SEARCH ARTICLE

09 Pages : 130-149

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2017(II-I).09      10.31703/gssr.2017(II-I).09      Published : Jun 2017

Indigenous Culture and Academic Discourse: A Critique of English Textbooks in Pakistan

    The paper aims to explore how far English textbooks in Pakistan embody Pakistan and its culture. In this connection, the reading passages and pictures/images of the textbooks taught at secondary level in the government schools of Punjab were analyzed. It was a mixed method study and the specific method employed was content analysis. For this purpose all the reading passages of both the textbooks were firstly categorized and quantified into three categories; Source Culture/s, Other Culture/s and Neutral and then the cultural elements of Source Culture/s were discussed qualitatively using an adapted checklist. The results of the study reveal that the English textbook of class 9 has 12 passages out of which 75% have Source cultural elements, 8.83% have cultural elements of Other Culture/s and 16.66% are Neutral. As far as the English textbook of class 10 is concerned, there are 13 reading passages out of which 23.07% have Source cultural elements, 15.38% have cultural elements of Other Culture/s and 61.53% are Neutral. The findings of the study show that English, being an international language and as a result of globalization, has become compulsory for people belonging to different countries to learn it. However, in order to retain their identity, they try to appropriate English language to underpin their own culture/s through English language used in the textbooks of Pakistan.

    Indigenous Culture, Academic Discourse, English Textbooks, Pakistan, Appropriation
    (1) Azhar Habib
    PhD Scholar, Air University, Islamabad & Research Fellow, University of North Texas USA
    (2) Inayat Ullah
    Assistant Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, Air University, Islamabad, Pakistan

10 Pages : 150-162

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2017(II-I).10      10.31703/gssr.2017(II-I).10      Published : Jun 2017

Resurgent Russian Ingress in Afghanistan: Implications for Pakistan

    After the fall of soviet-empire, Afghanistan became the playground of international players, with covert and overt agenda towards the country. It has also become a breeding ground for militant organization. Russia, after her recent show of power in the Middle East has set her eye on its regional chessboard. For protecting its borders from incursion of extremism and the menace of drug trafficking which is gaining pace, Russia is entering Afghanistan again. This time she has found her 'favorite' jihadis on their side, the Taliban. How the entrance of resurgent power in the existing world order will have an impact on the country already going through the tough tides of unfolding international arena, Pakistan. The paper delineates, how the geo-political scenario compelled Moscow to get into bargaining with its rivals and what are the impacts on Pakistan.

    Afghanistan, Russia, Pakistan, Implications, Taliban, Jihad.
    (1) Qurat Ul Ain
    Research Associate, National Defense University, Islamabad, Pakistan
    (2) Taimoor Shah
    Research Intern, ISSRA, National Defense University, Islamabad, Pakistan
    (3) Seemab Zafar
    M.Phil. Scholar, National Defense University, Islamabad, Pakistan

12 Pages : 172 - 187

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2017(II-I).12      10.31703/gssr.2017(II-I).12      Published : Jun 2017

Pakistan's Electoral Sociology: Why do Voters' Vote?

    The published literature reviewed indicates that the subject of current research has remained away from scholarly focus. The existing academic literature shows that studies on electoral politics largely focused on social and political determinants of voting behavior. The current study explains that sociology-historical material trajectory of the voting process. This has been continuously shaping aset of dispositions of people through the continued interplay of base structure and superstructure, which have a deep impact on voter choice formation. These dispositions formulate a neo liberal habit us and shape electoral choices of voters controlled by super structural forces who control the process of elections. The present study aimed at investigating the dynamics of voters’ choices. Why do voters vote? This is a key research question that has been explored in this paper.This research focuses on issues in which even electoral systems are operating,and these systems are manufacturing voting choices. The relationship of base structure and superstructures are the major framework that determines the behavior of voters in the larger electoral process. This is qualitative and theoretical study, and evidence have been taken from Hazara and Pothohar regions of Pakistan.

