Pakistan.
The Role of Globalisation and Governance in Income Inequality: An Empirical Study for Pakistan
Income inequality is one of the most challenging issues around the globe as it affects socio-economic stability. Pakistan like many developing countries experiences persistent income inequality despite growth and globalization. Globalization through trade and investment reshaped the structure of economies, creating opportunities for economic advancement. However, it deepens inequality if the benefits remain in certain groups or sectors. Similarly, governance plays a vital role in distributing the benefits of growth and globalization equitably. Effective governance through accountability, transparency and institutional effectiveness helps mitigate inequality. However, corruption and poor governance can increase income inequality. Therefore, this study examines the effect of globalization and governance along with income per capita on income inequality in Pakistan by analyzing quarterly time series data over period 1996-2023. After order of integration is determined, the autoregressive distributed lag technique is applied for the short and long run results. The findings indicate that globalization, government effectiveness, rule of law and voice and accountability have negative effects on income inequality whereas corruption and regularity quality aggravate income inequality. Additionally, the study confirms persistent income inequality in Pakistan. The study suggests that if benefits of economic growth are equitably distributed, the inequality will tend to decrease once the real per capita income reaches USD 1,400- a threshold that Pakistan has yet to achieve. Based on these findings, the study provides recommendations for policymakers to mitigate persistent income inequality.
Compassion toward All Creatures: Parasitology Lessons from Prophet Ayyub’s (A.S.) Treatment of Worms
Through the narrative of Prophet Ayyub (A.S.), this research study examines the relationship between parasitology and Islamic ethical precepts. According to Islamic tradition, worms lived in his wounds during his protracted sickness, and when they fell, he compassionately returned them. The Islamic concept of mercy towards all living things is shown in this deed. The article explores the biological aspects of wound infestation, such as cutaneous myiasis, host-parasite interactions, and the ecological roles of parasites, from a parasitology perspective. The study highlights how the tale exemplifies ecological balance, patience, and reverence for creation by fusing Islamic texts with scientific material. According to the article's conclusion, Ayyub's example encourages a holistic perspective that views illness, parasites, and nature in terms of biological interdependence and divine wisdom.
علامہ اقبال کی شاعری میں “خودی” کا استعماری تناظر: ردِ ساختیات اور نفسیاتی تنقید کا مشترکہ مطالعہ Khudi in Iqbal’s Poetry under the Shadow of Colonialism: A Combined Deconstructive and Psychoanalytic Study
This study explores Allama Iqbal’s concept of “Khudi” (selfhood) within postcolonial, psychological, and intellectual frameworks. Khudi constitutes the central philosophical principle in Iqbal’s poetry, emphasizing the cultivation of inner strength, consciousness, and moral responsibility in individuals. The research employs perspectives from deconstruction and psychoanalytic criticism to analyze how Khudi functions as a dynamic and evolving system, facilitating human consciousness, self-identity, and spiritual autonomy. The findings reveal that Khudi is not a fixed or complete concept; rather, it represents a continuous, developmental process. From a deconstructive perspective, Iqbal’s poetry destabilizes the binary oppositions and centralized authority imposed by colonial narratives. Colonial powers attempted to portray Eastern identities as inferior while naturalizing Western superiority. Khudi, however, challenges this discourse, introducing multiplicity of meanings, interpretive openness, and creative freedom. It encourages the individual to perceive themselves not as subordinate or diminished but as an active, creative, and dignified being. From a psychoanalytic perspective, Khudi functions as a constructive and therapeutic process addressing the internal tensions between the ego, unconscious, and superego. During the colonial era, feelings of inadequacy, psychological oppression, and identity crises afflicted the colonized individual. Iqbal’s concept of Khudi provides a means to mitigate these effects, strengthening both personal psychological resilience and collective consciousness. Through Khudi, creative and moral capacities are cultivated on both individual and societal levels, fostering intellectual awakening within the community. The intersection of deconstructive and psychoanalytic approaches highlights that Khudi is neither a final solution nor a fixed truth but a continuous inquiry and process of self-formation. It offers new interpretive possibilities for each generation of readers and promotes moral and creative autonomy. This dynamic quality renders Khudi an effective and enduring concept both in the colonial context and contemporary society. The study also recommends integrating Iqbal’s concept of Khudi into educational curricula, workshops, seminars, and training programs. Such initiatives would allow students, researchers, and social thinkers to engage deeply with the complexity and intellectual richness of the concept. Applying Khudi in practice can enhance creative initiative, intellectual freedom, and ethical awareness, benefiting both individual and collective spheres. In conclusion, Allama Iqbal’s concept of Khudi represents a multidimensional intellectual, psychological, and ethical framework that strengthens personal identity, creative potential, and collective consciousness. It serves as a powerful mode of resistance against colonial domination while remaining a relevant and guiding principle for contemporary individuals and societies seeking moral, intellectual, and spiritual development. Khudi thus embodies a holistic philosophy that bridges personal empowerment with collective awakening, illustrating the enduring relevance of Iqbal’s thought across historical and modern contexts.
The Rise of Religious Populism: A Case Study of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan
Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), founded in 2015, has emerged as a prominent force in Pakistan’s religious-political landscape. Rooted in the Barelvi school of thought, the party gained national recognition through its mobilization around the protection of blasphemy laws and the doctrine of Khatm-e-Nabuwwat (Finality of Prophethood). This study examines TLP as a case of religious populism, analyzing how it combines religious symbolism, anti-elite rhetoric, and street agitation to mobilize public support. Unlike traditional religious parties, TLP institutionalized protest politics as a central strategy to influence state policy and political discourse. Using qualitative methods, including discourse analysis and historical review, this research explores TLP’s ideological foundations, protest movements, and electoral performance. The study argues that TLP has significantly reshaped Pakistan’s political environment by strengthening religious populist narratives and challenging democratic institutions. It contributes to understanding the evolving relationship between religion, populism, and state authority in Pakistan’s contemporary politics.
Truth Under Siege: The Influence of Politically Engineered Fake News on Public Consciousness in Pakistan
This study examines the influence of politically engineered fake news on public consciousness in Pakistan. It explores how disinformation shapes political reality, changes people's opinions, and undermines their trust in institutions. The study is guided by Gramsci's theory of cultural hegemony, Berger and Luckman's theory of the social construction of reality, and Foucault's framework of power and knowledge, which explain the social and discursive mechanisms underlying fake news. A qualitative research design was employed, using in-depth interviews with key informants and focus group discussions with politically aware citizens and social media users. Thematic analysis revealed twelve major themes, including the construction of political reality, hegemonic narrative domination, emotional engineering and affective politics, social validation, discursive production of enemies and heroes, the fragmentation of shared understanding, the decline of institutional trust, normalization of political falsehood, silencing, intimidation, and self-censorship, identity-based filtering, moralization of political narratives, and the everyday reproduction of fake news. The findings indicate that fake news actively shapes perceptions, increases societal polarization, and erodes trust in democratic institutions. The study recommends enhancing media literacy, increasing transparency, promoting responsible social media engagement, facilitating dialogue, and establishing fact-checking mechanisms to mitigate its influence.
Eco-Eroticism: Desire, Land, and the Colonial Body in Natalie Diaz’s “The First Water Is the Body” and Warsan Shire’s “For Women Who Are Difficult to Love”
This research explores the relationship between land, body, and power in the contemporary postcolonial poetry and the ways in which eco-eroticism, the connection of the desire to nature, manifests. The research employs the theory of colonial desire by Robert Young and the ideas of transcorporeality and material feminisms presented by Stacy Alaimo in order to examine how women and landscapes have been eroticized and controlled in colonial discourse through the use of desire. The two poems used in the analysis, namely, from “The First Water Is the Body” and “For Women Who Are Difficult to Love”, address the concern of how the texts disrupt colonial and patriarchal fantasies of domination. The research identifies that both poems distort conventional erotic imagery into a form of resistance, kinship, and ecological interrelation. In the former poem, the river is a speaking, desiring subject whose association to the speaker breaks down divisions between human and nonhuman bodies. The second poem is the voice of the female who rejects the efforts to civilize or tame her down as she re-takes her fierceness as a decolonial self sovereignty. By integrating this theoretical method, the study establishes that eco-eroticism is an effective model to analyze the ways modern authors transform discourses of desire, land, and agency, expressing in the end a promotion of ethical, reciprocal, and decolonial relationships between bodies and environments.
THE IMPACT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ON LANGUAGE LEARNING IN THIRD GRADE STUDENTS
This study aimed to analyse the Early Childhood Education (ECE) impact on third-grade students' language learning outcomes in District Gujranwala public schools, Pakistan. It was a concurrent parallel mix method design. The purpose was to explore the how early childhood education influences the language learning in third grade students and also to compare the language learning outcomes of third-grade students with and without ECE. Semi structured interviews was conducted to 5 teachers and two-stage stratified sampling method was chosen from third grade of public schools. The total number of respondents was 400, 200 from ECE schools and 200 from non-ECE schools. Data from respondents was gathered using an adopted English language achievement test. An adopted English language achievement test was used to assess the language learning outcomes of third grade students. For analysis of descriptive and inferential statistics, SPSS software was used. The reliability of the test was .817. The study found that, it has numerous positive effects on children's academic performance, Phonological awareness, Syllable awareness, Rhyming, Alphabet knowledge, Oral language, Print awareness, and, most importantly, the development of sentence understanding and applying knowledge to real-life actions. It also examined that there is a significant difference in the language achievement of third-grade students with and without early childhood education. That calls attention to the impact of early support.
The Role of Hydropower in Ensuring Water Security in Pakistan: An Analysis
This study explores the role of hydropower in boosting water security in Pakistan by moderating river flows, effective flood management, and water storage in reservoirs during dry seasons. The qualitative method is used in this research to analyze the role of hydropower plants in securing water flows. Data collection included articles and newspapers related to water and resources. Furthermore, in Pakistan, major hydropower projects include the Tarbela and Mangla dams, which contribute to resilient water management, agricultural productivity, and climate resilience. Additionally, the study focuses on how Pakistan faces many challenges, including governance issues, policy barriers, environmental issues, and climate change. These findings suggest that they improved hydropower development projects by adopting sustainable strategies and enhancing water resources in Pakistan, or promoting renewable energy targets. The Change in weather, melting of glaciers, and extreme rains disrupt the hydropower system and necessitate long-range water storage planning. The chemicals released from hydropower require modern innovations and mechanisms for controlling them, which have an impact on the ecosystem. There is a need to modernize the system from old to new for the development of energy. The study concludes that hydropower plays a crucial role in securing water sustainability and uses a renewable energy source to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, building infrastructure for advanced hydropower projects for eco-friendly growth and economic development. Hydropower plants can minimize the risk of environmental and climate change issues, and they support irrigation and agriculture. Pakistan can take important steps to overcome water scarcity, achieve sustainable development, and ensure energy security. Keywords: Sustainable development, infrastructure, climate change, water management, Irrigation.
The Growing Burden of Anxiety and Depression Among Young Adults in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
This study investigates the growing burden of anxiety and depression among young adults in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan, and examines the socio-demographic and psychosocial factors influencing these mental health issues. Using a cross-sectional survey of 500 young adults (ages 18-30) from both urban and rural regions of KP, the study explores the prevalence of anxiety and depression and identifies key predictors such as gender, age, social support, substance use, and family history. The results show that both anxiety and depression are prevalent, with higher rates observed in females and individuals aged 23–26. Social support was found to act as a protective factor, while substance use was positively correlated with higher levels of anxiety and depression. The study highlights the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions that address the gender disparities and psychosocial stressors unique to young adults in KP. These findings have important implications for mental health policy and the development of culturally sensitive support systems in the region.
Occupational Stress and Its Impact on Social Life among Police Personnel: A Case Study of the Special Protection Unit, Punjab Police
Occupational stress is a pervasive issue in law enforcement agencies, with profound implications for both professional performance and personal well-being. This sociological study investigates the reasons and consequences of job stress amid police officers, focusing specifically on the Special Protection Unit (SPU) of the Punjab Police. The universe of the study comprises SPU personnel in pay scales 7 to 9, including constables, head constables, driver constables, and wireless operators posted in three districts: Faisalabad, Jhang and Chiniot. A total population of 647 officers was identified, and a sample size of 242 respondents was selected using Proportional Stratified Sampling to ensure adequate representation from each district. The sample distribution included 113 respondents from Faisalabad, 121 from Jhang and 8 from Chiniot. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, designed to measure both the sources of job stress and its social effects. The instrument included demographic variables, Likert-scale items, and stress indicators. The data were examined using SPSS, employing descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to uncover trends, patterns, and correlations. The findings reveal that high workloads, inadequate rest, lack of appreciation, and exposure to violence are primary contributors to stress. Some of the major findings of the study were approximately 70% of officer’s reported feeling mentally exhausted at the end of their shifts, 60% experienced sleep disturbances due to work-related stress and 50% acknowledged that job demands negatively impact their physical health. 83.2% agreed and believed their work stress significantly reduced the quality of time spent with family and 75.2% avoided social activities due to fatigue. 48.4% felt comfortable approaching their supervisors under stress and 28.5% reported discomfort in doing so. It was recommended that regular workshops and counseling sessions should be introduced to help officers develop healthy coping strategies and manage work-related stress effectively. Flexible or rotational duty shifts should be introduced to reduce fatigue and allow adequate rest and recovery time.
