ACADEMIA International Journal for Social Sciences
ACADEMIA International Journal for Social Sciences (AIJSS) - HEC recognized Y Category Journal, the premier journal for academics, researchers, and enthusiasts that focus the subjects but not limit the fields of Archeology, Anthropology, Archival Studies, Economics, Econometrics, English Literature, Disaster Management, Accounting, Political Science, Public Administration, Defense and Strategic studies, International Relations, Management Science, Marketing, HR, Agriculture, Psychology including clinical, Industrial, and Developmental Psychology, Criminology, Philosophy, Sociology, Iqbal Studies/Iqbaliyat, Rural Development Studies, Social Work, Criminology, Library and Information Sciences, History, Demography and Population Studies, Ethnography, Conservation Studies, Religious Studies / Comparative Religion, Islamic Studies / Arabic Studies, Education, Special Education, Law and Legislature, Home Economics, Pakistan Studies, Peace & Conflict Studies, Behavioral Sciences, Women and Gender Studies, American /studies, Area Studies, Development Studies, Journalism, Mass Communication, Media Studies, Rural / Urban Studies, Women Studies.
Impact Of the Deleterious Effects of Academic Stress on University Athletes’ Sports Performance Outcomes
This study investigates the impact of the deleterious effects of academic stress on university student-athletes' sports performance outcomes in Pakistan, using a cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from 264 undergraduate and postgraduate athletes actively competing at various levels. Standardized instruments, including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Academic Stress Scale, and Athlete’s Subjective Performance Scale (ASPS), measured general stress, academic stress, and self-perceived sports performance, respectively. Descriptive statistics, reliability testing (Cronbach’s alpha ≥ 0.75), correlational analysis, and multiple linear regression were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 26). The study highlights the role of psychological capital and institutional support, such as flexible schedules and mental health resources, in mitigating stress.Findings suggest universities should implement targeted interventions, including time management training and counseling, to support student-athletes’ academic and athletic success.
Copyright (c) 2025 Qamar Javeed, Dr. Yasmeen Tabassum, Samna Javeed (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Self Esteem and Academic Achievement of Secondary School Students: A Correlation Study
The goal is to discover evidence regarding student self-esteem along with their academic performance within Kahuta Tehsil which is a part of District Rawalpindi. The Rawalpindi region lacks sufficient studies which analyze the bond between self-esteem and educational achievement specifically among students from Kahuta secondary schools. The current literature and research findings lack this information so it needs immediate attention. The research design was descriptive; nature was quantitative with survey methodology. The research utilized correlation as its design methodology by using SPSS (version 25). The study included selected secondary schools through stratified sampling technique for total student population of 1125. Population divided into two strata boys (562) and girls (563). The sample size was calculated by Mugenda & Mugenda (2003) 18%. The sample of the study was 211 students of 10th graders—boys (106) and girls (105) from public schools of Tehsil Kahuta. The research tool for assessing student self-esteem and Academic Achievement was developed as a self-made questionnaire. Summated scores with Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (Pearson r) performed the analysis on research questions while null hypothesis data analysis involved comparison between established relationship indexes and 0.5 significance levels. The research outcome showed that student self-esteem created a positive link between academic success for both male and female students. The researchers confirmed a positive significant connection between secondary school student self-esteem and educational outcomes throughout Kahuta Tehsil based on their research conclusions followed by further discussions.
Copyright (c) 2025 Khalida Naheed, Dr. Nadia Nazir (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Contribution of Public Libraries towards Community Development and Knowledge Sharing in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
Public libraries play a central role in promoting community development and exchange of knowledge especially in the urban centers like Islamabad and Rawalpindi. They offer free and fair access to a wide range of informational, educational and cultural resources that form the basis of lifelong learning, improvements in literacy, research and participation in civic affairs. The main questions of the current investigation include: (i) to investigate the role of the public libraries in the development of the community; (ii) to consider the possibility of the libraries in terms of sharing knowledge; and (iii) to define the obstacles that limit the efficiency of the library. Quantitative research design was utilized and 60 respondents were sampled and included in the study that included library users and staff who were sampled in the twin cities selected and sampled among libraries. Literacy promotion, community engagement, ICT infrastructure and knowledge exchange activities were some of the indicators interrogated in the structured questionnaire. Results show that the public libraries play an important role in the promotion of literacy, intellectual growth, and empowerment of the community. However, the shortcomings of ICT facilities, digital resources, and professional training that hinder the ability of the libraries to serve the community in the best way are also revealed in the study. The article highlights the importance of public libraries as learning centers, social inclusion agents and vehicles of dissemination of knowledge in urban areas of Pakistan. The authors suggest improvements of digital infrastructure, increase of financial assistance, introduction of employee training programs, and carrying out community-educational campaigns that helps to maximize the socio-educational advantages of the libraries. The results explain why the existence of public libraries is important in strengthening the educational, cultural, and social in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Public Libraries, Community Development, Knowledge Sharing, Digital Access, Urban Learning Spaces
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Naseer, Dr. Ata ur Rehman (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Role of Public and Private Partnerships in Improving Education Quality and Access in Pakistan
The concept of public-private partnerships (PPP) in the education sector has become an important tool in improving the quality and accessibility of education in the developing world among such countries is Pakistan. The root causes of the challenges that Pakistan experiences in the education sector include poor infrastructure, teacher capacity, high dropouts, and geographical inequality that need to be remedied to achieve the aim of universal education. This paper will discuss how PPPs can be used to overcome these issues, how it works, its success, and failure, and how these partnerships can be used to enhance educational access and quality. The study relies on secondary data including government reports and policy documents, academic literature and qualitative data obtained through interviews with education stakeholders using a mixed-methods approach. The results indicate that PPPs have the potential to make a significant contribution to the improvement of education as they would allow the efficiency, innovation, and resources of the private sector to work, yet government regulation and equality would remain. Nonetheless, there are obstacles like problems with policy inconsistency, governance, and disproportionate access that should be managed. The paper ends with the policy suggestions on how to make PPPs effective in the education sector of Pakistan.
