01 Pages : 1-17
http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2016(I-II).01 10.31703/gssr.2016(I-II).01 Published : Dec 2016Pakistan Internal Security Dilemma: Strategic Dimension
The paper reflects on Pakistan's complex security situation and the causes of current challenges that Pakistan is facing due to vacillating foreign policies. It also reviews the role of factors that contributed towards the instability of the country. After Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan involved in a proxy war and trained Mujahideen to liberate Afghanistan. In 1980's sectarianism floored the state, and since it has rooted in Pakistani society. The country brokered several Post-Soviet peace agreements between different militaristic groups in Afghanistan but in vain. Finally, it recognized Taliban for the cause of peace (though temporary) on its Western border. After 9/11 the country had to reluctantly take a "U" turn on its Afghan policy under immense US pressure. This swing of policy opened a Pandora-box for the country i.e. terrorism, Jihadist, ethnicity, sectarianism, economic and political instability in Pakistan. In this state of affairs corruption, deteriorating law and order situation, political instability and economic fragility, variables of internal security, act as key factors in a peaceful solution of conflicts.
-
Terrorism, Jihadists, Sectarianism, Ethnicity, Militancy, Political Parties, Militant Wings, Economic Instability, Taliban, Dictatorship, Civilian Rule, Democracy
-
(1) Sohail Ahmed
Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities, COMSATS, Islamabad, Pakistan.
(2) Mahwish Bakht
Research Scholar, MSIR, COMSATS, Islamabad, Pakistan.
(3) Sumbal Hussan
Junior Research Fellow at HRC, Islamabad, Pakistan.
The Lost Glory of Urdu Medium Schools: A Socio-Academic Survey on White Collar Parents' Perceptions about English Medium Schools' Superiority
This article descriptively unfolds the socio-academic perceptions of white-collar parents about the superiority of English medium over Urdu medium schools. An opinionnaire containing twenty-five opinion items was administered to fifty parents who send their wards to popularly known as English medium schools. The results of the study show that the majority of parents are fearful about the socio- academic or professional future of the children if sent to Urdu medium schools, which are either in the public sector or known as Galli/mohallah schools having eye-catching names. The study unfolds that a majority of parents themselves studied at Urdu medium schools, which, according to them, were once capable of catering to the multi-faceted needs of the students. Hence, the study invites the attention of the policymakers to address the issue and try to bring back the lost glory of the Urdu medium/public sector schools, which may guarantee the socio-economic future of students.
-
English and Urdu Medium Schools, Galli/Mohallah Schools, Socio-Academic Perceptions, Economic and Professional Needs
-
(1) Muhammad Saleem
Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Government Islamia College Civil Lines, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
(2) Mubashar Nadeem
Assistant Professor, Department of English, University of Education, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
(3) Muhammad Amjad Abid
Lecture, Department of Urdu, University of Education, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
Economic Effects of Seawater Intrusion on Life of Coastal Communities in Sindh Region of Pakistan
Recently rising sea levels and a decrease of Indus water into the delta have resulted in high seawater intrusion at the coastal shores of Sindh. Seawater intrusion has severely affected the livelihood sources of local people. Therefore, this study is conducted with an aim to measure the economic effects of seawater intrusion on the lives of the local population in the deltaic coasts of the Sindh region in Pakistan. This is a quantitative study conducted through a survey questionnaire in the coastal belt of Badin and Thatta districts of Sindh province, Pakistan. A total of 200 participants were recruited in the study through multistage sampling. Results show a significant impact of seawater intrusion on the economic conditions of coastal communities in the province of Sindh, Pakistan. Adverse effects of seawater intrusion can be seen in the shape of a decrease in cultivated land, low agricultural production, decreasing livestock production and fishing quantity.
