Dyal Singh Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences
The Dyal Singh Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (DSJHSS) is a bilingual (English and Urdu), multidisciplinary, peer-reviewed, and open-access research journal published by Government Dyal Singh Graduate College, Lahore, Pakistan. The journal is published biannually, in June and December, and follows a double-blind peer-review process. DSJHSS provides a scholarly platform for national and international researchers to publish original and unpublished research in the humanities and social sciences. Its areas of interest include literature, languages and linguistics, education, media studies, sociology, psychology, history, economics, international relations, political and cultural studies, anthropology, Islamiyat, arts, and related disciplines. The journal is committed to promoting original, rigorous, ethical, and interdisciplinary research and to facilitating the dissemination and exchange of scholarly knowledge. All published content is freely accessible under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License. The journal does not charge authors any Article Processing Charges (APCs) or publication fees. Publication Frequency: Biannual (June and December) Languages: English and Urdu Peer Review: Double-Blind Peer Review Access Model: Open Access Publication Charges/APC: Nil Publisher: Government Dyal Singh Graduate College, Lahore, Pakistan Print ISSN: 3006-6522 Online ISSN: 3006-6530
Govt. Dyal Singh Graduate College Lahore
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Energy Citizenship, Solar Energy Governance and Energy Security in Pakistan
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; color: #17365d; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 191; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-no-proof: yes;">Energy security remains a pressing issue in Pakistan, worsened by dependence on fossil fuels, an unreliable power supply and rising energy costs. Solar power, as a renewable energy solution, has the potential to provide decentralized, sustainable and affordable energy access while reducing energy poverty. This study investigates the role of solar energy in alleviating energy poverty and promoting energy sustainability in Pakistan, examining how the concept of energy citizenship can empower society in decision-making and decentralized energy production through participatory governance. The study is situated within Pillar 4, “Energy, Water and Food Security” of Pakistan Vision 2025. Globally, energy poverty hinders social development and economic growth; in Pakistan, it exacerbates inequalities in affordability and slows development. A qualitative policy analysis was used, examining national policy documents critically in terms of their content and goals. The findings suggest that national policy frames community-led solar initiatives as a means of improving household energy security, reducing energy poverty, fostering economic development and contributing to climate change mitigation strategies, although these outcomes are not empirically measured in this documentary analysis. Policy recommendations include incentivizing solar energy adoption, improving regulatory frameworks and promoting local participation in energy governance.
Copyright (c) 2026 SadyAhmad https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Revolution in Military Affairs and Cyber Strategic Culture
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; color: #548dd4; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">The fast-evolving dynamics of cyberspace have not only transformed military affairs but have also challenged traditional thinking about warfare and redefined the relationship between the means of conflict and the strategic ends they are intended to achieve. This study argues that the integration of cyberspace into the Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) represents more than a technological transformation; it constitutes a broader shift in strategic culture that is reshaping military doctrine, state behavior, strategic competition, and security policy. It further examines the relationship between military affairs and cyber strategic culture, arguing that cyberspace has become a central component of military transformation. The central question is how the integration of cyberspace into the RMA has reshaped military doctrine and strategy, strategic culture, and national security policy. To address this question, the paper is organized around three interconnected dimensions of cyberspace and military affairs. The first examines theoretical explanations of the RMA and situates cyberspace within the broader process of military transformation. The second analyzes the emergence of cyberspace as a new domain of conflict, with particular attention to state behavior, strategic competition, and the changing nature of power. The third examines the challenge of protecting cyberspace in the age of cyber warfare and considers the requirements for developing effective cyber defense. To investigate these dimensions, I use a qualitative research design to examine the transformation of the RMA and the role of the cyber domain. Rather than relying on quantitative indicators, this study seeks to understand changing concepts of power, strategic competition, and modern warfare. The research primarily relies on documentary analysis and an extensive review of secondary sources. The collected material is analyzed through thematic analysis supported by a comparative analytical framework. Finally, the study argues that a comprehensive cyber defense strategy, supported by international norms and technological resilience, is essential for securing national interests in an interconnected world.
