The Social Sciences Spectrum (SSS) is an open-access, double-blind, peer-reviewed international journal that includes empirical research, theoretical articles, case studies, systematic literature reviews, and meta-analyses. The journal has initially been approved by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan and ranked in the Y-Category in October 2024 and maintained its status in the same category for this year till December 2027 by publishing quality content and by maintaining international publication standards. By keeping in view the mission of the Publisher, the Centre for Children Literacy and Lifelong Learning, the SSS focuses on varied research topics of social sciences, including the subjects Education, Sociology, Social Work, Economics, Political Science, International Relations, Anthropology, and Gender Studies, etc. For details, visit Aim & Scope The journal is multidisciplinary. We welcome submissions from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, including education, library and information sciences, psychology, literacy studies, sociology, anthropology, historical, and cultural studies. Desk Review Time: 1 week (Average) Peer-review Process: 8 weeks (Average) Acceptance Rate: 47% Note: The Journal did not charge any submission fees from the authors; however, it is charging a minimal processing and publication fee from the authors after the completion of the peer-review process. For detailed guidance, visit Author Guidelines
Centre for Children Literacy and Lifelong Learning
Lahore fort as a symbol of national identity and cultural heritage in Pakistan
Lahore Fort, a witness to centuries of history, is situated on the northwestern side of Lahore. A monument, more than a collection of ancient buildings, is considered the finest example of a living chronicle of the empires, artistry, and cultural heritage. Its origin etched to ancient times, beginning with Emperor Akbar in the late 1500s. The Great Emperor, Akbar, transformed a humble mud-brick fort into a formidable stronghold, aimed at making Lahore the capital. Built on the city’s edge, overlooking the Ravi River, the strategic location offered both defense and control. At present, Lahore Fort stands as a proud emblem of Pakistan’s heritage, architectural evolution, and where echoes of the Mughal era, the reign of the Sikh Empire, and the colonial period still linger. The research investigates the process of selective preservation of Pakistan, which has a major effect on the nation’s identity. It analyses the effects of government policies and ideologies on cultural heritage. The study aims to explore the tangible link between the Lahore Fort’s representation as a symbol of national heritage and religious historical identity. The researcher employed a descriptive, analytical, and qualitative approach for the research.
Copyright (c) 2026 Rabeel Fatima, Dr. Kiran Shahid Siddiqui https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
From responsibility to reputation: How corporate social responsibility and communication strategies shape employer branding
This study examines how corporate social responsibility (CSR) and communication strategies influence employer branding in the banking sector of South Punjab, Pakistan, through the mediating role of firm reputation. Grounded in Signaling Theory, the study proposes that CSR initiatives and communication practices signal organizational values to stakeholders, thereby shaping firm reputation, which in turn determines how a bank is perceived as an employer. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 172 employees working in public and private banks across South Punjab and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The measurement model demonstrated adequate reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity. Results confirmed all hypothesized relationships: both CSR (β = 0.144) and communication strategies (β = 0.686) significantly and positively predicted firm reputation, which in turn had a strong positive effect on employer branding (β = 0.819). Firm reputation was further found to mediate the relationships between CSR, communication strategies, and employer branding. The model explained 67.0% of the variance in firm reputation and 65.8% of the variance in employer branding. These findings suggest that banks operating in under-researched, non-WEIRD regional contexts such as South Punjab can strengthen their employer brand by investing in transparent communication and genuine CSR practices that build long-term reputational capital. Theoretical contributions, managerial implications, and directions for future research are discussed.
Copyright (c) 2026 Danish Mushtaq , Shahzadi Sattar, Sahar Hayat, Ayesha Sajid Taga https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The role of social media algorithms in fueling radicalization in Pakistan
This research paper reviews key considerations at the intersection of AI, digital recommender architectures, and socio-political stability in the Global South, with a detailed focus on how social media algorithms can exacerbate radicalization in Pakistan. The digital sphere in Pakistan has registered dramatic growth in scope over the last ten years, and it has essentially become an algorithmically mediated, polarized arena. Commercial considerations focus on engagement levels, user retention, and monetization of emotional reactions, which drive the structural design of algorithms to promote emotionally extreme, polar, and emotionally charged material. This qualitative study adopts a conceptual and analytical research design-based on the conceptual dimensions of optimization models (predictive engagement metrics, behavioral profiling, dynamic feedback loops, and automated collaborative filtering are defined, and their systemic operation is correlated with Pakistan's very fragmented sociopolitical, sectarian, and hyper-partisan environment. This study can be seen as a tool for analyzing and breaking down the exact ways in which platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) facilitate epistemic isolation and create algorithmic religious authority. The study reveals the mechanism through which algorithmic bias creates localized vulnerabilities and sets in motion a process of failing to recognize non-violent political extremism and then speeds up processes of violent radicalization, particularly targeting young people. This paper recommends transparent algorithmic governance, practical policy options, laws, and engineering mitigations that could foster a counter-productive process without contravening core digital freedoms in transitional democracies.
