SEARCH ARTICLE

20 Pages : 201-211

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2024(IX-III).20      10.31703/gssr.2024(IX-III).20      Published : Sep 2024

Urban Walkability in a Megacity Context: An Examination of Johar Block-13, Karachi

    This study examines the walkability perceptions of residents in Johar Block-13, Karachi, focusing on pedestrian satisfaction and infrastructure needs. Using surveys and field observations, the research identifies key concerns, including poor sidewalk maintenance, limited crossing accessibility, inadequate lighting, and safety issues, with 76% of respondents feeling unsafe while walking. Additionally, noise pollution, vehicle congestion, and the lack of pedestrian-friendly amenities detract from the overall walkability experience. Results indicate significant dissatisfaction with the current infrastructure, especially regarding accessibility for vulnerable groups, including the elderly and disabled. The findings underscore a need for targeted improvements to foster a safer, more accessible environment, enhancing pedestrian activity and quality of life in Johar Block-13. The study's findings may help policymakers and urban planners design a city that can promote walking.

    Urban Walkability, Pedestrian Infrastructure, Accessibility, Safety Perception, Karachi
    (1) Muhammad Khurram Khan
    Postgraduate Student, Department of City and Regional Planning, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, 76062, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
    (2) Mir Aftab Hussain Talpur
    Professor, Department of City and Regional Planning, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
    (3) Aqta Urf Aqsa
    Lecturer, Department of Architecture and Planning, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.

19 Pages : 208-229

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2025(X-I).19      10.31703/gssr.2025(X-I).19      Published : Mar 2025

Climate Change Education at the Primary School Level in Pakistan: A Comparative Analysis of Curricula and Teaching Practices

    Education about climate change serves as a fundamental requirement for establishing environmental stewardship among primary school students. The investigation compares climate change knowledge between Pakistani public and private primary schools by utilizing UNESCO's climate education framework together with Shulman's Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK). The research methodology combined quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze textbooks from the Punjab Textbook Board and Oxford University Press, gather survey data from teachers, and conduct structured interviews followed by statistical assessment. The research shows modest direct climate-related learning appears in both public and private school curricula with private schools achieving better results in teaching methods. The participating sectors demonstrate teaching difficulties because of insufficient training and complex material which strengthens the argument for educational development based on UNESCO principles as well as PCK best practices.

    Climate Change Education, Unesco Framework, Pedagogical Content Knowledge (Pck), Public and Private Schools Pakistan, Curriculum Analysis, Teacher Perceptions
    (1) Saima Habib
    Section Head, Rangers Public School, Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (2) Tayyaba Zain
    M. Phil Scholar, Department of STEM Education, University of Education Township, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

19 Pages : 237-246

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2025(X-II).19      10.31703/gssr.2025(X-II).19      Published : Jun 2025

Media and National Identity Formation in Pakistan: A Historical and Contemporary Analysis

    The media has played a significant role in shaping national identity, a subject of growing interest globally and, more specifically, in Pakistan, where it has actively influenced public perceptions of the nation’s identity and its position in the world. This paper seeks to explore the construction of national identity in Pakistan and how various forms of media ranging from state-controlled traditional outlets to social media platforms have constituted and transformed Pakistan as both a space for and a component of what is recognized as national identity. In constructing the ‘image’ of Pakistan after independence, the media particularly state media was instrumental in promoting a unified Muslim identity in South Asia. In contemporary times, however, the proliferation of private and social media has diversified these narratives, resulting in a fractured yet dynamic national identity.

    Media, National Identity, Pakistan, Historical Analysis, Social Media, State-Controlled Media, Public Perception
    (1) Tazeem Imran
    Lecturer, Department of Pakistan Studies, National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad, Pakistan.
    (2) Sadia Masood
    Lecturer, Department of Pakistan Studies, National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad, Pakistan.
    (3) Uzma Malik
    Lecturer, Department of Pakistan Studies, National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad, Pakistan.

08 Pages : 90-99

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2025(X-III).08      10.31703/gssr.2025(X-III).08      Published : Sep 2025

Positive Discourse Analysis of Media Narratives on Artificial Intelligence

    The framing of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in media discourses affects society's perceptions of AI and its adoption. This research explores the positive narratives of Artificial Intelligence through the lens of framing theory and Positive Discourse Analysis (PDA). This research draws on 15 newspaper articles published on platforms including The News, The Week, and BBC to identify the linguistic and discursive strategies employed to present AI in a positive light. By combining theoretical insights from framing theory and PDA, the study illustrates how media narratives help in creating empowering and inclusive representations of AI. The findings offer important lessons for academics, policymakers, and people in the media and underscore the value of constructive media discourse in determining how society views potential future technologies.

    Artificial Intelligence, Media Framing, Positive Discourse Analysis, Framing Theory, Positive Narratives, Media Discourse, Societal Perception
    (1) Warda Fareed
    MPhil Scholar, Department of English Literature and Linguistics, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan.
    (2) Nasir Muhammad
    MPhil Scholar, Department of English Literature and Linguistics, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan.
    (3) Muattar Hayat
    MPhil Scholar, Department of English Literature and Linguistics, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan.