The current study investigates the prevalent gender-binary narrative in Pakistani television commercials. It tends to portray the dominant gender representational mechanisms which are implicitly employed by the advertisers. Television commercials, having the power to (re)frame the ideology of larger audience through visual/linguistic content and agency to pave the way for social change have become one of the most viable social institutions of disseminating information to a wider audience. The theoretical underpinning of the study is based on the theory of semiotics outlined by Dyer in “Advertising as Communication”. Semiotics is considered a critical tool for investigating meaning making process in media discourse because of its wideranged acceptability and reliability. The data for the current study comprise television commercials which are broadcast on popular Pakistani television channels. The sampling technique is purposive in nature including only those commercials which largely reflect gender representation. The study finds the commercials presenting layers of meanings at symbolic level of semiotic modes where men and women are displayed in stereotypical manner, subscribing to patriarchal structures.

The research in hand is a textual analysis of the novel Body Surfing by Anita Shreve which explains the role of language in the construction of an ideology as reality. The aim is to highlight the construction of a certain concept or ideology as a dominant truth claim in society through discourse and how is it blindly followed by all the members without the least strife to change that socalled dominant ideology. Language as a major agent in the construction and perpetuation of an ideology is forever the discourse of those who are in power. This research will propound the discourse active behind the verity of "oppression" done to women as taken-for-granted and fair. By employing Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as research method, the study will critically examine the role of language in legalizing women oppression. We have cultivated the idea of "women as weak" into something real, that has come to us generation after generation, through language. This supposition provides theoretical underpinnings for the research, which is arrived at through CDA by treating language post-structurally. The literature analyzed highlights the role of language in the process of meaning-making by considering it to convey reality. The various words and phrases from the extracts in hand with contextual and conceptual affiliation, are dealt with under the backdrop of Fairclough"s (1992) Three Dimensional Model of CDA, which results in the recognition of oppression thought as legitimate by the ultimate use of language. The analysis done under the backdrop of poststructuralism will show that language is not the depiction of maximum reality rather; it is we, the users of language, who make it real by considering some concepts as truth and others as myth. The paper concludes that the opposite gender is actually oppressed and that this oppression is not given, rather the constructed one. CDA challenges this oppression and declares it the work of language only. It (language) has no signs of reality, subsistence or truth.

This paper attempts to analyze Pakistani policy positions through interviews from academic experts and officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad, and secondary sources including media reports, research journals and onlire resources. Since India"s bid for the membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in June 2016, an intense debate has started over its impact on the stability of South Asia and its effects on Pakistan"s nuclear strategy with respect to India. This paper focuses on how this has effected Pakistan"s policy options; how Pakistan raised this issue in the past at international level to build up a counter-narrative against India"s move. With realignment on membership in NSG for India based on criteria-based approach makes Pakistan"s position as a center of gravity in the context of this campaign demanding for a firm diplomatic and political resolve. Failure in this aspect may result in losing Pakistan"s case for membership in future. The analysis presents recommendations in light of comparing views for future measures.

The study inspects the size and liquidity pattern in Pakistan equity market. Sample size contains 278 non-financial firm"s monthly data listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) from 2001 to 2012. This study uses three asset pricing models (eq.5), (eq.6) and (eq.7). Four factors asset pricing model estimates that momentum factor is positively and negatively linked with winner and loser stocks, both in size and liquidity patterns. Although it is observed that the presence of size and liquidity does not affect the coefficient results but average value of momentum premium in larger in liquidity than size pattern. Further, the study reveals high average stock returns on momentum strategy in liquidity pattern than size that is 8.05% Vs 6.67%, respectively. Results of this study contradicts Fama and French (2012) who concluded that size pattern in momentum factor outperform the equity market. But this study conclude that liquidity pattern outperforms the size pattern in momentum factor. This study raises the question that should investors and academicians consider size or liquidity pattern in momentum factor for high returns and future research?