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr.Muhammad Rizwan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Poverty and Inequality in Pakistan: Trends, Causes, and Policy Implications
Poverty and inequality are still a major threat to Pakistan contributing to lack of social cohesion, economic growth, and human development. Even though economic growth has occurred in some periods, a significant percentage of the population still lives below the poverty line and income, wealth, education, and health outcomes inequality are some of the factors that have led to inequality. This paper explores the trend and cause of poverty and inequality in Pakistan in the last twenty years, the structural, institutional and socio-economic factors that contribute to deprivation. The research relies on secondary data, such as national survey data, World Bank data, and government publications to identify the key determinants of poverty and inequality, such as inadequate access to good education, unemployment, unbalanced distribution of population and resources, and socio-cultural barriers. The research also assesses the current policy interventions and recommends policies on inclusive development, social security and equitable distribution of resources. Results highlight the importance of combined policy interventions to deal with structural inequalities, improve human assets, and facilitate equal access to economic opportunities to the reduction of poverty and curtail inequalities in Pakistan.
Copyright (c) 2025 Naseer ul Haq (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Internet Addiction and Depression in Pakistani Students: A Prevalence Study
College students are becoming susceptible to mental health and dysfunctional technology use. Depressive symptoms and internet addiction are the most common in the young adults in the academic setting, but little empirical data available on the Pakistani context. This paper discussed the use of internet problem and moderate to severe depressive symptoms prevalence among undergraduate students and differences among demographics. A group of 400 university students aged 18-26 years pass through standard tests such as Internet Addiction Test (IAT) on Internet Addiction by Young and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Group statistics and descriptive statistics were performed. Over a third of students were in the moderate range of internet addiction, that is, reported high rates of problematic using, and there were some with more severe symptoms. Also, a significant percentage of the sample were above the clinical threshold (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) regarding moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms, meaning that there were serious mental health issues among the students. Male students had rather higher internet addiction levels, but depressive symptoms were not found to differ significantly in demographic subgroups. The results reveal significant indicators of digital overuse and depression in Pakistani students in universities, which should focus on prevention by targeting case prevention, mental health screening activities, and global awareness efforts in the campuses. Future studies need to conduct intermediating psychosocial processes and longitudinal trends to reinforce early detection and intervention action plans.
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Namra Shahzadi, Saman Afzaal, Muneeb Ahmed Toor (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Economic Benefits of Renewable Energy: A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Transitioning to Renewable Energy Sources
In this research, the researcher systematically evaluated the cost-effectiveness of the shift from non-renewable (fossil fuel) to renewable (solar, wind, hydro) sources of energy in Pakistan from 2014 to 2024, focusing on the socio-economic benefits of the shift across the country, with special emphasis on the 2014-2024 period. Using a mixed method approach, the researcher utilized secondary data from various governmental institutions such as the Alternative Energy Directorate, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, and the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, while the primary data consisted of questionnaires from 250 employees in the energy sector, and 15 semi-structured interviews with key players in the sector from several of Pakistan’s largest cities. Initially, the research examined the economic differences from a conventional fossil fuel based (primary energy source) system to a renewable energy system (solar, wind, and hydro) and then proceeded to analyzed the economic factors levelized cost of energy, direct capital (investment) cost, operational (recurring) cost, potential creation of new jobs, and the external socio-eco factors emigrating from the system using the Net Present Value and Internal Rate of Return analytics. Based on the socio-economic factors it became evident that the country as a whole had long term financial benefits from the renewable sources; it would take a set period to realize the benefits from the shift (investment) in RV energy, whereas the non-renewable, fossil system would have immediate financial benefits but would have devastating long term external ecological socio impacts (cost to the country as a whole). Taking into account these financial factors, the author concluded that the socio-economic benefits created by RV energy for the country Pakistan would more than justify the socio and financial costs on the country. The author, therefore, made the greatest impact on the energy sector stakeholders and the public policy makers of the country by shedding light these benefits.
Copyright (c) 2025 Farhana Naz (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Shaping International Law and Foreign Policy: A Qualitative Study on State Behavior and Global Norms
Artificial intelligence (AI) has taken the center stage of political attention across the world, and is becoming more and more influential on how states practice power, or policy formulate, as well as negotiate international rules. The paper will discuss the future of international law and foreign policy through the impact of AI, especially its connection to the state behavior and the development of international standards. The paper is based on the application of a qualitative research design as it is a synthesis of the doctrinal analysis of international legal tools and a thematic study of existing theoretical literature and the comparative analysis of approaches of the United States, China, and the European Union in developing AI. The results indicate AI has turned into a strategic resource, which has increased geopolitical competition, is driving military innovation, and changing diplomatic and information practice, such as surveillance and disinformation. Simultaneously, AI has provoked the creation of new soft-law and regional policies, including the OECD AI Principles, the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI by UNESCO, or the proposed Artificial Intelligence Act to the European Union. Nonetheless, major loopholes still exist with the implementation of current international law in AI, specifically attribution and accountability, autonomous weapons, governance of data, and human rights safeguards. The article claims that the present international governance delineation of AI is divided, and very much infected by rival political and regulatory frameworks. It finds that there is the necessity of more concerted, integrative, and binding international action to make sure that AI promotes rather than subverts international peace, the rule of law, and the core human rights.