    Election, Politics, Sociology, Vote, Pakistan
    (1) Muhammad Shakeel Ahmad
    Assistant Professor, Centre for Policy Studies, COMSATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

03 Pages : 30-44

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2016(I-II).03      10.31703/gssr.2016(I-II).03      Published : Dec 2016

Indo-US Strategic Partnership and its Security Implications for Asia Pacific Region

    Due to unprecedented rise of China in the economic, political and social domains world is shifting its strategic focus from the European Politics to both continental and maritime domains of Asia resulting in a challenge for the US and its allies. US, China and India are tied into strategic ingredients of cooperation, competition and containment. US intends to assign India an appropriate, competitive and probable offshore balancing role against China - that is, a strategy of balancing without containment. Engaging into an active conflict is not envisaged due to close integration of these powers in terms of economic, political, social and cultural domains. Indo US close strategic coordination is win-win situation for both the countries. India may become an offshore balancing power for US to retain its influence in Asia Pacific region against China and its allies; On the other hand it brings treasure of opportunities for India to strengthen its military arsenal with open doors of US sophisticated technology with the co-production and co-development framework. This generous access to the state of the art military hardware would enhance India's power projection capabilities to the maximum, posing security implications for neighbors' and adversaries to India. Moreover growing Indo US nexus aiming balancing and containment of China has serious regional strategic security implications.

    India, US, Pakistan, Strategic, Partnership, Implications, security, Asia
    (1) Sardar Niaz Ali
    MS Scholar, Department of Politics and IR, IIU, Islamabad, Pakistan.
    (2) Manzoor Khan Afridi
    Head of Department of Politics and IR, IIU, Islamabad, Pakistan.
    (3) Manzoor Ahmad Naazer
    Assistant Professor, Department of Politics and IR, IIU, Islamabad, Pakistan.

07 Pages : 85-100

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2016(I-I).07      10.31703/gssr.2016(I-I).07      Published : Jun 2016

The State of Human Rights in Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan

    The respect of human rights in a society determines the destination of that society or state. It is the level of satisfaction of citizens of a country which convinces them to work for the growth and progress of that state or society. The people of FATA are living under a draconian law which is known as Frontier Crime Regulations (FCR). There is agrave human rights violation of the people of FATA under this law. Freedom of speech, freedom of expression etc. are hampered by the FCR and the common people live under a threat of collective punishment as well. Moreover, due to military operations against the militants in the area, millions of people from FATA have been displaced. At times, there are grave violations of human rights of the displaced persons as well. This paper will explore the state of human rights in FATA in general and evaluates its impact on the Federation of Pakistan. The paper evaluates different instances of human rights violation in various agencies of FATA and their root causes as well.

    Human Rights, FATA, IDPs, FCR, Pakistan
    (1) Sohail Ahmad
    Assistant Professor, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
    (2) Fasih Ahmed
    Assistant Professor, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan.
    (3) Muhammad Zubair
    Associate Professor and Chairman, Department of Law, AWKUM, Mardan, Pakistan.

01 Pages : 1-17

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2016(I-I).01      10.31703/gssr.2016(I-I).01      Published : Jun 2016

Political Islam in Perspective

    The paper critically evaluates the notion that political Islam is a threat to world peace. The argument is developed in the light of Islamic history and fundamentals of Islam and the research is based on primary and secondary sources. There was a time when magical influence of Muslims in every field of life (socio-economic, Political scientific) was conspicuous. For instance, Al Farabi's books influenced platonic theories. Similarly influence of Sufism on the works of William James, Goethe, August Comte, Nietzsche, Voltaire and Rousseau also cannot be over looked. Muslims taught geology, geography understanding of mathematics rules of philosophy and Industrial Arts and quality of products. Islamic state and society showed many signs of internal decay by 11th Century. The symptoms of decadence were discernible even earlier, the decline of the power and prestige of the caliphs even in their own capital. So, the problems lay with Muslim rulers and parties in rule but not with political Islam. The result was weak administration which shook the foundations of Islamic Empire. It is very important to have a state in order to preach Islam that is why, Mohammad (SWS) established Madina as a political entity to prevail justice on the lines of Quranic injunctions.

    Political Islam, Pakistan, Muslim World, Terrorism, Dialogue, Collaboration
    (1) Zahid Anwer
    Professor (tenured), Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan.
    (2) Nelofar Ikram
    PhD scholar, Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan.

03 Pages : 16-25

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2021(VI-I).03      10.31703/gssr.2021(VI-I).03      Published : Mar 2021

Revisiting Ideological Boundaries of Pakistani Nationalism: A Study of Aslam's The Blind Man's Garden

    This study explores the shattered Pakistani nationalism in Nadeem Aslam's 'The Blind Man's Garden' (2013) in the context of the post-9/11 invading military globalism and reactionary social globalism. Focusing on Nadeem Aslam's hallmark work, 'The Blind Man's Garden' (2013), this article not only explores the current foundationless nationalism of Pakistan as the byproduct of undue chauvinism instead of being the outcome of its real ideology but also stresses the need for renewal of ideological boundaries of Pakistan in the light of current sweeping effects of thick globalism. Being a diaspora and much influenced by the secularity of the host society, Aslam seems to be desirous of featuring the nationalist inscription of home society in accordance with the global world, as is revealed from the roles played by his characters like Mikal etc. in the novel. The study motivates us to revisit the national myths with an aim to devise the marks of nationalism, provided if we are to rehabilitate our national identity.