Although each and every aspect of individual is affected by the family system variables, but the most important one is their moral development. Moral development is the ability to differentiate between the good and the bad behaviors. This study explores the effect of family systems, especially, nuclear and joint families on the moral development of both boys and girls elementary level students. All 222944 elementary level students of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan constituted the population of the study. A total of 384 elementary students randomly selected, (226 boys and 158 girls) were taken as the sample of the study. Kohlberg’s Moral Judgment Interview Form A was used for the collection of data. The collected data were analyzed through frequency, percentage and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings of the study depicted that gender had significant influence on the moral values of elementary level students. Furthermore, girls belonging to the joint families were found morally more advanced than boys of joint families.

In the post-Soviet era, the Nagorno Karabagh conflict has been a major source of tension in the South Caucasus. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia, the United States, and France have all been involved in the mediation process between Nagorno Karabagh, Armenia, and Azerbaijan over the resolution of the conflict. Russia, given its historical ties, economic interests, political clout, and military relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan, appears to be the most influential and vital moderator in this conflict. This dates back to the outbreak of violence in early 1990s. Russia has tried to help the participants in the Nagorno Karabagh conflict to maintain the status quo, and has provided a framework of dialogue for Armenia and Azerbaijan. Russia has been the main supplier of arms to both sides, which calls into question Russias motive and goals in its role as a mediator, and its role is subject of much controversy in the Nagorno Karabagh conflict. This paper argues that Russias role as a mediator is primarily focused on maintaining the status quo, and ensuring the equilibrium of military capabilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in order to discourage any military escalations between the two states. We assert that despite the fact that this strategy has been successful for Russia in maintaining the status quo, a different approach, which moves beyond military balancing, is required in order to reach a long-term solution for the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno Karabagh.

This study looks into the potential effect of foreign exchange exposure elasticity (FEEE) on the financial distress of non-financial firms from an emerging country (Pakistan) and a developed country (USA) during 2003-2015. It employs mixed methodology in which a comprehensive quantitative analysis is made from the panel data of the sample companies from both countries (Pakistan and USA). Subsequently, views of Chief Finance Officers (CFOs) of different companies are given. Results show that the effect of foreign exchange exposure is not statistically significant on the financial distress of Pakistani firms at contemporaneous level but it has positive significant effect at lagged level. Results also show that at gross exposure level, foreign exchange exposure of US manufacturing firms has a significantly positive effect on their financial distress contemporaneously but not at net market level. In case of US non-manufacturing firms, the foreign exchange exposure elasticity does not impact significantly on the Z-Score at gross exposure level. But the market model shows a weak significant effect of the FE Exposure on the distress of such firms in USA at relatively higher significance level. The firms fundamental attributes except foreign sales exhibit a significant effect on the financial distress. Only debt has negative coefficient which describes a positive effect on the financial distress. The findings have notable implications for the financial stability of the firms, especially in Pakistan.

Khilafat Movement provided an opportunity to the Ulema of sub-continent to take part in active politics, however, Anjuman-i-Khuddam-i-Kaaba which was the first ever organized confrontation with the British raj. It eventually resulted in the formation of Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind (JUH). Although Majlis-iAhrar-i-Islam, emerged as an effective instrument of Deobandi activism yet it denounced the creation of an independent Muslim state. Majority of Ulema believed that with the demise of British regime in India, the Muslims being a strong minority, could not be impoverished, therefore, JUH worked closely with the Congress. Interestingly, the history of the Ulema has been one of their perpetual conflicts with intelligentsia and the creation of Pakistan by the moderate leadership was a great setback for the “nationalist” Ulema. However, they failed to create a political constituency and continued to tag along with the Muslim League. Yet, JUI time and again denounced socialism and advocated the Islamic system for Pakistan. After 1970 Elections, both NAP and JUI emerged as majority parties in NWFP and Baluchistan. During the study, it will be analyzed that how JUI, a conservative Islamic party could form an alliance with NAP that had won the elections on the basis of secular ideas.