Copyright (c) 2025 Shahbaz Ahmed Shahzad, Basit Aziz, Tabinda Mehdi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Role of Foreign Direct Investment and Political Stability in Influencing Economic Growth of Pakistan
The role of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the gross domestic product growth (GDP) has been a passionate debate, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan, but the relationship between inflows of FDI and GDP is still controversial among the scholars. FDI depends on resident country’s conditions and the attraction of FDI is linked with the financial position and political stability of country. The main purpose of the study is to find out the effect of inward FDI and political stability on gross domestic product and used data from 1996-2019 for Pakistan and used the Autoregressive Distributive lag method for data estimation. The study revealed that FDI has a positive effect on gross domestic product growth in long run, while, has a positive and significant consequence on gross domestic product growth in short run. Government expenditure, political stability, along with labor force has a positive consequence on gross domestic product. Human capital (HK) and capital formation (PK) has a positive consequence on GDP growth in long run but have no consequence on gross domestic product growth in short runs. This study concluded that FDI and political stability has an encouraging effect on gross domestic product growth. This study recommends that the government should focused on the FDI and political stability to influence the economic growth.
Political stability; inflow FDI, GDP, Pakistan, ARDL
Copyright (c) 2025 Behram Khan, Abdul Jamil, Muhammad Muzammil Asghar, Muhammad Arshad Saleem (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Joint Family System: A Detailed Review from the Islamic Perspective
The joint family system has been a prominent social structure in many traditional societies, especially in South Asia. This research presents a detailed review of the joint family system from an Islamic perspective, analysing its foundations, benefits, challenges, and contemporary relevance. The study explores how Islamic teachings encourage strong family bonds, collective responsibility, and respect for elders, all of which align with the principles of a joint family setup. It examines Quranic verses, Hadiths, and scholarly interpretations to assess the extent to which this system corresponds with Islamic values. Moreover, the paper discusses social and economic advantages such as mutual support, child upbringing, and care for the elderly, alongside challenges like privacy issues and intergenerational conflicts. The research concludes by offering practical recommendations for adapting the joint family system in modern times while staying true to Islamic principles.
Joint Family System, Islam and Family, Islamic Social Structure, Family Bonds in Islam, Intergenerational Living, Quran and Family Life, Hadith on Family, Elderly Care in Islam, Islamic Family Values, South Asian Family System
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Nayab Gul, Huma Bukhari, Ahmad Fuzail Ibn Saeed (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
An Analysis on the Principal's Role of Government Colleges in Facilitating Career Navigation for Generation Z Students: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study
This paper aims at investigating the role played by the principals of government colleges in Karachi in helping the generation Z students on their career trails. Based on qualitative phenomenological research design, the study involved 10 principals of government colleges in Karachi. The data were gathered using semi-structured interviews when visiting the colleges. The thematic analysis was used to define common patterns and lessons learned by the lived experience of the principals. Each of the colleges has been thoroughly described, with activities of principals in preparing students to operate in their careers being discussed. The results indicate principals were found to be a great force in pushing college-and-career reforms and programs. Their approaches were different; however, six themes were formed, they include: facilitating a shared vision of Generation Z career pathways, building relational trust with students, investing in student-centered learning, creating strategic partnerships, creating flexible support systems, and building leadership capacity among students. Principals used various practices, structures, and tools to carry on with these initiatives. The study shows that principals are indispensable in developing career navigation among the Generation Z learners. Gen Z needs avenues that combine technology, flexibility, and practicality unlike the past generations. In order to satisfy these requirements, principals have to embrace new approaches, build dynamic alliances, and establish learning environments that can foster digital literacy, creativity, and flexibility. With the career preparedness programs aligned to the one-of-a-kind traits of a generation Z, the government colleges will be able to equip students with the ability to not only secure immediate employment but also a successful long-term career in the fast-changing global economy.
Younger People, Professional Growth, Higher Education, Leadership, Lifelong Learning, Online Education, Corporate Collaboration
Copyright (c) 2025 Sehrish Rehman, Sakeena Sahar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Role of AI in Enhancing Predictive Analytics across Marketing and Financial Strategies in Modern Businesses
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way that companies view data, technology and process automation across all industries from marketing to financial decisions. Through this quantitative study the essay will examine how AI predictive analytics may help to enhance marketing performance and financial strategy outcomes for SMEs. To develop data, 350 management and analytics professionals working for organizations that had implemented AI-driven predictive tools were surveyed in a cross-sectional survey design. This paper aimed to measure the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications in marketing KPIs and financial performance KPIs. As a whole, our findings suggest that the adoption of AI is quite positively related to advancements in marketing and financial performance, leaving those not adopting AI behind. Regression results suggest that the depth of AI implementation is a key factor in the enhancement of performance. We then included the important moderators as data quality, zero-momentum and non-generation. These are the takeaways: Businesses can get huge strategic advantages from moving to AI, only if they have good data governance, digital infrastructure and people trained in use of the technology. The variance analysis also reflects that some industries are more receptive to the integration of artificial intelligence, such as finance and service industries, due to a possibility for stronger data capacity and better data-processing approaches. The results from this investigation reveal that today’s AI-powered predictive analytics can function as a strategic asset to businesses by boosting operational effectiveness, strengthening financial wellbeing and directing better marketing choices. But companies must also spend on the basics, like quality of data, skills of staff and governance around ethical use of AI, to make the most from predictive capabilities. This research contributes to the growing literature on AI strategy and arm business leaders with actionable information that can help them be more competitive in a data-driven global economy.
