Journal of Political Stability Archive

Social Media and the Emergence of Non-Violent Political Extremism Among Pakistani Youth (2018-2022)

Ayesha Sahoo — 2025-12-31

A significant change in political engagement among the youth of Pakistan has been observed between 2018 and 2022. Social media has emerged as the primary venue for the discussion of ideas and for political mobilization; Political extremism of the violent kind is declining, whereas non-violent political extremism is surging. This paper examines the role of social media in neutral extremism and violence and the degree to which exclusionary and extreme political views are becoming normalized among the youth of Pakistan. The research relies on Media Dependency Theory for the explanation that, in this case, the dependency of the Pakistan youth on social media for the political understanding is the reason that the political actors are resorting to the massive cultivation of politically and socially divisive messages that also erode the basis of social democracy. This is evident in the heavy use of divisive algorithms, echo chambers, social media influencers, and memes. It is true that the non-violent kind of extremist movements is less visible than the previously dominant violent movements extremism. It is also true that it poses a danger to the democratic culture and social cohesion in the politically evolving digital space in the country.

Becoming a Man in Silence: Peer Learning, Masculinity, and Reproductive Health Knowledge Formation among Punjab’s Adolescents

Muhammad Huzaifa Umer — 2026-03-31

Adolescence represents an important stage when boys learn about their bodies and form masculine identities through culturally definite social settings. This qualitative research paper explores the interaction of masculinity, silence and peer learning with each other to form knowledge among Pakistani adolescents. Purposive sampling was used to collect the data; participant observation and in-depth interviews were conducted with 7 male adolescents of Sargodha and Mianwali, Punjab. Thematic analysis determined patterns that were repeated in the experiences of the participants. Results show that learned information is channeled through familial and institutional silence structures to peer networks and digital environments where it is disseminated informally, in a hierarchy, and inaccurately. Peer learning is a major source of instructions but it is influenced by the elements of power, expectations of performances and exposure to content without contextual supports. The paper points out the necessity of sensitive to culture, gender-sensitive interventions that establish safe, guided spaces, enabling more positive healthier knowledge accumulation and a more favorable transition to adulthood.

Dependence Structure between clean energy market and stock markets: Evidence from Copula Approach

Irfan ullah Munir — 2026-03-31

This study examines the dependence structure between the clean energy market and the stock markets of Pakistan, United States, China, and Norway. It employes daily data from 2017 to 2022 and used copula model for the purpose of analysis. The findings of the study show that t-copula provides the best fit for all the market pairs. This shows that the presence of tail dependence between the bivariate pairs of clean energy market and the stocks. However, the study further highlights that the dependence is stronger in the developed markets and relatively weaker in Pakistan. The study highlights implications for investors and policy makers.

Role Of FWRDP Water Management Initiatives in Enhancing Wheat Productivity in District Bajaur

Ikramullah — 2026-03-31

FATA Water Resources Development Project (FWRDP) operates in many regions of the erstwhile FATA, including Bajaur, and one of its primary components is on-farm water management (OFWM). This study investigates how agricultural production of wheat in district Bajaur is transformed by on-farm water management practices. This study is based on household data from 120 farmers that were gathered using a pre-tested questionnaire. A binary logit model was used to identify determinants of OFWM on agricultural productivity of wheat. The study found that the age of respondents, farming experience, working members, water availability and community organization membership were statistically significant and positively related to OFWM effects on agricultural productivity of wheat. On the other side, variables such as education level, access to agriculture extension, credit and land tenancy were statistically non-significant and had an inverse effect on the agricultural productivity of wheat. The overall model was significant as shown by p<0.05 which depicts that the socio-economic characteristics of the population are the main factors contributing to the effects on OFWM on agricultural productivity of wheat crop. It is important to consider these factors when designing policies and programs aimed at improving water management practices in agriculture to promote sustainable economic development and increase crop yields.

Persuasive Effects of Emotional and Informational Appeals in Social Media Advertising: A Quantitative Study

Sardar Ahmad Javed — 2026-03-31

Social media has emerged as a powerful channel of advertisement, and marketers are forced to use persuasive strategies that have the potential to impress audiences in crowded and interactive situations. The present research analyzes the effectiveness of emotional and informative appeals in social media advertisement through quantitative research design. Based on the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) and the theory of persuasion, a structured questionnaire was used to gather data on 300 social media users in Pakistan. The SPSS was used to perform reliability, correlation, and multiple regression analyses. The results prove that emotional appeals and informative appeals can be used to dramatically increase the effectiveness of social media advertising, but emotional appeals are more effective. The age was found to be a moderating variable with minimal effects of gender. The research can be considered as a contribution to the theory of advertising because it empirically confirms the processes of persuasion within a modern social media environment and provides real-world advice to advertisers looking to streamline message processes.