Copyright (c) 2026 Zia ur Rehman, Dr. Adeel Irfan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Neoclassical realist analysis of U.S. Indo-Pacific policy and its implications for China
The Indo-Pacific has become a major key point of rivalry among the great powers, specifically the US and China. This rivalry is due to power distribution in the Indo-Pacific, in addition to the rise of China and its rapid naval modernization, which is giving impetus to Counter-U.S. strategies. There is a sharp contrast between the strategies of both sides. From an American perspective, the U.S. Indo-Pacific policy aims to maintain an equilibrium by regional alignments and strengthening alliances, emphasizing minilateralism, and ensuring strategic presence. But on the contrary, China has a divergent external security environment, which also significantly influences its strategic calculations and policy choices. While literature has extensively explored the development of the Indo-Pacific concept, China's counter-response, and alliance-building in the region, there is a dearth of a single explanatory framework. This paper endeavors to fill the vacuum by applying a neoclassical realist perspective to analyze how systemic pressures from the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy are permeated through domestic variables to shape China's strategic responses. This study integrated both the systemic and domestic factors to answer critical questions about how external strategic pressures are translated into state actions, particularly regarding China's response to the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy. The analysis unfolds that China's response is because of strategic hedging rather than robust confrontation, a combination of power competition and internal filtering.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Humera Akhtar, Rimsha Zeeshan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
How school culture shapes teachers' motivational trajectories from amotivation to intrinsic motivation: A self-determination theory-based examination
A positive school culture is one of the important factors influencing teacher motivation, professional commitment, and instructional success. However, there is limited empirical evidence that has focused on the influence of school culture on teachers’ motivation trajectory from amotivation to intrinsic motivation through the lens of Self-Determination Theory (SDT), especially within the government schools in Pakistan. The present study aims to analyze the impact of school culture on teachers' motivational trajectory by providing satisfaction of the basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, which facilitate the internalization of motivation through external, introjected, and identified regulation and eventually leads to intrinsic motivation. The study was based on the positivist research paradigm with a deductive research approach. Data were collected from 400 secondary school teachers in government schools of Karachi using stratified random sampling. For this purpose, the structural model of the study was tested using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results suggest that a positive school culture plays a key role in facilitating teachers’ psychological needs satisfaction and helps in the transition from controlled to autonomous motivation. Identified regulation proved to be a crucial step in the process of motivation internalization whereas autonomy satisfaction showed itself as a strongest predictor of intrinsic motivation. The research contributes to the understanding of the applicability of Self-Determination Theory and shows the importance of school culture in helping teachers develop their motivation. It also provides recommendations for educational policy-makers and educational leaders on how to enhance teachers’ motivation and teaching skills.
Copyright (c) 2026 Saima Jabeen, Dr. Muhammad Akhtar Kang https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Gendered governmentality and women's decision-making power in higher education: A Qualitative inquiry into challenges and opportunities
While there now exists a body of quantitative data regarding gendered governmentality in Pakistan's higher education institutions, the life-world realities behind these numbers are under-theorized. Using open-ended data gathered through a survey of 385 women academics at public-sector women colleges in the Multan Division of South Punjab, this study explores the obstacles and possibilities for women in making decisions amid multiple forms of governance –liberal, neoliberal, and authoritarian. Through a three-stage thematic analysis process consisting of data familiarization and coding, axial coding, and interpretative coding based on governmentality studies within a Foucauldian framework, six major themes have been identified: (1) gender discrimination and institutional bias; (2) work-life balance and cultural barriers; (3) leadership and professional development restrictions; (4) impediments to research, publication, and funding; (5) insufficient institutional support and policy implementation; and (6) mentoring, familial support, and individual empowerment as enablers. Results indicate that formal policy measures exist alongside informal exclusions which normalize male dominance by way of nuanced regulations, a feature of gendered governmentality. At the same time, stories of participants shed light on the agency exercised by women to negotiate such barriers. This article will provide a context-sensitive understanding of women’s leadership within the patriarchal, bureaucracy-centric education sector. It will also offer relevant suggestions for policy improvement in HEIs in South Punjab and similar environments.
Copyright (c) 2026 Nazia Mushtaq, Dr. Muhammad Shabbir Chaudhary https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Democratic and laissez-faire administrative styles as predictors of teacher job satisfaction in public secondary schools of Naserabad Division, Balochistan
The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between two major administrative styles; democratic and laissez-faire, to job satisfaction among teachers in the Naserabad Division of Balochistan, public secondary schools. The sample size (180 teachers in 3 districts of the division) was stratified by selecting 104 secondary school teachers (male and female) using random sampling. The teachers had to fill a questionnaire on the administrative style of their principals and on how satisfied they are with their jobs on a five-point scale. The outcomes revealed that there was a significant positive relationship between democratic style and job satisfaction (r =. 61, p <. 001) and a less strong but still significant positive relationship between laissez-faire style (r =. 18, p <. 05). The two styles jointly accounted 39 percent of the difference in job satisfaction, F (2, 177) = 56.34, p <.001 with democratic style taking the bulk of the difference (39.57). There was no significant difference in reported job satisfaction between male and female teachers when t (178) = -1.64, p =.103. These results impact that, when teachers are brought into decision-making and communication barriers maintained by the principals, teachers have a significantly higher level of reported satisfaction with their work as compared to when principals merely withdraw themselves and leave the teachers to their own devices. The consequences to principal training in low-resource school systems are described.
Copyright (c) 2026 Abdul Baqi, Dr. Fayyaz Ahmad Shaheen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Impact of teaching styles on critical thinking skills of students: Evidence from higher secondary schools Punjab, Pakistan
The present study examines the impact of various teaching styles on the development of critical thinking skills of 12th standard students of Punjab, Pakistan. While national education policies have focused on competency-based learning and critical inquiry, classroom practices in the region are still often stuck in more traditional and teacher-led approaches. A quantitative cross sectional survey design has been used and the data were gathered from a stratified random sample of 351 students in three districts namely Khanewal, Okara and Rawalpindi. The pedagogical perceptions were evaluated using the Teaching Styles Inventory (TSI) and the cognitive attainment was measured with the Critical Thinking Disposition Scale (CTDS). The multiple regression analysis showed that the “Facilitator (β = .45)” and “Delegator (β = .38)” teaching styles are the best positive predictors of critical thinking while the traditional “Expert” and “Formal Authority” styles have a negligible effect. However, R² (.42) shows significant effect of teaching styles on critical thinking of students. Besides, no statistically significant differences were found between gender and among three districts by using ANOVA. The results indicate that the use of transmissive instruction as a teaching method is one of the important systemic obstacles for developing independent analytical thinking. The study suggests that the need for educational reform is for teachers to learn and practice facilitative and inquiry-based pedagogies and that summative assessment system should shift away from merely memorizing facts and towards critical inquiry.
Copyright (c) 2026 Sadia Ali, Muhammad Nadeem Iqbal, Muhammad Tahir Khan Farooqi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Hydro politics of indus water treaty: A critical perspective of India and Pakistan
The World Bank facilitated the making of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in 1960 and long considered it one of India's and Pakistan's most successful trans-border water-sharing agreements. The treaty has been put into practice and has enabled the distribution of water for a stable framework throughout the Indus Basin, in spite of political tensions. In 21st century, it is, however, facing greater difficulties and has become a strategic and political concern as a result of climate change, population growth and rising geopolitical competition. The study is qualitative secondary data by using academic literature, policy reports and treaty documents and employs an interpretative and critical analysis in examining hydro-political dynamics of the region. The research will cover the analysis of the increasing politicization of water in India–Pakistan relations, especially on the project of dams at the source in India and on the consequences of the Hindu Kush melting down for water resources. The results show that water insecurity in Pakistan is increasing with the utilization of upstream water and the rate of climate change such as irregular river flow and reduction in glaciers. In addition, the fixed grant scheme of the IWT seems to be more and more unsuitable to face the current environmental and political challenges. The study suggests that while the treaty likely to remain feasible in the near term, institutional arrangements, adaptive water management, and improved bilateral cooperation are key to ensuring the continued viability of the treaty and avoiding increased hydro-political tensions in the region.
Copyright (c) 2026 Shahzeen Dogar, Tallat Yasmin, Eman Saleem https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Level of awareness on cervical cancer and parental willingness towards its vaccination among mothers in Lahore, Pakistan
In Pakistan, the uptake of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines is low due to a lack of information, social barriers, and misperceptions. This study seeks to investigate the mothers' knowledge, attitudes, and parental willingness to accept HPV-based cervical cancer vaccinations in Lahore, Pakistan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, and the data were collected from 300 mothers who have at least one daughter between the ages of 9 and 14 years. A closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect the information about socio-demographics, knowledge, attitude, and parental willingness to receive HPV vaccinations. The study highlights that there is a need to increase mother awareness and wipe out social stigma about HPV vaccination in Pakistan. The policymakers ought to focus on the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the national immunization programs, ensuring equal access and inviting the community to engage. The benefits of reinforcing these measures can significantly minimize the burden of cervical cancer and achieve global health goals of its elimination.
