International Journal of Social Sciences Bulletin
International Journal of Social Sciences Bulletin {IJSSB} ISSN (E) 3007-1917 (P) 3007-1909, is a multidisciplinary, open-access, and quarterly journal. The IJSSB is published by the Institute for Excellence in Education and Research (IEER), duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) under registration number 0224595. The IJSSB is committed to completing the double-blind peer-review process within one month and informing the author(s) accordingly. IJSSB aims at wide circulation and visibility in social sciences. IJSSB upholds rigorous standards of excellence. The respective authors hold copyrights of all content published in the journal.
Institute for Excellence in Education & Research
PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND EDUCATIONAL QUALITY: A SWOT ANALYSIS FROM RURAL PUNJAB, PAKISTAN
School privatization has emerged as a major education policy strategy in Pakistan, particularly in Punjab, where thousands of public schools have been shifted to private management under Public–Private Partnership (PPP) models. While privatization is often justified as a mechanism to improve efficiency, infrastructure, and learning outcomes, concerns remain regarding equity, affordability, and the actual quality of education delivered at the primary level. This study examined the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of privatizing public primary schools in Tehsil Pindi Bhattian, District Hafizabad, with a specific focus on educational quality. A quantitative descriptive survey design was employed. Data were collected from 112 teachers working in Punjab Education Commission (PEC) schools selected from a total population of 156 teachers. A structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale was used, and the instrument demonstrated acceptable reliability. Findings revealed that inappropriate student–teacher ratio (Mean = 3.61), commercialization of education (Mean = 3.64), and low teacher performance (Mean = 3.62) were major drivers of privatization. Teachers also identified better performance of private schools and improved market responsiveness as key strengths, while affordability concerns and social inequality were perceived as major threats. The study concludes that privatization may improve operational efficiency and school performance; however, without strong regulation and equity safeguards, it risks widening educational disparities. Policymakers must ensure that quality improvement does not compromise universal access to primary education.
Privatization, Public schools, Quality of education, Funding constraints, Government educational policies
Copyright (c) 2026 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
ASSESSING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON CEREAL CROP PRODUCTION IN PAKISTAN
This paper endeavors at analyzing the effect of climate change on cereal crop production in Pakistan in 1990-2024 with a particular focus on the contribution of temperature, precipitation, CO₂ emissions and extreme flood events. Wheat is the staple cereal crop and is sensitive to climate extremes and forms a vital part of the country's food security. The study uses Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) to analyze not only the long run relationships but also the short run relationships between climate variables and wheat yield. The results show that there is a high long-term cointegration relationship between the variables of climate and wheat production. The results indicate that the effect of flood event on wheat production is quite negative, whereas the CO₂ emissions have positive fertilization effect in the short term. The positive effect is, however, not the whole story and does not outweigh the overall negative effects of climate change. The study concludes that climate change, especially in the form of extreme weather shocks, is a big challenge for wheat productivity in Pakistan. It calls for specific policy interventions to boost climate resilience, strengthen water management systems, and increase the support for farmers to safeguard food security and rural livelihoods in a climate-driven environment of greater adversity.
Climate Change, Cereal Crops Production, Heat-Precipitation-CO2 Emissions, Food Policy, Times Series Analysis, Pakistan, JEL Codes: Q54, Q10, Q18, C32, O13
ASSESSMENT OF INPUT QUALITY IN SPECIAL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS OF PUNJAB: A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
Although recent years have seen global attention on inclusive education, quality assessment remains understudied in context of special education institutions in developing countries. This study measures the quality of input in special education institutions across the Punjab, Pakistan. It comprised five major indicators of quality as including learners’ characteristics, human resources, infrastructure, teaching materials, and curriculum. This study adopts a quantitative approach, with a questionnaire based on UNESCO's quality education model, surveying special education teachers in Punjab. A multistage stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 360 teachers from 36 institutions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, and one-way ANOVA in SPSS. Results show that, overall, input quality is at moderate to unsatisfactory levels, mainly due to resource and institutional support constraints. Although gender, qualification, teaching experience and designation had no impact on teachers' perceptions, workload was a significant predictor in all aspects of input quality. These results indicate that quality deficiencies are systemically rather than individually driven, with policy implications for resource allocation, workload alleviation and systemic support for effective and inclusive special education programs in Punjab.
quality, special education, Punjab, quantitative study
PREVALENCE OF RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL PARANORMAL BELIEFS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
A quantitative analysis of paranormal beliefs among university students in Pakistan was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of these beliefs, and to compare male and female students on the basis of their beliefs in cultural and religious paranormal phenomena. A sample of 500 students from the University of Gujrat, Pakistan was administered the 35-item Religious and Cultural Paranormal Beliefs Scale to collect data. A cross-sectional design with a convenience sample method of data collection and the use of SPSS to analyse the data revealed that 89.6% of the students had some level of belief in the paranormal, and that 55.6% of the subjects had moderate paranormal beliefs, while 34% of the students had either strong or very strong beliefs. While independent t-tests revealed that there were significant differences between boys and girls on the total measure of paranormal beliefs (p = .002) and on the cultural dimension of paranormal beliefs (p = .001); there were no significant differences between boys and girls on the religious dimension of paranormal beliefs (p = .215) indicating that the girls and boys in the sample had a similar worldview regarding religion. The existence of paranormal beliefs at the university level in Pakistan illustrates the strength of academic belief systems involving paranormal constructs. Furthermore, the results of this study show the relationship between religious doctrine and cultural mysticism in Pakistan.