The study analyzes curriculum document (teacher course guides) of ADE and B.Ed. (Hons) programs in terms of Assessment Tasks, Teaching Learning Approaches, Course Outcomes and Course Description. Study also focuses on prospective teachers and teacher educator’s perceptions about these teacher course guides and their execution in class room at selected Teachers’ Training Institutes. The sample comprises three universities and four Regional Institutions of Teacher Education offering B.Ed. (Hons) and ADE programs. Researcher congregated data from 21 teacher educators teaching to prospective teachers enrolled in ADE and B.Ed. (Hons) in the chosen institutions. Mixed methods (approach) were used to collect quantitative as well as qualitative data for extensive analysis of the research problem. The qualitative data was collected through a check list and quantitative data was collected through questionnaire. The manuscripts (Draft guide for teaching instructor) for B.Ed. (Hons). Experts developed curriculum meets the requirement of the society of Pakistan with the purpose to create more competent, proficient and well-informed teaching instructors. Effective implementation of teacher guides need improvement in terms of availability of resources like well-equipped class rooms, computer lab, library, learning materials and Information and Communication Technology.

This study was undertaken to examine the role of Teachers’ Associations as the protector of teachers’ rights. The study is based mainly on the interviews of education experts, researchers and experienced associations’ leaders. The researcher therefore intended to highlight a very important and positive role played by teachers’ associations. These associations are blamed for the present faulty education system and for the lack of co-ordination among various agents of education. Associations and their active leaders at secondary school level in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were chosen as the population of the study. Interviews were conducted with union leaders for the collection of useful data. The core finding of this study suggests that most of teachers’ associations are the protector of teachers’ rights. They solve the problems of teachers. However, they generally support their own members during transfer, promotion and on other occasions of benefits.

This study generally examines the influence of education, health, experience and government loans on farmers’ productivity in district Nowshera. Specifically, this study (a) finds out the role of socio-economic factors determining tomato production in district Nowshera and (b) estimates technical efficiency of the tomato farmers in the area. Primary data has been collected through a field survey from 61 tomato producers of selected villages of the district. The results reveal on the average tomato farms in the study area are 95% efficient, indicating a 5% potential for the farms to attain the maximum output level while the range of efficiencies was 89% to 99%. Moreover, the results also showed education, health, experience and government loans playing a significant role in the determination of the tomato production. On the basis of these results, it is suggested that government increase spending on education and health as such loans can play an important role in the tomato farming in district Nowshera.

Pashtun tribal system is a very unique phenomenon of the entire Pashtuns. Being a complete code of life for most of them. This code guides them in all walks of life. In terms of its genealogy, it is very close to Islam and is considered as code of life for them. The tribal structure of Pashtuns has changed a lot during the last 36 years in which the dominating role of Maliks and tribal elders have been excessively reduced giving place to that of mullah. Soviet intervention in Afghanistan followed by the U.S. intervention was a turning point in changing the entire tribal structure of Pashtuns. The tribal Areas were converted into areas meant for the acts of barbarism, terrorism and extremism and provided sanctuaries to the insurgents.

This research study analyzes innovative trends in the National Curriculum of Physics at the Secondary level and compares the same curriculum with the curricula of three academically advanced countries namely Turkey, Malaysia and UK. The study aims to examine the policy objectives of the National Curriculum in Physics at the Secondary level and explores its strengths and weaknesses, ending in recommendations for the removal of these weaknesses. The study practiced mixed-methods designed. The primary data were collected through interviews held with key informants and opinionnaires fielded to subject teachers. Review of literature and reliable documents along with the curricula of three developed countries furnished Secondary data for the study. Qualitative and quantitative treatments were given for analysis of the data. The outcomes of the research study highlight that objectives of curricula in Malaysia, Turkey and UK are more comprehensive than Pakistan. These curricula contain latest and novel concepts. The present curriculum likewise needs to instill the tendency for analytical and critical examination of facts at any circumstance in students. The existing examination system is, therefore, not appropriate as it measures only the lowest domain of learning i.e. rote learning. In order to discourage rote learning, textbooks of Physics at the Secondary level need revision to promote creativity.