Copyright (c) 2026 Kalsoom Aslam, Qaisar Khalid Mahmood, Rawaha Arshad https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Identity in crisis: Juvenile delinquency among secondary school adolescents through a psychosocial lens
With the growing prevalence of juvenile delinquency, especially among adolescent secondary school students, understanding the educational and psychosocial factors becomes increasingly complex and important. This study sought to identify these risk factors contributing to the delinquent behavior of students in government secondary schools. Based on Erikson’s psychosocial theory, the study sought to understand the interaction of school experiences with identity-related challenges and how they express in the form of delinquent behavior. The study adopted a qualitative approach where, through purposive sampling, equal numbers of students who were in grades 9 and 10, aged between 13–17 years, were sampled from urban and rural government secondary schools. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and subjected to thematic analysis. Findings reported that academic disengagement, identity confusion, delinquent peers, psychological distress, and perceived injustices of the system cumulatively exposed adolescents to greater risks of exhibiting delinquent behavior. The study called for the implementation of school-based preventive interventions. Specifically, the study suggested the establishment of supportive teacher-student relationships, and the establishment of balanced disciplinary practices as well as the implementation of school-based mental health services. These psychological services are aimed at the prevention of the development of delinquent behavior among students.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Wajeeha Aurangzeb, Dr. Manal Rauf , Saba Khalil https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Pakistan–Iran relations (2016–2020): Strategic convergence, structural constraint and the burden of external geometry
Pakistan-Iran relations refer to the bilateral relations between two bordering Muslim majority nations having a 909-kilometer-long boundary between Baluchistan and Sistan-Baluchistan, a relationship which is defined by the overlapping ethnic geographies, sectarian sensitivities, energy interdependence and external alignments. Between January 2016 and December 2020, a concerted effort has been made to study this period because of the unusual nature of the events that occurred, including the arrest of Kulbhushan Jadhav, the Saudi execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, frequent border incidents by Jaish al-Adl, the United States' withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and the Taftan centered coronavirus crisis, all of which saw the institutionalization of competing regional architectures by the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and India financing the Chabahar port. It has also taken the qualitative content analysis of official statements, contemporary reporting in the Pakistani, Iranian and Western media, and scholarly literature into account to explore the strategic rationale. It uses a tri-theoretical approach of realism, constructivism and strategic culture for the interpretation of cooperation and friction. What makes this research important is that this is a very detailed, event verified map of a 5-year time period that is sum arise in traditional surveys. It offers a middle power view to policy makers and academics in South Asia a nuanced approach for assessing policy implications of the manner in which a middle power manages its close neighborhood rivalry while retaining strategic autonomy and avoiding sectarian spillover.
Copyright (c) 2026 Zainab Qamar, Laiqa Sohail, Dr. Tayyba Anwar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Can arbitration be effectively enforced as an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism in Pakistan?
This study aims to investigate the feasibility of implementation of arbitration as an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism in Pakistan from legal, judicial and institutional perspective. The study was designed as a qualitative exploratory case study, which included semi-structured interviews with 20 participants, comprising judges, lawyers, arbitrators, and legal scholars, and the analysis of pertinent legislation, judicial rulings, and policy documents. The results showed that while arbitration is known as an alternative to litigation that is efficient and cost effective, its enforcement is limited by outdated laws, delays in the process, too much judicial interference, institutional shortcomings, and lack of awareness among legal practitioners. Participants acknowledged that arbitration holds great promise for reducing congestion in court and enhancing justice delivery, if the necessary reforms are put in place. The study recommends that the arbitration law should be modernized, institutions' capacity should be strengthened, judicial uniformity must be achieved and professional training of arbitrators must be promoted in order to boost the enforceability of arbitral awards and increase the confidence in Pakistan's ADR mechanism.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mona Cheerlein Malik, Dr.Owais H Shaikh https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Cultural diplomacy and nation branding assessing Pakistan’s soft power competitiveness in South Asia
This study examined the role of cultural diplomacy in shaping Pakistan’s nation branding and assessed its soft power competitiveness within South Asia. Grounded in Soft Power Theory and Nation Branding Theory, the study adopted a mixed-methods convergent parallel design. Quantitative data were collected from 250 respondents using a structured questionnaire, while qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 15 experts. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses were employed for quantitative data, whereas thematic analysis was used for qualitative findings. The results revealed significant positive relationships among cultural diplomacy, nation branding, international reputation, and soft power competitiveness. Nation branding emerged as the strongest predictor of soft power performance. Qualitative findings highlighted Pakistan’s cultural heritage, tourism resources, creative industries, and diaspora as key soft power assets, while institutional barriers and global stereotypes remained major challenges. The study recommends strengthening cultural diplomacy, digital engagement, and strategic nation branding to enhance Pakistan’s regional and global influence.
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Shakoor Anwar, Prof. Dr. Muqarrab Akbar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Constructing Ecological responsibility in Pakistani english newspaper coverage of extreme heat: A corpus-assisted Ecolinguistic discourse analysis
One of the most damaging impacts of climate change is extreme heat, although there is not much information on the construction of ecological responsibility when covering such incidents in Pakistani news media. CAEDA (Corpus-Assisted Ecolinguistic Discourse Analysis) is applied in this study to explore the representation of agency, responsibility and erasure in Dawn, Geo News and The Express Tribune. Specifically, a specialized corpus of 30 straight news articles (14,411 tokens; 11,757 running words) was constructed and analyzed using the Sketch Engine. Keyword and concordance analysis was combined with Halliday's Transitivity System and the notion of erasure put forward by Stibbe to explore the influence of grammatical choice on the ecological meaning making process. As a result, it can be observed that there are distinct patterns of ideology represented in the newspapers under discussion: Geo News highlights institutional responsibility, Dawn constructs individual responsibility through precautionary discourse, while The Express Tribune focuses on the human dimension and reduces the state agency. Mask and Trace emerged as the predominant modes of erasure, while no cases of Void could be found.
Copyright (c) 2026 Marriam Bibi, Rukh-e-Zahra Bukhari, Fatima Jafri https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
A multidimensional analysis of the "degree-to-domesticity" paradox: Investigating university students’ perceptions of socio-cultural, domestic, workplace, and psychological determinants of female workforce opt-out behavior
This study examined perceptions of undergraduate and graduate students regarding predictors of workforce opt-out behavior among female university students at the University of Sargodha, Pakistan. The objectives of the study were to examine students’ perceptions regarding the levels and nature of perceived workforce opt-out behaviour among female university students, including socio-cultural determinants, domestic and family determinants, and psychological and personal determinants in predicting perceived workforce opt-out behaviour among female university students. Data were collected from a stratified sample of 300 students across six academic departments of the University of Sargodha, using a 45-item structured questionnaire. Findings indicated a strong inclination toward workforce opt-out choices, heavily driven by community surveillance, threats to family honor, and anticipated unshared domestic labor. Additionally, anticipated workplace challenges, such as gender-based wage gaps and rigid corporate structures, erode professional self-efficacy, transforming external societal pressures into internal career anxiety. The study concluded that increasing female enrollment in higher education did not guarantee labor market participation unless accompanied by corporate policy reforms. It was recommended that universities may establish targeted career counseling and mentorship programs, while policymakers may mandate flexible working hours and safe transportation to better utilize female human capital.
Copyright (c) 2026 Saima Mumtaz, Ghulam Muhammad Malik, Ghazanfar Ali https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Beyond academic performance: The psychological benefits of positive school culture in mathematics education in Quetta, Pakistan
Mathematics education does not improve only academic achievement by it fosters students' confidence, motivation, and resilience to overcome the academic challenges. A positive school culture has been recognized as an important contextual factor that may impact these psychological outcomes. The present study examined the influence of positive school culture on the psychological development of secondary school mathematics students in Quetta, Pakistan. Specifically, it investigated the effects of five dimensions of positive school culture peer relations, teacher student relations, learning practices, diversity and inclusion, and extracurricular activities on academic resilience, mathematics self-efficacy, and academic motivation. A cross-sectional quantitative research design was employed, and the data were collected from 400 secondary school students using a structured questionnaire. The reliability and validity of the instrument were established through Cronbach's alpha and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) using Smart PLS 4, while the descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and the multiple regression analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 26. The findings revealed that peer relations significantly predicted academic resilience, whereas teacher, student relationships significantly predicted academic motivation. However, there was no statistical significant relationships were found between positive school culture and mathematics self-efficacy. Overall, the influence of positive school culture on students' psychological development was limited, suggesting that specific interpersonal relationships within schools are more influential than the overall school environment. This study highlights the significance of supportive peer interactions and positive teacher and student relationships to improve students' resilience and develop motivation in mathematics education.
Copyright (c) 2026 Tooba Hameed, Dr. Muhammad Akhtar Kang https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Mediating role of technology (use your own device) enhanced learning on collaborative learning and self-approbation on university level: A case study from developing country
The growing integration of digital technologies in higher education has raised important questions about how Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) practices affect both academic and psychological outcomes. This study investigates the differential impact of device use — operationalized as educational use (UYOD-E), use of targeted applications (UYOD-T), and study habits (UYOD-SH) — on collaborative learning (CL) and self-approbation (SA) among university students in a developing country. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional design, data were collected from 366 students at public universities and analyzed through correlation and multiple regression. Results show a clear asymmetry in effects. Study habits and educational device use were the strongest positive predictors of both CL and SA. In contrast, use of specific applications had a significant negative association, suggesting that unstructured digital use may harm learning processes and self-image. General device usage had a comparatively weak effect, indicating that access alone does not guarantee meaningful outcomes. Together, the models explained approximately 48% of the variance in CL and SA, highlighting the central role of behavioral factors in technology-mediated learning. This study contributes to the literature by showing that benefits of digital technologies depend on self-regulated and purposeful use rather than on availability or frequency.