Subalternization of the Indian Minorities: A Paracolonial Reading of The Ministry of Utmost Happiness
This paper explores The Ministry of Utmost Happiness (2017) by Arundhati Roy by means of the overlapping theoretical approaches to subalternity and paracolonialism. The paper hypothesizes that even after the formal independence of India, structural hierarchies and epistemic violence of colonialism exist in new forms, i.e., economic, ideological, and cultural. The story by Roy does not just reveal the promises of the postcolonial freedom that were not fulfilled, but also reveals the way the Indian state has held on to the unfulfilled status of most of its people, such as Dalits, Muslims, transgender people, and the urban poor. By closely analyzing the text and providing some theoretical understanding of Gayatri Spivak, Antonio Gramsci, Ania Loomba, and Robert Young, this paper can theorize the Indian condition as being paracolonial, which is, under the governance of native elites, the perpetuation of colonial logic. The study shows how the novel, as authored by Roy, also serves as a political intervention to criticize the neoliberal state and redefine the subaltern spaces as the place of resistance and empathy, as well as collective hope.
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Muhammad Arif Khan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Switching for Power: How Code-Switching Shapes Pakistani Political Talk Shows
Codeswitching refers to the act of changing between two or more languages or dialects in a conversation and is a common characteristic of multilingual societies, Pakistan is no exception. In the Pakistani talk shows, code-switching has various communicative and social purposes including the linguistic diversity, cultural identity, and social hierarchies of the viewers and the speakers. This paper will examine the different uses of code-switching in televised talk shows and the theme addressed in signaling group membership, asserting solidarity or authority, making points, clarifying meaning, and controlling interpersonal relationships. The chosen talk shows, in Urdu and English media, were used to gather data and apply the qualitative discourse analysis to investigate code switching cases and their contextual meaning. The results indicate that hosts and guests often alternate languages in a strategic way to entertain the audience, bargain courtesy, establish social identity, and meet various needs of different audience groups. Also, code-switching is used as one of the stylistic devices to make the rhetorical effect, humor, or emotional outburst more effective. The study highlights the relevance of sociolinguistic value of code switching in media discourse which reflects the larger cultural, social, and pragmatic aspects in language choice. The insights are part of the interpretation of multilingual communication strategies in Pakistani media and their contribution to the creation of the discourse of people.
Code-switching, Political talk shows, Pakistan
Copyright (c) 2025 Aqsa Batool (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
At the Crossroads of Work-Stress and Satisfaction: The Decisive Role of Leadership and Emotional Intelligence in Balochistan's HEIs
The study examines how leadership and emotional intelligence affect the happiness and performance of higher education staff in Balochistan. 360 public and private higher education faculty in Balochistan were surveyed using a standardized questionnaire. This partial least squares structural equation modeling study examines how leadership and emotional intelligence boost work happiness and performance. The study analyzes how work stress moderates and job satisfaction mediates the performance-satisfaction relationship. Strong leadership and emotional intelligence improve job happiness. Job satisfaction mediates the relationship between these leadership traits and employee performance, underscoring the need to translate leadership into outcomes. Modifying work stress reduced job satisfaction-performance. Thus, stress reduces this favorable relationship. Educational institutions seeking to improve human resource management through leadership and emotional intelligence should consider the findings. The paper proposes reducing work stress to improve job satisfaction and performance.
Leadership Effectiveness, Emotional Intelligence, Job Satisfaction, Work Stress, HEIs, PLS-SEM, Balochistan
Copyright (c) 2025 Abdul Rehman, Muhammad Faisal, Dr. Khuram Shahzad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Transforming Education in Pakistan: A Comprehensive Review of Infrastructure, Innovation, Equity, and Environmental Sustainability in 21st Century Learning Systems
This review is a multifactor analysis of the challenges and innovations encountered in the education system of Pakistan which includes early childhood education, skill-based education, STEAM, integration, educational infrastructure and environmental sustainability. This paper is based on 52 studies carried out between 2024 and 2025 as latest studies and is aimed at analyzing such critical issues as teacher shortages, lack of infrastructure in religious seminaries (madaris), digital transformation of learning conditions, gender equity in education, and the integration of environmental awareness into the curriculum. The review identifies the new trends in innovation such as teacher-led micro-edtech economies, artificial intelligence in school administration, or grassroots entrepreneurial ecosystems. Based on comparative studies in South Asian settings, the paper determines systemic obstacles, policy implementation failures, and effective interventions that promote educational quality and accessibility. The results highlight the necessity to have combined frameworks that can align between the traditional and modern education paradigm and tackle the socio-environmental issues.
STEAM Education, Educational Innovation, Skill-Based Learning, Infrastructure Issues, Environmental Education, Teacher Professional Development, Educational Equity, Pakistan Education System.