Psychological Warfare in the Digital Age: The Impact of Social Media Manipulation on International Relations and Public Opinion
The revolution in the digital world has altered the mode of communication around the world not just in interpersonal interaction but also in strategic behavior of international politics. The psychological type of warfare, which was previously confined to propaganda advertisements on war time radio and undercover intelligence missions, is now becoming a widespread and ongoing aspect of online geopolitical rivalry. The social media has risen as a strategic tool whereby states and non-state actors control the narratives, enhance misinformation, and influence mass opinions across borders. In this qualitative research paper, the study explores the mechanisms, implications, and geopolitical effects of the social media manipulation as a method of psychological warfare in digital age. Case studies, interpretive qualitative analysis, and discourse analysis of documented influence operations form the basis of the study in order to explore the role of digital platforms as cognitive battlefields. The conclusions of the findings indicate that algorithmic amplification, data exploitation, coordinated inauthentic action, and emotional polarization reshape the international relationships by undermining the trust, disrupting the institutions of democracy, and redefining the projection of power. The argument of the study is that what psychological warfare entails in the twenty-first century is informational and not territorial in nature and requires new regulatory frameworks, cyber diplomacy policy and digital literacy programs. The article adds to recent concerns of the international relations, media studies, and security studies fields by locating the concept of social media manipulation in the context of the larger notions of power, propaganda, and hybrid warfare. Keywords: Psychological warfare, social media manipulation, international relations, misinformation, qualitative research, digital propaganda, hybrid warfare. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18809204
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Community Policing in Crime Prevention: Indication from Gilgit-Baltistan
The Community policing has increasingly been promoted as an effective strategy for crime prevention, particularly in regions characterized by social diversity, geographic isolation, and limited state capacity. This study evaluates the effectiveness of community policing in preventing crime in Gilgit-Baltistan, a region with unique socio-cultural dynamics and security challenges. Drawing on secondary data, official crime statistics, and existing empirical studies, the research examines how collaboration between law enforcement agencies and local communities influences crime reduction, public trust, and perceptions of safety. The findings suggest that community policing initiatives in Gilgit-Baltistan have contributed to improved information sharing, enhanced conflict resolution at the local level, and a decline in certain categories of crime, particularly petty offenses and community-based disputes. Moreover, increased citizen participation has strengthened police legitimacy and fostered a sense of shared responsibility for maintaining public order. However, the study also identifies significant challenges, including resource constraints, uneven implementation across districts, limited training of police personnel, and occasional political interference. The paper concludes that while community policing has demonstrated considerable potential in crime prevention in Gilgit-Baltistan, its long-term effectiveness depends on institutional support, capacity building, and sustained community engagement. Policy-oriented recommendations are proposed to strengthen community-police partnerships and enhance local security governance. Keywords: Community policing; Crime prevention; Gilgit-Baltistan; Police–community relations; Local security governance
Feminism and the Family: An Islamic Civilizational Lens
This paper examines how feminist movements have influenced family structures in modern societies. It contrasts these changes with Islamic principles on family life, particularly the concept of hifz al-nasl (preservation of lineage). Drawing on the Holy Qur’an, classical Islamic sources, and contemporary sociological and demographic data, the study analyzes the civilizational role of the family in Islam versus its redefinition in feminist thought. The findings indicate that feminist movements, especially since the mid-20th century, have reshaped family patterns by promoting gender equality and individual autonomy, leading to trends such as lower marriage and fertility rates, higher divorce rates, and more diverse family forms (Open University, 2021; EOOH, 2023; ReviseSociology, 2020). In contrast, Islamic teachings uphold the family as the cornerstone of society, emphasizing stability, defined gender roles, and the continuity of progeny as a divine social mandate (Islam on Web, n.d.; The Submitters, 2023). While feminist perspectives often view the traditional patriarchal family as an institution of inequality (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2021), Islamic epistemology frames the family unit as a moral sanctuary under God’s law, aimed at safeguarding religion and lineage. In this paper, we will explore these paradigms and suggest that understanding both perspectives is essential for addressing contemporary debates on family and social justice. Keywords: Feminism; Family; Islam; hifz al-nasl; Islamic Civilization; Gender Roles; Family Structure; Women’s Rights. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18809234
An Empirical Study of Elementary School Students’ English Language Learning Issues
This study examines elementary school pupils' perceptions of grammatical challenges, vocabulary constraints, and pronunciation and fluency issues as they relate to learning English. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from 517 students (265 males and 252 females) enrolled in English-medium and English-Urdu-medium schools using a quantitative, descriptive-comparative design. The findings show that problems with pronunciation and fluency were regarded as the biggest obstacle, followed by problems with vocabulary and grammar. While medium-based comparisons demonstrated that English-Urdu-medium students faced more difficulties than English-medium learners, especially in grammar, gender-based analysis showed that female students felt these challenges more strongly than male students. The results are consistent with previous research highlighting the importance of affective variables, instructional strategies, and language exposure in language learning. In order to address gender- and medium-specific learning challenges and improve early English language proficiency, the study emphasizes the necessity of communicative, context-sensitive teaching strategies, targeted vocabulary and grammar instruction, and differentiated support.
