This study looks at the issue of colourism and class inequality in the drama serial ‘Parizaad’. Agenda-setting is utilized as the theoretical framework. The study analyses the dialogues, language use, and character interaction through qualitative content analysis. The findings of the study highlight how the narrative persistently underscores the discriminatory behavior concerning skin tone and class status. Through the protagonist changing self-perception and opposition to such set standards and prejudices, the drama not only reflects the entrenched socio-cultural partiality but also critiques them through motivation, moral authority and dignity of Parizaad. The results highlight how Parizaad sets the agenda by diverting viewers' attention to such issues and raising their awareness of questioning such benchmarks. This extension of the agenda-setting theory beyond its traditional news contexts, the research underlines the significance of infotainment narratives in constructing cultural discourses and impacting public consciousness with regard to such social issues.
This research investigates women's involvement in Pakistan's political sphere, offering a comparative analysis of their participation, the barriers they face, the challenges encountered, and the opportunities available during the general elections of 2018 and 2024. The study underscores the changing dynamics of female political engagement, critically examining the structural impediments that hinder their participation while exploring avenues for improved representation and empowerment in upcoming electoral frameworks. In the general elections of 2018, women held 20.5% of seats in the National Assembly of Pakistan, showing a modest development of women's participation in politics with 46.89% women voter turnout, but still, not a satisfactory level of participation. In the 2024 general elections in Pakistan, women's participation was lower than in the 2018 GE, as female voter turnout remained at 42.6%. This study answers why the turnout of women always remains low in GE. Women must be appreciated and encouraged by civil society, media and political parties to increase women's participation in politics and enhance the democratic process. An institutional program or initiatives to increase political awareness among women must be started. Political parties and governmental institutions must proactively cultivate more inclusive and welcoming environments for women to counteract the discouraging perception of male-dominated political arenas. This research attempts to analyze the barriers and Challenges that hinder women's political participation through descriptive-analytical research methodology.
This article investigates the power dynamics and social critique in Ayad Akhtar’s Homeland Elegies through the lens of Norman Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis. By focusing on how language shapes and sustains social hierarchies, this study reveals the novel’s commentary on identity, belonging, and societal perceptions in contemporary America. Through themes such as Islamophobia, capitalism, and the American Dream, Akhtar examines how discourse marginalizes certain groups while reinforcing dominant cultural narratives. Fairclough’s framework uncovers the ways in which discourse not only reflects but actively perpetuates inequality, exposing the embedded power structures that govern everyday interactions. This analysis invites readers to critically engage with the language that sustains societal norms, encouraging a deeper understanding of how discourse both constructs and constrains social realities.
The advancement of Communication and Technology has brought about a radical change in the tertiary sector that now, most of the services of the private as well as the public enterprises are provided in online mode. The application of this digital technology could be very widely seen in the education sector for last few decades. However, a complete shift from offline to online mode of education happened during the Covid Period. The higher education sector in Kerala, India, where the students’ politics is very active, also switched over to online mode of education during the Covid period. Kerala is a state with highest literacy rate, highest digital literacy and very vibrant students’ politics in India. The connection between digital literacy and active campus politics in the digital era makes the state different from the other states. This study explores the impact of the online education on Students Politics, particularly on the bargaining power and political participation. A shift in the political culture of the students will take place with the emergence of ‘digital participant culture’. Similar or different influence of the new social media on other social groups, associations or trade unions could be traced in the digital era.
Tharus, an indigenous ethnic group found in the borderlands of Nepal and India, have been subject to extensive studies affirming their status as indigenous tribes. This research delves into the Tharu identity, characterizing them as a mestizo group—a blend of various cultural influences. While Tharus' origin stories exhibit diversity, historical records confirm their early settlement in the Terai region of Nepal, establishing them as the original inhabitants. Despite inscriptions suggesting immigration, Tharus, including the Chitwania subgroup, are rooted in indigenous origin, culture, and myths like Jimutbahan (Jitiya), Bikram Baba, and Lotus Pond myths. Tharus are viewed as ethnic yet mixed tribes, with the mythical narratives of their origin as the descent of Buddha or of Mongols mixed with Hindu Aryans culturally. Their religious and cultural practices reflect this mixed heritage, as they observe Hindu rituals uniquely and incorporate distinct elements into traditional practices related to birth, marriage, death, and festivals. This mixed identity fosters a mestizo-ethnic affiliation for Tharus, straddling two realities without purely belonging to either. Analogous to the mestizo identity in America, where Native Americans share a mixed heritage with Europeans, Tharus' identity is shaped as borderlands by their origin, culture, and myths. Using the theory of borderland identity as the theoretical perspective, this research endeavors to unveil how Tharus embody a mixed identity as borderlands through archival exploration and in-person interviews with Chitwania Tharu individuals and research references.