-
Economic Effects, Climate Change, Seawater Intrusion, Coastal Communities, Sindh
-
(1) Shoaib Ahmed Jagirani
MS Scholar (Social Sciences), Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU), Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
(2) Subhash Guriro
Associate Professor, Department of Social Development, Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU), Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
(3) Muhammad Kamil Lakho
Lecturer, Department of Social Development, Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU), Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
Role of Socio-Economic Resilience in Coping with Flood Vulnerabilities in District Charsadda
This quantitative study was conducted in the union council Agra of district Charsadda. Primary information was collected from the sample size of 150 male respondents. A conceptual framework consisting of the independent and dependent variables was cross-tabulated through the application of Chi-Square test statistics to ascertain the association between the two variables. The study revealed a significant association (P?0.05) of local community response with the statements such as poor families are more vulnerable to flooding; awareness about flood vulnerabilities; economic status reduces flood vulnerability; people buy cheap land for houses; people living on the river bank and side walls reduce flood vulnerabilities. The study recommends that government and local authorities should take responsibility for protecting the lives and properties of the people in flood-vulnerable areas through safety measures and make effective policies to measure the vulnerability and damage caused by floods among low-income families.
-
Flood Vulnerability, Cheap Land, Economic Status, Side Walls
-
(1) Muhammad Kaleem
Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Bacha Khan University Charsadda, KP, Pakistan.
(2) Jehan Zeb
PhD Scholar, Department of Sociology, Bacha Khan University Charsadda, KP, Pakistan.
(3) Abdullah
Lecturer, Department of Sociology and Political Science, Bacha Khan University Charsadda, KP, Pakistan.
Growth Environment Score and Economic Growth Nexus in Next Eleven Countries
This paper investigates the relationship between growth environment score and economic growth of N11 (Next eleven) countries over the period of 20 years that is; 1999-2018. A panel data regression, fixed effect model, random effect model and Hausman test are applied in our study.According to the Hausman specification test, the fixed-effect model is a suitable model for the study. Econometrics findings suggested that macroeconomic stability (external debt), macroeconomic conditions(investment) and human capital (education) have a significant impact on the economic growth of N11 countries. Our empirical findings provide insights on strategies that the countrywide government should enforce to enhance financial boom and improvement throughout the N11 countries.
-
Economic Growth, Next Eleven Countries, Growth Environment Score, Panel Regression, Hausman Specification Test
-
(1) Anam Tariq
Scholar, UCP Business School, Faculty of Management Studies, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
(2) Zahid Ahmed
Associate Professor, UCP Business School, Faculty of Management Studies, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
The Mediating Role of Inflation in the Relationship between Currency Depreciation and Economic Growth
This study investigates the role of inflation as a mediator between currency depreciation and economic growth in Pakistan from 1972 to 2016. Using the Ng-Parron unit root test, the stationarity of the variables is determined. The outcomes of Ng-Parron unit root tests indicate that all variables in the model exhibit mix-order integration. This paper also employs the Autoregressive Distributive Lag Model (ARDL) to evaluate the relationship between currency depreciation, inflation, and economic expansion. The results show very clearly that the inflation rate does not play a role in the link between currency depreciation and economic growth in the case of Pakistan.
-
Depreciation, Economic Growth, Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL)
-
(1) Naveed Ali
Department of Economics & Development Studies, University of Swat, KP, Pakistan
(2) Izhar Ul Hassan
Government of Pakhtunkhwa Planning and Development Department, Peshawar, KP, Pakistan
(3) Abdul Wahab
Government Polytechnical Institute, Sardar Garhi, Peshawar, KP, Pakistan.
Students SES status and Test anxiety of the Undergraduate University Students
This paper was to study the relationship between socio economic status and test anxiety of undergraduate students. All the undergraduate students of all the departments of Sargodha University were the population. A sample pertaining 550 students were selected through multistage random including 181 male and 369 female students, selecting 50 students from 11 departments. Instruments were adapted socioeconomic status survey for students and Test Anxiety Scale (WTAS). After pilot testing both the instruments on 100 students, Cronbach Alpha value for WTAS was 0.79, and SACQ was 0.90. The study was descriptive and survey. Analysis of data was done through frequencies, means, percentages t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson r. The majority of students showed a moderate level of SES as well text anxiety, female undergraduate students are of higher SES level and text anxiety than males, and no relationship between SES and test anxiety of the undergraduate students was found. A recommendation is that students may be exposed to group projects, seminars and guidance, and counseling sessions regarding test anxiety.
-
Socioeconomic Status, Test Anxiety, Undergraduate Students
-
(1) Farah Shafiq
Assistant Professor, Department of Education, University of Education, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
(2) Ahmad Bilal Cheema
Assistant Professor, Department of Education, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan.
(3) Saifullah Khan
Lecturer, Government College Farooka, Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan.
Impact of Religious Tourism on the Development of Smokeless Industry in Pakistan
The purpose of this research paper is to examine the Impact of Religious Tourism on the development 'smokeless industry' that has the potential of igniting significant economic activity, thus creating employment,generating investment, and reducing poverty. The present study is descriptive in nature. Data were collected in view of facts reported in the secondary sources, including news items, national and international reports on tourism,books, journals as well as information gathered from interaction with the local people. The present study not only underscore the prospective implications of religious tourism in the country but also explores the challenges pervading the religious tourism sector in Pakistan. The findings of the present research paper indicate the below-par performance of concerned agencies was the main hindrance to promote tourism in Pakistan. Moreover, the key issues are non-development and maintenance of tourist spots, negative projection of security situation, visa restrictions, inadequate infrastructure, sub-standard transportation, and poor health services, which are badly affected religious tourism. This research paper will be assisted the policymakers in improving travel procedures and providing safety and security to the tourists in Pakistan.
-
Religious Tourism, Kartarpur Corridor, Smokeless Industry, Economic Development, Religious Harmony
-
(1) Naila Masood Ahmad
Assistant professor, Business Studies Department, Bahria University Islamabad, Pakistan.
(2) Ramsha Sohail
M. Phil. Scholar, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad, Pakistan.
(3) Muhammad Masood Ahmad
Chief Instructor, National Institute of Management, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Unveil the Dilemma: Run Away Children
"Runaway children" is a growing issue. Print, electronic, and social media highlighted and reported many cases daily. Multidimensional factors are responsible. This study aims to highlight the factors responsible behind and to suggest solutions for families and persons concerned. The assessment of the factors is based on the statements of runaway children. The empirical work focused on 50 children aging from 9 years to 17 years. Structured interviews were carried out. The results indicate that the highest proportion of runaway children was due to violence at home, at school/madras, and at the workplace.Punishments, violence against children, poverty, and strict behavior were pointed out as major causes. Soft and friendly behavior, provision of basic needs including education, parents' guidance, violence free environment without punishment play a role in minimizing the incidence. Extra curricular activities - sports, Boy Scout, and Girl Guide are the key at the school level.
-
Runaway Children, Violence at Home, School/Work Place, Socioeconomic Status, Poverty
-
(1) Bushra Yasmeen
Associate Professor, School of Sociology, Minhaj University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
(2) Muhammad Ramzan
Assistant Professor, Institute of Social and Cultural Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
(3) Shadab Iqbal
Lecturer, School of Sociology, Minhaj University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
The Effects of Devaluation of Currency on Economic Growth: The Mediating Role of Remittances
This study looks into how the devaluation of the Pakistani currency affected remittances (REM) and economic growth (EG) in Pakistan. The study also looks at how REM affects the link between the devaluation of the currency and the growth of the economy in Pakistan Over the course of 45 years, from 1972 to 2016. The study uses Autoregressive Distributive Lag Model (ARDL) for examining the relationship. This study uses sensitivity analysis and chooses among different econometric techniques, which take into account the endogeneity problem. The results show that remittances partially mediate the relationship between the devaluation of currency and economic growth.Moreover, a one unit rise in REM leads to a 0.47 unit decrease in EG.
-
Devaluation, Remittances, Economic Growth, Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL)
-
(1) Naveed Ali
Department of Economics & Development Studies, University of Swat, KP, Pakistan
(2) Izhar Ul Hassan
Government of Pakhtunkhwa Planning and Development Department, Peshawar, KP, Pakistan.
(3) Abdul Wahab
Qurtaba University of Science and Technology, Peshawar, KP, Pakistan