A study of the 70 years of strategic relations between the US and Pakistan reveals that the main consideration in the partnership has always been security. Considering the changes in international politics that have a particular impact in the region-like China"s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the growing support for multilateralism-it is high time the two review this relationship and look beyond the security lens. Pakistan, population wise the sixth largest country, sits at the crossroads of major powers" interest due to its pivotal geographic location and natural resources. This study analyses various phases of the US-Pakistan relations in the region. The discussion finds Pakistan is a lynchpin for Central, South and West Asia connecting the East and West. Avoiding Pakistan shall be a gross diplomatic mistake by the US, rather a renewed partnership that thinks beyond the security of this region is required. The focus should on development, social, economic, and environmental challenges to explore opportunities for partnership between the US and Pakistan.

In this article, we examined the relation between time pressure and organizational citizenship behavior and the moderating role of conscientiousness. Two hundred and thirty employee working in service sector of different cities located in Pakistan participated in this study. Time lag research design was adopted in this study. Data for time pressure and conscientiousness were collected at time 1 (Self-Reported) and data for organizational citizenship behavior was collected at time 2 (SupervisoryRating Method). Results of this study revealed that time pressure and conscientiousness was negatively related to organizational citizenship behavior. Furthermore, it was found that conscientiousness act as moderator in the relations between time pressure and organizational citizenship behavior. The findings make study significant for improving organizational behavior.

Media shape public opinion. As a powerful tool of communication, it prioritizes issues and gives them coverage according through editorial judgment. Agendasetting theory explains how media influences the topics in public agenda. In 1968, McCombs and Donald Shaw studied presidential elections of the United States and established a strong relationship between election issue and media coverage. This study has used their theory of agenda setting to explain how two daily newspapers of Pakistan, Dawn and Jang has covered unemployment and energy crisis on their front and back pages during a time period of one year. Content analysis method is applied to investigate the treatment of news in both papers. Findings explain that Jang gave more coverage to these social issues as compared to Dawn. This study recommends more attention to social issues.

The present study attempts to explore the intricacies of human mind, as portrayed through Chillingworth"s character in The Scarlet Letter by Hawthorne. For an in-depth analysis, two legendary intellectuals i.e., Ghazali, the famous 11th century scholar of the Muslim world and Freud, the genius of 20th century, have provided the theoretical framework. The research design is based on thematic analysis of the selected novel. A detailed study of Ghazalain nafs e ammara and Freudian id guided the interpretation of the selected novel. The analysis of Chillingworth"s perverted behaviour and degrading moral standards inside the parameter of the selected theories reveals Hawthorne"s psychological insight. Besides, it also provides a cognizance into the current relevance of the psychological issues in modern world, thus, strengthening our belief in the similar workings of human mind, regardless of the variances in time and space. Moreover, the evidence from this study suggests that the incorporation of Eastern and Western insights for studying literary character has the potential of becoming an effective critical approach for psychological analysis in the realm of English literature.

The Messenger of ALLAH Almighty, the Holy Prophet MUHAMMAD (peace be upon him) has said "Ar-Rashi Wal Murtashi Kila huma Finnar" that mean "the giver and taker of bribes (corrupt) will both go to the fire of hell". This research analyzes corruption"s effect on existing social values in Peshawar region of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. A total of 150 respondents were selected as sample using stratified random sampling technique for study using Likert scale as measurement tool in interview schedule. The bi-variate and uni-variate analyses were made for reaching results. The existence of the effect of "corruption perception" as independent variable"s effects were assessed on the "social values in political institutions" as dependent variable by applying Chi-square test. Furthermore, Gamma (y) statistics" application was made for finding the bond and relationship"s direction. It was concluded that a significant association prevails regarding corruption perception with organized corruption alliance between government servants and politicians (P=0.002), politicians who are corrupt do safeguard corrupt interests (P=0.000) and favoured political environment (P=0.000). Moreover, posting candid politicians on significant government posts (P=0.000), removing political influence form bureaucracy (P=0.000), making politicians accountable to agencies related to stopping corruption (P=0.000), recompensing politicians of honesty (P=0.033), sensitizing politicians to be aware of corruption (P=0.000) and applying court"s judgements regarding reducing corruption (P=0.000) were found significantly associated with improving state of corruption.