Examining the Impact of Inclusive Leadership on Job Crafting: Moderating Role of Learning Goal Orientation and Mediating Role of Work Engagement

Humaira Arzoo — 2026-03-31

The present study examines the influence of inclusive leadership on job crafting, considering the moderating and mediating roles of learning goal orientation and work engagement, respectively. This research employs a quantitative methodology. Data were collected from 310 employees in the telecommunications sector in Pakistan using a convenience sampling technique. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS. The findings of this study confirm a positive and significant impact of inclusive leadership on employees' job crafting behavior. Work engagement was identified as a mediator in the relationship between inclusive leadership and job crafting. Additionally, the results indicate that learning goal orientation serves as a moderator. The study suggests that an inclusive leadership style can effectively promote job crafting and work engagement within an organization. Inclusive leaders provide learning opportunities that enhance employees' self-efficacy, enabling them to navigate challenging environments. Furthermore, organizations should offer employees opportunities to reflect on their roles and transform them into more challenging tasks within the workplace. The study also discusses research limitations, future directions, and managerial implications.

Climatic Variability and the Transformation of the Indus Valley Civilization

Asif Ali Sandeelo — 2025-03-30

This article examines the long-term transformation of the Indus Valley Civilization through the interplay of climatic variability, environmental change, and water resource dynamics. Drawing on archaeological, ecological, and historical evidence, it traces the development of early human settlements from Neolithic sites such as Mehrgarh to the emergence of major urban centers, including Mohenjo-daro and Harappa. The study follows a scoping systematic literature review method to understand the climate variability and transformation of the Indus Valley Civilization. The study highlights how shifts in rainfall patterns, flooding regimes, and freshwater availability shaped settlement patterns, agricultural systems, and socio-economic life. The findings suggest that environmental processes were central not only to the rise of the Indus Civilization but also to its transformation and eventual de-urbanization, alongside economic and political changes. Particular attention is given to the Indus River as a key ecological force supporting urban development, agricultural productivity, and regional connectivity, as well as influencing patterns of adaptation and mobility. By linking past environmental processes with present-day climatic challenges in the Indus region, the paper concludes and recommends the enduring relationship between water systems, climate variability, and human adaptation across time.

Development and Psychometric Validation of an Urdu Version of the Sports Injury Prevention Assessment Scale SIPAS-Ur

Sidra Nadeem — 2026-03-31

This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Sports Injury Prevention Assessment Scale (SIPAS) into Urdu for Pakistani athletes. Following Beaton et al. (2000) guidelines, the scale underwent translation, expert review, pilot testing, and validation. A total of 530 athletes participated. The Urdu SIPAS showed strong psychometric properties, with high sampling adequacy (KMO = .864) and significant Bartlett’s test (χ² (153) = 974.266, p < .001). Internal consistency was excellent (α = .94), and both EFA and CFA supported a stable four-factor structure. The scale is a reliable and valid tool for assessing injury prevention awareness.

Enhancing Employee Retention in Private Higher Education through HR Practices, Engagement, and Technology

Zulfiqar Ahmed Janjua — 2026-03-31

Employee retention has emerged as a critical challenge for private higher education institutions (HEIs), particularly in developing countries where financial constraints and competitive labor markets intensify workforce instability. This study examines the impact of human resource practices on employee retention in private HEIs in Islamabad, Pakistan, while incorporating employee engagement and job satisfaction as mediating variables and organizational culture and technology adoption as moderating factors. A quantitative and a cross-sectional design was applied to collect data among 350 employees in the private HEIs. The relationship between the hypotheses was assessed using SEM. Results show that ER is affected by HRP both directly and indirectly via EE and JS. The mediation analysis proves the importance of these psychological factors to translate HRP into retention outcomes. Moreover, the findings show that OC and TA enhance the connection between HRP and EE, which cannot be overlooked in the context of contextual factors. The paper is an addition to the literature because it derives an integrated framework that incorporates mediating and moderating processes with respect to the context of private HEIs. In practice, the results indicate that the implementation strategy of a comprehensive HRP that focuses on the development of employees, the culture of support, and technological innovation to enhance retention should be adopted in HEIs. This research can also be useful to policymakers and institutional administrators who want to improve the stability of the workforce and performance of the organization within the university sector.