Religious and cultural paranormal beliefs, gender differences, cultural competency, human experiences.
CENTRALIZED DECISION MAKING: A MAJOR CAUSE OF EMPLOYEES’ DEMOTIVATION
The purpose of this study is to find out such a management style, which is mutually beneficial both for the management and employees of the selected organization. Both have complaints against each other. Management has reservations about the working criteria of employees while the major criticism of the employees is on the centralized decision making process of the management and also on the biased behavior and organizational injustice. Due to these complaints, employees are demotivated and dissatisfied.
Centralized Decision Making, De-motivation, Dissatisfaction, Bias, Management Levels
PATHOLOGY, POWER AND RESISTANCE: A FOUCAULDIAN DISCURSIVE ANALYSIS OF INFECTION IN SHAH’S BEFORE SHE SLEEPS
This research provides a critical interrogation of Bina Shah’s Before She Sleeps (2018) through the theoretical lenses of Foucauldian Biopower and the Medical Gaze. It contends that the novel’s central 'infection' functions not merely as a narrative device, but as a sophisticated dispositif as a pathological pretext that legitimizes the state of Green City’s transition into a totalizing biocracy. By conducting a Foucauldian Discourse Analysis of the 'TalkBots' as digitized instruments of panoptic surveillance and examining the 'Agency’s' clinical rhetoric, this study demonstrates how the female anatomy is systematically stripped of political agency and reconfigured as a site of biological emergency. Furthermore, the research utilizes the concept of Heterotopia to reframe the 'Panah.' The current research argues that the Panah functions as a heterotopic site where the reclaiming of non-productive conditions, such as sleep challenges, the state's monopoly over its citizen-subjects' biopolitical power. The research ultimately makes an important contribution to the body of dystopian South Asian literary studies through the revelation of the transition from religion-based to secular medical control of women
Pakistani literature, post-structuralism, biopower, medical gaze, digital panopticon, heterotopia, dispositive
EXPLORING SECURITY RISKS AND PRESS FREEDOM CHALLENGES FOR JOURNALISTS IN PAKISTAN
This study examines the varied security challenges confronted by journalists in Pakistan, indicating how censorship extrinsic pressures, and the misuse of regulatory frameworks sabotage press freedom. Using a qualitative research design, the study frames in-depth interviews with journalists to explore their experiences. Findings show that journalists routinely encounter censorship, particularly when reporting on national security, political corruption, or organized crime. Such reporting often exposes them to anger, threats, and life-endangering situations, especially for field reporters who receive borderline institutional protection. Respondents emphasized that legal instruments such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, though intended to curb unethical journalistic practices, and are frequently weaponized through defamation charges to silence critical voices. This legal misuse contributes to a scary effect on investigative journalism and respondents verbalized concern about growing bias within mainstream media, driven by organizational interests and political association, which further damage objectivity and public trust while citizen journalism offers an alternative approach for independent reporting, it lacks structural support and carries important safety risks. The study tells that without wide-ranging reforms to strengthen legal protections and address institutional weaknesses, the future of independent and ethical journalism remains uncertain.
Security, Challenges, Journalists, Pakistan, Targeted, Freedom
INTEGRATION OF EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INTO SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULA: A REVIEW OF PEDAGOGICAL APPROACHES, TEACHER PREPAREDNESS, STUDENT ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS, BEHAVIORAL CHANGE OUTCOMES, AND CROSS-NATIONAL POLICY FRAMEWORKS
The growing global concerns about climate change, environmental sustainability, and sustainable social development have made Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) a crucial part of secondary school curriculum reform. With a focus on pedagogical strategies, teacher readiness, student environmental awareness, behavioural change outcomes, and cross-national policy frameworks, this systematic review investigated the incorporation of ESD into secondary school curricula. 45 studies published between 2015 and 2025 that were gathered from databases such Scopus, ERIC, Springer, Taylor & Francis, Frontiers, MDPI, and Google Scholar were examined using the PRISMA framework. The results showed that 55.6% of the chosen papers were published between 2021 and 2025, demonstrating a sharp increase in sustainability education research after the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were put into effect. The two regions that produced the most studies were Asia (35.6%) and Europe (28.9%). The most popular ESD strategy was multidisciplinary curricular integration (40.0%), which was followed by project-based learning (24.4%). To improve experiential learning and sustainability competencies, participatory and transformative pedagogies, such as community-based initiatives (28.9%) and outdoor learning (26.7%), were commonly used. Continuous professional development was shown to be the key tactic for enhancing sustainability teaching methods in 40% of the studies, indicating that teacher readiness continued to be a crucial element impacting ESD adoption. The review also demonstrated that ESD improved students' civic involvement, recycling habits, waste reduction strategies, environmental knowledge, and climate literacy. The most significant worldwide policy frameworks directing curriculum improvements for sustainability have been identified as SDG 4.7 and UNESCO initiatives. Effective ESD integration was however hampered by implementation issues such scarce resources, inadequate monitoring systems, and uneven regional support. Overall, the study shows that ESD considerably raises secondary school students' awareness of sustainability and encourages pro-environmental behaviour. It also emphasizes the necessity of greater institutional support, interdisciplinary curriculum changes, and sustained policy commitment for successful sustainability education
