Journal of Political Stability Archive

Clinical Significance of C-Reactive Protein in Major Depressive Disorder: Role of Dietary Pattern and Lifestyle Factors in the Disease Severity

2026-05-02T07:14:48-04:00

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a global health challenge increasingly linked to systemic inflammation, with C-reactive protein (CRP) emerging as a key biomarker influenced by diet and lifestyle. This study aimed to evaluate CRP as a clinically relevant biomarker for identifying the inflammatory MDD subtype characterized by pro-inflammatory dietary patterns and suboptimal lifestyle habits. This cross-sectional study recruited 90 MDD patients (45 males, 45 females) from psychiatric clinics in Peshawar city and stratified into 3-groups by age (i.e., 18-30, 31-45 and 46-65 years). Their depression severity was assessed with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D, while CRP levels in their blood samples were measured using high-sensitivity immunoturbidimetric assays. The dietary intake of the subjects was evaluated through 24-hour recalls and a Food Frequency Questionnaire, and lifestyle factors including physical activity, sleep pattern, smoking, and electronic device use before sleep were assessed using standardized questionnaires. The data revealed that the CRP level in MDD male patients ranged from 2.40 to 7.80 mg/L whereas that of female patients ranged from 3.01 to 9.02 mg/L where in both cases the CRP level consistently increased with the age. The CRP levels in both genders were positively related with the disease severity where 84.2% male MDD patients and 91.1% female patients exhibited clinically significant CRP level (>3 mg/L) exceeding population prevalence rates. The 24-hour dietary recall showed that males consumed higher amounts of macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fats), corresponding to 1953.3 kcal, compared to 1532.8 kcal in females. Both genders reported excessive intake of pro-inflammatory foods (i.e., processed food, red meat, sugary beverages and refined grains) and inadequate consumption of anti-inflammatory foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fish. The Dietary Inflammatory Index scores were +5.80 ± 2.90 for males and +8.6 ± 3.30 for females, with strong positive correlations between diet and CRP levels (r = 0.65 and 0.75, respectively). Lifestyle factors also influenced inflammation such as higher physical activity, good sleep quality (PSQI ≤ 5), non-smoking, and limited electronic device use were inversely related to CRP in both genders. Overall, females consistently showed higher CRP levels than males across all depression severity levels. These findings highlight the need for gender-specific lifestyle interventions that address sociocultural barriers and biological vulnerabilities contributing to women’s higher inflammatory burden in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Incorporating routine CRP testing and targeted anti-inflammatory strategies may improve personalized management of MDD in this population.

Gender-Based Violence Prevention Through Community Platforms: How Rights Awareness and Community Resource Persons Support Reduced Domestic Violence in Flood-Affected Sindh, Pakistan

2026-05-02T06:57:40-04:00

Gender-based violence (GBV), particularly domestic violence, remains a critical public health challenge in flood-affected regions of Pakistan, where pre-existing gender inequalities are compounded by socioeconomic stressors and disrupted protection systems. This study investigated how Women Community Centers (WCCs), through rights awareness sessions and Community Resource Person (CRP) support, contributed to the prevention and reduction of domestic violence in flood-affected communities of Sindh, Pakistan. A qualitative evaluation design was employed. Fourteen key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted in Sukkur and Khairpur districts between March and June 2025. Participants included CRPs, district coordinators, local administrative representatives, and women community leaders. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis with MAXQDA software. Five key themes emerged: (1) GBV awareness as a catalyst for rights recognition and help-seeking; (2) safe spaces enabling disclosure; (3) CRPs as trusted mediators and preventive agents; (4) structured referral pathways operationalizing community protection; and (5) perceived reductions in domestic violence and improved household dynamics. Culturally embedded, community-driven platforms integrating rights education, safe spaces, peer mediation, and referral linkages can effectively prevent domestic violence in post-disaster settings. Community resource people represent an underutilized but potent prevention asset in low-resource humanitarian contexts.

Improving Picking Efficiency in Warehouse Operations

2026-05-01T08:11:18-04:00

This study examines the factors influencing picking efficiency in warehouse operations, a critical component of supply chain performance. Efficient order picking plays a vital role in ensuring timely delivery, reducing operational costs, and improving customer satisfaction. The research focuses on key variables such as travel time to pick points, search time, retrieval time, return time, application of warehouse management systems (WMS), routing policies, and relocation of fast-moving items.

A quantitative research approach was adopted using both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through questionnaires distributed to 100 employees working in private sector organizations with warehouse operations. The data were analyzed using statistical techniques, particularly the one-sample t-test, to evaluate the proposed hypotheses. The findings indicate that all selected factors significantly contribute to improving efficiency. Specifically, reducing travel, search, retrieval, and return times enhances operational performance, while the implementation of WMS and effective routing policies further optimizes warehouse processes. Additionally, proper placement and relocation of fast-moving items were found to play a crucial role in minimizing delays and improving accessibility. The study concludes that systematic warehouse management practices, supported by technology and efficient layout design, are essential for achieving higher picking efficiency. These findings provide valuable insights for warehouse managers and organizations seeking to enhance operational productivity and customer service in a competitive business environment.

Analyzing The South Asian Strategic Stability in the Light of Game Theory

2026-04-30T06:57:20-04:00

This paper examines the strategic, political and economic dynamics that frame Pakistan’s evolving geo-strategic landscape in South Asia. It especially analyzes the implications of limited war theories, surgical strikes, conventional disparities and the resultant security conundrum in India–Pakistan relations. The paper asserts that India’s military modernization and strategic doctrine shift affects Pakistan’s evolving deterrence posture, which necessitates a greater reliance on tactical nuclear weapons and employment of asymmetric strategies. Furthermore, it examines the overall security implications of arms race for Pakistan’s economy and development efforts. The paper also explores the risks of increased militarization under the nuclear umbrella, including misperceptions that could lead to unintended conflict in the light of Game Theory. Employing both theory and empirical evidence, the paper maps out the foreign and security strategies that guide Pakistan’s state and military actors. It also offers insights and policy recommendations regarding stable deterrence, easing economic burdens and national security in a volatile region.

Effect of Teacher Feedback on Students’ Writing Accuracy in ESL Classrooms: A Quantitative Study

2026-05-02T04:34:14-04:00

This paper examines how teacher feedback influences the accuracy of students in writing in ESL classrooms, with specific reference to the frequency, clarity, and type of feedback. Although the concept of corrective feedback has been extensively researched in second language writing, there is still a gap in the quantitative research that investigates the effectiveness of corrective feedback in the actual classroom setting. To fill this gap, the current research will use a quantitative correlational research design to investigate the relationship between teacher feedback and writing accuracy among ESL learners. A questionnaire of structured feedback and a writing accuracy test were used to collect data on 120 undergraduate ESL students. The questionnaire was used to measure important aspects of teacher feedback, such as frequency, clarity, and type, and the writing task was assessed based on a standardized rubric that emphasized grammatical accuracy, vocabulary use, and mechanics. Descriptive statistics, Pearson product moment correlation, and independent samples t-test were used to analyze the data. The results indicate that there is a positive and statistically significant correlation between teacher feedback and writing accuracy. Frequency and clarity were found to be the most effective predictors of improved writing performance among the dimensions of feedback with feedback type showing a moderate effect. Moreover, students who were regularly and consistently provided with feedback scored much higher in writing accuracy scores than students who were provided with a limited amount of feedback. The research is useful in the second language learning field as it empirically supports the effectiveness of teacher feedback in improving writing accuracy. It emphasizes the significance of coherent and explicit feedback practices and provides practical suggestions on how to enhance writing teaching in ESL classrooms.

Teacher Discourse as Motivational Architecture: How ESL Classroom Interaction Shapes Learner Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness

2026-04-28T05:25:22-04:00

While motivation and engagement are recognised as crucial factors in second language classrooms, the specific mechanisms by which classroom discourse mediates the link between instructional practices, motivation and engagement remain under-explored. This study examined the role of ESL teacher discourse as a motivational context. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory and Self-System Model of Motivational Development, the research investigated how teacher discourse practices shape learners’ motivational experiences of autonomy, competence, and relatedness during classroom interaction. Data was collected through classroom observation and teacher interviews, and analysed through a combination of discourse analysis of teacher-student interaction and thematic analysis of interview data. The findings reveal that the use of open questioning, choice, and personal relevance were more effective in supporting learner autonomy. Learner competence was enhanced through explicit goal setting strategies, structured guidance, affective feedback, and normalisation of error. Affective feedback and normalisation of error were also effective in supporting learners’ emotional and relatedness feelings, showing how motivational support is provided at both cognitive and affective levels of discourse. However, the study also discovered underlying tensions between teachers’ autonomy practices and controlling discourse, which were intensified by institutional pressures related to exams. These pressures conduced towards exam-oriented, performance-based teaching practices which constrained learners’ motivational experiences. Based on these findings, the study suggests implications for teacher development programmes, where reflective classroom discourse analysis raises interactional awareness regarding the motivational implications of teacher discourse practices in everyday classroom interaction.