The Ideological Prison: Taliban Governance, Human Rights, and the Stalled Political Process in Afghanistan

Muhammad Abbas Ashraf — 2026-03-31

This paper analyses the impacts of the Taliban’s dogmatic framing on Afghanistan’s governance and human rights context since their return to power in August 2021. It argues that Taliban insistence on traditionalist Deobandi-Islamism authorised by an intolerant leadership is the main obstacle to a functioning, representative government and meaningful reconstruction. The focus is three-fold: the creation of an exclusive ethnic-biased political order, the calculated violation of human rights, including women’s right to education and work; and an international stalemate characterized by non-recognition and punitive steps. Through a doctrinal genealogy of these strategies, this analysis finds that the Taliban’s doctrine-led inflexibility has crafted a self-defeating governance paradigm which perpetuates a crisis in human protection and blocks trajectories toward sustainable stability (Ashraf, 2023).

Relationship Between Organizational Health, Quality Education and Instructional Effectiveness: An Exploration at University Level

Rahat Ali — 2025-12-31

This was a qualitative research that was conducted to explore the relationship between the Organizational Health, Quality Education and Instructional Effectiveness at university level. There were 10 participants of this study sampled with the help of the Purposive sampling from the universities based at Lahore. The data was collected with the help of a Semi Structured Interview Protocol. The data was analyzed with the help of Manual Thematic Analysis. The study results conclude that the organizational health and instructional effectiveness are essential in improving academic experience and performance of students in higher education. It has been recommended that the Universities should provide a healthy environment for the students and similarly should ensure the effectiveness of the teachers’ instructions so that the quality of education could be provided to the students.

From Climate Stress to Economic Relief: Exploring the Relationship Between Climate Change and Remittances in SAARC Countries

Nasir Munir — 2026-03-31

Climate change has emerged as a systemic macroeconomic risk with far-reaching implications for financial flows and economic resilience, particularly in developing regions. This study investigates the dynamic relationship between climate change, macroeconomic sensitivity, and remittance inflows in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries over the period 2000–2023. Grounded in the climate–migration–remittance nexus, the analysis integrates temperature and precipitation variability with macroeconomic responsiveness and adaptive capacity to provide a comprehensive assessment of how environmental shocks influence remittance behavior. Employing advanced panel econometric techniques—
including Cross-sectional Augmented Dickey–Fuller (CIPS) unit root tests, Pesaran’s cross-sectional dependence framework, Panel Vector Autoregression (PVAR), and LASSO regression—the study captures both short-run dynamics and long-run interdependencies across countries. The findings reveal a nuanced relationship: rising temperatures exert a positive and statistically significant effect on remittance inflows, suggesting climate-induced migration and compensatory financial transfers, whereas extreme precipitation shocks (e.g., floods and droughts) disrupt remittance flows by constraining migrants’ earning capacity and financial transmission mechanisms. Furthermore, macroeconomic sensitivity amplifies the
transmission of remittance shocks into broader economic outcomes, highlighting the structural dependence of SAARC economies on external income flows. A key contribution of the study lies in identifying adaptive capacity as a critical moderating factor. Countries with stronger institutional frameworks, infrastructure, and financial inclusion exhibit greater resilience, maintaining stable remittance inflows despite climate-induced disruptions. The Granger causality
results further indicate a bidirectional relationship between climate change and 415 remittances, underscoring the endogenous nature of this linkage within the macroeconomic system. The study contributes to the literature by offering an integrated empirical framework that links climate variability, macroeconomic responsiveness, and remittance dynamics within a highly vulnerable and remittance-dependent region. From a policy perspective, the findings underscore
the need for climate-resilient economic planning, enhanced adaptive capacity, and targeted financial inclusion strategies to safeguard remittance flows as a stabilizing force. Strengthening regional cooperation within SAARC is also imperative to mitigate cross-border climate risks and sustain economic resilience in the face of escalating environmental challenges.

Negotiating Work and Marriage: Communication Dynamics and Their Influence on Marital Satisfaction Among Working Couples in Punjab, Pakistan

Rabia Noor — 2026-03-31

Background: Communication is widely known to be one of the key determinants of marital satisfaction. In dual-earner families, the augmented work requirements and the ongoing cultural pressures could affect the functioning of communication in marriage. Nevertheless, little studies have been done to observe such dynamics in working couples in Punjab, Pakistan.

Methods: The cross-sectional research involved 343 working population in Punjab, Pakistan. The collected data were in form of a structured self-administered survey questionnaire which measured communication, marital satisfaction, work family conflict, and cultural norms and conflict management. The two open ended questions were used to get qualitative information. The Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression in SPSS were used to analyze the quantitative data, and thematic analysis helped to analyze the qualitative responses.