Stylistic Analysis Of John Keats’s Poem “Ode On Indolence” And William Wordsworth’s Poem “Ode To Duty”
This study aims to analyze John Keats’s poem “Ode on Indolence” and William Wordsworth’s poem “Ode to Duty” from a stylistic point of view. This study consists of Graphological, phonological, morphological and lexico-syntactic features and patterns of the poems. Graphological patterns consist of punctuation marks in the text while morphological patterns deal with form and structure of the poems. Phonological patterns deal with sounds of the text while lexico-syntactic patterns include devices that create meaning in the text. This study will help in revealing the language of romantic poets and also to understand the meaning of the poems. As we know style varies from text to text to create various types of meaning. There is a clear difference between ordinary language and poetic language. This study also discusses which devices and patterns make a poetic language. Furthermore, this study will analyze whether the language of poets in the romantic age was flowery or not as modern poets called their language flowery.
“Exploring The Challenges Faced By School Leaders In Promoting Technology Integration For Teaching”
Using technology in teaching and learning is getting more important as it helps amend the quality of education in today's digital world. School leaders are very important in atmosphere up the right environment for employing technology effectively, but they often countenance several difficulties that can stop this from circumstance. This study allows at the difficulties school leaders countenance when brutal to employ technology in teaching within schools. The study allows at different kinds of obstacles like poor infrastructure, not enough money, not many training chances for teachers, teachers not bastard to difference, no help with technology, and problems because of school rules. The study also allows at how school leaders experience their jobs, the skills they enjoy, and the ways they cue to aid breed a classroom environment that employs technology effectively. The study allows closely at the experiences and views of school leaders to better decide the challenges and details of commanding efforts to bring around technology into schools. These results should aid dopers to what we already grasp about commanding in education and employing technology, and they can aid school leaders, those who backup education policies, and teachers who entourage others in their work. The study casts to aid breed good leadership passages that buttress teachers in employing technology better and cue to better results in teaching and erudition within schools.
Understanding Learning through Gendered Lenses: A Qualitative Sociological Study of Educational Experiences and Achievement
This study scrutinizes learning achievement through gendered lenses, emphasizing how educational experiences are socially constructed and shaped by gender norms, roles, and power relations. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study conducted an interpretive analysis of peer-reviewed literature that explicitly addressed gender and learning achievement. Thematic analysis revealed recurring patterns in how gendered dispositions, access to cultural and social resources, and institutional practices influence students’ engagement, participation, and recognition in educational settings. Intersectional perspectives highlighted that gender interacts with other social categories, such as class and race, producing differentiated learning experiences and outcomes. Drawing on feminist theory and Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus, capital, and field, the study demonstrates that learning achievement is not an individual attribute but a socially mediated process shaped by structural, cultural, and relational factors. The findings underscore the importance of inclusive educational practices that recognize and address the nuanced ways gender structures learning opportunities and achievements.
Trade, Solar Energy, and Energy Poverty: The Mediating Role of Green Financial Behavior and the Moderating Effect of the Digital Divide
A significant threat to sustainable development is energy poverty, which is observed mainly in places where clean fuels and electricity are not accessible. The current paper examines the predictors of energy poverty especially focusing on the contribution of trade openness, economic growth, population dynamics, and solar energy consumption, and the mediating role of green financial behavior (GFB) and the moderating role of the digital divide (DGD). It uses the dynamic System GMM approach using panel data on 152 countries over the period 2000 to 2023 to address the endogeneity and persistence of energy poverty. The results indicate that openness to trade and economic growth have a substantial influence in reduction of energy poverty, whereas population growth enhances energy poverty. The utilization of solar energy and GFB turns the most important factors in alleviating energy poverty and the GFB mediates the effects of economic, demographic, and energy factors. Notably, there is a moderating effect of the digital divide on this broader relationship whereby the influence of GFB on energy poverty is enhanced in the areas with greater digital access. Educational attainment is also identified to play an important role in alleviating energy poverty, whereas urbanization and inflation have minimal direct impact. These results highlight the need to have combined policies that will enhance the implementation of renewable energy and green financial practice at the same time, the application of digital inclusions so as to realize sustainable and fair access to energy. The article is a contribution to the literature in the sense that it brings together Behavioral Finance Theory and Sustainable Development Theory, providing practical recommendations to policy makers, financial institutions, and development agencies to minimize energy poverty in the world. Keywords: Energy poverty, Solar energy, Green financial behavior, Digital divide, System GMM, Sustainable development
Assessing the Pakistan Peoples Party’s Reconciliation Paradigm and Impact on the political culture of Pakistan (2008-2018)
This article is an analysis of how the politics of reconciliation as practiced by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) influenced the political culture of Pakistan in the years 2008-2018, during which Pakistan witnessed the end of military-led governance in favor of sustained civilian governance and democratic changes. It triangulates documentary evidence of reconciliation initiatives such as the National Reconciliation Ordinance, 18th Amendment, center-province accommodation such as the Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan package, welfare expansion, and civic space using a qualitative-historical case study based on thesis research and interview-based enquiry, and triangulates with institutional and rights indicators and theory-directed analysis using the reconciliation framework of Lederach and the civic culture model of Almond and Verba. The results show process changes such as elite consensus-building, constitutionalism, and parliamentary continuity, and little in terms of accountability, tolerance, and citizen trust. The transformation was limited by impunity, civil-military imbalance, clientelism, and information disorder.
