This study analyzed the association between household employment and household poverty using logit regression on survey data of Multan District. It is found that qualification of household head, gender of household head, household employment rate, number of males employed in formal sector, number of females employed in informal sector, females permitted to paid work outside home, female’s autonomy to utilize household resources, possession of agricultural land, residence, possession of livestock and government health facility in household’s vicinity have significantly negative impact on probability of household’s poverty. Household size and number of children (≤ 5 years) are positively associated with household poverty. It is suggested that empowering women and creating productive employment opportunities in both formal and informal sectors may help to reduce poverty..

The purpose of this study is to find out the factors which stimulate university teachers towards self-motivated professional development at university level. It was a descriptive study based on survey design; a mixed methods design was selected to collect the data through mixed method techniques. 200 questionnaires were distributed with the help of the snowball sampling technique, which helped in reaching 57 teachers for interview. Thematic Analysis, Descriptive Statistics and Chi- Square Test were applied to data. The result shows the intrinsic factors of stimulation were self-thrust towards excellence, respect, acknowledgment and inner satisfaction. On the contrary, extrinsic factors were a good salary package, promotion, better social and professional status and ability to cope with the advanced educational requirements. The study recommends that action through teachers’ consideration, reflection and shared vision may include extrinsic and intrinsic factors of motivation.

This study analyses the influence of high-performance work systems on organizational performance. As, previous studies have mostly focused on individual HR practices in determining the influence of HR practices on performance so research is needed to analyze the combined effect of HRM practices as system to understand the importance of HR on performance. Based on AMO framework, this study investigated the effect of HR system on organizational performance using employees’ perspectives in highly interdependent work settings. In this study, primary data was obtained from 218 bank branches in collaboration with Institute of bankers Pakistan and bank management in the form of managers’ and employees’ perceptions about HPWS and its effect on performance. Results suggest that HPWS was significantly linked to deposits, advances and unit level profitability. Results pointed out new insights to HPWSperformance literature from employees perspectives.

Language is product of four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. English language learning and examination has been reduced to reading and writing in Pakistan, at the University level. However, English Speaking Skills (ESS) are in high demand in professional life. ESS require testing and grading like English writing skills. This study is based on developing ESS through testing criteria. A survey of university freshmen was used to collect data. Using Kim's (2010) testing scales, the freshmen's ESS progress was gauged through their speaking performances. As a case study, this research used a longitudinal approach (two academic semesters) with a mixed methods approach. University English Language Teachers' (UELTs) and University Administrators /Management's (UANM) interviews were analyzed textually. A criterion as a yardstick helped the learners to fit in to the optimum.

This paper highlights the importance of energy in the determination of growth for economy of Pakistan. This study has been taken for the period of 1972-2015. Along with energy consumption some other important variables are also put into investigation. The Johansson co-integration estimation technique has been used to estimate the required impact. The results show that energy consumption contributed positively and significantly to long run economic growth. While the said impact is statistically insignificant in the short run, the study suggested on the basis of results that energy sources should be explored to boost which may possible to satisfy the energy need of the country and to get guaranteed economic growth in the long run. Therefore, Government should pay special attention toward the country’s energy sector to stabilize the economy which assures prosperity in the country.

Five Central Asian Republics (CARs) got independence in December 1991 as a result of the collapse of the USSR. Politically, economically, strategically and geographically Central Asia is regarded as the Heart of Asia. This region is the hub of the natural resources. It became a battle ground for the states which have interest in its hydrocarbon reserves. The paper examines the ongoing competition between China and India for the resources of Central Asia. Both of these countries are eyeing the huge potential of trade relations with this large market. They were also trying to create energy partnerships with the gas- and oil-rich region. This resulted in competition between the two countries inof the region. This article describes China and India as competitors in this region. As a neighbouring country, this engagement of China and India has serious implications for Pakistan.

The demand for counterfeit goods has exponentially grown and counterfeit goods trade has consequently emerged as a global problem. The present study investigates the determinants that encourage consumers to acquire counterfeit luxury goods. This research further analyzes purchase intention as mediator and gender role as a moderator between the contextual factors and consumer behavior. A quantitative approach was applied through a questionnaire to gather data from 380 Pakistani respondents. The measurement and structural model assessed through Smart PLS. The results confirmed that purchase intention acts as a mediator between hedonic motives, materialism and consumer behavior. However, purchase intention has no mediating effect on economic benefits. Similarly, gender role as moderator was insignificant.

The existing literature in social sciences and humanities analyzing root causes of sectarian and religious conflicts focus mostly on micro-factors. The inability of market and state factors to control sectarian conflict for last seven decades remains understudied by the contemporary literature. This article aims at filling that gap and seeks to identify certain market and government failures that have implications on sectarian and religious conflicts. More specifically, it identifies four market failures namely asymmetries of information, externalities, equity and public goods and three government failures, which include democracy failure, bureaucratic failure and implementation failure. In contrast to the literature shedding light on the impact and gravity of sectarian and religious violence in the country, the purpose here remains to highlight important aspects of public policy reforms for peace making and peace building. This article, based on the aforementioned market and government failures, suggests a whole new set of policy reforms.

The main objective of this study was to investigate not only the relationship between Psychological Capital and Work Engagement but also to test the mediating role of Organizational Commitment. A cross-sectional design was used. Data was collected from 226 nurses of the threelarge hospitals of Peshawar, Pakistan. The PCQ, UWES-9 and Meyer and Allen (1991) scales were used as measuring instruments. The results of the study reveal a significant relationship between 1) Psychological Capital and Work Engagement, 2) Psychological Capital and Organizational Commitment, 3) Organizational Commitment and Work Engagement. It was also found that Organizational Commitment partially mediated the relationship between Psychological Capital and Work Engagement. The study will further contribute to the existing literature on positive organizational behavior.

Since 2009, an estimated 3 million people were displaced in Pakistan of which 10% took refuge in “camps”. To ascertain their health needs and care-seeking behavior an exploratory crosssectional survey was undertaken from November 2017 to April 2018 in Jalozai camp by interviewing 318 household heads and 318 married females using systematic and convenient sampling techniques respectively. Study findings revealed that 91% of the IDPs received some assistance for shelter, food, water, sanitation and basic health services while 37% of respondents had difficulties in fulfilling their family food demands, 38% had poor access to water. The prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases in the camp was 29% and 23% respectively. Demand for basic public health needs and health services was high and required active and coordinated interventions by both the public and private sectors. The study recommends a national health framework for IDPs.