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Baqir Malik (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Tech-Enhanced Language Education in Pakistani Public Schools
Pakistan’s public schools educate a large proportion of the country’s children but often operate with limited digital infrastructure, uneven teacher preparation, and persistent disparities in English-language learning. This integrative narrative review examines whether Duolingo could serve as a supplementary English-learning resource in this context. It synthesizes the manuscript’s corpus of 40 studies—33 journal articles, three conference papers, and four theses or dissertations—on Duolingo and related digital-language-learning practices, together with Pakistan-focused literature on public-school quality, information and communication technology (ICT), teacher readiness, and access. The reviewed evidence generally associates Duolingo’s gamified practice, immediate feedback, adaptive sequencing, and mobile accessibility with increased motivation, vocabulary development, speaking practice, and learner autonomy. However, most effectiveness studies were conducted outside Pakistani public schools and frequently involved older or better-resourced learners. Pakistan-specific evidence points to major implementation constraints, including unreliable connectivity and electricity, limited device access, data costs, insufficient teacher training, curriculum misalignment, and weak institutional support. Accordingly, system-wide integration is not presently justified. A more feasible approach is a phased, teacher-mediated pilot in selected schools, accompanied by infrastructure support, localized content, safeguarding measures, and independent evaluation of learning outcomes and equity effects. The review concludes that Duolingo may be useful as a supplementary tool, but it cannot substitute for trained teachers, curriculum reform, or sustained public investment.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Urooj Fatima Alvi, Shafqat Rasool, Muhammad Uzair Dar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; color: #548dd4; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">This article examines how transnational actors—particularly the global Sikh diaspora and international heritage organisations—reshape state-centred narratives of cultural heritage in Pakistan. Using the Kartarpur Corridor, inaugurated in 2019 to facilitate visa-free Sikh pilgrimage, as its principal case study, the article investigates how competing memory regimes are negotiated among the Pakistani state, diasporic communities, and international heritage actors. Drawing on theories of collective, antagonistic, cosmopolitan, and agonistic memory, it argues that the Pakistani state continues to privilege an antagonistic order of recollection centred on national identity and territorial sovereignty, while diasporic actors have fostered increasingly cosmopolitan forms of remembrance through transnational religious networks and cross-border pilgrimage. The study employs a qualitative design combining field observations (2019–2024), interviews with officials and pilgrims, and analysis of Pakistani print media. It argues that the Corridor functions as a negotiated space in which competing memory regimes coexist rather than replace one another. Although these negotiations have expanded cross-border engagement and recognition of plural histories, they have not yet produced an institutionalised agonistic politics of heritage. The article contributes to heritage, memory, and diaspora scholarship by showing that Pakistani heritage is increasingly shaped through negotiation between state authority and transnational actors rather than through exclusive state control.
Copyright (c) 2026 Umber bin Ibad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Teacher Feedback and Willingness to Communicate
Willingness to communicate (WTC) refers to a learner’s readiness to initiate communication when an opportunity arises and is a central construct in second-language acquisition. Teacher feedback may shape this readiness by influencing learners’ confidence, anxiety, and perceptions of classroom safety. This qualitative case study examined how first-year English undergraduates in one public and one private Pakistani university perceived the influence of positive, corrective, and encouraging teacher feedback on their WTC in English. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews and focus-group discussions with 50 purposively selected students and analysed thematically. Participants generally described positive, effort-focused feedback as supportive of confidence and classroom participation. They described corrective feedback as context dependent: private and sensitively delivered correction was often experienced as helpful, whereas harsh or public correction was associated with embarrassment, anxiety, and withdrawal. Teacher approachability, classroom climate, and peer presence also shaped how feedback was interpreted. The findings indicate that feedback in the studied settings functioned not only as pedagogical information but also as an affective and relational signal. The article recommends feedback practices that preserve accuracy while supporting learners’ psychological safety and communicative risk-taking.
Copyright (c) 2025 Aqsa Maqsood, Dr. Jabir Hussain, Ahmad Raza (Corresponding Author) (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; color: #548dd4; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">This article reads a five-day field diary—kept by an undergraduate during a 2005 social-sciences village study in the Khanewal district of southern Punjab—as an archival document rather than a resource for personal recollection. Adopting Ann Laura Stoler’s practice of reading “along the grain” and drawing on life-writing theory’s distinction between the narrating and the narrated self, it treats the diary as an unusual archive: one whose archivist and subject are the same person, separated by two decades. It mines the text for the affective texture and unspoken assumptions of a particular class and generation: English-medium, faintly Marxist, post-9/11 metropolitan Pakistani youth of the Musharraf years. Through four movements—the pastoral gaze, the media-saturated “untouched” village, the politics of naming, and the ethics of the fieldwork encounter—the article argues that the diary at once deploys and dismantles an internal-Orientalist optic, and that its very contradictions are legible as what Raymond Williams calls a structure of feeling. A concluding section turns the same analytic suspicion on the present reading. The aim is neither confession nor nostalgia, but a method: reading one’s own past text as a historical source.
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Mahboob Ahmad, Adnan Tariq (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; color: #548dd4; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Although schools play an important role in promoting peace, conflict resolution, social justice, and social cohesion, limited research has examined teachers' experiences and practices of peacebuilding across different school contexts in Pakistan. This study explored the lived experiences of secondary school teachers as peacebuilders, focusing on conflict resolution, inclusive classroom practices, school-level peace culture, and social cohesion in Karachi. A qualitative phenomenological design was adopted, using purposive sampling to select 12 secondary school teachers from various school settings. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data, which were transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis with the assistance of NVivo 15. Member checking, reflexive analysis, and systematic coding procedures were used to enhance trustworthiness. Four interrelated themes emerged: teachers as peacebuilders, the classroom peace environment, school peace culture, and the perceived social outcomes of peacebuilding. Participants recognised peacebuilding as a core professional competency and identified respectful communication, inclusive pedagogy, restorative practices, and collaborative school leadership as key supports. The study provides context-specific evidence of teachers' agency in peacebuilding across multiple education systems in Karachi and calls for continuous professional development, whole-school peacebuilding initiatives, and institutional support to build peaceful and socially cohesive learning communities.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Nazir Ahmad, Muhammad Imran, Dr. Nazia Aslam (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Age-Related Variation in Computer-Mediated Communication
The introduction of Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) has created new ways of communicating daily, and has resulted in the advent of some novel linguistic practices in online situations. Though previous studies have established linguistic variations in digital communication from various contexts, comparatively little is known about how age varies in online language use among Pakistani Facebook users. It focuses on the apparent-time perspective on two age groups of female Facebook status writers (ages 18-20 and 30-35) to explore the distribution of certain linguistic features in their status updates. In this study, the qualitative comparative content-analysis design was used. The status updates that were reviewed were purposively selected, with 200 being reviewed and analyzed from each one of the participants. Analyses carried out in the study were on the basis of the following five linguistic categories – shortened lexical forms, acronyms, omission of vowels, emoticons/emoji and substitutions of numeric forms. These features were subsequently compared descriptively in terms of their frequency and distribution between the age groups included. The analysis shows that the younger participants generally preferred more innovative linguistic forms than the adult participants, while the adult participants generally preferred a more traditional lexical and orthographic form. These observations suggest variation in the linguistic practice of the selected dataset with respect to age rather than evidence for ongoing language change. The study aids the Computer-Mediated Communication research in Pakistan by reporting the language variations of Facebook users and can serve as the basis for future studies that use longitudinal or larger and more varied data sets to investigate the changes in language throughout time.
Copyright (c) 2026 Inaya Sehar, Tahira Kanwal, Nosheen Sehar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Scalar implicature is a central concept in pragmatics that explains how speakers communicate meanings beyond the literal interpretations of their utterances. Despite scalar implicature having been examined in detail in English and some other major languages, comparatively little is known about the concept in Urdu and some other South Asian languages. This study presents a scoping review of existing literature on scalar implicature showing the importance of cross-linguistic evidence in relation to Urdu and English. To reach this aim, a systematic review of the literature was conducted through an exhaustive search of online academic databases, such as Google Scholar, Scopus, ERIC, and Web of Science, adhere to find theoretical and empirical studies published in English from 1975 to 2025 and to assess and analyze these data against pre-established inclusion criteria. The analysis indicated that research conducted so far has provided significant theoretical and experimental justification for scalar implicature in English, while the existing studies related to Urdu are scarce. Still, rather than evidencing the areas of cross-linguistic differences regarding the processes of scalar implicature in communication, this review has identified a considerable gap in the available evidence concerning the functioning of scalar implicature in Urdu-speaking multilingual environments. Consequently, the study proves that it is important to conduct additional research with regard to the ways scalar implicature is applied in multilingual contexts involving speakers of Urdu and English.