Implementation of International Human Rights Treaties in Pakistan: Legal and Institutional Challenges
The involvement of Pakistan in the international treaties of human rights, is a case of a multi-faceted engagement between the international treaties of human rights and the domestic constitution, politics and institutional realities in the country. In the last few decades, Pakistan ratified various fundamental international human rights documents, thus assuming accountability to respect, safeguard, and uphold the rights regarding civil freedoms, political participation, equality, fair trial, and social-economic rights. However, conversion of these commitments of the treaties into practical domestic action is still lopsided and frequently disputed. The article critically discusses how international human rights treaties have been implemented in Pakistan by reviewing the legal position of treaties within the national constitutional order, how the international standards are integrated in the domestic legislation and policy and through which institutional channels the execution of international standards is viewed and implemented. It claims that the problems of implementation in Pakistan are motivated by an ambiguity of doctrines in the context of the local justifiability of treaties, legislative inadequacies, and lack of institutional coordination and structural governance issues such as resource constriction, politicization, and fluctuated accountability. The paper also concludes that despite the reforms inspired by treaty even in places where treaty-inspired reforms are in place, enforcement gaps are found since there is lack of capacity in policing, prosecution, adjudication and administrative regulation, and lack of awareness among the people and lack of civic space. This kind of legal analysis and institutional evaluation going hand-in-hand proves that the mere act of ratifying a treaty cannot guarantee the actualization of rights unless these processes are backed by sensible incorporation plans, efficient oversight bodies and political determination. The paper finds that to enhance treaty enforcement in Pakistan, reforms are needed to make the domestic impact of treaty commitments, institutionalize coordinated action in compliance, and entrench international human rights principles in the drafting of law, judicial interpretation and administrative practice.
Thematic Progression in English and Urdu: A Comparative Analysis of Robinson Crusoe
It is a thematic study exploring the discourse-organizing device of thematic progression in the English and Urdu versions of the book Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. Using the paradigm of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), in particular, the theme-rheme theory by Halliday and the thematic progression theory by Daneš, the study examines the construction and negotiation of coherence in two typologically unrelated languages. An analysis of some narrative, descriptive, and reflective excerpts of both texts is carried out using a qualitative discourse-analytical approach. The results are that English discourse is largely linear in its thematic presentation to provide logical continuity whereas Urdu tends to reorganize thematic patterns to achieve explicitness and cultural reachability. The paper establishes the fact that translation is a process of discourse-level level of change and not a purely lexical replacement process. The findings are beneficial to contrastive linguistics, discourse analysis, and the study of translation because these patterns of research have been applied to the discourse of Urdu literature. Keyword: Thematic, progression, English, Urdu, Comparative, Analysis, Robinson, Crusoe .