    Nation, Nationalism, Globalism, Globalization, Pakistani Literature in English
    (1) Atta-ul-Mustafa
    Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities & Linguistics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (2) Ghulam Murtaza
    Associate Professor, Department of English, GC University Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (3) Ali Usman Saleem
    Assistant Professor, Department of English, GC University Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.

13 Pages : 120-129

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2021(VI-I).13      10.31703/gssr.2021(VI-I).13      Published : Mar 2021

Religious Orientation, Spirituality, and Life Satisfaction: A Gendered Perspective

    In recent times, religiosity and spirituality have received much attention towards mental health, but very few investigations worked on their role on life satisfaction within the gender perspective. The present study, however, investigates the relationships between religiosity, spirituality, and life satisfaction among individuals residing in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Pakistan, with special reference to gender. For this purpose, a sample of 150 adults (71 men and 79 women) were selected by convenient sampling technique and was evaluated using validated versions of three scales: Religious Orientation Scale (ROS), Spirituality Scale (SS), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SLS). Results indicate that religiosity and spirituality have a significant positive correlation with life satisfaction. Results of linear regression showed that religiosity and spirituality significantly predict life satisfaction. Women reported more religious orientation and spirituality as compared to men in the sample studied. The study is useful for both men and women, highlighting the importance of one's orientation towards religion.

    Religiosity, Spirituality, Religious Orientation, Life Satisfaction, Gender, Pakistan
    (1) Sajid Mehmood Alvi
    Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social & Administrative Sciences, The University of Haripur, KP, Pakistan.
    (2) Muhammad Tahir
    Assistant Professor/Head, Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities (FSSH), Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
    (3) Saira Bano
    Lecturer, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social & Administrative Sciences, The University of Haripur, KP, Pakistan.

25 Pages : 256-265

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2021(VI-I).25      10.31703/gssr.2021(VI-I).25      Published : Mar 2021

An Investigation of Drivers for Industrial Energy Conservation - A Step Towards Sustainable Industrial Development in Pakistan

    The industrial sector of a country is considered to be one of the most significant contributors to its economic and social growth. Pakistani industrial sector has been suffering from energy deficiency due to energy crises for the last two decades, and as a result, its performance has been badly affected. The current performance of this sector can be increased by the adoption of energy conservation measures (ECMs) which would lead to economic, social, and environmental benefits. This paper explores the significant drivers for the adoption of ECMs in manufacturing SMEs of Pakistan. It also evaluates the relative significance of these drivers in various contexts and provides a foundation to determine where to address effective policy efforts accordingly. For the investigation of a possible correlation of significant cited drivers with the type of industry (variable), a one-way ANOVA analysis and Tukey posthoc tests are also carried out.

    Drivers, Energy Conservation, Industrial Sector, Pakistan
    (1) Muhammad Tahir Hassan
    Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan.

34 Pages : 329-345

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2021(VI-I).34      10.31703/gssr.2021(VI-I).34      Published : Mar 2021

Pattu: The Dying Fabric Making Art of Baltistan

    The traditional Balti dresses were made with a beautiful material, "Pattu". We conducted a survey regarding the procedure of pattu making in Baltistan. The data was collected through in-depth interviews of 30 personnel who were associated with pattu making art. Thematic analysis has been adopted to examine the responses. Pattu fibre was obtained from sheep next convert into yarn and then into the fabric. Pattu was dyed with the help of leaves and fruits. Pattu was used in garments, caps, shawls and carpets. It is the need of time to work on the revival of this dying art of making pattu with new innovations to improve the procedure and speed of making fabric. This study will provide knowledge to our new generations about traditional fabric which helps them build a strong bond with the culture. Bringing the skilled persons from Baltistan on the front line and create economic opportunities for them.

    Baltistan, Culture, Fabric, Heritage, Pakistan, Pattu, Traditional Dress
    (1) Sarwat Halima Haider
    Assistant Professor, Government College for Women, Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.
    (2) Afsheen Masood
    Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (3) Samia Kalsoom
    Professor, College of H. Economics, Gulberg, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.