Copyright (c) 2026 Maham Siddique, Dr. Qaisara Parveen, Dr. Muhammad Arshad Dahar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Experiences of public university teachers about policies and practices of human rights education in Karachi, Sindh
Human Rights Education (HRE) has become an important part of higher education, with a view to raising awareness, values and practices of transformation among learners and teachers. This is a qualitative study, examining teachers' experiences of using HRE in their pedagogical settings in public universities in Karachi, Sindh. It examines teachers' interpretation, performing and experience of HRE in institutional settings in light of Felisa Tibbitts' Values and Awareness Model, Accountability Model, and Transformation Model. The data was gathered using semi-structured interviews with eight teachers from the Education and Teacher Education Departments of public universities. The findings of the study are intended to bring to light the areas where there is a mismatch between policy and practice, pedagogical issues and possibilities for an effective Cross-European integration of HRE. The findings of the current study add to the debate on agency, curriculum policies, and how the human rights (HR) principles can be put into practice in higher education.
Copyright (c) 2026 Zainab Noorani, Prof. Dr. Stephen John https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Mechanism underlying postpartum depression and well-being among low resource mothers
In this paper, the psychological pathways through which interpersonal resources contribute to the occurrence of postpartum depression and maternal well-being in a low-resource, collectivist society have been examined. For the purpose of the study, a correlational research design was used and data were collected from N = 200 highly distressed postpartum mothers (EPDS > 13) in District Bhakkar, Pakistan. Hayes’ PROCESS Macro was used to examine mediation and moderation models. Competitive mediation was found to exist such that spousal support and social support contributed to adaptive coping but this, in turn, aggravated the symptoms of postpartum depression as a result of the uncontrollable nature of socio-economic stress. On the other hand, cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression emerged as significant cultural moderators. Both emotion regulation strategies acted as buffers to the relationship between social support and maternal well-being owing to the contribution of both these emotion regulation strategies towards harmonious functioning in the traditional joint family system.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dawra, Dr. Moazama Aanwar, Dr. Muhammad Luqman Khan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Political participation of Pakistan’s Christian community: Representation, socio-economic development, and pathways forward
Pakistan is a constitutionally democratic, multi-party federation whose Christian community, just over three million people, or 1.37% of the population, is the country’s third-largest religious group. This article examines how well the community participates in Pakistan’s political system and what socio-economic and institutional factors shape the extent of that participation. Guided by three objectives and research questions, tracing the community’s historical role in national political life, assessing the mechanism and extent of political representation from 2008 to 2026, and exploring lived experiences of civic and political inclusion, the study is organized around a three-tier conceptual framework distinguishing formal, representational, and felt (substantive) political integration. Document analysis traces the evolution of minority electoral policy from the 1970s to the National Commission for Minorities Rights Bill, passed in December 2025, alongside a review of the 2024 manifesto commitments of Pakistan’s major parties. Findings show that national-level Christian representation remains largely dependent on party-nominated reserved seats rather than direct electoral success. Eight in-depth interviews, analyzed through Reflexive Thematic Analysis, surface five cross-cutting themes, symbolic versus substantive inclusion, poverty, low literacy, caution around visible political engagement, and cautious optimism about recent reform which are mapped explicitly against each objective and research question. The article concludes that stronger political participation depends less on symbolic gestures than on accountable nomination processes, sustained investment in literacy and civic education, and broader socio-economic development.
Copyright (c) 2026 Imran Masih https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Artificial Intelligence-driven disinformation campaigns and their influence on political violence and extremism
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has made creating propaganda texts, images, audio, and video at scale easier and cheaper, opening new possibilities for political actors, foreign influence operators, extremists, and everyday users to create deceptive narratives. This article is a mixed-methods empirical study that takes a convergent approach to the questions of the associations between AI-produced disinformation and political violence and extremism, and of which interventions mitigate such risks. The study correlates secondary quantitative evidence from the Stanford AI Index, Reuters Institute Digital News Report, Political Deepfakes Incidents database, V-Dem, GDELT, and the Global Terrorism Database documentation of election incidents, as well as other recent peer-reviewed studies, against qualitative data from policy documents, platform-governance studies, and documented election cases. No public global data on political violence are currently harmonised and measured in a single panel with data on AI-generated disinformation, algorithmic amplification, and digital literacy, so only source-supported descriptive statistics and the directionality of the model evidence are provided. The results show that disinformation generated by AI may be considered a risk multiplier: in most cases, it is not sufficient on its own to trigger violence, but it can help create an identity threat, a sense of conspiracy, distrust, and mobilisation. H1: Conditional support improves discernment; e.g., literacy and inoculation interventions reduce some of the structural amplification. H2, H3: Conditional support improved discernment; e.g., inoculation and literacy interventions removed some of the structural amplification.