Helicopter Parenting, Social Competence and Self-Compassion Among Adolescents

2026-04-29T04:23:39-04:00

The research examined how helicopter parenting, social competence, and self-compassion are connected, in particular, the possibility of using self-compassion as a mediator between these two variables and adolescents. The objectives of the study were met by using a quantitative correlational research design. The population sample comprised 300 students that were recruited in secondary schools and colleges in Lahore through a convenience sampling method. The instruments that were used to achieve rigor in the methods employed included the Helicopter Parenting Behaviors Questionnaire (HPBQ) that was administered to measure perceived parental over-involvement, the Social Skills Rating System-Short Form (SSRS-SF) which measured the dimensions of social functioning, including cooperation and empathy, and the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS) that was used to measure self-attitude. All participants gave their informed consent, and minors obtained parental consent. As a type of the statistical analysis, SPSS version 26 was used, including descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, and Pearson correlation coefficients to verify the main hypotheses. In addition, the PROCESS Macro (Model 4) was applied to the mediation analysis. Early expectations indicate that although helicopter parenting might be associated with adverse social outcomes, the concept of self-compassion may be an important internalized resource that moderates or mediates these outcomes. This study adds to the current literature since it shows the interaction of intrusive parenting practices with internal self- regulatory interactions in determining the development of the psychosocial dimension of adolescents in a local cultural setting.

Exploring Female Nurses’ Career Sustainability: The Role of SelfEfficacy in Career Competency Development and Teamwork

2026-04-25T12:09:11-04:00

Qualified medical professionals are increasingly migrating to other emerging countries in search of better job prospects, contributing to the challenges faced by healthcare systems. Stakeholders have expressed concern about the detrimental effects of this “brain drain” on healthcare service delivery. Studies highlight several factors that hinder female nurses from maintaining long-term careers, including role conflict, limited family support, and various interpersonal, contextual, and institutional influences.

Key determinants of career longevity include effective teamwork, confidence in performing tasks, and strong professional competencies. This study aims to identify the most critical factors influencing female nurses’ long-term commitment to the profession and to examine how these factors relate to one another. Guided by the Social Cognitive Career Theory, the research employed a quantitative approach involving 292 female nurses at a university in southern Nigeria. Data collected through a structured questionnaire were analyzed using structural equation modeling with IBM SPSS 28 and SmartPLS.

The findings indicate that participation in continuing education programs enhances female nurses’ career success. Surprisingly, the results also suggest that collaboration negatively impacts long-term career prospects. Mediation analysis further reveals that self-efficacy mediates the relationships among collaboration, competency development, and career sustainability. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of initiatives that strengthen self-efficacy and professional growth to support more stable and enduring careers for female nurses.

Evaluating the Efficiency-Resilience Paradox: A Comparative EventBased Analysis of Automated and Physically Redundant Ports During the 2024 Red Sea Vessel Bunching Crisis

2026-04-25T11:41:10-04:00

The 2024 Red Sea vessel bunching crisis revealed critical vulnerabilities in maritime supply chains, especially at high-throughput container ports. This study examines the Efficiency Resilience Paradox by comparing responses at the highly automated Guangzhou Nansha Phase IV terminal with the more physically redundant Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. Using a longitudinal dataset of 36 monthly observations from January 2022 to December 2024, derived from official throughput reports and maritime intelligence, the analysis applies Interrupted Time-Series Analysis, Mann-Whitney U tests, Levene’s Test, and engineering resilience metrics such as Maximum Drawdown, Recovery Slope, and Congestion Elasticity. The results show that Guangzhou experienced a marginally significant negative structural break (β₂ = −4.55, p ≈ 0.064) and a sharp reduction in variance, indicating limited operational flexibility, while maintaining lower peak wait times (3.0 days vs. 8.5 days at Ningbo-Zhoushan). However, the automated terminal reached a near-zero throughput nadir (0.1%), whereas Ningbo-Zhoushan sustained 3.1% growth and demonstrated a stronger recovery (RS = 5.05 vs. 3.65). Higher congestion elasticity at Guangzhou further suggests greater sensitivity to disruption compared to the more stable baseline port. Overall, the findings indicate that while ultra-high automation enhances efficiency under normal conditions, it may undermine resilience during complex supply chain shocks.