Copyright (c) 2025 Haseen Akhtar, Asif Ali, Dr. Rao Mazhar Hussain, Khalid Mehmood (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effect of Mindfulness Practice on Stress, Focus, and Athletic Performance in University-Level Athletes in Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study
This cross-sectional study investigated the associations between mindfulness practice and perceived stress, focus, and self-rated athletic performance among university-level athletes in Pakistan. Drawing on global evidence highlighting mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) as tools for enhancing psychological resilience and performance in sports, the research addressed a notable gap in local contexts where student-athletes often lack formal psychological support amid dual academic and competitive pressures. A sample of 200 athletes (mean age 21.3 ± 2.1 years; 62% male; 56% team sports) from universities in Punjab, Pakistan, completed self-report measures, including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), a 0–100 focus scale, and a 1–10 athletic performance rating. Mindfulness engagement was assessed via frequency (days/week) and duration (months). Independent t-tests revealed that mindfulness practitioners (39% of sample) reported significantly lower stress (14.7 ± 4.8 vs. 21.3 ± 5.2, p < 0.001), higher focus (81.5 ± 9.6 vs. 70.2 ± 11.1, p < 0.001), and better performance (8.2 ± 1.1 vs. 6.9 ± 1.4, p < 0.001) than non-practitioners. Multiple linear regression, controlling for age, gender, sport type, and GPA, showed mindfulness frequency (β = 0.18, p < 0.001) and focus (β = 0.07, p < 0.001) as significant positive predictors of performance, while stress was non-significant (β = -0.04, p = 0.185), suggesting focus mediates mindfulness effects. The model explained 46% of performance variance (R² = 0.46, p < 0.001). These findings align with international meta-analyses on MBIs, indicating potential benefits for Pakistani athletes through reduced stress and enhanced attention. Strengths include culturally relevant focus and validated measures; limitations encompass cross-sectional design and self-reports, warranting longitudinal studies with objective metrics. Results advocate for integrating mindfulness training in Pakistani university sports programs to bolster athlete well-being and competitiveness.
Mindfulness practice, Perceived stress, Attentional focus, Athletic performance, University athletes, Pakistan, Cross-sectional study
Copyright (c) 2025 Alina Qureshi, Muhammad Usman, Mehak Nawaz, Talha Naveed (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Gendered Use of Emojis in Whatsapp Conversation among Pakistani Youth
In recent years, how to communicate with people has changed a lot due to the use of technology, especially through mobile texting apps like WhatsApp. One of the most common things people use in these text messages are emojis i.e. little pictures that help express emotions, show what someone actually mean, or it even take the place of words sometimes. Various studies from around the world show that women and men commonly use emojis differently. Women tend to use them more as compared to men to share their emotions. On the other hand men might use them for cracking jokes or sarcasm. But most of these studies are based on people living in East Asian or Western countries. There is very less research on how these patterns work in areas like Pakistan, where traditions, culture, and religion strongly influence how men and women live and behave. This study looks at how youth in Pakistan, aged from 18 to 30, use emojis in WhatsApp conversation. It uses both in-depth interviews and real messages to understand how men and women make use of emojis differently in terms of how commonly they use them, the types they choose, for what they're used, and how people understand them. The research also looks at how values like pretentiousness, emotional control, and expectations from men and women affect how emojis are used. The goal is to get better understanding of how online communication and gender roles work in areas like Pakistan, and how this knowledge can help in areas like language studies, app design, and teaching about media.
emojis, WhatsApp Conversation, mobile texting, app design
Copyright (c) 2025 Nawal Ahmed, Dr. Hafiz Ahmad Bilal, Dr. Naveed Nawaz Ahmad, Dr. Ijaz Asghar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Investigating the Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Higher Education: Insights from Teachers’ Perspectives
In the modern educational environment, swift progress in educational technology—especially artificial intelligence (AI)—has revolutionized teaching and learning methodologies. Comprehending educators' perspectives of these technologies is crucial for their effective integration into the classroom. This descriptive-comparative, cross-sectional study involved 500 in-service lecturers from a public university in Lahore. Data were gathered utilizing a validated questionnaire created by Lozano and Blanco-Fontao (2023), which exhibited substantial internal reliability and methodological rigor, with minor adjustments implemented to accommodate the study population. The results demonstrate that while educators exhibit considerable awareness of AI and often utilize it for exploratory activities, its practical implementation in the classroom and formal training are still constrained. Educators recognized the capacity of AI to improve learning, especially in lesson planning and the creation of instructional materials. Nonetheless, substantial apprehensions remain about academic dishonesty, the deterioration of critical thinking, and ethical utilization. Demographic characteristics, including age, gender, and academic specialization, greatly impact perceptions, underscoring the necessity for specialized training and legislative frameworks to guarantee equitable and effective AI inclusion in education. The findings underscore the necessity of ongoing professional growth to optimize the advantages of AI while mitigating its inherent hazards.