Integration of Cooperative Learning Approaches in ESL Teaching in Pakistan: Challenges, Practices, and Pedagogical Implications
Cooperative learning (CL) has been widely recognized in educational research as an effective pedagogical approach for promoting student engagement, interaction, and language development. However, despite its documented benefits, the practical integration of cooperative learning strategies in ESL classrooms remains challenging, particularly within teacher education institutions. In Pakistan, teacher educators often rely on traditional teacher-centred instructional practices, which may limit the adoption of collaborative and student-centred methodologies. These challenges may stem from perceived difficulties related to instructional management, learner readiness, curriculum demands, and institutional constraints. This study employed a concurrent triangulation mixed-methods research design to investigate the perceived challenges associated with the implementation of cooperative learning approaches among ESL teacher educators in Pakistan. Quantitative data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 300 teacher educators across teacher training institutions, followed by qualitative insights obtained through semi-structured interviews with eight selected participants. The findings indicated that approximately 63% of the perceived implementation barriers were associated with teacher-related factors, learner-related challenges, curriculum limitations, and administrative constraints. Furthermore, female teacher educators reported comparatively higher levels of perceived challenges than their male counterparts, while analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed statistically significant differences across age groups. The results highlight the necessity for comprehensive professional development, curriculum flexibility, and institutional support to facilitate the effective integration of cooperative learning strategies in ESL education within Pakistan. The study also suggests the need for further large-scale investigations across diverse educational contexts to develop contextually relevant pedagogical interventions.
Constructing Nature through Language: A Corpus-Based Comparative Analysis of Written and Spoken Discourse on Penguins
This study presents a corpus-based comparative analysis of written and spoken discourse on penguins to investigate how language constructs representations of marine wildlife across modalities. Drawing on seven books (written corpus) and twenty-nine documentary transcripts from multiple channels (spoken corpus), the research adopts a mixed-method approach combining quantitative frequency analysis with qualitative interpretation. The findings reveal significant register variation between written and spoken data. The written corpus demonstrates high lexical density, with frequent use of content nouns such as penguin, species, population, colonies, and Antarctic, reflecting scientific classification and ecological orientation. Verbs such as breeding, hatching, and monitoring emphasize biological processes, while technical adjectives such as genetic and non-breeding indicate descriptive precision. In contrast, the spoken corpus features more dynamic verbs including hunt, swim, fight, and grow, highlighting movement and survival. Adjectives such as cold, giant, hungry, and wild contribute to emotional engagement and narrative dramatization. The unexpected prominence of words like music further reflects documentary production elements. Overall, written discourse constructs penguins as ecological and scientific entities, whereas spoken discourse frames them within action-driven survival narratives. The study contributes to corpus linguistics, register analysis, and ecolinguistics by demonstrating how linguistic patterns shape public understanding of wildlife across genres and modalities.
Use of Adverbs across Science and Social Science A Corpus Based Study of Pakistani Research Articles
This study explores the usage of adverbs in Pakistani research articles across the disciplines of science and social science. Adverbs play an important role in conveying precise meaning and providing a nuanced description of actions and processes. By analyzing a corpus of Pakistani research articles, this study aims to examine the frequency distribution and semantic categorization of adverbs within the scientific and social science discourse. The mix method is thoroughly used in this investigation. Multidimensional analysis tagger 1.3.3 and Antconc 4.2.2 are utilized for tagging and counting, normalization, and dispersion of frequencies in a specified area. The corpus analysis will reveal the adverbial usage in each discipline and shed light on potential variations in their usage. Furthermore, this research investigates how adverbs contribute to the overall clarity, effectiveness, and development of academic writings and the expression of authorial points of view in scientific and social science writing. The findings of this study will enhance our understanding of the role of adverbs in Pakistani research articles and contribute to the broader field of corpus-based linguistic research.
Digital Games and Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL): A Study on ESL Learners Engagement and Motivation
This study investigates the integration of digital games within Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) environments and examines their influence on engagement and motivation among university-level ESL (English as a Second Language) learners. In the context of rapid technological advancement in education, digital game-based learning has emerged as a promising pedagogical approach that promotes interactive, immersive, and low-anxiety learning experiences. Grounded in motivational theory, learner engagement theory, and Krashen’s Affective Filter Hypothesis, the study explores how game-based CALL activities shape learners’ emotional responses, behavioral participation, and cognitive involvement in language learning tasks. Adopting a qualitative phenomenological design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 undergraduate ESL students aged 18–20 who had prior exposure to game-based CALL sessions. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis, which revealed several interconnected themes, including increased intrinsic motivation, enhanced behavioral and emotional engagement, improved communication confidence, and strengthened peer collaboration. Participants consistently reported that digital games made English learning more enjoyable, reduced fear of making mistakes, and encouraged active participation during classroom activities. The findings suggest that integrating digital games into CALL environments significantly contributes to sustained learner interest and positive classroom dynamics. While minor challenges such as technical issues were reported, the overall impact of game-based CALL was perceived as highly beneficial. The study highlights the pedagogical potential of digital games in fostering learner-centered, engaging, and motivating ESL instruction in higher education contexts.