Governance and Management of Indus Water Supply in Karachi: Identifying Bottlenecks and Solutions

2026-04-24T09:12:12-04:00

This study examines governance and management challenges in the Indus water supply system in Karachi, a megacity facing severe water scarcity despite major institutional reforms. Drawing on qualitative analysis of policy documents, media reports, and performance data (2023–2026), the research identifies structural, political-economic, and technical bottlenecks that hinder effective service delivery. Key issues include institutional fragmentation, weak inter-agency coordination, aging infrastructure, and high levels of non-revenue water. The persistence of illegal hydrant networks and tanker mafias, supported by political and bureaucratic interests, exacerbates inequitable distribution and undermines reform efforts under the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) Act 2023. The findings reveal a significant gap between policy intentions and implementation outcomes, highlighting governance failures rather than physical scarcity as the core problem. The study proposes integrated reforms focusing on institutional clarity, transparency, anti-theft enforcement, infrastructure investment, and community-based and technological innovations to improve water governance and ensure equitable access.

Inspiring Student Achievement through Astin's Theory of Involvement: A Study in a Local Higher Education Institutions Karachi, Sindh

2026-04-24T03:30:01-04:00

This study reveals the implementation of Astin's Theory of Involvement in a nearby Karachi higher education institution, illuminating the relationship between academic success and student engagement. The study looks into how students' involvement in university activities is impacted by characteristics including leadership, communication, and intrapersonal skills. Five very engaged undergraduate students were interviewed in-depth using a qualitative study design. The results demonstrate the beneficial effects of social contacts, extracurricular activities, and academic engagement on students' academic performance and personal growth. The study provides insights for educators and organizations looking to improve student accomplishment by highlighting the applicability of Astin's theory in creating a thorough and rewarding educational experience.

Income Inequality in Balochistan – Causes and Way Forward

2026-04-24T03:21:23-04:00

This study examines the growing income inequality in Balochistan, which exacerbates poverty, threatens social cohesion, challenges national integration in Pakistan, and hinders development. It explores non-income determinants of income inequality in Balochistan, such as land inequalities, digital divide, unbalanced employment structure, educational disparities, inefficient economic policies, and urbanization. Using Max Weber’s theory of social stratification, the study employs a mixed-method approach, surveying 200 individuals across Balochistan through Simple Random Sampling and analyzing the data via the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study finds that the majority of the respondents (55%) believe that land inequality is the major contributor to income inequality, 42.5% indicate the digital divide, and 40% attribute it to the unbalanced employment structure. Similarly, 39% referred to educational disparities, 37.5% cited inefficient economic policies, and 30% indicated urbanization. To mitigate these issues, the study advocates for the Human Capital Approach, urging targeted intervention by the government in the human capital of Balochistan.

Actionable Community Engagement Strategies for Government Officers: PVE in Context

2026-04-22T06:18:26-04:00

Despite being in limelight for nearly a decade, the discourse on PVE is overly vague and largely speculative. Although the non-kinetic predisposition of PVE outlines a boundary of sorts, there is confusion over the specificity of roles that need to be played out by key actors’ such as government officials. This article sets out to identify actionable strategies that will not only help rationalize the otherwise abstract contours of PVE but will also enable government officials to develop and carry out targeted PVE interventions in a community that is either vulnerable to or a victim of violent extremism. Even though the proposed strategies are applicable to the Pakistani context, they can adequately be modified to fit other contexts as well. The PVE strategies being proposed in this article are by no means exhaustive, since not only is there room for more potential strategies but the specificity of the context could verily necessitate an entirely new set of strategies.

Examining The Parental Influence on Students’ Educational Career Decision-Making Process: A Case Study of District Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan

2026-04-22T05:22:59-04:00

One of the most critical problems that students have to deal with in developing countries like Pakistan is their educational career decision-making process influenced by their parents. The current research explores the influence of parental education, family size, income level, and guidance on educational career choices of students within District Khairpur, Sindh. The descriptive survey design was employed based on both quantitative and qualitative methods. A total of 320 students in both public and private institutions were used to gather data. Statistical methods such as regression analysis, chi-square, and reliability were used. The results indicate that parental impact is very strong in determining career choices of students; more so parental education and family size. Another limitation contributing to the issue highlighted in the study is the absence of formal career counseling services, meaning that students have to depend on parental choices greatly. The study ends with the policy implications that support the necessity of institutionalized career guidance programs in order to match the careers selected by the students with their abilities and interests.

The Impact of Indian-Induced Arms Race on Regional Stability

2026-04-18T02:28:28-04:00

This paper examines about the arm race in South Asia, which is a result of India's quest for advanced military capabilities in order to gain regional dominance and strengthen deterrence. Three primary objectives of the study focus on: India's strategic goals in the weapons race, regional reactions to it, and its effects on regional stability. The study used textual analysis to collect information from internet sources, including expert commentary, institutional records, and online publications. According to the study's conclusions, South Asia's regional stability has been significantly affected by India's persistent pursuit of conventional and nuclear military weapons. The constant development and expansion of advanced weaponry have not only escalated tension between Pakistan and India but have also created security dilemma for neighboring South Asian states. India‘s growing military superiority and strategic influence has contributed to regional insecurity and instability. The increasing sophistication of weaponry including high performance aircrafts, hypersonic missiles and nuclear submarines has altered the regional imbalance of power. To promote lasting peace in the region, the study recommends effective arm control initiatives, strengthened international and regional dialogue mechanisms, and equitable military strategies.

Social Media and the Emergence of Non-Violent Political Extremism Among Pakistani Youth (2018-2022)

2026-04-15T12:00:04-04:00

A significant change in political engagement among the youth of Pakistan has been observed between 2018 and 2022. Social media has emerged as the primary venue for the discussion of ideas and for political mobilization; Political extremism of the violent kind is declining, whereas non-violent political extremism is surging. This paper examines the role of social media in neutral extremism and violence and the degree to which exclusionary and extreme political views are becoming normalized among the youth of Pakistan. The research relies on Media Dependency Theory for the explanation that, in this case, the dependency of the Pakistan youth on social media for the political understanding is the reason that the political actors are resorting to the massive cultivation of politically and socially divisive messages that also erode the basis of social democracy. This is evident in the heavy use of divisive algorithms, echo chambers, social media influencers, and memes. It is true that the non-violent kind of extremist movements is less visible than the previously dominant violent movements extremism. It is also true that it poses a danger to the democratic culture and social cohesion in the politically evolving digital space in the country.

Becoming a Man in Silence: Peer Learning, Masculinity, and Reproductive Health Knowledge Formation among Punjab’s Adolescents

2026-04-15T09:56:23-04:00

Adolescence represents an important stage when boys learn about their bodies and form masculine identities through culturally definite social settings. This qualitative research paper explores the interaction of masculinity, silence and peer learning with each other to form knowledge among Pakistani adolescents. Purposive sampling was used to collect the data; participant observation and in-depth interviews were conducted with 7 male adolescents of Sargodha and Mianwali, Punjab. Thematic analysis determined patterns that were repeated in the experiences of the participants. Results show that learned information is channeled through familial and institutional silence structures to peer networks and digital environments where it is disseminated informally, in a hierarchy, and inaccurately. Peer learning is a major source of instructions but it is influenced by the elements of power, expectations of performances and exposure to content without contextual supports. The paper points out the necessity of sensitive to culture, gender-sensitive interventions that establish safe, guided spaces, enabling more positive healthier knowledge accumulation and a more favorable transition to adulthood.

Dependence Structure between clean energy market and stock markets: Evidence from Copula Approach

2026-04-15T11:39:19-04:00

This study examines the dependence structure between the clean energy market and the stock markets of Pakistan, United States, China, and Norway. It employes daily data from 2017 to 2022 and used copula model for the purpose of analysis. The findings of the study show that t-copula provides the best fit for all the market pairs. This shows that the presence of tail dependence between the bivariate pairs of clean energy market and the stocks. However, the study further highlights that the dependence is stronger in the developed markets and relatively weaker in Pakistan. The study highlights implications for investors and policy makers.