Muslim scholars have contributed enormously to the concept of welfare State. Among them Shah Waliullah is the rising sun who was born in South Asian sub-continent in the 19th century. He was holding the firsthand knowledge of Quran and Hadiths, the first primary sources in Islam. Shah Waliullahs point of view regarding welfare state occupies central theme in his works. His basic concepts like equality, justice, anti-usury, and rights of working classes, espoused with responsible governance, are the pillars of the edifice of the Islamic polity. To purge the Muslims out of dogmas and channelize their energies in compliance of the true religion, Islam, Shah Waliullah has left deep imprints on modern mind. His solutions to the prevailing ills of the society can be found in his works and thought. This paper is aimed to present Waliullahs thought on establishing a happy society by curbing the inequality in the socio economic conditions of the Muslims. Historical descriptive approach is adhered to investigate the ills and present solution thereof.

The significant time that learners spend on using e-learning media for teaching learning purpose at schools and homes creates some thought provoking questions like how the use of e-learning media may influence cognitive skills enhancement?, and if it does have influence, then how much? The study evaluates the effects of e-learning media on cognitive skills enhancement of science students respectively, and compares the impact of elearning media on cognitive skills enhancement of male and female science learners. The study is experimental in nature. Results of the study are tested at significance level alpha: a = 0.05. After conducting pre-tests, treatment and post-tests, it is found that the post-test results of male and female science students are better than their pre-test. It is also found that the cognitive skills enhancement score of both genders of students of experimental group is higher than the score of both genders of students of control group on the basis of post-tests scores. It is also found that there was no difference between cognitive skills enhancement score of male students of experimental group and that of female students of experimental group on the basis of post-tests scores. Consequently, it is concluded that the use of e-learning media has considerable positive effect on the achievement of male and female science students and it enhances their cognitive skills, but no considerable difference was observed between the cognitive skills enhancement of male and female students using e learning media.

The purpose of the study is to investigate teachers’ emotional social intelligence and its relationship with students’ cohesiveness in classroom. The main objectives of the study were to; find students’ perception of emotional social intelligence level of university teachers, find students’ cohesiveness in classroom, and measure the relationship of teachers’ emotional social intelligence with the students’ cohesiveness in classroom learning environment. Research questions were formulated. Population of the study was teachers and students (8775) of all universities (29) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The sample of the study was taken from nine (9) universities’ teachers and students (900) through simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Questionnaires and interview were used as research instruments to collect data from the concerned participants and informants. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for the analysis of the data. It was found that there is a significant correlation between social emotional intelligence of teachers and students’ cohesiveness in classroom learning environment. It is recommended that research studies should be conducted at different level with different variables relating to emotional social intelligence.

To control the mindset of any society, media plays an important role due to its ability to transfer information and thereby transform societies. Electronic media which thrives on conspiracies, has not lost its importance and TV is still a popular means of communication. By virtue of technological innovations, electronic media has a vast impact on all segments of society (exposure to modern technology and becoming vulnerable). In the contemporary world, terrorism is a major security threat in Pakistan. Continuous open electronic media coverage of issues occur with inherent bias. Against this backdrop, the role of media becomes crucial as the media agenda is gradually turning into the public agenda. Electronic media is inherently biases to the opinions of those reporting the situation. Admittedly, media can influence a large chunk of society. Importantly, Pakistan’s private TV channels while giving an insight to the audience, intentionally or unintentionally, may drive a negative mindset and give birth to perceived security threats. This paper attempts to ascertain the complex connection between security and the electronic media and also highlights the negative impacts of media on the security of Pakistan.