Copyright (c) 2025 Inaya Sehar, Tahira Kanwal, Nosheen Sehar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Attitudes of ESL Teachers towards Outcome-Based Education in Higher Education in Pakistan
This study examines ESL teachers’ attitudes towards the Outcome-Based Education approach at the university level ESL instruction in Pakistan. It also finds out how university teachers’ attitude correlate with their demographics. For this purpose, the study employed a descriptive-correlational research design. A total of 70 university ESL teachers were surveyed and the resulting quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Means and percentages were calculated to determine respondents’ attitudes towards the Outcome-Based Education approach. Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient was used to determine the strength and direction of the relationships between demographic variables and university ESL teachers’ attitudes. The findings indicated that respondents demonstrated relatively consistent, although cautious, agreement regarding their understanding of OBE and held positive beliefs about its implementation. The findings further revealed that only two variables—gender and educational attainment—were significantly associated with university ESL teachers’ attitudes towards OBE. However, these relationships were weak. Conversely, ESL teacher’s age, academic rank, teaching experience, university type showed no significant correlations with their attitudes towards OBE.
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Imtiaz Saeed, Dr. Muhammad Umer Azim, Samar Kamal Fazli (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Gendered Professional Identity in AI-Generated Discourse
As large language models (LLMs) become increasingly prevalent in professional and organizational communication, concern has shifted from overt stereotypes to subtler patterns through which AI-generated language may reproduce gendered assumptions. This study examines how ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok construct male- and female-referenced professional identities across ten occupations. The dataset comprises 60 texts, generated in June 2025 through three LLM models (ChatGPT, Gemini, and Grok). Using corpus-assisted critical discourse analysis, the study combines keyword and Key Word in Context (KWIC) analysis in Sketch Engine with Halliday and Matthiessen’s systemic functional linguistics, Fairclough’s three-dimensional model, and van Leeuwen’s social actor representation framework. In the sampled outputs, overt stereotyping was limited; however, recurrent lexical and grammatical differences associated male professionals more often with institutional authority and strategic action, whereas female professionals were more often associated with relational competence and communicative expertise. Because each prompt was generated only once during a single collection session. The results show that explicit stereotyping has been visibly reduced in all three LLMs. Nevertheless, implicit ideologies regarding gender still exist in today’s AI-generated professional discourse where male professionals have been predominantly associated with institutional authority and strategic leadership, while female professionals have been characterized through relational competence and communicative expertise.
Copyright (c) 2026 Marriam Bibi, Dr. Urooj Fatima Alvi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; color: #548dd4; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">This article examines the history of Jamia Fathia, Lahore, from its establishment in 1875 to the death of its third muhtamim, Mian Muhammad Salman, in 2008. It uses Jamia Fathia as a historical case to problematize generalized portrayals of madrasas in Pakistan as institutions defined mainly by sectarian rigidity, radicalism, and politicization. Drawing on institutional histories, biographical writings, oral interviews, and relevant secondary scholarship, the article traces the madrasa’s foundation, leadership, system of instruction, library, teachers, and students. It argues that flexibility in sectarian boundaries remained an important feature of the institution. Jamia Fathia maintained connections with scholars and institutions belonging to different scholarly and Sufi traditions, while its students later followed diverse paths in teaching, writing, spiritual guidance, religious service, and political activity. At the same time, the article recognizes the firm religious and political commitments of some members of its founding family, including their association with Majlis-i-Ahrar-i-Islam and anti-Ahmadi campaigns. The case therefore shows that such commitments could exist alongside scholarly exchange and interaction across different intellectual and sectarian boundaries.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mohsin Nadeem Khawaja, Dr. Irfan Waheed Usmani (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Social Welfare in Islamic and Western Thought
This article analyses the meaning of the term “social welfare” both from a linguistic and terminological perspective in order to demonstrate that it aims at improving human wellbeing or promoting social harmony. Islam is considered a complete system of life and focus on providing social welfare as an essential part of faith through the concepts of human dignity, mercy, kindness, and humanity with a global emphasis on social justice and the responsibilities to meet all basic human rights through people-centered tools such as Zakat and Sadaqah alongside providing public welfare activities. Western conception of social welfare, substantially the same, is also considered a duty or one of the basic functions and obligations of society that public policy must depend on protecting those people who are inhibited or disadvantaged to help ensure the promise of equality and justice to everyone. The studies further establish the extent to which social welfare plays a prominent role in improving poverty, inequality and unemployment, as well as civil disturbance. Islam stresses the importance of reaching out to the less fortunate, assisting those who are in need and setting up a welfare society. The research, which summarizes the similarities and differences between Islamic and Western ethical foundations, concludes that with clear aim for human well-being, social cohesion and common good that pursues social welfare is a necessity for an ideal society develop in all aspects of live where peaceful interaction among mankind becomes predictable.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ahmad Fuzail Ibn Saeed, Dr. Nayab Gul (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