Role Of FWRDP Water Management Initiatives in Enhancing Wheat Productivity in District Bajaur

2026-04-14T02:28:07-04:00

FATA Water Resources Development Project (FWRDP) operates in many regions of the erstwhile FATA, including Bajaur, and one of its primary components is on-farm water management (OFWM). This study investigates how agricultural production of wheat in district Bajaur is transformed by on-farm water management practices. This study is based on household data from 120 farmers that were gathered using a pre-tested questionnaire. A binary logit model was used to identify determinants of OFWM on agricultural productivity of wheat. The study found that the age of respondents, farming experience, working members, water availability and community organization membership were statistically significant and positively related to OFWM effects on agricultural productivity of wheat. On the other side, variables such as education level, access to agriculture extension, credit and land tenancy were statistically non-significant and had an inverse effect on the agricultural productivity of wheat. The overall model was significant as shown by p<0.05 which depicts that the socio-economic characteristics of the population are the main factors contributing to the effects on OFWM on agricultural productivity of wheat crop. It is important to consider these factors when designing policies and programs aimed at improving water management practices in agriculture to promote sustainable economic development and increase crop yields.

Persuasive Effects of Emotional and Informational Appeals in Social Media Advertising: A Quantitative Study

2026-04-14T02:26:00-04:00

Social media has emerged as a powerful channel of advertisement, and marketers are forced to use persuasive strategies that have the potential to impress audiences in crowded and interactive situations. The present research analyzes the effectiveness of emotional and informative appeals in social media advertisement through quantitative research design. Based on the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) and the theory of persuasion, a structured questionnaire was used to gather data on 300 social media users in Pakistan. The SPSS was used to perform reliability, correlation, and multiple regression analyses. The results prove that emotional appeals and informative appeals can be used to dramatically increase the effectiveness of social media advertising, but emotional appeals are more effective. The age was found to be a moderating variable with minimal effects of gender. The research can be considered as a contribution to the theory of advertising because it empirically confirms the processes of persuasion within a modern social media environment and provides real-world advice to advertisers looking to streamline message processes.

Examining the Impact of Inclusive Leadership on Job Crafting: Moderating Role of Learning Goal Orientation and Mediating Role of Work Engagement

2026-04-14T02:23:37-04:00

The present study examines the influence of inclusive leadership on job crafting, considering the moderating and mediating roles of learning goal orientation and work engagement, respectively. This research employs a quantitative methodology. Data were collected from 310 employees in the telecommunications sector in Pakistan using a convenience sampling technique. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS. The findings of this study confirm a positive and significant impact of inclusive leadership on employees' job crafting behavior. Work engagement was identified as a mediator in the relationship between inclusive leadership and job crafting. Additionally, the results indicate that learning goal orientation serves as a moderator. The study suggests that an inclusive leadership style can effectively promote job crafting and work engagement within an organization. Inclusive leaders provide learning opportunities that enhance employees' self-efficacy, enabling them to navigate challenging environments. Furthermore, organizations should offer employees opportunities to reflect on their roles and transform them into more challenging tasks within the workplace. The study also discusses research limitations, future directions, and managerial implications.

Climatic Variability and the Transformation of the Indus Valley Civilization

2026-04-12T03:52:31-04:00

This article examines the long-term transformation of the Indus Valley Civilization through the interplay of climatic variability, environmental change, and water resource dynamics. Drawing on archaeological, ecological, and historical evidence, it traces the development of early human settlements from Neolithic sites such as Mehrgarh to the emergence of major urban centers, including Mohenjo-daro and Harappa. The study follows a scoping systematic literature review method to understand the climate variability and transformation of the Indus Valley Civilization. The study highlights how shifts in rainfall patterns, flooding regimes, and freshwater availability shaped settlement patterns, agricultural systems, and socio-economic life. The findings suggest that environmental processes were central not only to the rise of the Indus Civilization but also to its transformation and eventual de-urbanization, alongside economic and political changes. Particular attention is given to the Indus River as a key ecological force supporting urban development, agricultural productivity, and regional connectivity, as well as influencing patterns of adaptation and mobility. By linking past environmental processes with present-day climatic challenges in the Indus region, the paper concludes and recommends the enduring relationship between water systems, climate variability, and human adaptation across time.

Development and Psychometric Validation of an Urdu Version of the Sports Injury Prevention Assessment Scale SIPAS-Ur

2026-04-14T02:21:30-04:00

This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Sports Injury Prevention Assessment Scale (SIPAS) into Urdu for Pakistani athletes. Following Beaton et al. (2000) guidelines, the scale underwent translation, expert review, pilot testing, and validation. A total of 530 athletes participated. The Urdu SIPAS showed strong psychometric properties, with high sampling adequacy (KMO = .864) and significant Bartlett’s test (χ² (153) = 974.266, p < .001). Internal consistency was excellent (α = .94), and both EFA and CFA supported a stable four-factor structure. The scale is a reliable and valid tool for assessing injury prevention awareness.