We estimate the effect of food price subsidy on poverty in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan in this paper. The study uses Linear Approximate Almost Ideal Demand System for the estimation of compensated and uncompensated price and expenditure elasticities of food using Household Integrated Economic Survey. The estimated own and cross price Hicksian elasticities are used for estimating the changes in the quantity of food consumed, expenditure on food and its effect on poverty. The study uses two recent available poverty lines for estimation, showing that the scheme of food price subsidy increase real income of the households which has a decreased poverty state. The analysis shows that the subsidy program marginally decreases poverty in the province. The study recommends targeted food price subsidy for poverty alleviation and eradicating chronic hunger.

This study explores the students and teachers’ perceptions of transition in assessment from annual to semester system at university level. For collection of data two research tools i.e. questionnaire (students) and interview with teachers are used. The study finds that through assessment teachers get information about thinking of students and on which level they think. Assessment is helpful in making different educational policies. Assessment is effective to understand the working characteristics of students. If we assess curriculum, we modify it according to goals or standards. Assessment is a back bone of all education system. Mixed method was used to explore this research study. The responses from the questionnaire and interviews shows that the majority of the teachers and students agree annual examinations give better overall picture of learning progress.

The paper focuses on the various aspects especially as globally accepted fact is that social and key economic indicators are influenced by the government activities. Public Sector Performance and efficiency reflect government priorities. The paper evaluates the public sector performance of Pakistan by calculating the Public Sector Performance Index based on seven indicators and these seven indicators are further classified into two broad groups. Many international studies have carried out the performance evaluation of public sectors of industrialized countries missing the public sector performance of Pakistan with other countries. With the aim, Public Sector Performance of Pakistan was compared with countries of South Asia and some developed countries. The research analyzes the public sector performance indicators of countries to calculate the overall performance. The paper aims to compare public sector performance of Pakistan with South Asian Countries and members of Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which currently includes 34 Countries.

Recently, the Ministry of Health Pakistan decreed that disclosures of anti- smoking messages placement in the movies should be used whereby fear based cognitive anti-smoking message is shown. Consistent with the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) assumption that persuasion messages likely influence the attitude of the relatively unmotivated individuals. This study is the first which tests and compare the ability of anti-smoking persuasion messages presented in the Direct Anti-smoking public service Advertisements (DAA) and Anti-smoking messages Placement Disclosures in movies (APD) in determining viewer’s Attitude to Quit Smoking (AQS). Hence, this attempt overcomes deficient understanding about the effects of disclosing anti-smoking advertisement placement. In a between-subject experiment (N = 120), we measure the smokers’ attitudes in the result of the direct anti-smoking advertisements along with the APDs in movies. Results of the experiment show that attitude to quit smoking becomes stronger when a direct anti-smoking advertisement and anti-smoking disclosure is shown. However, analyses based on Partial Least Squares Path Modeling (PLS-PM) on Advanced Analysis for Composites (ADANCO) 2.0.1 (a new software for variance-based SEM) attitude to quit smoking is significantly higher when the anti-smoking message disclosure is shown during the movie scenes. These results have significant implications for persuasion theories and public policy about anti-smoking campaigns.

This study explores the impacts of adult literacy centers for woman in District Malakand. The students of adult literacy centers of District Malakand constitute the population of the study. There are 6 centers, three each for males and females. A group of 10 women in each female center was selected for focus group discussion. A sample of 30 individuals was taken with the help of Judgmental sampling. The primary data were collected with the help of a focus group discussion. Questions were asked from the participants keeping in view the objectives and relevant literature. The participants were inquired what they gained from the adult literacy program. During the group discussion Field notes were taken and the discussion was also recorded. After each group discussion the recorded data was transcribed verbatim. Data were verified by comparing the field notes and video. All transcriptions and field notes were thoroughly read by the researchers. Three stage approaches were adopted for data reduction. The narrative of the participants was changed into a simple description. Description was categorized under one theme. Representative quotations were also added to various response categories, themes and patterns emerging from the data. The participants showed positive response. They learnt basic reading, and writing, they could check the homework of their children, literacy brought awareness in their lives and this literacy program enabled them to start small business. Moreover, the centers provided an opportunity for socialization.