Indo-Afghan relations are developing with accelerated pace post 9/11. Indian increasing involvement in Afghanistan is a matter of grave concern for Pakistan. Indian investment in Afghanistan aims; to minimize Pakistan’s influence in Afghanistan, to create a soft image of India in Afghanistan and to access Central Asian Republic’s markets through Afghanistan. India is so far being successful in all of its objectives. India is investing in political, economic and social sectors in Afghanistan and successful in creating a soft image of Indians in Afghans heart. Keeping in view this scenario, study of this situation was a good case. India, Pakistan and Afghanistan all three have many observations regarding each other and none of them accept it. Due to the physical presence of United States in Afghanistan for more than a decade, peace in the area is still a dream come true. Therefore, it was an interesting study to understand the dynamics of Indo-Afghan relations and its implications for Pakistan. Neo realism theory is applied in this study.

This paper attempts to analyze the role of international actors in detail and how these states have contributed to the existing situation in the province. Overall, the research is an effort to categorically analyze the domestic as well as international factors behind the instability in Balochistan. Balochistan prominently configures the foreign policies of different states due to the interests and stakes involved in the volatile province. In terms of the transnational factors, there are few factors which have enhanced the significance of the province in the contemporary times, like War on Terror and the emerging economic and geostrategic importance of the province. China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has increased the significance of Balochistan, also. At the same time, this increased significance has posed internal challenges for the inhabitants of the province who are of the view that the effects of the development should be visible across the board and the locals should be given their due share. The nationalist movement in Balochistan has developed greater contacts with their co-ethnics in the neighboring countries. Among the foreign powers, the role of India, Afghanistan, China, USA and the Middle East are of great concern.

Data about functioning capability of schools and students’ achievement is collected through program monitoring and implementation unit (PMIU). It shows satisfactory trends about the performance of schools and students’ achievement scores in PEC exam. But, its correctness is questionable in many aspects because of having no auditing system or third-party validation. This paper investigates the influence of district ranking system on students’ achievement score in PEC exam by using cheating in PEC exam as a mediator. The data were collected from 300 students who recently passed PEC exam from 10 schools by using a questionnaire developed by the researchers. 10 focus group interviews were also conducted from teachers of these schools. Hence mixed method approach was used in this study. Data was analyzed in SPSS and PROCESS. The results of the study reveal that district ranking system has significant positive influence on students’ achievement score in PEC exam. District ranking system also has significant positive impact on cheating in PEC exam. Furthermore, cheating in PEC exam partially mediates the relationship between district ranking system and students’ achievement score. The results suggest that quantitative target achieving behavior overlooks other important aspect of schools’ performance and focus only on few indicators. Additionally, monitoring system and PEC assessment system have failed to provide accurate, valid, reliable, trustworthy and practical data over school and students’ performance. These performance measuring systems need consistent audit and third-party validation to ensure the correctness of data.

This study examined household energy consumption pattern in Pakistan using Linear Approximate Almost Ideal Demand System (LA-AIDS). Price and expenditure elasticities estimated for the energy demand using a household income and expenditure data of the year 2011-12. The energy consumption expenditure pattern of rural and urban region is different. The study reveals that electricity is the most important and highly consumable source of energy for the household living in the country. Electricity and natural gas are the highly consumed fuel in the urban areas, whereas, electricity and firewood in the rural areas. The energy consumption expenditure is inelastic with respect to changes in income except for firewood for urban region. All the estimated expenditure elasticities of the energy types were found less than one indicating that energy consumption is the necessity for the household