Behavioral Change, policy frame work, sustainability education, teacher preparedness, interdisciplinary learning, participatory pedagogies, sustainability literacy, curriculum integration
PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE UPON STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS AT HYDERABAD, SINDH, PAKISTAN: AN ANALYSIS OF CHILD PROTECTION AUTHORITY ACT 2011
Psychological or emotional abuse is one of the major types of child abuse. It is usually observed to be done upon children by parents, teachers, fellows, relatives and family members at Home, School and in streets, shops etc. Abuse of which children are victims, is divided into three major types each of them has its own subtypes i.e. Physical Abuse, Psychological Abuse and Sexual Abuse. There have been made many laws to control child abuse by International, National and Provincial Legislatures but unfortunately, awareness about this type of abuse is still lacking. In schools, like Primary and Secondary, a ratio of 5 to 15 years old students get education who are said to be the future of the nation and most of the Psychological Abuse is observed to be done there upon such students. In Sindh, there are Government and Private Primary and Secondary Schools in which approximately 2.9 million students are enrolled, according to a report published in The Nation newspaper in 2020, who are vulnerable to this kind of abuse. This research paper is based upon analysis of the Child Protection Authority Act 2011 in order to address this type of abuse and to suggest and recommend basic reformations and amendments to be made in concerned Policies and Laws.
CULTURAL ADAPTATION OF AN INTERVENTION MANUAL FOR INDIVIDUALS AT RISK OF FIRST EPISODE PSYCHOSIS: STUDY FROM PAKISTAN
Background: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based intervention for individuals at at-risk of developing First Episode Psychosis (FEP). However, most CBT protocols have been developed in high-income countries and may not be directly transferable to low- and middle-income country (LMIC) contexts such as Pakistan, where cultural explanatory models, family systems, and health service structures differ substantially. Aim: This study culturally adapted an existing CBT manual for individuals at risk of FEP in Pakistan using structured existing evidence based multi-stage adaptation framework including. Methods: A qualitative, multi-stage study design was employed, guided by a structured four-stage cultural adaptation framework and prior CBT adaptation work in Pakistan. Stage 1 involved literature review and qualitative exploration through focus groups with individuals at risk, caregivers, mental health professionals, and community/religious stakeholders. Stage 2 focused on developing structured adaptation guidance. Stage 3 involved translation and iterative cultural adaptation of the manual across domains of language, concepts, communication, content, and cultural norms. Stage 4 evaluated the adapted intervention through a feasibility randomised controlled trial (n = 36). Results: The adaptation process resulted in systematic modifications across five domains: language, conceptual framework, communication style, intervention content, and cultural norms. Key adaptations included simplification of terminology, use of culturally acceptable and non-stigmatising language, integration of psychosocial and spiritual explanatory models, incorporation of family systems into intervention delivery, and development of culturally relevant case vignettes. The intervention structure was streamlined from to 12 core sessions with a booster session to enhance feasibility. Findings from the feasibility trial indicated that the adapted intervention was acceptable and feasible, with good engagement, retention, and positive feedback from participants and therapists. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that CBT for individuals at risk of psychosis can be systematically and meaningfully adapted for the Pakistani context without compromising core therapeutic principles. The adapted CBT-ARMS manual is culturally relevant, feasible, and acceptable, providing a strong foundation for future fully powered trials and potential implementation in similar LMIC settings
Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Cultural adaptation, At risk mental state, first episode psychosis, Pakistan
DOUBLE COLONIZATION IN MOTH SMOKE: THE ELITE’S EXPLOITATION OF MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
This research explores the idea of double colonization in Mohsin Hamid’s novel Moth Smoke. It expands and redefines the term to show how people in a postcolonial country are first ruled by colonizers, and later by their own powerful elites. These local elites take control and continue the same systems of oppression after independence. This study adopts a qualitative literary approach grounded in postcolonial theory and ecocriticism. It also introduces the term “brown masters” to describe native elites who act like the former colonizers. The analysis looks at how Hamid shows class differences, social rejection, and damage to the environment. These problems are presented as linked results of elite control. The study focuses on themes, character actions, and symbols in the novel. It argues that Moth Smoke gives a strong critique of power in postcolonial societies. These power systems continue to cause both inequality and environmental harm. This study brings together ideas from both postcolonial theory and environmental studies. It adds a new view of double colonization in the South Asian context.
