Archives

The pursuit of energy security has been a primary goal of many South Asian and Central Asian states. Several projects, including the TAPI Gas Pipeline, the IP Gas Pipeline, and the Central Asia-South Asia Power Project (CASA-1000), were signed to meet this demand. These projects, however, did not succeed due to ongoing political turmoil in Afghanistan, growing inter-state conflicts in the region, lack of funds, and the US sanctions against Iran. In this desperate situation, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has emerged as a ray of hope, opening new channels of cooperation between South Asian and Central Asian states. The SCO can play an important role in energy security, and China, as a core member, has assumed a pivotal role in the organization's success. The recent geopolitical shifts, particularly the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and the new detente between Saudi Arabia and Iran, are probably going to make it possible for China to establish, within the framework of its cooperative leadership, the kind of environment that would allow several Central Asian and South Asian nations to pursue cooperation on energy security. Through the lens of regional integration theory, this article investigates "What role China can play in strengthening the cooperation between Central Asian and South Asian states on energy security under the banner of SCO?" This qualitative analysis is based on the secondary sources and published literature in the field.

This article examines the noteworthy facets of gender biases, gender inequalities and the workings of power in Bina Shah’s Slum Child (2010). This qualitative study through character analysis exposes socio-political stigmas attached to Laila’s life while living in Pakistan, leaving her in impoverished circumstances. The study uses Foucauldian discourse on sexuality and power to analyze the vulnerability, gender discrimination and stereotypical construction of nine-year-old Laila, Shah’s protagonist. Power is a hegemonic and potent apparatus for identity formation and assertion; similarly, the point of convergence of Foucauldian discourse and feminism is the abuse of power and enforcement of informed choice in a patriarchal social system that functions on a significant sex-gender bias, favoring men with power while oppressing others – women and children, in both private and public spheres of life. While probing the abuses of power, this work concludes that the complicated rapport between men and women, marking them as superior and inferior, is an orthodox approach, subsequently, bringing an abuse of power, sexual assault and harassment on women’s part.

This qualitative research study purposes to assess the PLGA-2013 from a legal and applied perception. The study employs qualitative research approach, with in-depth interviews, document scrutiny, and opinion, to gather data from various stakeholders, such as legal experts, government officials, and community representatives. The research explores the legal framework provided by the PLGA-2013 and examines its practical implications in the context of local governance in Punjab. It seeks to understand how the Act has been implemented, identify any challenges faced in its execution, and evaluate its effectiveness in achieving its intended objectives. Through the analysis of collected data, including interviews and document review, this research aims to provide insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the PLGA-2013. It examines the Act's provisions, their interpretation, and their impact on local governance practices. The study also considers the perspectives and experiences of stakeholders to gain a holistic understanding of the Act's practical implications. The results of the research will add to the prevailing information on local government legislation in Punjab, offering valued insights for officials, experts, and researchers. The study intentions to suggest some recommendations for improving the implementation and effectiveness of PLGA-2013(2013) based on the identified challenges and stakeholders' feedback. Ultimately, it strives to enhance the understanding of the Act's legal and practical aspects and contribute to the ongoing discourse on local governance in Punjab.

This study explores the complex web of historical changes that traditional civilizations have experienced because of urbanization. This study's main goal is to conduct a thorough analysis of the various effects of urbanization on communities that have long upheld traditional lifestyles. Through a thorough examination of primary sources, archival documents, and historical records, this inquiry reveals the ways in which urbanization has influenced, changed, and occasionally disrupted the social structure of these cultures. The results of this study show that traditional communities and urbanization interact in a complex way. Deep changes occurred to old societal systems as cities grew and modernized. This study finds a variety of effects, from modifications to cultural identities including belief systems to shifts in social structures and economic behaviors. This study emphasizes that the impact of urbanization was not one-way through a careful historical lens. The main finding of this study is that there was a complicated reciprocity between traditional villages and urbanization. Despite what some earlier research may have said Urbanization did not always have a negative or transforming effect. Overall, this historical research challenges oversimplified narratives and offers a deeper knowledge of the complex historical factors that have produced the world's urban environments, so presenting an alternative perspective on the connection between urbanization and traditional communities. The results call for reevaluating urbanization strategies and highlight the necessity of incorporating conventional wisdom into contemporary urban planning to build livable, culturally thriving cities.

The article examines the implications of China's ascension as a global power and analyzes whether China's rise presents opportunities or threats to the international community. It explores China's economic growth, military expansion, and increasing influence in global affairs. The article delves into the potential economic benefits for other nations through trade and investment opportunities, while also discussing concerns regarding China's assertive foreign policies and human rights issues. The paper highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of China's rise, acknowledging both the potential benefits and challenges it poses. Ultimately, the article calls for a balanced and cooperative approach in engaging with China to harness opportunities and address potential threats for a stable and prosperous global order.