Enhancing Employee Retention in Private Higher Education through HR Practices, Engagement, and Technology

2026-04-14T02:19:05-04:00

Employee retention has emerged as a critical challenge for private higher education institutions (HEIs), particularly in developing countries where financial constraints and competitive labor markets intensify workforce instability. This study examines the impact of human resource practices on employee retention in private HEIs in Islamabad, Pakistan, while incorporating employee engagement and job satisfaction as mediating variables and organizational culture and technology adoption as moderating factors. A quantitative and a cross-sectional design was applied to collect data among 350 employees in the private HEIs. The relationship between the hypotheses was assessed using SEM. Results show that ER is affected by HRP both directly and indirectly via EE and JS. The mediation analysis proves the importance of these psychological factors to translate HRP into retention outcomes. Moreover, the findings show that OC and TA enhance the connection between HRP and EE, which cannot be overlooked in the context of contextual factors. The paper is an addition to the literature because it derives an integrated framework that incorporates mediating and moderating processes with respect to the context of private HEIs. In practice, the results indicate that the implementation strategy of a comprehensive HRP that focuses on the development of employees, the culture of support, and technological innovation to enhance retention should be adopted in HEIs. This research can also be useful to policymakers and institutional administrators who want to improve the stability of the workforce and performance of the organization within the university sector.

The Ideological Prison: Taliban Governance, Human Rights, and the Stalled Political Process in Afghanistan

2026-04-08T07:30:58-04:00

This paper analyses the impacts of the Taliban’s dogmatic framing on Afghanistan’s governance and human rights context since their return to power in August 2021. It argues that Taliban insistence on traditionalist Deobandi-Islamism authorised by an intolerant leadership is the main obstacle to a functioning, representative government and meaningful reconstruction. The focus is three-fold: the creation of an exclusive ethnic-biased political order, the calculated violation of human rights, including women’s right to education and work; and an international stalemate characterized by non-recognition and punitive steps. Through a doctrinal genealogy of these strategies, this analysis finds that the Taliban’s doctrine-led inflexibility has crafted a self-defeating governance paradigm which perpetuates a crisis in human protection and blocks trajectories toward sustainable stability (Ashraf, 2023).

Relationship Between Organizational Health, Quality Education and Instructional Effectiveness: An Exploration at University Level

2026-04-14T02:09:56-04:00

This was a qualitative research that was conducted to explore the relationship between the Organizational Health, Quality Education and Instructional Effectiveness at university level. There were 10 participants of this study sampled with the help of the Purposive sampling from the universities based at Lahore. The data was collected with the help of a Semi Structured Interview Protocol. The data was analyzed with the help of Manual Thematic Analysis. The study results conclude that the organizational health and instructional effectiveness are essential in improving academic experience and performance of students in higher education. It has been recommended that the Universities should provide a healthy environment for the students and similarly should ensure the effectiveness of the teachers’ instructions so that the quality of education could be provided to the students.

From Climate Stress to Economic Relief: Exploring the Relationship Between Climate Change and Remittances in SAARC Countries

2026-04-08T06:41:31-04:00

Climate change has emerged as a systemic macroeconomic risk with far-reaching implications for financial flows and economic resilience, particularly in developing regions. This study investigates the dynamic relationship between climate change, macroeconomic sensitivity, and remittance inflows in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries over the period 2000–2023. Grounded in the climate–migration–remittance nexus, the analysis integrates temperature and precipitation variability with macroeconomic responsiveness and adaptive capacity to provide a comprehensive assessment of how environmental shocks influence remittance behavior. Employing advanced panel econometric techniques—
including Cross-sectional Augmented Dickey–Fuller (CIPS) unit root tests, Pesaran’s cross-sectional dependence framework, Panel Vector Autoregression (PVAR), and LASSO regression—the study captures both short-run dynamics and long-run interdependencies across countries. The findings reveal a nuanced relationship: rising temperatures exert a positive and statistically significant effect on remittance inflows, suggesting climate-induced migration and compensatory financial transfers, whereas extreme precipitation shocks (e.g., floods and droughts) disrupt remittance flows by constraining migrants’ earning capacity and financial transmission mechanisms. Furthermore, macroeconomic sensitivity amplifies the
transmission of remittance shocks into broader economic outcomes, highlighting the structural dependence of SAARC economies on external income flows. A key contribution of the study lies in identifying adaptive capacity as a critical moderating factor. Countries with stronger institutional frameworks, infrastructure, and financial inclusion exhibit greater resilience, maintaining stable remittance inflows despite climate-induced disruptions. The Granger causality
results further indicate a bidirectional relationship between climate change and 415 remittances, underscoring the endogenous nature of this linkage within the macroeconomic system. The study contributes to the literature by offering an integrated empirical framework that links climate variability, macroeconomic responsiveness, and remittance dynamics within a highly vulnerable and remittance-dependent region. From a policy perspective, the findings underscore
the need for climate-resilient economic planning, enhanced adaptive capacity, and targeted financial inclusion strategies to safeguard remittance flows as a stabilizing force. Strengthening regional cooperation within SAARC is also imperative to mitigate cross-border climate risks and sustain economic resilience in the face of escalating environmental challenges.