Double Colonization, Postcolonial Theory, Ecocriticism, Brown Masters, Mohsin Hamid
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN LINKING GREEN FINANCE, DIGITALIZATION, AND SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PERFORMANCE OF SMES IN EMERGING ECONOMIES
This study investigates the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in linking Green Finance, Digitalization, and Sustainable Business Performance (SBP) among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies like Pakistan. It examines in depth the direct and mediating relationships among the selected variables green finance, digitalization, CSR, and SBP, with a clear focus on how the combined effect of these factors can boost the sustainability and distinct competitiveness of SMEs. In order to collect data from 250 SMEs, the research used a structured questionnaire survey from different targeted sectors. The main focus was to test direct and indirect relations among all selected variables; we used structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS-4 and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The outcomes point out that green finance has a positive influence on CSR, but it does not have a direct, noteworthy impact on sustainable business performance. Digitalization to some extent, has a stronger positive influence on both CSR and SBP, emphasizing its critical role in refining operational efficiency and market competitiveness. CSR was found out to be important factor in improving CSR practices, but did not markedly mediate the relationship between green finance, digitalization, and SBP. These results suggest that while green finance and digitalization are key drivers of sustainability in SMEs, the combination of CSR practices requires further development to translate these practices into measurable financial outcomes. In this study, an impactful contribution has been made to the literature on sustainable business practices in SMEs, giving powerful insights and advice for SME owners, policymakers, and financial institutions to enhance sustainability through better integration of green finance, digital tools, and CSR. Above all, this research work supports the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Digitalization, green finance, CSR activities, sustainable business performance, SMEs, PLS-SEM
THE PREVENTION OF ELECTRONIC CRIMES ACT (PECA) AND DIGITAL NEWS REPORTING IN PAKISTAN
Initially passed in 2016 as among the most effective tools of media control, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 has proven to be one of the most influential tools of media control in Pakistan. The article reports on a primary field survey of 200 journalists within three different districts Sargodha, Khushab and Islamabad between January and April 2026. Using a structured questionnaire methodology with the added value of in-depth qualitative interviews, the study examines how the provisions of PECA have transformed the daily news-gathering procedures and editorial decision-making processes, as well as the psychological well-being of working news journalists in urban federal and rural Punjab settings. The findings show the alarming rates of self-censorship (78%), the fear of being prosecuted by the law (81%), the lack of coverage of sensitive issues (74%), and the fact that almost everyone fears reporting on social media. These results are placed within the context of broader national press freedom crisis that have been reported by Freedom Network, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). The article suggests that PECA no longer represents a cybersecurity law but is now a method to suppress democratic processes by working journalists in Pakistan, and it is time to urgently reform the law and provide an independent judiciary and enhanced protection of working journalists in Pakistan.
FAMILY FUNCTIONING, SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS, COGNITIVE DISTORTIONS, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AS CORRELATES OF POLYSUBSTANCE USE AMONG MALE POLYSUBSTANCE USERS IN PUNJAB
Polysubstance use is defined as the simultaneous or sequential use of more than one psychoactive substance during a certain period and it is linked to serious psychosocial and clinical problems. The current research set out to explore psychosocial correlates of polysubstance use in Faisalabad in male drug addicts and to determine the predictive power of social and psychological factors. The correlational research design was used. A total of 201 male polysubstance users (M = 21.22, SD = 5.24) aged 18-30 years were sampled, using purposive and snowball sampling in rehabilitation centers in Faisalabad. Such measures were the General Functioning of Family Scale (GFFS), Social Connectedness Scale-Revised (SCS-R), Cognitive Distortion Scale (CDS), Flourishing Scale (FS), and Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10). Findings revealed that the degree of social connectedness and psychological well-being had a negative relationship with polysubstance use, but family dysfunction and cognitive distortions were positively related to polysubstance use. The hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that cognitive distortion was a single factor that accounted 36% of the variance in polysubstance use. Introduction of social connectedness enhanced the variance that was explained up to 46%, and the addition of family functioning up to 48%. Findings highlight the significant role of family dynamics, social bonding, cognitive distortions, and psychological well-being in understanding polysubstance use.
polysubstance use, family functioning, social connectedness, cognitive distortion, psychological well-being
RUSSIA UKRAINE CONFLICT: ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS FOR PAKISTAN
The main goal of this research is to evaluate the primary cause of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and to examine how it affects the global economy and Pakistan’s economy. The main purpose of the study is to analyse the impact of the conflict. The Russia-Ukraine conflict disrupted global peace and stability. It began with Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, which led to tensions between the two countries. Both countries had strong economic relations with Pakistan, which were disrupted after this conflict. This study explores the effect of the conflict on Pakistan’s economy. The study uses a qualitative approach, and all data in this study have been compiled from books, articles, journals, and official reports of organizations.