Work-family conflict is said to be one of the most pressing issues faced by working women in Pakistan. This was conducted to determine the impact of work-family conflict on the emotional wellbeing of female nurses in Bhakkar, a district of Punjab, Pakistan. This cross-sectional study was undertaken through a quantitative method in which perceptions were sought from female nurses across the district with the help of a self-developed questionnaire. About 434 female nurses were found to be employed in public and private health care centres in the district, from which a sample of 250 nurses was taken through the L. R. Gay table of sample distribution. The study found a significant impact of work-family conflict on the emotional wellbeing of female nurses (r = 73, β = .81). Moreover, married nurses (M = 4.11, SD = 0.42), compared to unmarried nurses (M = 3.67, SD = 0.67), were more significantly affected by work-family conflict. The study also found that married nurses (M = 3.87, SD = 0.31) compared to unmarried nurses (M = 3.48, SD = 0.59) were less likely to enjoy emotional wellbeing. The overall study concluded that unmarried and married women nurses’ emotional wellbeing was affected by work-family conflict, but the influence was greater on married nurses compared to unmarried ones. In this scenario, the Punjab government is required to shorten the working hours of female nurses as they have to be responsible for household chores. It will definitely increase their emotional wellbeing.

Pakistan has a patriarchal culture with majority people having beliefs which promote conservative responsibilities in males and females. However, research shows that diplomatic beliefs about male-female responsibilities are an important predictor for an individual’s wellbeing. The diplomatic beliefs of university teachers are important as teachers have a role in influencing the beliefs and mind-set of youth. This research aims to investigate the relationship between types of beliefs (conservative versus diplomatic) about male-female responsibilities and wellbeing in university teachers of Punjab. A group of 173 university teachers were surveyed from different universities in Punjab, using a quantitative research design. It was found that when conservative beliefs about male-female responsibilities is high, wellbeing is low (p<0.01); and when diplomatic beliefs about male-female responsibilities is high wellbeing is also high (p<0.01). The following groups have more diplomatic beliefs about male-female responsibilities: (i) females, (ii) single people, (iii) people living in joint families, (iv) those from lower wealth backgrounds, and (v) those living in rural areas. Based on study findings we recommend two broad policies to improve diplomatic beliefs on a whole for Pakistani society, and specifically for university faculty.

This research aims to explore the influence of heroism and demonism as depicted in Indian films on the national identity crisis among youth, focusing on a case study conducted at the University of Sargodha. Using a purposive or convenient sampling technique, the study selected 300 individuals from the population and categorized them demographically. The survey research method used to collect responses from the chosen sample, using appropriate statistical tests tailored to the nature of hypotheses to achieve statistically significant results. The findings of the study strongly confirmed the hypothesis and revealed a pronounced preference among respondents for Bollywood films over those from Lollywood and Hollywood. Furthermore, the results highlighted that respondents spent more time watching Bollywood films as they felt they suited their lifestyle. Notably, internet platforms have been the preferred medium for accessing Bollywood content. A substantial majority of respondents showed a significant attraction to the comedic, musical and thematic elements present in Bollywood films. Furthermore, the survey revealed a tendency among respondents to emulate Indian film characteristics such as hairstyles, dialogues, music, dresses and festivals, driven by the pursuit of personal satisfaction. This emulation extended to clothing choices, including traditional Indian garments such as kurta, churidar, lehenga and mathapati. Interestingly, the survey also revealed that Indian cultural elements had a profound influence on social interactions with both parents and friends among respondents. A crucial revelation of this study focused on the youth's national identity crisis, strongly confirming the hypothesis that Bollywood films have a direct impact on Pakistani national identity. The study concluded that Hindu cultural elements, as depicted in Indian films, had a significant influence on Pakistan's national language, dress, food habits, national symbols, the Two Nation Theory, national heroes and perceptions of the military. In essence, the study underlines the multifaceted role of Indian cinematic representations in shaping youth perceptions of identity and cultural affinity within the Pakistani context.

As Minorities' Day is observed in Pakistan on August 11th, 1947, it is an important day in history. The founder of the nation, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, addressed the nation's first Legislative Assembly on this day. The terminology used to allude to Pakistan placed a strong emphasis on the freedom of religion. The State's founding leaders wanted to establish a free state where every minority group could practice their religion without fear of retaliation. Unfortunately, political religious groups that claimed to be the guardians of Islam quickly took over the State of Pakistan. At the moment, there is a lot of hostility towards diversity and interfaith understanding, which has led to a number of instances of forced conversion and a large exodus of minority groups. Every year, there are numerous reports of mistreatment and prejudice based on religious affiliation, religion, or ritual, a pattern that is regrettably becoming more prevalent.