Artificial intelligence in secondary education
AI role in technology-enhanced teaching and learning
Copyright (c) 2025 Yasmeen, Hina Hashmi, Hira Shaikh (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Teachers’ Classroom Management Skills Influence the Academic Performance of Secondary School Science Students in Lahore
This research analyses how teachers' management abilities in the classroom affect how well their students perform in academic science courses at secondary schools in the city of Lahore. This research utilized a quantitative, descriptive survey design methodology whereby 400 secondary school science teachers from 45 different public and private secondary schools within Lahore were surveyed. The survey consisted of a 37-item structured questionnaire measuring five different Classroom Management dimensions (Discipline Management, Teaching/Learning Organization, Classroom Interaction, Teacher/Student Communication, and Psychological/Social Classroom Environment). It also contained a measure of students perceived academic performance as well as the internal consistency of the questionnaire.Descriptive results indicated that most classroom management strategies used by teachers are used moderately, however teacher-student communication and classroom climate received higher scores compared to all other strategies. There was no significant difference in teacher management skills and student performance when comparing demographic variables such as gender and service status or the classification of the school sector in which the teachers work (public/private). Correlation Analysis indicated that there exists a positive correlation between student academic performance and the dimensions that measure teachers’ use of classroom management strategies, specifically (structured teaching practices, lesson organization, and classroom interactions). Regression results supported the hypotheses that the dimensions of Classroom Management had a significant positive effect on predicted student performance; this indicates that organized teaching and providing quality instructional practices and implementing positive classroom interaction has a positive impact on student learning. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate the importance of effective classroom management practices in improving secondary level Science Students’ Academic Performance and highlight the need for greater emphasis on structured Classroom Management Training for Teachers.
Copyright (c) 2025 Amna Arshad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Role of Positive Emotion in Mediating the Relationship Between Psychological Distress and Physical Health
This study explores the mediating role of positive emotions in the relationship between psychological distress and physical health outcomes. Using a cross-sectional design, we assessed 300 adult participants (50% male, 50% female) from the general population who completed self-report measures of psychological distress (DASS-21), positive emotions (PANAS), and physical health. Mediation analysis revealed that psychological distress negatively affected both positive emotions and physical health. Positive emotions were found to partially mediate the relationship between distress and physical health, with higher positive emotions associated with better physical health outcomes, even in the presence of distress. The indirect effect was significant (β = 0.10, 95% CI = [0.03, 0.17]), suggesting that promoting positive emotional experiences may buffer the physical consequences of psychological distress. Gender moderated this effect, with stronger mediation observed among female participants. These findings highlight the importance of fostering positive emotions as a strategy for improving overall well-being, particularly in individuals experiencing psychological distress.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mohammad Immad, Iqra Niaz, Farikhta Khan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Interplay Between Politics and Economic Planning: Managing Resources for Sustainable Development
The article is a comprehensive exploration of economic planning that places great emphasis on the political side of things. Through this work, the authors demonstrate the effect of political decision-making on simplifying the co-ordination for future development of the environment. The goal of the study is to hear, see, and understand how things like the stability of politics, structures of governance, and policy orientation can have one-way or two-way effects on the efficiency of economic planning in the developing and emerging economies. For such a study, a mixed-methods approach is used, and the approach here is to combine qualitative research with quantitative research. Qualitative data come from policy analyes or views, whereas quantitative figures are drawn from economic performance indicators and governance indices. The results bind economic planning to the presence of good governance, political accountability, and long-term consistency in policy. However, the presence of political instability, corruption, and frequent policy changes is reported to have a negative impact on economic plans and furthermore, these factors are cited as an impediment to the achievement of sustainable development goals. The results further suggest that democratic processes and participative-run issues lead to the allocation of resources being done in a just manner and the achievement of higher-quality uses of development. The study ends on a notion stating that sustainable development is not for lack of the needed economic strategies but it is very much dependent on political will, institutional integrity, and citizen engagement. It declares that governments must not only integrate sustainability into their national economic policies but also ensure that there is political continuity and stakeholder participation. This feedback is substantial as it invigorates discussions on the topics of governance, economics, and sustainability, by putting the spotlight on the pivotal role politics plays in the determination of development trajectories.
Copyright (c) 2025 Karamat Ali, Dr. Sehrish Khalid, Syed Zaheer Abbas, Syeda Saman Fatima (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Teachers' Lived Experiences of Integrating Social-Emotional Learning in Inclusive Classrooms: An Interpretive Study of Elite Schools in Lahore
This study aimed to understand the conceptualisations and pedagogical practices of social-emotional learning (SEL) among teachers in the context of the cultural specificities of classroom, institutional, and societal settings. The data were gathered through classroom observations and semi-structured interviews conducted in four elite private schools. The results indicate that teachers make Western-oriented SEL models more Pakistani-culturally specific and school-related, and in many cases, teachers do not follow their own pedagogical choices but tend to address institutional pressure. According to teachers, there are notable difficulties in implementing SEL, such as an inability to meet the needs of diverse learners, challenges in managing the root cause of exclusion, challenges in dealing with the complexities of classroom management, and an inability to differentiate SEL principles with differentiated instruction to diverse student populations. Most professional advances in this field are based on informal learning processes in the workplace and mutually shared knowledge, rather than organised professional training programs. This study sheds light on the most significant gaps in translating the ideals of inclusive education into actual situations in the classroom and highlights the need to introduce culturally responsive SEL models, provide teachers with increased levels of teacher well-being support, and ensure the increased presence of a collaborative learning process. These findings have implications for educational policy and practice in Pakistan and similar situations.