Russia, Pakistan, Ukraine, economy, conflict
IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ALGORITHMS ON MENTAL HEALTH AMONG YOUTH IN PAKISTAN: A MIXED-METHODS STUDY
The rapid growth of social media platforms and the increasing use of algorithm-driven content recommendation systems have significantly transformed the digital experiences of youth worldwide. In Pakistan, young individuals are among the most active users of social networking platforms, making them increasingly vulnerable to the psychological effects of algorithmically curated content. This study examined the impact of social media algorithms on the mental health of youth in Pakistan using a mixed-methods research approach. The study specifically investigated the relationship between algorithmic social media exposure and psychological outcomes including anxiety, depression, self-esteem, emotional dependency, and social media addiction. A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted among 350 university students and young social media users from major urban areas of Pakistan using structured questionnaires and stratified random sampling techniques. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants to gain deeper qualitative insights into personal experiences related to algorithm-driven social media usage. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression techniques, while qualitative responses were examined through thematic analysis. The findings revealed that social media algorithms significantly contributed to increased anxiety, depressive symptoms, emotional dependency, and addictive social media behaviors among youth. The study also found a significant negative relationship between algorithmic exposure and self-esteem. Qualitative findings further indicated that personalized content feeds, continuous recommendations, social comparison, and fear of missing out intensified emotional stress and psychological pressure among participants. The study concluded that social media algorithms function as influential psychological systems capable of shaping emotions, behaviors, and mental well-being among Pakistani youth. The study provides important implications for educators, mental health professionals, policymakers, parents, and social media companies regarding the need for digital literacy, ethical algorithmic practices, and mental health awareness initiatives to promote healthier online environments for youth in Pakistan.
Social Media Algorithms; Mental Health; Youth in Pakistan; Anxiety; Depression; Social Comparison; Social Media Addiction; Digital Well-Being; Algorithmic Personalization; Mixed-Methods Study.
DIGITAL FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND SME GROWTH: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF FINTECH ADOPTION IN PAKISTAN
The rapid expansion of digital financial services has transformed the operational environment of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), particularly in emerging economies such as Pakistan. This study examined the effect of digital financial inclusion on SME growth while investigating the mediating role of fintech adoption. The research aimed to evaluate how access to digital financial services influences business performance and how fintech integration strengthens this relationship. A quantitative research approach was employed using a structured questionnaire distributed among SME owners and managers operating in major business sectors of Pakistan. Data were collected from 385 respondents through a simple random sampling technique and analyzed using SPSS and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings revealed that digital financial inclusion had a significant positive effect on SME growth and fintech adoption. Furthermore, fintech adoption significantly enhanced SME performance and partially mediated the relationship between digital financial inclusion and SME growth. The results indicated that SMEs utilizing fintech technologies experienced improved financial management, operational efficiency, and market competitiveness. The study concluded that digital financial inclusion and fintech adoption are critical drivers of sustainable SME development in Pakistan. The findings provide valuable implications for policymakers, financial institutions, fintech providers, and SME managers in promoting digital transformation and inclusive economic growth.
Digital Financial Inclusion, Fintech Adoption, SME Growth, Financial Technology, Digital Banking, Pakistan, Small and Medium Enterprises, Economic Development
SOCIO DEMOGRAPHIC DETERMINANTS OF PERCEIVED QOL IN BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS
Quality of life (QoL) of breast cancer survivor’s (BCS) affected by the diverse sociodemographic factors. A descriptive Cross-Sectional study was carried out to investigate the contribution of sociodemographic factors in affecting QoL of BCS. The current study evaluated demographic Information included personal, familial, educational and occupational characteristics of women diagnosed with breast cancer with diverse socio-demographic factors that included age, marital status, education, and financial condition, family backgrounds and work status/ employment etc. A sample of breast cancer survivors (N=150) was recruited using non-probability purposive sampling from different public and private sector cancer hospitals of Lahore. Findings indicated that age, education, financial status and marital status have its relationship with QoL among BCS.
Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Survivors, Quality of Life, Sociodemographic Determinants
CLIMATE CHANGE GOVERNANCE IN PAKISTAN: POLICY FRAMEWORKS, INSTITUTIONAL ROLES AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES
Pakistan is one of the most climate vulnerable nations in the world, which is experiencing escalating risks of floods, droughts, and higher temperatures. The disastrous floods of 2022 and 2025 demonstrated the extent of this vulnerability and displaced millions of people, resulting in massive economic losses. The country, in turn, has devised several policy frameworks to respond to climate change but gaps in implementation, coordination, and resource allocation persist. This research used a qualitative and descriptive design which relied on secondary data gathered through national policy documentation, government reports, and international climate agreements. Data analysis was conducted to assess the effectiveness of policy, institutional arrangements and sectoral challenges in major sectors such as agriculture, water, energy, health and infrastructure. Analysis indicates that some of the significant frameworks introduced by Pakistan include the National Climate Change Adaptation Policy 2021 and the Nationally Determined Contribution 2021. There is an improvement in the renewable energy projects, afforestation, and community-based adaptation. The climate financing is severely inadequate, standing at less than 0.5 percent of GDP as opposed to the recommended 2-3 percent. The outcome of institutional fragmentation of various agencies has been poor coordination and sluggish implementation. The provincial governments have limited technical capacity, a poor monitoring system that only monitors a small percentage of the projects. The research concludes that despite the improvement in the policy development of Pakistan, the implementation of the policies remains weak, owing to the institutional inefficiencies, financial constraints, and capacity gap. It is necessary to strengthen the institutional coordination, climate investment, monitoring, community participation, and access to international finance and technology. The private sector should also be actively involved; regional co-operation should be strengthened and capacity building in all provinces should also be enhanced to improve climate governance.