Pakistan was hopeful that the Taliban, after the takeover of Kabul, would facilitate a reconciliation between Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamabad, as they had an upper hand over TTP, but it proved worthless. In the post-Taliban takeover period, a tremendous increase has been observed in militant attacks inside Pakistan, along with more than 3000 fatalities. TTP has proven to be the deadliest group under the regime’s patronage. Pakistan has been employing both soft and hard approaches to tackle the issue. The soft approach worked on stressing the Taliban regime to push the militants towards table talks. But the soft approach has proved to be unproductive in the face of intensifying militancy by TTP. Islamabad, after failure of ‘soft approach,’ launched intelligence-based air strikes on TTP hideouts in Afghanistan, moving from a ‘soft’ to a ‘hard’ policy approach’. This paper focuses on the credibility of Pakistan’s approaches and their drawbacks. The major research questions this study tries to address is: what is the impact of Taliban’s comeback to power on growing TTP resilience and how effective are Pakistan’s policy responses? Both exploratory and analytical research methods have been employed, relying mostly on printed and electronic sources.
While the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed unprecedented shocks on both the supply and demand sides, it is important to understand its impact on firms with different characteristics. In this regard, we use data from the Business Confidence Survey conducted on 303 firms in Bangladesh by SANEM, in collaboration with The Asia Foundation (TAF), in April 2020, to examine whether firms differing in size, stimulus package reception status, and categories across major manufacturing and service sub-sectors were impacted differently by the COVID-19 pandemic. We construct a “Business Status Index (BSI)” to assess the factors influencing a firm’s business performance during the pandemic. We employ the chi2 statistic and the ordered logit model to determine whether, and to what extent, factors such as firm size, location, stimulus package reception, and sectoral variables significantly influenced business status. Our study adds value to the existing literature by addressing the knowledge gap regarding the micro-level impact of the pandemic in the context of Bangladesh. It also highlights the vulnerabilities of micro and small enterprises and exporters (e.g., RMG), which need to be considered in policymaking during times of crisis.
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has emerged as a transformative initiative, reshaping Pakistan’s economic landscape through the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs). This study examines the socio-economic impact of infrastructural development within SEZs on rural communities, with a focus on key aspects such as road connectivity, electricity supply, sanitation, and access to public services. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 150 rural inhabitants through a structured questionnaire, and results were analyzed using chi-square tests. Findings indicate that road infrastructure under SEZs has significantly improved farmers' access to urban markets, with 44% of respondents reporting a major impact and 35% noting a moderate impact. Additionally, SEZs have contributed to the availability of quality public services and electricity, with 38% and 42% of respondents acknowledging significant improvements, respectively. Furthermore, 40% of respondents perceived SEZs as a major driver of rural development, while 48% reported a noticeable influence on local tourism. These insights underscore the role of SEZs in fostering regional economic integration and social upliftment, contributing to broader discussions on governance, development, and socio-economic transformation in South Asia.
The purpose of this research study is to provide an in-depth analysis of the continuity and change in the culture of Mansehra district, Pakistan. To achieve this objective, we used a range of primary and secondary sources. The primary data is gathered from answers to a developed questionnaire, personal observations of the author, fieldwork, interviews, and photographs. On the other hand, the secondary data used are articles, papers, and cultural collections in libraries and museums. The research methodology is qualitative, and the results indicate that people in the Mansehra district follow their cultural traditions strongly. However, the study also reveals that there has been a significant change in the way the rituals are performed. The paper concludes that the change is gradual and slow, highlighting the need for scholars to research this topic further. This research is significant because it provides valuable insights into the cultural changes occurring in Mansehra district over time. It will help researchers understand the dynamics of cultural change in the region, and it will open up new avenues for future research. Policymakers can also use the findings of this study to develop strategies that support cultural preservation and promote cultural diversity in the region.