Copyright (c) 2026 Fahad Khan, Taimoor Zeb Khan, Nimra Malik https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Pedagogical innovations for teaching critical thinking in elementary schools: A qualitative case study in Sialkot
This research is concerned with pedagogical innovations aimed at improving critical thinking skills in classroom practices in elementary schools in District Sialkot, Pakistan. Although international educational reforms emphasize higher-order thinking skills, teacher training programs in Pakistan are still dominated by lecture-based and traditional pedagogies, which limit students’ analytical and reflective capacities. The study employs a qualitative case study research design to explore teachers’ perceptions and use of pedagogical strategies, including inquiry-based learning, reflective teaching, collaborative learning, and the use of digital instructional tools. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with eight teachers purposively selected from public elementary schools of Sialkot. The study explores the alignment between theoretical training frameworks and classroom practices and institutional, curricula, and resource-related constraints on pedagogical innovations. The findings suggested that pedagogical innovations help to develop critical thinking skills in elementary classrooms. It is suggested to provide better resources, professional development opportunities and supportive policies to enable teachers to practice these pedagogical innovative strategies more effectively in the classroom settings. The study proposes that teachers receive training to help them use inquiry-based learning, collaborative activities, and technology efficiently in the classroom settings. It also recommends making advancements in school infrastructure with the latest assessment design to develop critical thinking skills and problem-solving techniques instead of rote learning.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dur e Shahwar, Mehwish Pervaiz, Dr. Muhammad Jamil https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The sacred cage: Exploring emotional incest and family dynamics in The Holy Woman by Qaisra Shahraz
This research probes the diverse dynamics of the family system and emotional incest in The Holy Woman by Qaisra Shahraz through the theoretical framework of Murray Bowen’s Family System Theory. It examines Habib’s emotional dependency on Zarri, which makes her a victim of emotional incest. His emotive reliance on Zarri is analyzed through the Bowen concepts of differentiation of self, emotional fusion, family projection, multigenerational transmission, and triangulation. These dynamics transform Zarri into a vessel for her father's emotional security and unsettled anxieties. This paper studies the way Habib constitutes emotional incest by manipulating her in the name of honor and religion, such as marrying her to the Quran. It is a non-sexual violence, but it blurs the boundary between a parent and a child in which the guardian uses a child as an emotional surrogate. Habib justifies his decision by using religion and culture as a cover to hide his insecurities, but it also uncovers the way a patriarchal-structured society serves as an internal mechanism of the family system. This study also highlights that females are not only submissive because of external pressure, but family dynamics also play a crucial role in female self-sacrifice and silence. In a nutshell, The Holy Woman shifts the focus from societal oppression to family intrapsychic oppression. The psychological reading exposes the way cultural norms destroy women's identity and create a sacred cage for them through emotional violence in the name of honor and religion.
Copyright (c) 2026 Hafsa Saif, Kashifa Khalid https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Between uncertainty and obligation: Pre-service teachers' experiences of AI anxiety in initial teacher education in Punjab, Pakistan
In Punjab, Pakistan, artificial intelligence (AI) is fast gaining its way into educational settings, but pre-service teachers are largely left to manage this shift with minimal institutional guidance and much psychological anxiety. This paper examines the anxiety about AI among pre-service teachers who are enrolled in the Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes in Punjab and how the examined anxiety influences the professional identity and confidence of these teachers in their pedagogical practices. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 20 pre-service teachers based in the ITE institutions in Punjab. Data generation was aided by an AI-assisted transcription, and data organisation and management were assisted by NVivo 15 using AI-assisted coding. The analysis produced three themes, including the institutional void that increases uncertainty; anxiety posing a threat to professional identity; and the necessity to embrace AI without preparing it. The results demonstrate that AI anxiety among pre-service teachers is not only a technical issue but a highly relational, institutional experience, influenced by policy pressure and lack of curriculum, and a sense of professional competence fragmentation. The research paper is a contribution to the qualitative research on AI in teacher training and provides a practical implication on curriculum reform of ITE in Pakistan.
Copyright (c) 2026 Razia Boota, Rumana Anjum, Maimoona Anjum https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Teacher discourse as motivational architecture: How ESL classroom interaction shapes learner autonomy, competence, and relatedness
While motivation and engagement are recognised as crucial factors in second language classrooms, the specific mechanisms by which classroom discourse mediates the link between instructional practices, motivation and engagement remain under-explored. This study examined the role of ESL teacher discourse as a motivational context. Grounded in discourse and thematic analysis that is guided by Self-Determination Theory and Self-System Model of Motivational Development, the research investigated how teacher discourse practices shape learners’ motivational experiences of autonomy, competence, and relatedness during classroom interaction. Data was collected through classroom observation and teacher interviews. The findings reveal that teacher discourse patterns do not function merely as instructional instruments but as critical resources that can either support or constrain learner autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The findings also reveal that institutional realities often shape teachers' interactional decisions and influence the extent to which motivational discourse can be sustained. Based on the findings, the study suggests implications for teacher development programmes, where reflective classroom discourse analysis raises interactional awareness regarding the motivational implications of teacher discourse practices in everyday classroom interaction.