An Analysis of Sustainability of Unfunded Debt and Pensions in Pakistan
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; color: #548dd4; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Pensions have become a contentious policy issue in Pakistan, exposing fiscal gaps that have accumulated over many years. The growing reliance on unfunded debt, largely sourced through pension contributions, represents a serious risk that warrants investigation. This study examines domestic debt, the fiscal deficit, and interest rates as potential drivers of growth in unfunded debt and assesses the pension system’s contribution to this trend since 1990. Using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method, the relationship between unfunded debt and these three potential drivers is tested, while a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) is used to explain the short-run dynamics of the long-run relationship. A series analysis of the Pensioners’ Benefit Account (PBA) further evaluates the contribution of pension funds to the response variables. The results show no significant short-run relationship between unfunded debt and domestic debt, but significant short-run relationships with the fiscal deficit and interest rates. In the long run, unfunded debt is positively and significantly related to domestic debt and the fiscal deficit, and negatively related to interest rates. Growing public debt, an inability to contain the fiscal deficit, and rising interest rates have become a potent combination driving unwarranted additions to unfunded debt. The PBA analysis reveals a significant and rising contribution of pension funds to unfunded debt. Policymakers should heed the warning signs highlighted by studies such as this one to prevent the situation from worsening to the point at which it becomes irredeemable.
Copyright (c) 2026 Israa Monawar, Dr. Muhammad Salahuddin Ayyubi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Evaluating Indigenous ICT-Aided English Language Material for ESL Dyslexic Learners
The twenty first century has witnessed significant growth in the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in all areas of life, including language learning. In the case of second language teaching, most materials are based on Western pedagogical frameworks. Such generically developed and commercially produced materials overlook the cognitive needs and demands of dyslexic ESL learners and limit their language learning outcomes (Irshad & Ghani 2017). The current study investigates the impact of Indigenous Information and Communication Technology (ICT) aided English language material on the language learning outcomes of English as a Second Language Dyslexic Learners. Using a mixed-methods approach, quantitative assessment of language performance of dyslexic ESL learners was triangulated with qualitative insights from the teachers and observations of the participants. Purposive sampling was carried out to find dyslexic ESL learners through a screening check-list by Ashraf and Najam (2014). Quantitative findings revealed statistically significant improvements in reading comprehension, decoding skills, and vocabulary development (t = –2.333; p < 0.05). Qualitative data in the form of observations and teacher interview supported these results showing increased engagement, improved participation, and noticeable progress in learners’ reading behaviors during ICT-assisted lessons. Despite some physical and technical challenges faced by dyslexic ESL learners due to ICT-aided material, this study supports the integration of technology in fostering inclusive language education for dyslexic learners.
Copyright (c) 2026 Shaista Ghazanfar, Dr. Shafaq Fayyaz (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Exploring ESL Learners’ Experiences of Implicit Vocabulary Instruction and Its Role in Vocabulary Acquisition
Vocabulary is central to second-language learning; however, explicit instruction and rote memorization continue to dominate many ESL classrooms in Pakistan. This qualitative study explored intermediate-level ESL learners’ experiences of implicit vocabulary instruction and examined how contextual reading, incidental exposure, inferencing, and collaborative meaning-making contributed to vocabulary acquisition. Forty intermediate ESL learners—20 male and 20 female—were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews lasting 30–45 minutes and analyzed thematically. Five themes emerged: (1) increased word awareness and inferencing ability through engagement with texts; (2) greater confidence in independent reading; (3) collaborative meaning-making as pedagogical scaffolding; (4) persistent difficulty interpreting complex or ambiguous contexts; and (5) the influence of examination culture on vocabulary-learning strategies. The findings indicate that implicit vocabulary instruction can support lexical processing, retention, reading confidence, and learner autonomy, but its effectiveness depends on appropriate text selection, learners’ proficiency, repeated exposure, and teacher support. The study contributes a learner-centered perspective to vocabulary pedagogy in Pakistan and recommends integrating implicit and explicit instruction within an assessment system that rewards meaningful language use.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mudassir Riaz, Dr. Rehan Muhammad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
This paper examines the mechanisms of lexical innovation, diffusion, and stabilization in English social media discourse. The study employs a diachronic corpus analysis of Twitter, Reddit, and Instagram data from 2010 to 2025 to investigate the interplay among digital platforms, sociocultural contexts, and traditional media in the development of new word meanings. To trace semantic changes such as narrowing, broadening, amelioration, and functional shift, the lexical items ghosting, lit, and stan were analyzed. The study addresses three main research questions: What role do social media platforms play in the formation, dissemination, and stabilization of lexical meanings? How do traditional media and linguistic authorities mediate this process? How do social, cultural, and community-specific factors affect lexical adoption? The results indicate that Twitter accelerates diffusion, Reddit promotes semantic negotiation, Instagram reinforces stabilization, and traditional media provides legitimacy. The adoption and retention of lexical items are strongly influenced by sociocultural norms and community practices. This study presents a cross-platform, sociocultural account of digital semantic change, with implications for lexicography, language education, and computational linguistics.