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr Tahira Batool Bokhari, Dr Yaar Muhammad, Dr Faisal Anis (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Future of Legal Practice in Pakistan: Analyzing Lawyer Challenges and Legal World’s Role in Digitalizing Drafting, Research, Billing, and Case Management
Lawyers in Pakistan face long-standing structural and operational challenges that significantly reduce the efficiency and quality of legal practice. These issues include the difficulty of accessing updated and authentic legal precedents, dependence on manual drafting methods, fragmented and time-intensive research processes, and outdated chamber-management practices. Many lawyers still rely heavily on printed law books, personal notes, and senior mentorship to complete even routine drafting and research tasks. This results not only in wasted time, wasted energy, and wasted resources but also leads to inconsistent drafting standards, delays in case preparation, and a heavier workload across the legal profession. Additionally, the absence of professional billing tools, financial analytics, automated reminders, cloud-based storage, and structured firm-management systems further limits the ability of lawyers to operate effectively in a competitive, fast-paced legal environment. Legal World, Pakistan’s first AI-powered legal operating system, addresses these gaps by offering an integrated suite of tools, including automated legal drafting, AI-assisted case-law research, invoice generation, financial analytics dashboards, document storage through its “Briefcase” cloud module, daily task reminders, and a comprehensive case-management system suitable for both individual chamber practice and full law firms. These features collectively modernize the workflow of lawyers and significantly reduce administrative burdens. Importantly, Legal World is not a substitute for human lawyers; rather, it is designed as a supportive, professional augmentation tool that enhances legal accuracy, strengthens decision-making, and elevates the quality of client service. Using doctrinal analysis, socio-legal methods, and comparative evaluation of global LegalTech advancements, this study explores how AI-driven legal systems can improve efficiency, consistency, and professional autonomy in Pakistan’s legal sector. The findings indicate that integrating AI into legal practice can lead to faster drafting, more reliable research, better financial management, improved document accessibility, and more systematic case oversight. Ultimately, the study concludes that Legal World has the potential to transform the future of legal practice in Pakistan by creating a more efficient, data-driven, technologically empowered, and quality-focused legal ecosystem.
Copyright (c) 2025 Madiha Afzal, Sardar Ali, Hamaad Ghafoor Ghawaas (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Challenges Faced by Teachers in Implementing Competency-Based Education (CBE)
Competency-Based Education (CBE) has become an innovative concept that is meant to enhance the performance of learners as it focuses on the mastery of skills, personalized learning process, and performance evaluation. In spite of the possible advantages, there are significant impediments to the application of CBE principles in a classroom that teachers encounter. This paper focuses on the greatest issues facing the teachers when implementing CBE based on theoretical perspectives, empirical evidence, and a descriptive research design. The survey was in a structured format and recorded the perceptions of the teachers on the adequacy of training, availability of resources, clarity of the curriculum, demands of the assessment, and support by the institution. The results were obtained with the help of the descriptive statistics and frequency analysis and are presented in the form of tables and the graphical representation to demonstrate the main tendencies.The lack of teacher training is the most significant barrier, then we can mention the resource constraint, the ambiguity of the curriculum, and the inability to conduct constant competency-based assessments. Other structural problems including huge classrooms and inadequate technology systems contribute to poor implementation. Even though the problem of teacher resistance to change turned out to be a minor issue, it is still conditioned by the lack of adequate support systems and workload. The research finds that the CBE implementation issues are structural in nature that show a lack of policy alignment, resource provision, and professional development. To make the implementation of CBE practices successful and sustainable, the holistic approach (combining full-fledged training, enhanced school resources, more explicit assessment criteria, and encouraging leadership) is necessary.
Copyright (c) 2025 Syed Zill E Ali Raza, Iqra Rani (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Turning Green Mindsets into Green Performance: The Mediating Role of Green Intellectual Capital in ESG Assurance
The institutionalization of sustainability reporting in Pakistan has increased demand for credible ESG assurance and heightened exposure to greenwashing risks. In this research, a green behavioral model of auditor performance is developed and tested whereby Green Role Conflict (GRC) and Green Self-Efficacy (GSE) are predicted by Green Ethical Sensitivity (GES) with Green Audit Performance (GAP) mediated by Green Intellectual Capital (GIC). Based on AMO theory, we believe that green performance is based on whether the auditors can address the role pressures around sustainability, maintain confidence in the ESG assurance procedures, and be part of the environmental ethical issues, which cumulatively create green knowledge resources within audit firms. As a quantitative design, we adopted a survey-based approach, which involved auditors who are involved in sustainability/ESG assurance and interpret results with help of PLS-SEM. The paper presents a context-specific contribution to the emergent sustainability assurance environment of Pakistan and gives actionable implications of audit-firm building capabilities.
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Ghulam Haider, Dr. Liaqut Ali, Mehtab Babar, Maidah Haider (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Social Media Addiction, Fear of Missing Out, Body Image Concerns and Self-Esteem in Adults
The present study investigates the relationships among social media addiction, Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), body image concerns, and self-esteem in emerging adults. With the increasing prevalence of social media use, concerns have been raised regarding its psychological impact, particularly on young adults who are navigating identity development and social comparison. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed, and data were collected from 300 emerging adults aged 18–25 years using standardized self-report measures, including the Social Media Addiction Scale (SMAS), Fear of Missing Out Scale (FoMOS), Body Image Concern Scale (BICS), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple regression analyses, and mediation analysis were conducted using SPSS and PROCESS Macro. Results indicated that social media addiction is positively associated with FoMO (r = 0.62, p < 0.01) and body image concerns (r = 0.54, p < 0.01), while it is negatively associated with self-esteem (r = -0.46, p < 0.01). FoMO partially mediates the relationship between social media addiction and body image concerns, suggesting that individuals with higher addictive engagement experience greater anxiety about missing out, which in turn heightens body dissatisfaction. Furthermore, body image concerns emerged as the strongest predictor of self-esteem, highlighting the critical role of appearance-related concerns in determining self-worth among emerging adults. These findings underscore the importance of developing targeted interventions to promote healthier social media engagement, reduce FoMO, and enhance self-esteem. Implications for mental health practitioners, educators, and future research are discussed.