climate change, vulnerabilities, adaptation, climate policy
VOICELESS IN THE BALLOT BOX: THE STRUGGLE OF RELIGIOUS MINORITIES FOR POLITICAL REPRESENTATION IN PAKISTAN
Pakistan's religious minorities, comprising Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis, Sikhs, and other communities, have historically occupied a marginal position within the country's democratic framework despite formal constitutional guarantees of equal citizenship. This article examines the political participation of religious minorities in Pakistan through a comprehensive analytical lens that encompasses the constitutional and legal framework governing minority rights, the historical evolution of minority political status from independence to the present, the structural and systemic barriers that constrain meaningful participation, and the specific experience of the Hindu community as an illustrative case study. The analysis demonstrates that the problem of minority political exclusion in Pakistan is not reducible to electoral mechanics but is rooted in a deeper architecture of discriminatory legislation, religious nationalism, economic marginalization, and institutional indifference that formal electoral reforms have thus far proven insufficient to dismantle. The article concludes with a set of evidence-based recommendations spanning constitutional reform, blasphemy law revision, redesign of the reserved seat system, and broader social and educational interventions necessary for achieving genuine democratic inclusion.
Political Participation, Religious Minorities, Pakistan, Democratic Exclusion, Reserved Seats, Blasphemy Laws
GENESIS AND EVOLUTION OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN PAKISTAN
Pakistan inherited a highly centralized colonial state structure characterized by bureaucratic dominance and a fragmented social fabric divided along religious, ethnic, linguistic and sectarian lines. However, the early civil society of Pakistan emerged as a significant actor in addressing the immediate socio-economic crises faced by the nascent state, particularly the rehabilitation and settlement of refugees. The research highlights the contributions of major civil society organizations including Anjuman Himayat-e-Islam, Pakistan Red Cross Society, All Pakistan Women Association (APWA) and the Edhi Foundation, in providing humanitarian assistance, healthcare, shelter and social support services. It also examines the role of prominent civil society activists such as Fatima Jinnah and Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan. Moreover, the study argues that although political instability, military interventions, bureaucratic control and weak constitutional development constrained the growth of an autonomous civil society, these early organizations laid the foundation for future civic engagement and social activism in Pakistan. Using a historical-analytical approach, the paper concludes that civil society in Pakistan evolved from informal relief and charitable activities into a gradually organized sector contributing to social welfare, advocacy, and democratic development.
Civil Society, State, Partition of India, Colonial legacy, Refugee Rehabilitation, Social Welfare, Advocacay, Democratization
ROLE OF N.W.F.P AND PUNJAB IN THE WAR OF MUTINY- WAY FORWARD FOR PAKISTAN
The 1857 War of Independence, often referred to variously as the Sepoy Rebellion, the Indian Mutiny, or the First War of Independence, represents a watershed moment in South Asian colonial history. Rooted in decades of political manipulation, economic exploitation, religious provocation, and social interference by the British East India Company, the revolt signaled a collective resistance that united diverse communities across the subcontinent. While traditionally dominated by narratives from Delhi, Cawnpore, and Meerut, this paper expands the scope of analysis to include the lesser-documented but equally critical contributions from Punjab and the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP). By examining the multidimensional causes of the uprising and analyzing the role of key figures like Nana Sahib and Rai Ahmed Khan Kharral, this research argues that the revolt was not merely a spontaneous military mutiny but a coordinated and symbolic assertion of indigenous identity, sovereignty, and dignity. The rebellion's failure, while tragic, became the ideological bedrock for future movements of independence, especially for the Muslims of the subcontinent, ultimately culminating in the creation of Pakistan.
1857 War of Independence, British East India Company, Nana Sahib, Rai Ahmed Khan Kharral, Punjab Uprising, NWFP Resistance, Muslim Nationalism, Greased Cartridges, Mughal Decline Anti-Colonial Movements, Pre-Partition India
EXPLORING FINANCIAL LITERACY AND GENDER INEQUALITY: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF HOUSEHOLD SPENDING IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN
This paper will explore the connection between financial literacy and gender inequality in household expenditure in Lahore, Pakistan. It seeks to understand the impact of disparities in financial literacy between men and women on household financial decision-making and expenditure allocation. An empirical study is conducted with the help of a survey, and the data is gathered on a household level to investigate financial awareness, involvement in decision-making, and cost control. The results emphasized the idea that an increase in financial literacy may facilitate more balanced financial decision-making and decrease gender differences in household finances. The paper underlines the role of financial education in empowering women and enhancing the financial health of households.
Financial Literacy, Gender inequality, Household Spending, Financial Decision-Making, Women Empowerment, Lahore, Pakistan, Household economies
MEDIA, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETAL BEHAVIOR: AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENT
This research explores how media technology shapes the socio-economic behavior of university students. With the rapid spread of digital tools like social media, online platforms, and smartphones, students today are deeply embedded in a technology-driven environment that affects how they spend money, manage their time, and connect with others. The central aim of this study is to understand how these technologies influence students’ day-to-day economic choices, including their buying habits and approach to saving, as well as how they communicate . To gather relevant data, a structured questionnaire was distributed among university students, and the responses were analyzed using standard statistical methods. The results show that media technology does play a noticeable role in students’ financial behavior, time use, and social preferences. Overuse of social media, in particular, tends to encourage impulsive spending and disrupt productive routines. At the same time, students who use educational platforms more intentionally showed positive outcomes in learning and personal growth.Overall, the study suggests that when media technology is used thoughtfully, it can benefit students economically and socially. The findings carry practical value for universities and policymakers looking to foster better digital habits among the student population.