Copyright (c) 2026 Riba Aslam , Arooj Fatima , Muhammad Haseeb Sajjad , Ahmad Raza (Corresponding Author) (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Was there a ‘unique selling point’ in the Economic Agenda of PTI
This study examines Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) claim of presenting a distinct economic agenda in the 2018 elections under the slogan Naya Pakistan. A comparative content analysis of the manifestos of PTI, PML-N and PPPP is conducted across nine themes: economic growth, employment, trade, taxation, energy, debt, industrial sector, agriculture, and state-owned enterprises. Using qualitative and quantitative techniques, the study evaluates the salience and specificity of policy pledges. Findings show that PTI dedicated the largest proportion of its manifesto (22.9%) to economic issues; however, substantial thematic overlap exists across all parties. Instead of proposing ideologically divergent policies, parties mainly varied in the degree of emphasis placed on particular issues. The analysis concludes that PTI’s agenda was comprehensive but not uniquely different from its rivals.
Copyright (c) 2025 Saarma Saeed, Muhammad Salahuddin Ayyubi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Exploring the influence of Parental Romantic vulnerability
This research investigates how parental expressions of romantic vulnerability—such as hugging, kissing, and verbal affection—affect children aged 8–13 within Pakistani households. Using interviews with both parents and children, the study explores children’s cognitive, emotional, and social responses to witnessing such interactions. Findings reveal a spectrum of reactions: while many children associate affectionate behavior with emotional safety, others experience discomfort, particularly when behaviors are perceived as overly intimate. Cultural expectations and family communication patterns strongly influence these responses. The study highlights a gap between parents’ intentions to model love and children’s developmental readiness to interpret such behaviors. By addressing this gap, the research contributes to a deeper understanding of how parental romantic behaviors shape children’s emotional development and their conceptualization of relationships
Copyright (c) 2025 Sumaika Javaid (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effects of Mobile Phone Use on Face-to-Face Interactions and Relationship Quality Among Punjab University Students in Lahore
This study investigates the effects of excessive mobile phone use on face-to-face interactions and relationship quality among university students. While mobile phones provide continuous digital connectivity, their overuse can reduce attention during in-person conversations and weaken interpersonal bonds. Using survey data, the research identifies patterns of phubbing, digital distraction, and emotional disengagement that contribute to communication strain and decreased relational satisfaction. The findings indicate that excessive phone use creates barriers to meaningful interaction, diminishes emotional presence, and negatively influences both familial and peer relationships. The study underscores the need for balanced digital practices and recommends awareness-building strategies that promote healthier in-person communication habits.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hafsa Qamar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The influence of Family Vlogging on Personality and Behavioral Pattern of Punjab University Students
This study examines how Punjab University students perceive and are influenced by family vlogging, a popular digital practice showcasing everyday domestic life. Drawing on Social Learning Theory, Uses and Gratifications Theory, and Cultivation Theory, the study uses qualitative interviews with 20 purposively selected students. Findings show that repeated exposure affects personality traits, behavioral routines, lifestyle aspirations, and motivations to pursue vlogging as a career. The study highlights implications for students’ academic focus, psychological well-being, and social behavior, calling for more nuanced investigation into the long-term effects of digital family content.