Results: Marital satisfaction was positively correlated with communication (r =.682, p <.01). This relationship was substantially undermined by work-family conflict ( 02 2 =.022, p. 014). Cultural norms (ΔR 2 =.023, p =.016) and conflict management (ΔR 2 =.037, p =.002) also played a significant role in mediating the relationship, either curbing or expanding the benefits of communication. Thematic analysis indicated that there were five broad themes namely: emotional sharing, time investment, empathetic listening, conflict avoidance and contextual stressors such as family interference and workplace pressure.

Conclusion: Nevertheless, communication has stayed a strong indicator of marital satisfaction but the efficacy is defined by cultural and professional environments. It is suggested that culturally sensitive counseling interventions and family-supportive workplace policies can be used to promote the marital well-being of working couples in collectivist cultures.

Iranian Influence and Middle Eastern Security Order: A Case Study of Iran-Iraq Political Rivalry Since 2011

Muzammil Abbas Khan — 2026-03-31

This paper will analyze the role of influences and effects of Iran on the Middle East order of security in terms of the Iran-Iraq political rivalry since 2011. Political instability in the country after the pulling out of the U.S. troops and sectarianism in Iraq provided means through which Iran could build its presence in the region by forming political alliances, investing in the economy, and sponsoring Shia militias. Combining neorealist and constructivist perspectives, the given analysis will put an emphasis on the fact that Iran can achieve strategic depth and use sectarian identity as a justification of the involvement. At the same time, the experience of Iraq on the way to sovereignty and control of non-state actors believes in the scope of foreign intervention. The results highlight the dual nature of the role of Iran as a stabilizing and destabilizing actor and depict how the governance of regional security has been transformed into a hybrid form that brings in both state and non-state actors. The research is valuable in relation to learning how power, identity, and agency interact with each other in a multifaceted manner to contribute to the present geopolitics in the Middle East.

From Human Segregation to Rat Surveillance: The Attari Investigation Scheme and the Ecological Turn in Colonial Plague Policy

Zara Maqsood — 2026-03-31

This article reassesses the plague policy of colonial powers through the Report on the Results of Certain Investigations Regarding Rats in the Punjab (The Attari Investigation Scheme, 1907–1908). The article argues that the policy on plague shifted from the coercive human-centered methods to environmental management, which was based upon controlling rats and doing scientific investigations to create statistical analysis. Villages were used as experimental sites and the officials reframed plague as a problem of environmental conditions instead of human contagion. Although this ecological control required constant supervision, statistical comparisons helped justify the intervention. This article shows that how the numerical and scientific reasoning reshaped the colonial public health administration in the rural Punjab.

The Role of Cyber Warfare in the Modern Era: A Case Study of the Israel-Hezbollah War

Shazia Batool — 2026-03-31

The twentieth century has seen cyber warfare emerge as a defining feature of twenty-first-century conflict, shifting the dynamics of competition between states and non-state actors in terms of power, legitimacy, and security. This paper examines the influence of cyber warfare in modern asymmetric warfare, with reference to the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War, which was one of the first cases in which a cyber operation was combined with conventional military forces. The research focuses on the use of low-cost cyber strategies such as defacing websites, online propaganda, and mass intimidating messages by Israel to undercut the image of Hezbollah and shift public attention. To counter this, Hezbollah engaged in counter-cyber operations, such as breaking into Israeli communication networks, jamming, and holding on to their media outlets, including Al-Manar, to interfere with Israel and its propaganda so that they could continue to act as they do. The analysis highlights that the two parties resorted to the use of cyber warfare to cause diversions and psychological pressure, thereby making the battle an information war rather than a military war. Making use of the Realist theory, this study suggests that cyber warfare in asymmetric warfare is a leveller of power, which enables weaker players to face more technologically developed states and makes states change their approaches to cyber warfare to ensure their supremacy in security. The paper finds that the Israel-Hezbollah conflict established a precedent in which cyber and conventional warfare are merged in hybrid warfare, and there is an urgent need to establish legal, political, and military frameworks to deal with the menace of cyber war in international relations.

Fiscal and Monetary Reaction of External Debt: Evidence from Selected South Asian Countries

Malik Saqib Ali — 2026-03-26

The core purpose of this paper is the computation of potential fiscal and monetary shocks linked with the external debt’s accumulation scenarios which may cause fluctuation of economic growth of selected South Asian economies through the business cycle analysis. South Asian economies have accrued a substantial amount of foreign debt which may decelerate the economic growth. To obtain the empirical evidence of these selected economies against the fiscal and monetary shocks, Structural Autoregressive SVAR is deployed. This econometric technique assists in measuring the fiscal and monetary shocks which further elucidates its impact on the economy. The Reduced-Form SVAR residuals were commuted for each selected economy to indicate the response of fiscal and monetary volatility. The results of the SVAR, Reduced-Form VAR residuals indicate that fiscal policy shocks are more responsive in designated economies South Asia as Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, whereas monetary policy is less effective in all of these economies, both in the short and long run. As a result, greater prudence and foresight are required when developing and implementing fiscal policy. In Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka, contractionary monetary policy is said to be sluggish and unfriendly to economic growth. Monetary policy in Bangladesh, remains lax, but an encouraging response to economic growth. However, tight monetary policy has been found to boost growth, and an interest rate puzzle has also been observed in case of Sri Lanka.