The aim of this theoretical paper is to understand the meaning of identity and it is shaping at the workplace. While focusing on teacher leaders’ professional identity, this paper examines the notion of identity, and its development in education settings. The notion of identity formation determines teacher identity formation and teacher leaders’ identity development in various contexts. The paper reviews literature on how teachers evolve their leadership identity as a result of personal characteristics integrated into external and internal factors. This assimilation contributes to the process of identity formation. Personal attributes include credibility as a competent classroom teacher, intrinsic motivation for leadership, ability to create a positive school culture, utilization of the past experiences and having knowledge of the field. Other factors include influence of context or school culture, professional support available at work, appreciation and guidance from senior leadership, leadership models or structures in schools, professional learning communities, campus-based professional development courses or programs, professional networking and collegial practices in the school. The reviewed literature also indicates that teacher leadership identity is an important aspect of teacher professional development, particularly in the UK and the US school settings. The review also brings up the significance of teachers as leaders and highlights how teachers shape their leadership identity while working in school context. As this review identifies lack of research on teacher leaders’ identity formation in TESOL contexts as well as higher education institutions, it concludes with suggestions for future research in the said field.

This study investigates the impact of QEC Leaders intellectual competencies on Quality Enhancement of Higher Education Institutions - HEIs and Universities. Quantitative data from QEC Officials of public and private sector universities in Islamabad is collected. QEC Leaders intellectual competencies were measured by adapting Leadership Dimension Questionnaire (LDQ) from Dulewicz and Higgs (2005, 2008). Quality Enhancement was measured by using Quality Enhancement Questionnaire (QEQ) developed by HEC QAA (2006). A survey questionnaire based methodology was used to collect data from QEC Leaders of public and private universities of Islamabad. Correlation and regression analyses were used to test research hypotheses. Findings imply that QEC Leaders strategic perspective significantly contribute towards Quality Enhancement generally and specifically towards Implementation of SA Mechanism. Furthermore, QEC Leaders possessing strong vision and imagination competencies have significant influence on Empowering QEC and high ranked QEC to contribute in the Quality Enhancement. Leadership competencies are the basic elements contributing for betterment of performance of an organization and quality enhancement. A vital role is played by the QEC Leaders for achieving organizational objectives and goals to enhance quality of Institutions and provide conducive working environment which ultimately encourages the attitudes, behaviors and motivates the followers. This study was limited to examine relationship between QEC Leaders intellectual competencies and Quality Enhancement of HEI s in Islamabad. Further research is suggested to validate this model all QECs of Pakistan. Findings provide implications for academicians and QEC professionals to formulate policies for improving Quality of Education in Pakistan. The study provides directions for future research.

This paper evaluates the Language Policy and Plannings (LPP) Methodological Rich Points (MRP) in the geographic, ethnic and linguistic composition of Afghanistan. The theoretical construct is taken from the work of Nancy H. Hornberger on MRP in LPP. The paper explores a range of primary and secondary sources, and finds that the presence of inequality, marginalization and oppression in intra-ethnic and intralanguage group relations, sharing of resources and power account for neglect of the MRP in Afghan LPP. The geographic details in conjunction with explanation of historical process of migrations and conquests explains that most of the minority language speakers are concentrated in the difficult to reach areas of Afghanistan for their safety. Further, the limiting factors of Afghan geography explains the preservation of minority languages from the effects of majority languages. The study concludes with the proposal that it would be helpful to avoid the pitfalls of the current LPP in future by giving due attention to MRP.

The present study identifies the limits and pattern of commercial activities within CBD of Peshawar. Retailing is topmost paying commercial activity and occupies the highest bid-rent location in the city. The Central Business District (CBD) is the retail heart of the city. The spatial arrangement of commercial activities happens to be very complex and their limits are dynamic in the CBD of Peshawar. The land value, rent values, taxation system, commuter behaviour, nature and transformation of commercial activities are directly dependent on this spatial arrangement and delimitation of CBD. The methodology adopted for this study is the combination of traditional rules/methods with modern tool of GIS. The results for spatial arrangement of commercial activities and delimitation of CBD are more precise which can enable the city planners and investors to achieve better sustainable development in city and regional context.