Copyright (c) 2025 Solat Zafar Awan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Unpacking the motivation behind pursing competitive exam (CSS)
Competitive examinations have become a defining feature of academic and professional pathways for many individuals in Pakistan. This study investigates the motivations driving young adults in Lahore to pursue the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination, despite already possessing professional degrees. Using a quantitative design, data were collected from 40 respondents through a structured questionnaire. The analysis explores the interaction between intrinsic motivation, extrinsic rewards, and societal pressure, framed within Social Learning Theory and Social Cognitive Theory. Results indicate that intrinsic motivation is the strongest predictor of exam preparation (36.1%), followed by extrinsic rewards (27.8%) and societal pressure (25%). These findings suggest that although external influences shape decision-making, intrinsic motivation remains the dominant factor behind aspirants’ sustained commitment to CSS preparation.
Copyright (c) 2024 Mahnoor (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Knowledge Management Techniques between University Students and Working Students
Knowledge management techniques refer to the strategies, tools, and methods used by individual or organisations to collect, organise, and share knowledge effectively. University students and working students adopt different approaches to manage knowledge due to their differing academic and professional demands. The research aims to identify the dual challenges faced by both group as they balance workplace responsibilities with academic application. A quantitative researcher design was applied using a 14-item questionnaire. The findings indicate that working students benefit from greater practical exposure, while university students focus on balancing academics, social life and personal development. The study recommends that educational institutions introduce internships, technical trainings, and skills-based programs to strengthen knowledge management practices among both groups.
Copyright (c) 2024 Khadija Waheed (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Psychological Effects of Memes on Sufferers
The research titled Psychological Effects of Memes on Sufferers examines the memes from a psychological point of view. In this research, survey data from 20 participants with different educational levels were used to investigate the psychological impact of memes on individuals aged between 18 and 30. The findings raise serious question about meme culture's negative influence on mental wellbeing. Specifically, the majority of respondents indicated that memes that attack specific individuals can make individuals feel more stressed, and some indicated that memes cause victims to think negatively. Additionally, respondents also stated that being targeted by memes can lead to feelings of inferiority, and some concurred that memes that ridicule mental illnesses can exacerbate emotional distress. Half of the participants reported primarily using Instagram, suggesting that platform-specific variables may affect exposure to memes. These results emphasize how memes can be detrimental to psychological well-being through emotional detachment and a negative self-image. For a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between meme consumption and mental health consequences, larger samples must be used for future research.
Copyright (c) 2024 Baseerat Talib (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Feminist Perspective: Women's Treatment and Role in Blindly Followed Tradition in Jackson's The Lottery
Blindly following traditions in a male-dominated society has unwanted consequences, especially, for women. A significant number of studies can be found regarding the subjugation and marginalization of women but very little focus has been given to the blindly followed traditions set by men in a male-dominated society. Hence this research tends to explore the role of women in a deeply traditional and custom rooted society, and women’s treatment as "Other beings" regarding the feminist perspective and the concept given in "The Second Sex” (De Beauvoir, 2016), Simone de Beauvoir particularly discusses women's roles in traditional societies and their link to male authority. Furthermore, this research is qualitative in nature and textual analysis has been employed (McKee, 2001). However, the data have been collected from the short story The Lottery by Jackson. The findings suggest that women are treated as "Other beings" and their role is subdued in the blindly followed traditions of patriarchal society.
Copyright (c) 2024 Rizwan Ahmad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A Foreign Policy Analysis of the Sino-US Rivalry in the 21st ‎Century ‎
At present, China-US rivalry is a dominant debate in academia as well as in the domains of policymaking. The study of China-US Rivalry is also important as it can prove to be a threat to international peace and security, since this competition between two superpowers is turning into an intense animosity. However, this paper tends to shed lights on the nature of divergent foreign policy goals and objectives of the US, the existing global power, and China, the emerging superpower. It also provides a detailed examination of the scope and direction of this rivalry. For that purpose, this paper is divided into five major parts. First part of this paper is the introduction in which a descriptive theoretical framework is presented to understand the China-US rivalry following the realist paradigm. The second part of this paper is the historical background which presents a brief history of the rise and fall of nations in general, and the rise of the US and China in particular. The third part of this paper is a description about the major areas of the China-US competition. The fourth part of this paper is the prime section of this writing which offers a detailed foreign policy analysis of this rivalry. It unveils different strategies in the foreign policy of both superpowers that generates an animosity between them. Furthermore, this section analyses the role of individual decisionmakers, national ideology, and domestic politics in their divergent foreign policies. Moreover, this part examines the existing and future implications of this intense rivalry. The fifth and the last part of this paper is the conclusion which focuses on the findings of this entire academic assessment.
Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Impact of Cultural Norms on Women’s Leadership in Swat
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi; color: #548dd4; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">This exploratory qualitative study examines how cultural norms shape women’s leadership in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It draws on semi-structured interviews with four women occupying leadership roles, selected purposively to obtain perspectives from different leadership experiences. Using thematic analysis and a feminist interpretive lens, the study identifies four connected areas: traditional gender-role expectations; male-dominated authority and decision-making; constraints involving family and community support, professional networks, resources, and gender bias; and low representation and stereotypes alongside perceived possibilities for change. The analysis suggests that cultural expectations become consequential through concrete mechanisms, including restrictions on mobility and public participation, unequal recognition of authority, reduced access to networks, and gendered evaluations of competence. At the same time, the source material indicates that women’s leadership is not entirely static and that changing awareness, organizational inclusion, and women’s participation in community institutions may create openings for greater leadership. Because the study is based on only four interviews and the available records do not provide participant demographics, verbatim quotations, detailed interview metadata, or a fully documented analytic trail, the findings are presented as exploratory rather than representative of all women in Swat. The study contributes a context-sensitive account of how household, community, organizational, and wider institutional conditions can interact in shaping women’s leadership and identifies priorities for more transparent and comparative research.
Copyright (c) 2025 Rizwan Ahmad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A Comparative Analysis of Punjabi Novels: Deva tay Dariya and Doaba
Afzal Ahsan Randhawa's name is eminent in Punjabi Literature and Language. He was a great poet, astute novelist, incredible story writer, and austere translator. His writings set an example for new authors. By profession, he was a lawyer and politician but he chose Punjabi to express his thoughts and stayed an activist for its growth. Deewa Tay Darya is his first novel which tells the story of enmity between two families of Punjab. Due to its unique creativity and narrative, it is an important contribution to Punjabi novel. Do-Aaba is his second creation which depicts the brotherhood and differences among the people of the united Punjab. This paper probes into the similarities and dissimilarities between these two novels specifically focusing on characterization, setting, locale, and diction. This article aims to critically analyze the novels with their different aspects.
Copyright (c) 2024 Ijaz, Dr. Risham Jameel (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Exploring Bilingualism Among Pakistani Teenagers: Assessing the Pros and Cons
Bilingualism is increasingly prevalent in the contemporary world, particularly in ethnically diverse countries such as Pakistan, where multilingual social environments result in a high proportion of bilingual individuals. Bilingualism reflects multiple ethnic identities and carries both positive and negative implications. Although previous studies have addressed bilingualism, many have not clearly distinguished between its benefits and drawbacks. This study critically analyzes the potential advantages and challenges of bilingualism among Pakistani teenagers. Drawing upon William Labov’s sociolinguistic theory, it employs a qualitative approach and conducts thematic analysis of interview data collected from ten teenage participants across Pakistan. Findings indicate that bilingualism enhances communication abilities, intercultural understanding, cognitive performance, and academic as well as professional prospects. However, challenges such as code-switching difficulties, linguistic confusion, and societal biases privileging certain languages also emerged.
Copyright (c) 2024 Subaina Malik (gold medalist), Mah Noor, Sania Sadiq, Hijab Imtiaz (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Unlocking the Economic Potential of India: The role of Human Capital
Human capital is driving the economic growth, as it enhances the labor’s productivity. This leads to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of the country. Hence, investment on education creates more capable human capital, which is crucial for sustainable economic growth. Hence, this study tries to explore the pivot role of human capital by addresses the crucial question that does human capital positively influence economic growth? Hence, this study is used secondary dataset from 1980 to 2023. The study analyze the objective by using autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) and Granger causality test following the augmented Dicky-Fuller (ADF) and Bounds tests. The finding reveals that the key indicators of human capital including domestic health expenditure, school enrollment and life expectancy has significant impact on economic growth of Indian’s economy on both in the short, as well as, in long-run. Furthermore, significantly one-sided Granger causalities are found from life expectancy to health expenditure, health expenditure to economic growth, economic growth to life expectancy, school enrollment to economic growth, health expenditure to gross capital formation, gross capital formation to life expectancy, and finally school enrollment to gross capital formation. No two-tailed causality is found. Lastly, based on the findings, the study suggested that policymakers should understand the importance of health expenditure by allocating budget, access to education by improving infrastructure, and enhancing life expectancy by proving health care facilities. These measures are essential to stimulate long-term economic growth.
Copyright (c) 2024 Usman saleem yousaf Qazi, Arifa Saeed, Farhan Ali (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0