Negotiating Work and Marriage: Communication Dynamics and Their Influence on Marital Satisfaction Among Working Couples in Punjab, Pakistan

2026-04-07T00:10:37-04:00

Background: Communication is widely known to be one of the key determinants of marital satisfaction. In dual-earner families, the augmented work requirements and the ongoing cultural pressures could affect the functioning of communication in marriage. Nevertheless, little studies have been done to observe such dynamics in working couples in Punjab, Pakistan.

Methods: The cross-sectional research involved 343 working population in Punjab, Pakistan. The collected data were in form of a structured self-administered survey questionnaire which measured communication, marital satisfaction, work family conflict, and cultural norms and conflict management. The two open ended questions were used to get qualitative information. The Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression in SPSS were used to analyze the quantitative data, and thematic analysis helped to analyze the qualitative responses.

Results: Marital satisfaction was positively correlated with communication (r =.682, p <.01). This relationship was substantially undermined by work-family conflict ( 02 2 =.022, p. 014). Cultural norms (ΔR 2 =.023, p =.016) and conflict management (ΔR 2 =.037, p =.002) also played a significant role in mediating the relationship, either curbing or expanding the benefits of communication. Thematic analysis indicated that there were five broad themes namely: emotional sharing, time investment, empathetic listening, conflict avoidance and contextual stressors such as family interference and workplace pressure.

Conclusion: Nevertheless, communication has stayed a strong indicator of marital satisfaction but the efficacy is defined by cultural and professional environments. It is suggested that culturally sensitive counseling interventions and family-supportive workplace policies can be used to promote the marital well-being of working couples in collectivist cultures.

Iranian Influence and Middle Eastern Security Order: A Case Study of Iran-Iraq Political Rivalry Since 2011

2026-04-09T22:02:27-04:00

This paper will analyze the role of influences and effects of Iran on the Middle East order of security in terms of the Iran-Iraq political rivalry since 2011. Political instability in the country after the pulling out of the U.S. troops and sectarianism in Iraq provided means through which Iran could build its presence in the region by forming political alliances, investing in the economy, and sponsoring Shia militias. Combining neorealist and constructivist perspectives, the given analysis will put an emphasis on the fact that Iran can achieve strategic depth and use sectarian identity as a justification of the involvement. At the same time, the experience of Iraq on the way to sovereignty and control of non-state actors believes in the scope of foreign intervention. The results highlight the dual nature of the role of Iran as a stabilizing and destabilizing actor and depict how the governance of regional security has been transformed into a hybrid form that brings in both state and non-state actors. The research is valuable in relation to learning how power, identity, and agency interact with each other in a multifaceted manner to contribute to the present geopolitics in the Middle East.

From Human Segregation to Rat Surveillance: The Attari Investigation Scheme and the Ecological Turn in Colonial Plague Policy

2026-04-07T00:39:06-04:00

This article reassesses the plague policy of colonial powers through the Report on the Results of Certain Investigations Regarding Rats in the Punjab (The Attari Investigation Scheme, 1907–1908). The article argues that the policy on plague shifted from the coercive human-centered methods to environmental management, which was based upon controlling rats and doing scientific investigations to create statistical analysis. Villages were used as experimental sites and the officials reframed plague as a problem of environmental conditions instead of human contagion. Although this ecological control required constant supervision, statistical comparisons helped justify the intervention. This article shows that how the numerical and scientific reasoning reshaped the colonial public health administration in the rural Punjab.