Quality of Supervisors’ Feedback and Competency of Prospective Teachers: A Correlational study

Rida Hanif — 2026-03-26

Quality of supervisor feedback plays a significant role in improving student’s competency. The research is based on investigating the connection between the effectiveness of the feedback given by supervisors and the competency of future teachers at university level. The research design used was quantitative and correlational research. The population was comprised of potential teachers in two public universities in Lahore. The sample was selected by using the simple random sampling technique. Data was collected by using questionnaire and analysis was done in SPSS. The results showed that there was a strong positive relationship between the quality of supervisor’s feedback and competency of the potential teachers. Considering these findings, this study proposes to organize intensive orientation or training to the supervisors so that they could be able to provide more helpful and actionable feedback.

Pathways to Ensure Affordable Hepatitis C treatment: A Case Study of Pakistan

Saima Butt — 2025-06-30

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared hepatitis as a public health threat and designed a Global Health Sector Strategy (GHSS) to eradicate hepatitis (up to 90% reduction in incidents and 65% reduction in mortality) till 2030. The introduction of Direct Acting Antiviral (DAAs) has revolutionized the treatment of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) with a cure rate of more than 95%. The availability of DAAs has increased in recent years. However, still, millions of patients in middle and upper-middle-income countries have not started treatment, and the reason, in most cases, is unaffordability. Pakistan is providing the lowest price of HCV treatment in the world. In 2019, the WHO surveyed 12 low- and appreciated the efforts of Pakistan to ensure affordable HCV treatment for its people. This research highlights the efforts and strategies adopted by Pakistan to control the price and to scale up the treatment for all. This research provides ways for countries still facing the affordability issue to access HCV treatment for their patients. The methodology applied for this research is primarily analytical and bears the qualitative aspect of the issue. This research recommends a need to ensure affordable treatment for all and the case study of Pakistan to control the prices of HCV treatment is a paradigm for other countries.

Impact of Quality Management System on Student Satisfaction: Towards a Sustainable Quality Management Framework for Higher Education Institutions

Khalid Mahmood Anwar — 2026-03-31

Higher education institutions (HEI) are striving to do more to maintain quality management and keep pace with the fast-paced nature of change that comes with Education 4.0. The growth of online technologies, artificial intelligence and automation is changing the academic systems and is forcing universities to rethink the traditional approaches to quality assurance. It is not a new concept that Total Quality Management (TQM) can improve performance and educational experience of institutions as it has long been considered as an essential strategy in the development of higher education, but its role and contribution to sustainability in quality practices have not yet been fully deployed.

This paper is aimed at examining the effects of TQM practices on student satisfaction and how the research outcomes might be used to create a Sustainable Quality Management Framework (SQMF) that would be applied in the universities operating in the Education 4.0 environment. The research problem of the proposed study is the investigation of engineering university in Pakistan with the idea of examining the relationship between specific TQM dimensions and student satisfaction. dependabilityonnaire was distributed among 500 students and results were analyzed through the dependability and regression analyses.

The results show that TQM practices have enormous positive effect in student satisfaction. Continuous Improvement proved to be the most predictive factor (β = 0.25) then Strategic Planning and Process Approach. The results of this study suggest that college administration must be under permanent improvement and active policies that will improve their quality systems. The research provides practical suggestions on how institutional effectiveness can be improved and is useful in developing Digital and Sustainability-Oriented Quality Frameworks (DQMS/SQMF) and integrating them into the higher education policy and management practices in Pakistan.

Examining the Role of Socio-Emotional Intelligence in Shaping Peer Relationship Dynamics in High School Contexts

Khush Malka — 2026-03-31

Adolescence represents an important developmental period during which there occurs intense psychological and physical change. Peer relationships during this period have been found to have an important impact on academic engagement and psychological well-being. The need to interact and respond to peers in complex and constantly shifting ways represents an important and daily reality of multidimensional peer interactions. These peer interactions contribute towards generating positive experiences or stressful and unsettling situations. Socio-emotional intelligence represents an increasingly recognized factor responsible for influencing perceptions of peer relationships. The connection between Socio-emotional intelligence and peer relationships among adolescents has been explored within this study.

The main aim of the study was to investigate to what extent Socio-emotional intelligence can predict peer relationship quality and dynamics at the high school level. The study followed a quantitative methodological framework, and data was collected from a sample of 300 students from grades 9 and 10, belonging to private and government schools. Standardized and structured questionnaires were employed to measure the levels of SEI and peer relationship dynamics of the respondents. Descriptive statistical methods were employed to measure the general levels of SEI, and inferential statistical methods, consisting of correlation, regression, and comparative statistical analyses, were employed to investigate relationship dynamics and comparisons among groups of respondents who portrayed more positive peer interactions, better social support, and more positive interpersonal relations. Regression statistical analysis showed that Socioemotional intelligence can significantly influence peer relationship quality. The comparative statistical analyses showed marked variability across gender, school, and residency regarding both SEI and peer relationship dynamics, underscoring the role of external factors on the SEI of the respondents.

The findings of this research tend towards the fact that Socio-emotional intelligence is an important factor in having effective peer relations among high school-going adolescents. The application of these competencies in students affects the area of improved peer environments and reduced conflict among them. The findings of this research indicate an important requirement of integration of Socio-emotional Learning Modules in the curriculum. These will be of great assistance in improving peer engagements of adolescents, along with overall students. Proposals have been suggested for the same.

Religious Identity, Adoption, and Minority Child Rights in Pakistan: A Comprehensive Policy and Human Rights Analysis of the Punjab Child Protection & Welfare Bureau

Naida Zafar — 2026-03-31

Child protection systems are designed to safeguard vulnerable children while ensuring the preservation of their dignity, identity, and long-term developmental interests. In pluralistic societies, these objectives cannot be achieved without explicit attention to religious and cultural diversity. In Pakistan, provincial child protection institutions perform a critical role in addressing child labour, abuse, trafficking, neglect, and abandonment. However, the existing legal and policy framework remains insufficiently responsive to the specific needs of children belonging to religious minority communities.

This paper presents a comprehensive and doctrinal analysis of the Punjab Child Protection & Welfare Bureau (PCPWB), with particular emphasis on two interrelated policy gaps: (i) the absence of a structured and minority-inclusive adoption framework, and (ii) the lack of a standardized, rights-based mechanism for determining and safeguarding the religious identity of abandoned children, especially those below the age of four. Drawing upon constitutional guarantees, domestic statutory law, international human rights obligations, and comparative international practices, the paper argues that policy silence in these areas produces indirect discrimination, facilitates identity erasure, and generates long-term psychological and social harm.

The study concludes that child protection policies which prioritize physical safety while neglecting identity, belief, and family continuity fall short of constitutional and international standards. It therefore proposes detailed, implementable policy reforms aimed at strengthening inclusivity, legal certainty, institutional accountability, and compliance with global human rights norms.

Ethical Concerns of Meta AI in Higher Education

Ayesha Munir — 2026-03-26

The objective of the research study was to investigate the ethical issues relating to application of Meta AI in higher education among undergraduate and postgraduate students. As the use of artificial intelligence tools in academics rapidly becomes integrated, such ethical aspects as academic integrity, plagiarism, responsible usage and institutional policies have gained more and more significance. In as much as it provides scholarly support in research and learning processes, Meta AI has also made headlines in regard to its un-ethical application among learners. To make the participants diverse in their experiences and perceptions, the sample of the study included 400 students in four universities in Lahore with two public and two private universities to represent diversity among them. The tools used to collect the data were a structured questionnaire with closed-ended questions and a Likert scale to analyze the perspectives of students on ethical concerns related to the use of Meta AI in academic practice. The quantitative results also revealed that the issue of ethics is still a major dilemma when it comes to the application of AI tools in institutions of higher learning. A significant percentage of learners indicated that there were no explicit ethical principles of AI use in institutions (59.29%). Also, a significant proportion of the students confessed that they occasionally used AI tools to get unfair academic benefits (54.39%), whereas a smaller number of students had had associations with plagiarism and academic dishonesty involving AI-generated materials (17.67%). These results suggest that there is an increased necessity of ethical consideration and morally responsible AI usage amongst college students. The paper finds that whereas Meta AI can assist in learning and academical performance, its application in the absence of appropriate ethical guidelines poses a danger to integrity in academics and accountable study behaviors. Consequently, colleges and universities need to create effective policies, ethics, and training material to facilitate responsible and ethical usage of AI technologies among students.