Citizenship as associated with educational learning facilitates getting ready our young graduates for the challenges and prospects of a changing world. Citizenship is becoming the key subject in teaching and learning. It is an entrance to a more comprehensive society. So, it is indispensable to explore the function of universities in developing citizenship among graduates. A survey research method is adopted. A questionnaire based study of a sample of fifteen hundred Master level graduates from fifteen public/private universities of Pakistan is therefore undertaken. Analysis of data revealed that a substantial number of the graduates having civic characteristics, were significantly in favor to develop sense of responsibility, leadership skills, curricular and co-curricular activities, knowledge of current World events, civic research and facilities, law and religious studies, civic literacy and ethical awareness, crime prevention and human rights. It is suggested that there should be no gap among learners, faculty and the management for humanizing the civic characteristics and the accessibility as well as sustainability of the civic services in the universities. The faculty and management may be dedicated to student centered learning and the course learning and deliberate conclusions may be focused.

This paper investigates listed firm efficiency on Pakistan Stock Exchange by using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The reason for application and calculation of the DEA score is to know how much the firms are efficient in utilizing their resources to be converted into output (sales/Net Income). An optimization technique (DEA) that helps calculate efficiencies of firm’s decision making Units (DMU’s) by taking different inputs and outputs variables. This paper uses DEA in measuring efficiency of 136 Pakistani firms listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). Using secondary data set of 136 firms for the period 2008-2017, efficiency measurements are calculated by using financial ratios and financial indicators as input and output variables. Results show that some of the firms are efficient in utilizing their available resources in an efficient way to convert it into output, while some are inconsistent in efficiently utilizing their resources (inputs) to get the desired outputs.

This paper empirically inquire the relation of social capital dimensions (relational social capital, structural social capital, and cognitive social capital), organization innovation capabilities, and the performance of information technology (IT) as a mediator in the said relationships. A total of 263 workers of different management cadres from software SMEs (Zhongguancun Software Park, Beijing, China) were randomly selected. However, 143 respondents submitted the complete response. Thus, the response rate was 54%. For the empirical investigation, the present paper uses Partial Least Squares, Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Importance-Performance Matrix Analysis (IPMA) techniques to analyze the survey data. The direct and indirect relationship between dimensions of social capital and organizational innovation capabilities is significant. However, IT generates a partial mediation effect. IPMA highlights the importance of relational and structural social capital to innovation capabilities, however, IT is indicated as the key driver that trigger the effect of social capital on organization innovation capabilities. Future studies guidelines and limitations are explained at the end of this paper.

This historical paper explores the role of one of the indigenous educational movement of the British Indian North West Frontier Province, now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan. The movement "Anjuman-i-islahul Afaghina" established in 1921 by Abdul Ghaffar Khan also known as Bacha Khan (1890- 1988) and his companions to educate the unprivileged Pakhtuns in the early decades of the 20th century. The Anjuman established 104 Azad schools in the settled as well as tribal territory to educate the nation in formal way, besides education and training was imparted through non formal mode, as well. The strength of the Anjuman was its organizational excellence in the shape of its components like propagation, fund raising, management committees, faculty of intellectuals, co-curricular activities, annual jamborees, conflict resolution committees, literary activities and social reformation. No doubt, the movement contributed to educate the unprivileged Pakhtun nation in ensuring the quantity as well quality of education.