The purpose of the study was to look into Malaysian and Pakistani pedagogy and assessment methods. The study examines Pakistan's 2009 National Education Policy document, which highlights the need to encourage both instructors and students as one of the larger objectives for teaching and learning at all levels. These have been conceptualized in the literature in terms of a wide range of skills, many of which are related to evaluation. These abilities suggest the capacity and readiness to pose insightful queries about the information being delivered. To better understand how to enhance Pakistan's educational system, the researcher examined the educational systems of Malaysia and Pakistan with a particular emphasis on pedagogy and evaluation methods. This study compares the primary school educational system. This study's main objectives were to obtain an understanding of the Pakistani educational system and the pedagogical and assessment practices of the Malaysian elementary education system. To accomplish these goals, the researcher examined the educational plans and policies of Malaysia and Pakistan and emphasized a few pedagogical and evaluation strategies that have been implemented in both countries between 1992 and 2020. The researcher used a qualitative approach and researched document analysis for this goal. At the conclusion, the researcher offered suggestions for enhancing Pakistan's educational system, which made it easier for the reader to implement or modify those measures and enhance Pakistan's basic education system. Pakistan needs to strengthen its methods of instruction. Instructors must implement assessment strategies in the classroom based on the needs of their students and the subject matter. To cultivate critical thinking, independence, and active learning in students, 21st-century skills dictate that traditional teaching approaches must be modified and replaced with a variety of innovative techniques depending on the needs, learners' levels, and topic matter. Give educators the knowledge they need to embrace and modify innovative pedagogical and evaluation methods so that they may implement them in the classroom and improve students' learning. To evaluate pupils' learning, there may be specific quality standards, precise criteria, and procedures. an exhaustive log of every pupil's action. To guarantee their overall growth, activities should be continued and they should be assessed according to their aptitude, knowledge, abilities, and intelligence.
The study was carried out to examine societal behavioural changes in the development of agriculture: Lessons from the Global Societal (Pakistan, China, and Sri Lanka). Improved food and quality production have been challenging in the supply chain. This paper draws on existing theories of behavioural change to construct a conceptual framework that explores pathways to initiate and sustain changes through the lens of empowerment. This research agenda has potential for providing valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders in agriculture and beyond. Both types of data were used for the work and attained using structured questionnaires through different sampling methods from rural farmers in the study area of Pakistan, China, and Sri Lanka. Recommendations were made for farmers within the study area to seek attitude and behavioural change for decisions in agricultural strategies. We argue that behavioural and social change needs to be clearly adopted in such endeavors to achieve better and longer-term outcomes for the people in the development of agriculture. Logistic managers preferred to use decision support systems to enhance approaches for confirming the demand for food quality and care. Public sector Agricultural Extension, academia (research institutions/universities), and stakeholders should launch massive campaigns to consider concrete ways to engage young farmers in agricultural policy processes and advocate for the active engagement of youth in the agricultural value chains.
Violent extremism is the most serious threat among several by-products of terrorism that are not only damaging the tolerant cultural and religious ethos of the Pakistani state and society but are also hurting its development and economy. This paper seeks to analyze the phenomena of violent extremism and the factors leading to it concerning the case studies of Pakistan and Singapore. The critical review includes a comparison of the Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) initiatives in Pakistan and Singapore to highlight the lessons that the former can draw from the latter to fulfill the formidable challenge of CVE. Pakistan has so far achieved modest success in its fight against violent extremism, as the CVE programs are evolving from the embryonic to adolescence phase and it will stay partially successful unless done prudently. A smart and proactive CVE program built on a "whole of nation/ community approach" like the successes model of Singapore will assist Pakistan in further consolidating its gains and filling in the gaps that are currently present. Pakistan needs to go a step ahead from a “countering to preventing approach” to coping with the challenge of violent extremism.