The Hindu Shahi of Chronicles: The Evolution of a Historical Identity in South Asia
This paper gives a critical overview of the historical underpinning of the so-called Hindu Shahi dynasty by examining the well-known related chronicles and their consumption in its development. Hindu Shahi, a dynasty, historically known for their battles with the Ghaznavids invasions of India in early 11th Century, leading to their decline. According to Al-Biruni, a Muslim scholar of Indology (circa 1030 CE), they governed regions including the modern Kabul Valley and the Vale of Peshawar. He recorded them as “Indian Shahi”. According to a mid-12th-century account by Kalhana of Kashmir in Rajatarangini, they are referred to as the “Shahis of Udhabanda”, modern town of Hund on the Indus River in the Vale of Peshawar. There does not seem any rigorous scrutiny ever employed to the overall interpretation issues and their understanding in the this regard. These are the very concerns that could have been developed under the then theoretical concepts of archaeology and potentially needs realignment in the present understanding of the period. Keywords: Hindu Shahi, Ghaznavid, Odi Shahi, Turki Shahi, History of Pakistan, Hund, Kalhana, Rajatarangini, Al-Biruni. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18659650
A Workforce Demographic Profile of Para-Medical Personnel in Pakistan: Age, Gender, Education, Specialization, Experience, Salary, and Family Characteristics
Para-medical workers are an important part of the healthcare systems, especially in developing nations where allied health workers are maintaining vital diagnostics and therapeutic services. With all the centrality, limited studies have been conducted on thorough demographic profiling of para-medical staff in Pakistan. This research was an attempt to give a systematic workforce demographics of para-medical staff employed in healthcare facilities in Pakistan. Data collection was done on 2,000 para-medical professionals by using a cross-sectional descriptive research design. Demographic factors divided into age, gender, educational level, specialization, work experience, wage scale, and marital status. The descriptive statistics were calculated to analyze the workforce composition. Findings showed that the workforce consisted mostly of young-to-mid career workers with almost half of the participants forming a central age distribution and equal gender balance. Most of the them possessed diploma or professional technical qualifications with a relatively small number possessed higher academic qualifications. The distribution of work experience indicated that workers were concentrated between early and middle career stages and their salary results indicated a moderate-income distribution that has few prospects of financial growth. A majority of the participants (more than half of the participants) were married and with family obligations. The results present the background workforce information that guides the human resource planning, compensation policy, educational development pathways, and future occupational health studies in the healthcare sector of Pakistan.
The Influence of Attachment Styles and Communication Patterns on Marital Satisfaction
This study examined whether communication patterns explain how insecure attachment relates to marital satisfaction among Pakistani married adults. Using a cross-sectional design, 160 married adults (age range = 20–53 years) completed the Experiences in Close Relationships–Short Form (ECR-S), the Communication Patterns Questionnaire–Short Form (CPQ-SF), and the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale. Pearson correlations, multiple regression, and mediation analyses (Hayes PROCESS Model 4 with 5,000 bootstrap resamples) were conducted. Insecure attachment was associated with lower marital satisfaction and lower positive interaction. Positive interaction significantly mediated the association between insecure attachment and marital satisfaction (indirect effect = −0.32, 95% bootstrap CI [−0.44, −0.22]). In contrast, demand/withdraw communication did not carry a significant indirect effect because insecure attachment was not a reliable predictor of demand/withdraw in this sample (indirect effect = −0.01, 95% bootstrap CI [−0.05, 0.01]). Findings highlight the practical value of strengthening constructive couple communication, especially in collectivistic settings where relationship processes are embedded within broader family systems. The study contributes culturally relevant insights into relationship dynamics in South Asian societies and offers empirical guidance for developing attachment-informed marital interventions tailored to collectivist contexts.
From Cradle to Connection: Parenting Styles as Predictors of Need to Belong and Perception of Love in Young Adults
The present study investigated the relationships between perceived parenting styles, need to belong, and perception of love among young adults in committed romantic relationships in Pakistan. A correlational cross-sectional research design was employed, and data were collected from a purposive sample of 174 adults recruited from Lahore, Karachi, Hyderabad, and Mirpurkhas. Participants completed the Revised Perceived Parenting Styles Scale, the Need to Belong Scale, and the Perception of Love and Sex Scale. Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, and hierarchical regression analyses with Sobel z-test were conducted. Results indicated that authoritative parenting was positively associated with need to belong and perception of love, whereas authoritarian parenting demonstrated significant negative associations with both outcomes. Permissive parenting was not significantly associated with either variable. Need to belong emerged as a full mediator of the relationships between both authoritative and authoritarian parenting and perception of love. Findings underscore the enduring influence of early caregiving experiences on adult relational functioning within the Pakistani cultural context.