Media Technology, Socio-Economic Behavior, University Students, Digital Media, Spending Behavior, Time Management, Social Interaction
EXPLORING CHALLENGES FACED BY NOVICE TEACHERS AT GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN TEHSIL MASTUJ, DISTRICT UPPER CHITRAL
This study examines the challenges faced by novice teachers during their first three years of teaching in government primary schools in Tehsil Mastuj, District Upper Chitral. Novice teachers at primary level often face many difficulties in their early years. The main objectives of the study were to identify managing multi-grade classrooms, handling student behaviour, and dealing with administrative tasks encountered by novice teachers. The population of the study was 50 novice teachers who are serving at the Government Primary Schools in Tehsil Mastuj District Upper Chitral having three or less than three years of teaching experience. A self-developed questionnaire was used to collect data from the sample size of 44 novice teachers by using simple random sampling about these challenges. The collected data were analyzed using appropriate descriptive statistical techniques. The findings reveal that novice teachers face significant difficulties in managing multi-grade classrooms, planning lessons for diverse learning levels, and maintaining classroom discipline. Student-related problems such as lack of attention, irregular attendance, and disruptive behavior further increase the instructional burden. In addition, having workload, limited professional guidance, inadequate training opportunities and weak administrative support were identified as major barriers to effective teaching. Based on these findings, the study recommends the provision of structured mentoring programs, regular professional development opportunities and improved administrative and institutional support to help novice teachers adjust successfully to their professional roles, particularly in rural and under-resourced primary schools. The study contributes to the understanding of contextual difficulties in remote educational settings and highlights areas for policy and practice improvement.
novice teachers, challenges, primary teachers, multi-grade classroom management, behavior, administrative tasks, workload
WATER SCARCITY IN SOUTH ASIA: CHALLENGES, IMPACTS, AND COOPERATIVE PATHWAYS TOWARD WATER SECURITY
Water shortage has become one of the most significant development, security and environmental issues in South Asia. The region has a population of almost a quarter of the global population yet very limited proportion of renewable freshwater resources that is produced in the year, which creates a structural imbalance between demand and supply. This paper reviews the causes, effects, and policy actions linked to water shortage in South Asia by summarizing emerging peer-reviewed literature and institutional evidence published primarily during the period between 2020 and 2025. Based on a qualitative document-analysis design, the article assesses the variability of climatic conditions, changes in glaciers and snowmelt, groundwater depletion, urban water consumption, industrial pollution, vulnerability of people-health, and transboundary rivers governance. The results reveal that scarcity in South Asia is not merely a hydrological shortfall, but also a governance and equity issue. Dependence on irrigation, exploitation of non-renewable groundwater, deteriorating municipal infrastructure, ineffective pollution management, and poor collaboration at the basin-wide level exacerbate water insecurity. The article claims that climate-resilient integrated water resources management, agricultural water-use reform, wastewater treatment and reuse, inclusive city water planning, and enhanced regional collaboration along the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra basins are durable solutions. The research adds a policy-based model of enhancing water security by harmonizing national reforms and diplomacy at the basin level.
water scarcity, South Asia, climate change, groundwater depletion, transboundary rivers, IWRM, water governance
ALGORITHMIC LANGUAGE EXPOSURE AND LINGUISTIC IDENTITY FORMATION: A MULTILEVEL ANALYSIS OF AI-DRIVEN EDUCATIONAL PLATFORMS AMONG MULTILINGUAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN PAKISTAN
The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven educational platforms in higher education has significantly transformed multilingual learning environments and reshaped linguistic practices among university students. This study examined the influence of algorithmic language exposure on linguistic identity formation among multilingual university students in Pakistan. Grounded in Sociocultural Theory, the study employed a quantitative cross-sectional survey design using a sample of 450 multilingual students selected through multistage sampling. Data were collected through a structured Likert-scale questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, regression analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling. The findings revealed that algorithmic language exposure significantly influenced linguistic identity formation, emerging as the strongest predictor among all study variables. Results indicated that frequent interaction with AI-driven educational platforms increased students’ exposure to English-dominant linguistic structures, which in turn shaped their perceptions of linguistic prestige, communicative behavior, and identity negotiation. Sociocultural factors and perceived linguistic prestige were also found to significantly contribute to identity formation processes. The study further highlighted that AI-mediated educational systems function not only as learning tools but also as sociotechnical agents that shape multilingual learners’ linguistic self-concept and cultural affiliation. The study concludes that AI-driven educational platforms play a critical role in shaping linguistic identity among multilingual learners in Pakistan, while also reinforcing existing linguistic hierarchies. The research underscores the need for culturally responsive and linguistically inclusive AI integration in higher education to preserve multilingual diversity and reduce digital linguistic inequality.