This century has witnessed an unforgettable tragedy, “shoah ” the attempt by the Nazi regime to exterminate the Jewish people by killing millions of Jews, for the sole reason of their Jewish origin. They were persecuted and deported. This century has also seen "Naqba, ” effects have continued to poison the lives of 12 million people who are still stateless. On the soil of injustice, peace cannot grow. The injustices against Muslims in “Naqba” and Jews in “Holocaust” are being analyzed in this study to prevent such atrocities from happening again and to promote tolerance and peace among people. By exploring the interconnectedness of historical events, including the Holocaust, the creation of Israel, and the resultant displacement of Palestinians, this study seeks to unpack how historical victimization of Jews has led to the victimization of Palestinians. Research is qualitative as well as comparative in nature. In Naqba, the victims are Palestinians, while in the Holocaust, the victims are Jews. To create a state for Jews, according to the “Might is Right” policy, the Belford Declaration is deciding the fate of the inhabitants of Palestine. The displacement of Arab Palestinians pre-1948 and the subsequent occupation of further territories post-1967 is also vital, which are the reasons of conflict in the region. The status of Israel and Palestine on statehood theories is also investigated, and it is analyzed that this is a great reason of hurdle in the development of peace. Palestine fulfills the attributes of a state while Israel, although, it has become the only nuclear state in Middle East, its attributes of a state are not on moral grounds. States are recognizing Israel for their economic and political interests, influenced by various other factors, including diplomatic considerations but peace seems impossible to establish. It is recommended that potential mechanisms by UN and OIC to ensure security for both Israelis and Palestinians must be established. There should be measures to prevent violence, terrorism, and genocide, as well as building of mutual trust through initiatives for both the communities is also must, so that another naqba or holocaust can be avoided.
This research focused on decentralization and the governing system among the local governments in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, drawing on the comparative analysis methodology. Therefore, the paper assessed how the administrative, political, and historical contexts of decentralization in both nations have shaped the policies and the impact of these policies on the local government systems. Moreover, the current study highlighted some core aspects such as accountability, transparency, and citizen's participation in the structures of municipal governments in both countries. The findings of the study suggested that Sri Lanka has been a more devolution-oriented country as the country has formed directly elected local government institutions and devolved a relatively large amount of power and authority. In contrast, Pakistan has been a more deconcentration-oriented country as local governments remained the central authorities' administrative subordinates. These findings provide insights into the broader implications of decentralization in South Asia and highlight ongoing policy changes and efforts to build better capacities in both central and provincial governments for better decentralization and governance practices in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The purpose of this qualitative research is to investigate the effect that the birthing environment has on the level of birthing satisfaction experienced by 15 mothers in the city of Lahore, Pakistan. In the study, a purposive sampling approach was utilized to identify participants who had an assisted birth at a public sector institutional facility. To capture the experiences and perspectives of the participants on the birthing environment during labor, semi-structured phenomenological interviews were conducted with each of the participants. To discover recurring themes within the data, the thematic analysis method was utilized. According to the results of the study, the birthing environment appears to play a considerable part in determining the quality of the delivery experience and the level of mother’s satisfaction. It was found that access to basic amenities such as water and hygiene facilities, along with having a clean and pleasant setting, supportive staff, and privacy, were critical aspects that contributed to their level of satisfaction with their birthing experience. On the other side, there were a number of issues that were recognized as having a negative impact on the birthing experience. These included a lack of privacy, poor hygiene, and inadequate infrastructure. According to the findings of the study, improving the birthing environment may have a beneficial effect on the overall positive experience of birthing mothers.
Cooperative activities among undertakings have the potential to disrupt fair competition, making it essential to delineate which agreements, practices, or arrangements fall under the purview of competition laws. This article aims to evaluate the existing provisions governing agreements and practices within the framework of the Competition Act 2010 while drawing relevant comparisons with the provisions outlined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). It endeavors to address specific questions and considerations. Firstly, it delves into the fundamental elements and definitions of agreements and practices as specified by the Competition Act 2010. It then explores whether these provisions in CA 2010 align with or deviate from the corresponding articles within the TFEU, shedding light on potential convergences or divergences. Furthermore, this article examines whether there are notable resemblances or disparities between CA 2010 and TFEU in their definitions of agreements and practices related to competition. It scrutinizes the implications, if any, that arise from these disparities or similarities between CA 2010 and TFEU for undertakings operating within their respective jurisdictions. Finally, it highlights specific cases or instances, if any, where the interpretation of agreements and practices under CA 2010 significantly diverges from TFEU, potentially leading to legal challenges or uncertainties. Through this comprehensive analysis, the article aims to contribute to a nuanced understanding of competition laws in both Pakistan and the European Union contexts.