Social Media Addiction, Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), Body Image Concerns, Self-Esteem and Emerging Adults
Copyright (c) 2025 Saleem Gul , Hassan Imran, Maidah Arshad , Kiran Shahzadi, Alishba Ishfaq, Shamsa Batool (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Social Communication Deficits and Their Impact on Peer Relationships among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often experience challenges in social communication that significantly affect their ability to form and maintain peer relationships. This study investigates how deficits in social communication specifically pragmatic language, nonverbal cues, joint attention, and conversational reciprocity impact peer interactions, social acceptance, and friendship quality among school-aged children with ASD. Guided by social development and communication theories, a quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed with a sample of N= 40 children aged 6 to 12 years, all formally diagnosed with ASD. Participants were recruited from two special education centers and one child psychology clinic providing inclusive services. Standardized instruments, supplemented by parent ratings, teacher reports, and structured behavioral observations, were used to assess social communication abilities and peer relationship outcomes. Data were analyzed using correlation and regression analyses to determine the predictive role of social communication deficits on peer relationship quality. Findings revealed that children with greater social communication difficulties experienced higher levels of peer rejection, fewer reciprocal friendships, and lower engagement during group activities. Nonverbal communication deficits, including reduced eye contact and limited gesture use, emerged as the strongest predictors of weak peer connections, while pragmatic language deficits significantly hindered conversational initiation and maintenance. The study underscores the importance of early, targeted interventions aimed at enhancing social communication skills to improve peer relationships and overall social adjustment in children with ASD.
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social Communication, Peer Relationships, Nonverbal Communication, Emotional Regulation, Pragmatic Language and Social Functioning
Copyright (c) 2025 Maidah Arshad, Haiqa Zahid Abbasi, Hassan Imran, Kiran Shahzadi, Farwa Shafique, Muhammad Mnasoor Abbas (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Investigating the Perceptions and Experiences of Tertiary Students Using Captioned Videos for Incidental Vocabulary Learning
The current study investigates the impact of captioned videos on incidental vocabulary acquisition among English as a Second Language (ESL) learners at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Shaheed Benazirabad. This study used a mixed-methods design. Data were collected through an online questionnaire (n=26) and semi-structured interviews (n=10) with students from the Department of English at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Shaheed Benazirabad (SBBU, SBA). Participants were exposed to captioned audiovisual content over a specific period. Data were collected via an online questionnaire and semi-structured interviews to examine their perceptions of using captions for vocabulary development. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS for statistical significance. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) approach. The t-test (t = 9.621, p = .000) revealed significantly positive perceptions of using captioned videos. Thematic analysis further indicated enhanced motivation, comprehension, and retention. It facilitates a deep cognitive process, in line with Mayer’s (2009) Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning. The findings indicate that incorporating captioned videos into language curricula can support vocabulary acquisition and motivate learners. This study also opens new avenues for future research.
Copyright (c) 2025 Shuhban Ali Siyal, Muzamil Sanjrani (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effect of Speed, Strength, Balance and Precision Training on the Overall Performance of Adolescent Amateur Football Players
Background: Speed, strength and balance are the basic attributes for peak performance in Football. However, there is scarcity of research regarding the combined effect of these attributes with the technical precision in amateur adolescents. Effect of 8-week structured training was investigated focusing on speed, strength, balance and precision, evaluating their effect on overall performance of adolescent Football players in comparison to the conventional training method. Materials and Methods: A sample of 38 male adolescent Football players aged 17-20 years from Young Football Club, Lahore was recruited for this study. Participants were divided into experimental group (n=19) that received integrated training; 3 sessions/week. Whereas, participants of the control group (n=19) followed their previous routine of training. Assessments included physical tests (10m/30m sprints, countermovement jump, Y-Balance Test) and technical evaluations (dribbling time, shooting accuracy, passing precision). Statistical analysis used paired and independent t-tests (p<0.05). Results: Findings of the study confirmed that experimental group has shown significant improvement in all the physical attributes as well as overall performance in Football. Improvement recorded in Physical Attributes: 10m sprint (-0.18s, p<0.001), vertical jump (+4.5cm, p<0.001), Y-Balance (+8.2cm, p<0.001) Technical Precision: Shooting accuracy (+22.3%, p<0.001), passing success rate (+19.1%, p<0.001), Composite Performance: 31.6% improvement vs 5.2% in Controls (p<0.001). Conclusions: The study has concluded that besides speed, strength, and balance; inclusion of the precision training has produced significant performance gains compared to the conventional methods. These results reflect that a well-structured training program has the potential for the development of both physical as well as technical aspect required for the improvement of the overall performance. A well-organized training program, incorporating the precision drill with conventional training regimen can produce significant improvement in overall performance in Football.
Copyright (c) 2025 Shagufta Akhtar, Dr. Mohibullah Khan Marwa, Amir Latif, Kashif Mehmood, Mufeez Alam, Dr. Sumaira Saman (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0