Copyright (c) 2026 Abdou Bassin Boye, Dr. Saqib Mahmood https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Unveiling the visible and invisible: Psychoanalytic dynamics of magical realism in Stephen King's the outsider
This research explores the psychoanalytic dynamics of Stephen King’s The Outsider (2018). Relating this psychological mindset of characters to Magical Realism the research unearths the secrets in investigating the nature of truth of a murder investigation. This research work incorporates the theory of psychoanalysis to explore horror and fantasy as contingent terms in the novel. The novel as a magical realist text connects the two realms in a remarkable manner and without any ambiguity. The normalization of supernatural elements residing at the core of the novel will be explored in this research. The mundane investigation in the novel is based upon the elements of natural and supernatural death, which exist at the rudimentary level of the text. Thus, binaries of Realism and Magical Realism as the core components of the novel will also be explored in this research.
Copyright (c) 2026 Tayyaba Afzal, Maleeha Zahid, Samra Abdul Rehman https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Digital resistance and language ideologies in Pakistani newspapers: A multimodal discourse analysis of “Israeli Products” Boycott
This study aims to examine how Pakistani newspapers present the boycott of Israeli products, identify the language ideologies in this coverage, and explore how text and visuals work together to construct meanings of digital resistance. This research uses a qualitative multimodal discourse analysis approach. It combines Systemic Functional Linguistics (Halliday & Matthiessen, 2014) with the visual analysis framework of Kress and van Leeuwen (2006). A selection of English-language Pakistani newspaper articles was analyzed. The study focuses on linguistic features such as transitivity, lexicalization, modality, and nominalization, along with visual elements like images, layout, and design. The findings show that newspapers present boycott through different perspectives, including economic, moral, religion and political viewpoints. Language is used to assign responsibility, express opinions, and influence readers understanding. At the same time, images support and strengthen these meanings by showing protests, products, and everyday consumer practices. The study also finds that different ideas such as moral responsibility, religion obligations and economic concerns exist together in the same discourse. The study concludes that Pakistani newspapers play an important role in shaping digital resistance by presenting boycott as a social, moral and political act. It also shows that meaning is created through the combination of language and visuals. This research contributes to the fields of discourse analysis and media studies by explaining how media influences public opinion and turns everyday consumer choices into forms of resistance.
Copyright (c) 2026 Amina Mahmood, Dr. Farah Kashif https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Infrastructure as a tool of nation-building: Leadership choices and national cohesion under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor
In the contemporary era of globalization, large-scale infrastructure initiatives are increasingly framed not only as instruments of economic growth but also as mechanisms of nation-building and political consolidation. The CPEC is a flagship project of the BRI and offers a significant case for examining whether infrastructure can meaningfully contribute to national integration in a diverse and federal state like Pakistan. This paper investigates the extent to which leadership choices shape the integrative or divisive outcomes of mega-development projects. Adopting a political economy and leadership-oriented framework, the study argues that infrastructure alone does not automatically generate national cohesion; rather, its integrative potential depends on inclusive governance, equitable resource distribution, and participatory decision-making. The paper analyzes three interconnected dimensions: first, the strategic vision of political leadership in framing CPEC as a national project; second, the role of federal–provincial coordination in managing competing regional interests; and third, the impact of perceived economic inclusion or marginalization on political culture and identity politics. Drawing upon policy documents and secondary literature, the research identifies emerging patterns in which infrastructure-led development can either strengthen national unity or exacerbate regional grievances. While CPEC has contributed to enhanced connectivity and economic optimism, concerns regarding transparency, provincial equity, and local participation remain central to its long-term integrative capacity. The study concludes that infrastructure becomes a genuine tool of nation-building only when leadership prioritizes distributive justice, and political consensus. In doing so, it contributes to broader debates on leadership, sustainable democracy, and national integration in South Asia.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Reema Murad https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Rethinking public sector performance in developing economies: A Musgravian capability approach
The multidimensional PPP index is introduced in public sector performance (PSP) through different dimensions of developing economies under one empirical model. The paper, drawing on Musgrave's functional theory of public finance and Sen's capability approach, not only considers the common indicators of government efficiency and corruption but also adds macroeconomic stabilization and social outcomes to them. Panel data for a 30-year span were obtained with the help of World Development Indicators (WDI), which the study heavily relied on for the primary sources. Besides getting through Principal Component Analysis (PCA) seven sub-dimensional indices (administration education health, infrastructure distribution stabilization, and economic performance), the authors also put these into two principal (Opportunity and Musgravian) and finally into a single overall performance index. In the quantitative analysis, these two major types of performances (macroeconomic development/transition and the provision of social opportunity) seem to be the two most different areas. The health and infrastructure dimensions turned out to be more powerful explanatory elements So showing that the health care outcomes and access to digital connectivity are playing a more pivotal role to public sector performance. In contrast, the macroeconomic dimensions exhibited relatively insignificant connections indicating potential differences in the structure of developing economies. With this research, the paper shows a practical example of how one might construct a multidimensional index using PCA, which minimizes discretion/subjectivity related to aggregation methods and at the same time produces statistically valid weights to the variables.
Copyright (c) 2026 Farah Iqbal, Dr. Saima Sarwar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0