This study aimed to investigate the experiences of prospective teachers about their online teaching practicum during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective was to gain insights into the experiences and understanding of prospective teachers about online teaching practicum during pandemic 19. To accomplish this study, a qualitative approach and a phenomenological research design were employed. The researcher used purposive sampling techniques and all the students of B.Ed(4 years) of the science group and the practicum supervisor of the same group were selected as a sample. After the data collection the data was analyzed through thematic analysis and different provisional and emergent themes were found. The provisional themes of this study were online teaching practicum, first Impression about OTP, fears of OTP, orientation of OTP, interaction with Practicum supervisor, online instructions, experience with Google Classroom, barriers of OTP, skills, and desired goal, planning of OTP, main difference between online teaching practicum and onsite teaching practicum, online instructions, online Training by using gadgets, environment of OTP, and major components i.e. (1)Lesson Planning (2) Peer Feedback (3)Supervisor Feedback (4) Lesson Reflection (5)Teaching Session (6) E-portfolio. The emergent themes of this study were the experience of online practicum, pre-practicum workshops (Onsite), orientations with focal persons as Schools, discussions with cooperative teachers, online practicum training, provided environment, planning of online teaching practicum, action plan, and experience of E-portfolio. This study's finding revealed that while prospective teachers' initial experiences were positive, they encountered difficulties such as internet connectivity issues, limited time to present lesson plans, and utilizing advanced technology. Additionally, prospective teachers faced challenges in providing and receiving feedback. Based on these findings, the major recommendations include increasing the number of online training sessions, providing comprehensive instruction on lesson planning and uses of advanced technology, and revising the mechanisms for online peer feedback.
This study was focused on examining the impact of action control and dispositional hope on self-regulated learning strategies and course achievement among university students. The data were collected from different Departments of Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan. Their age range was 18 to 33. After collecting the data statistical analysis was done. The study was carried out with a sample of 350 students from different Departments of the University. A booklet consisting of three questionnaires; Action Control Scale (ACS-90), Adult Dispositional Hope Scale and Self-regulated Learning Strategies Questionnaire. Age, gender, qualification and CGPA were included as demographic variables. Results indicate that action control is negatively correlated with dispositional hope and learning strategies. Whereas dispositional hope is positively correlated to all learning strategies. Results also show that action control does not predict student’s performance but has an indirect effect through learning strategies. Action control predicts learning strategies. So, learning strategies are working as a mediating variable between action control and students' performance. On the other hand, dispositional hope predicts student performance; it also predicts learning strategies. The results of the Sobel test show that learning strategies are working as a mediating variable.
The challenge of low academic achievement among adult learners has been continuously reported in adult basic literacy. Adult literacy programs prioritize integrating basic life-related literacy, empowering learners to manage daily responsibilities independently and enhancing academic achievement. Therefore, the present study was conducted to empirically investigate the effect of the social practice approach on learners' academic achievement through pretest, protest control group design. They involved 70 learners, with 35 assigned to each experimental and control group. A worksheet (pretest/posttest) was employed for data collection. Data were analyzed by using an independent sample t-test. The findings revealed that the experimental group, exposed to the social practice approach in their literacy activities, showed improved academic achievement. The study recommended conducting learner assessments before literacy content development to align with identified social needs, offering context-based literacy training for teachers, and establishing an assessment and evaluation system that forges connections between learners' daily lives and literacy practices. Furthermore, it suggested implementing virtual and physical feedback mechanisms to gather input from adult learners to enhance adult basic literacy consistently.
In today’s globalized world, it has become a necessary norm to be part of a regional integration process for neighbouring countries in any region of the world. Central Asia is a good example to understand with its rich past and unexplored perspective. This phenomenon can be better understood by examining the quest of Central Asian republics (CARs) for regional integration and the role of BRI in this process. For that, this paper explores the historical dynamics and drivers of regional integration in Central Asia with a special focus on the role of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which aims to improve regional infrastructure, commerce, and investment, has the potential to redefine the direction of regional integration in Central Asia in the face of shifting global power dynamics. Furthermore, Liberal Intergovernmental theory helps explain the Central Asian Republics’ core actions and the impact of their domestic policies providing a details view of what drives regional integration in Central Asia. The study explores the historical dynamics and drivers of regional integration in Central Asia, focusing on the role of the BRI in reshaping these dynamics at domestic and external levels, using qualitative and thematic analysis of secondary sources.