Beyond Access: Socioeconomic, Academic and Disciplinary Determinants of Generative AI Use in Higher Education

Sualeha Zafar — 2026-03-31

Although generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is swiftly revolutionizing higher education, it prompted significant inquiries on adoption trends, equity and academic consequences. This research investigates the factors influencing the utilization of generative AI among university students, emphasizing demographic, academic, socioeconomic and technological variables. Data from a survey of 333 students were analyzed through cross-tabulations and chi-square tests to evaluate associations between the frequency of GenAI usage and variables such as gender, academic discipline, residence, parental education, household income, internet access and academic achievement. The findings demonstrate extensive adoption of GenAI, revealing notable disparities based on gender and academic specialty. Male students and individuals studying natural sciences indicated elevated levels of continuous usage. Socioeconomic characteristics, especially household income and parental education, significantly predicted both internet access and the frequency of generative AI usage, highlighting enduring digital disparities beyond mere access. GenAI usage was favorably connected with academic performance, suggesting it can boost academic success when correctly applied. Results show that discipline-specific and equity-oriented institutional regulations are needed for effective and accountable AI implementation in higher education.

Cyber Crimes and Security Challenges in Pakistan

Shabana Kausar — 2026-03-31

The main objective of present research is to identify all chellenges faced by citizens and law enforcement agencies to cobat cyber security issues and proposed implementable solution. The duality of technology's modernization has both pluses and minuses, including the ramifications caused by modern-day cybercrime. With the implementation of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) in 2016, Pakistan began to experience an increase in its recognition of cybercrime. The massive growth of internet users creates an ever-expanding risk of being susceptible to cyber threat attacks - whether they be from within or outside of the country. Cybercrime threats in Pakistan consist of identity theft, hacking, online abuse, online fraud, and technology-related financial crimes. To eliminate and limits the impact of cybercrime on Pakistani citizens, law enforcement and the government must assess the environment for cyber threats; identifying these threats in order to take corrective actions but also bolstering their capabilities for responding, strengthening the country's [infrastructure] to deal with incidents that occur, and increasing the general population's awareness of cyber risks and the need to take precautionary measures. Increasing public awareness through education about cybercrime is paramount to limit the proliferation of cybercrime as well as clarifying legislation and policies that protect against cybercrime, improving the capabilities of those involved with protecting against cybercrime, and increasing the effectiveness of existing legislation and policies, and identifying solutions or tools (e.g., legislation/policies) to assist police/complement/integrate with current resources available for use in combating cybercrime. Research opportunities identified were to analyze the effects of cybercrime on Pakistan's national security, evaluate current legislation and policies and how effective they are, and develop guidelines for identifying and limiting cybercrime. In addition to developing the guidelines for identifying and eliminating cybercrime, exploring how the use of Artificial Intelligence could[ be useful for combating cybercrime in Pakistan and] assist Pakistan in developing a national comprehensive strategy to secure and protect its citizens; while utilizing AI-implemented computer software for automatic detection and collection of evidence.

Food Security Governance and Price Stabilization Mechanisms

Muhammad Hussain Baloch Baloch — 2026-04-01

Food Security in Pakistan, the government used to be a major buyer. and seller of food commodities, however, now food security governance is more decentralized and market-driven. Even though food inflation has remained in single digits, a large number of households are food insecure. According to the fresh government policy, mid-May to End-June is fixed for procurement of wheat by the provinces and the Wheat Stock Management Company. Preference will be given to civil agencies before private traders in pricing and payment. The Punjab government plans to spend around Rs. 20 billion in a strategic procurement of 100,000 metric tons to smoothen the operation of the commodity and to implement strategic needs of small and poor farmers. The methods of negotiation and fixing the purchase price are specified. Sellers are to be paid within 20 days, with a dollar/euro indexed delayed payment last resort/penalty mechanism in cases of. In the developed countries, price volatility and the proxy inflation-based food price index has nearly doubled in last five years. The price volatility in India is not as high as that of developing countries on aggregate but is higher than that of the United States. Vegetable prices are less stable than the cereals. Take a look at China.

Live hog futures trading has been halted due to massive fluctuations in China. After the effect of policies, these prices moved. Though the suspension has occurred, the commercial hedgers are allowed to use the future contracts. As a result, the pig price is controlled. The IPC says the number of people in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) or above is projected to be 6.7 to 7.5 million (19 to 21% of the rural population) during 2026. The key factors of food insecurity are high prices of key inputs like fertilizer and fuel, adverse effects of 2025 monsoon floods and localized insecurity. Because of high fertilizer and fuel prices, food insecurity persists. Monsoon floods have lingering impact to explain food insecurity. Localized insecurity exists which explains food. These climate vulnerabilities are still faced by Pakistan. Strategic investment in climate-smart agriculture and innovative policies that support producers and traders as well as rural communities are in growing demand. The consumer goods are available at a price range much lesser than the maximum retail price but the price of the charge and the ultimate price of the same remains intact. Consequently, it is essential to reinforce a Digital Price Monitoring System to monitor this disparity and promote market transparency. Change of PASSCO will be important. It can be said that food prices have become stable in Pakistan but the will to govern gets a pattern change. Scarcity management is not on their minds but market efficiency is The capacity of socialism to create private wealth without any federal safety net critical to the successful transition over 2026.