Artificial Intelligence, Algorithmic Language Exposure, Linguistic Identity, Multilingual Education, AI-Driven Learning, Sociocultural Theory, Higher Education, Pakistan
A CORPUS-BASED COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SYNTACTIC COMPLEXITY AND STRUCTURAL PATTERNS IN HUMAN-WRITTEN AND AI-GENERATED ACADEMIC TEXTS
The swift growth of artificial intelligence has already impacted the academic writing sphere greatly, casting doubt on the language quality and originality of the texts created by the AI. The proposed research aims to perform a comparative syntactic complexity and structural pattern analysis between human-written and AI-generated academic texts using corpus analysis. Based on positivist research paradigm and corpus linguistics and syntactic complexity paradigms, the research study is a mixed-method study that combines both quantitative and qualitative analyses. Purposive sampling was used to create a balanced set of 80 academic texts (40 human written and 40 generated by AI). The sources of data were peer-reviewed academic sources and artificial intelligence-generated productions via standard prompts. Syntactic measures as the mean length of sentence, the density of clauses, and the proportion of subordinates, as well as qualitative assessment of structural arrangements and discourse organization, were used in the analysis. The results indicate that writings by humans have much more advanced syntactic complexity, more embedded clauses, and more advanced structural arrangements. Conversely, AI-created texts have simpler, more linear, and formulaic structure, even though they are grammatically accurate with a fundamental coherence. The findings suggest that AI can be used to duplicate the superficial aspects of academic writing, but in more profound linguistic and rhetorical levels, it is much different. This paper underscores the relevance of human mental involvement in scholarly conversation and offers suggestions to the education practice and AI implementation.
Syntactic Complexity, Corpus Linguistics, AI-generated texts, academic writing, structural patterns, discourse analysis, human and AI writing, language models
MACRO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS ON KSE-100 INDEX WITH SCNERIO OF PSX: A LITRATURE REVIEW OF THE LAST DECADE
This exploratory research conducts a macroeconomic analysis on Karachi Stock Exchange, KSE-100 index, using the data of the last decade, covering time period from January 2005 to December 2016. As part of our literature review, we could only find such studies on past data, hence, the research gap in the study, i.e. to conduct a macroeconomic analysis on KSE-100 index in a refined manner using the recent data of the last decade. In the field of Equity Analysis, two types of analysis are often used, i.e. Fundamental & Technical Analysis. The latter uses the past trends of the stock prices to extrapolate the future movements while applying different tools and techniques. Fundamental analysis, on the other hand, relies on the fundamental factors affecting the performance of the stocks. Fundamental factors, in turn, can be taken from three domains, which are company factors, industry factors, & macroeconomic factors. This research attempts to analyze macroeconomic factors to determine their impact on stock performance, using KSE-100 index as the barometer. The research performs multiple regression using KSE-100 as the dependent variable and five macroeconomic indicators as independent variables (predictors), i.e., interest rate, exchange rate, inflation rate, foreign direct investment (FDI) and government expenditures. The five predictors were chosen because of their significant (direct/indirect) impact on the performance of companies and their stocks which is also evident from the literature review. The source of secondary data for this research were mainly two websites, i.e. Pakistan Stock Exchange website and State Bank of Pakistan website. After checking for the validity of all the assumptions of multiple regression analysis, the regression results showed that FDI and interest rates have negative and significant relationship with KSE-100; Inflation, on the other hand, has insignificant impact on KSE-100 INDEX. Apart from this, exchange rate and government expenditures have strong positive and significant relationship with KSE-100 INDEX. The results also showed that interest rates and exchange rates have major contribution in the variation of KSE-100 index. The results of the data can be of immense use in future for investment analysts and academicians alike in analyzing stock performance in Pakistan.
SELLING EMPOWERMENT OR REINFORCING STEREOTYPES? A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF WOMEN’S PORTRAYAL IN PAKISTANI ELECTRONIC ADVERTISEMENTS
The problem of characterizing women stereotypically in advertisements is well researched, especially in the previous literature from the South Asia context. Traditionally, Pakistani advertisements have propagated the narrow gender roles, viewing women as caretakers, homemakers or beauty icons. Nonetheless, contemporary tendencies in the advertising sphere demonstrate a certain change in the direction of more empowered female images, which can be explained by the changes in the socio-cultural and market contexts. This paper examines the process by which current advertisements in the Pakistani electronic media depict that conception and steps beyond stereotypes to promote more positive and aspirational depictions of female empowerment. Using the qualitative research study design and grounded theory to analyse the data, a purposive sample of recently placed advertisements was analyzed to come up with emergent themes. The analysis was based on grounded data analysis. The analysis identifies a two-sided discourse: on the one hand, traditional female representations of women as domestic and decorative objects continue to prevail; however, more and more advertisements increasingly position women as empowered professionals, independent decision makers, and social change agents. Such enabled roles model women as educators, business owners, and managers, a noticeable shift toward the re-ordering of gender roles in the Pakistani media discourse. By noting this paradigm shift in the way that stereotypes are being transformed to empowerment, the study serves to make a critical contribution to the literature on gender and media representation in the Global South. It highlights how advertising is not only a commercial undertaking but also plays the role of a cultural agent to modify the attitude of people towards the position of women in society
Female empowerment, gender stereotypes, Pakistani media, Advertising, Grounded theory, Qualitative research