Understanding Secondary Students’ Ability to Solve Real-Life Mathematical Word Problems

Munir Khan — 2026-03-30

This research proposed the predictive value of reading comprehension and knowledge retention in mathematics on Grade 10 students solving mathematical word problems in District Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A causal-comparative (ex post facto) quantitative research design was used where the study did not manipulate variables and tested relationships between the existing variables. The sample size was 28,885 secondary-level students, a representative sample of 355 Grade 10 students was chosen by non-proportionate cluster sampling. The data were gathered using three sets of researcher-designed and validated measures; a Reading Comprehension Test, a Mathematical Knowledge Retention Test, and a Mathematical Word Problem Solving Test. Frequency distributions percentages were done using SPSS in descriptive analysis. The results have shown that most students had difficulties with solving word problems: most of them either have given a wrong answer or have been able to extract information with no application of relevant formulas, with a smaller percentage having been able to solve the problems entirely. Not entering the range of low performance was explained by weaknesses in reading comprehension and remembering mathematical knowledge, which demonstrated the interrelation between these abilities in solving the problem. The findings highlight the importance of instructional plans, which combine reading and mathematical abilities, use a variety of teaching approaches to meet the needs of various learning styles, and give stepwise instructions with positive feedback. These results offer practical lessons that teachers can use to develop the problem solving skills of the secondary students of mathematics.

India’s Longstanding Pursuit for a Permanent Seat at the United Nations Security Council: Do the Indians Have a Case Even?

Syed Zahid Shah — 2026-03-30

The discussion of reforming the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has been escalated with the changing global balance of power and more dissatisfaction with its post-1945 era. The paper is a critical analysis of the desire of India to get a permanent seat in the UNSC in the wider context of the suggested institutional reforms. It assesses alternative reform agendas, specifically those that are promoted by the G4, the Uniting for Consensus (UfC) alliance, and the African Union, and evaluates the political possibility of Charter amendment. The paper evaluates the main arguments by India to permanent membership such as population, democratic qualifications, economic development, military strength, peacekeeping service and presence in the international arena. The paper presents arguments that several of the justifications given by India are structurally irrelevant to the requirements of UNSC reforms or normatively disputed using comparative indicators and evaluations by third parties. Although the paper recognizes the obsolete nature of the current composition of the Council and the validity of the reform demands, it argues that the increase in permanent seats and particularly the use of veto authority would tend to have a detrimental impact on institutional paralysis. It concludes that India can have a better seat in a reformed Council, although the chances of getting permanent membership with a veto power are few with the current geopolitical limitations.

Pak-Afghan Relations: Historical Challenges from Conflict to Cooperation

Muhammad Khalil — 2026-03-29

This study explores the historical and contemporary relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, highlighting the political, social, economic, and security challenges that have shaped their interactions. It examines key issues such as border disputes, the Afghan refugee crisis, separatist movements, external interference and trade and military cooperation. Using a qualitative methodology, the research analyzes historical records, official documents, and scholarly literature, using realism as a theoretical framework to explain patterns of conflict and cooperation. The findings show that leadership biases, security concerns, and foreign interference have consistently strained relations, while moments of cooperation in trade, refugee management, and diplomatic engagements have been temporary and contingent. The study emphasizes the importance of mutual understanding, dialogue, and strategic cooperation to promote sustainable peace and development in the region.

Role of Army in Shaping the Power Politics of Pakistan from 1947 to 1958

Sumaira Safdar — 2026-03-29

This article offers a detailed examination of the changing power dynamics and institutional development in Pakistan during the formative years following independence. With a focus on the role of the army, the study explores how power was structured, contested and institutionalized within the Pakistani state apparatus from 1947 to 1958. Drawing on historical analysis, the article traces the complex interaction between political elites, state institutions and the military establishment. It studies the influence of colonial legacies, such as that of the British Raj's administrative structures and military traditions. functioning of the Pakistani army Through a case study approach, the article examines the events, policies and key actors that shaped the power dynamics within the army and its relations with civilian authorities during. of this critical period. By analyzing the role of the military in state-building, governance and national security, the study sheds light on the broader processes of institutionalization and consolidation of power during Pakistan's early years. Ultimately, the article aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of power dynamics and institutional development in post-independence Pakistan, with implications for the country's political trajectory and civil-military relations.