Rampant corporate failures have placed corporate governance in the limelight again however not all governance practices help firms in enhancing value. This empirical research examines impact of corporate governance practices on shareholders" value represented by earning per share of 243 listed firms on Pakistani Bourse. It ensued in the conclusion that overall corporate governance tends to have significant impact on earnings per share and reveals dichotomy of corporate governance practices based on direction of their association with share holders" value and terms them as value boosters and value dampers. It has also been found that pro-entrenchment practices tend to lower earnings per share in the listed firms either due to complacency or vested interests while rest of the practices help in enhancing value earned on each share thus endorsing the theoretical perspectives emanating out of agency and shareholder activism theories. This study emphasizes the significance of Board Attendance, Board Independence, Non-duality of CEOChairman Role for listed firms" value. It also shows that entrenchment acts like larger boards, directors" ownership, large block holders and disclosure of such ownership can adversely impact the firms" value and thus play a significant role in scaring away the potential investors who primarily look at earnings per share for buying of stocks of a particular company. It entails policy implications that implementation of counter-entrenchment regulations needs strengthening as the existing seem to have cosmetic effect. Identification and implementation of good governance practices can be best ensured when propagated in the perspective of value enhancement.

Pakistan has the lowest Female Labour Force Participation (FLFP) rate in the South Asian region. The study has used the latest round of Labor Force Survey 2014-15 and analyzed the individual and household factors that are associated with low FLFP in Pakistan. This study finds that there is less probability for urban women to take part in labor force activities. At national and regional level higher secondary and above levels of education have positive and significant relationship with FLFP whereas the situation is different for the four provinces of Pakistan. In case of Punjab province graduation and above levels of education are positively affiliated with FLFP, in Sind province higher secondary and above levels of education are positively associated with FLFP, in KPK province, matric and above levels of education are positively influencing FLFP decisions and in Baluchistan province primary and above levels of education are positively influencing women"s decisions to participate in labor force activities. Women living in joint family systems, non-migrated, recipient of technical or vocational trainings are also more likely to participate in labor force activities. The study provides useful insights for policy makers to formulate appropriate policies to increase FLFP rate in Pakistan.

Investigating rankings in the field of business education, we aim to examine field structuration process to understand how categories build symbolic value in an institutional field. We selected twenty reputed business schools from Pakistan and the United Kingdom (UK) through purposive sampling method. Adopting the concept of data triangulation, we gathered empirical evidences through interviews with business school marketing managers, academic experts in the field of marketing and reputation, and with industry experts. This data was further supplemented by variety of secondary sources such as internal student surveys, annual reports, newsletters and industry reports to perform a thematic analysis adopted in this study. Thematic analysis helped us to develop a model of institutional work and field level change by emphasizing on the key role categorization systems (rankings) in shaping perceptions of symbolic value (reputation). Our findings suggest, categorization tools create a contest at different levels. Consequently, it redefines the perception about value in the field. The current study may be useful for academia and Higher Education policy-makers by providing them with a theoretical understanding of categorization systems such as university rankings and the changing perception of value in the field.

The study aims to empirically investigate the applicability of the downside risk based Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) for four south Asian countries e.g. Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Fama-MacBeth methodology is used for monthly data from January 2007 to December 2017. The results partially supported the predictors of the model for all the four equity markets and can be concluded that the downside risk based CAPM better suits the emerging equity markets. All market players may be benefited with the results concluded in the study. The region have large similarities and the setup of the equity markets is also quite identical, making them suitable for an integrated stock market.

Firms business activities are focused on profit making. The cultural, technological, organizational, financial and operational challenges followed by different risks like market or credit risks make it difficult for firms to focus on their sole aim of earning profit. Previous studies have highlighted that market risk and credit risks have a significant influence on firm"s performance. However, prediction of credit risk from market risk has not been explored in Pakistan which this paper attempts by investigating the impact of market risk on credit risk of the following period. For this study, a panel data of 30 manufacturing firms was collected through random sampling technique from period 2005 to 2016. A regression model was estimated in Generalized Method of Momments and used a Hausman test to select fixed or random effects. Results of this study show that firms have 30% more current liabilities as compared to current assets and experience volatility in stock prices which increases the credit risks. However, research findings shows that firms have reasonable growth opportunities and profitability they can be used to reduce stock volatility and attain confidence of creditors in firms. The increase in leverage due to creditor"s confidence in firm indicates a decrease in credit risk. Overall the study shows the significantly negative impact of market risk on credit risk of the subsequent time period which specifies market risk may foresee credit risk of the following period and gives a new understanding for investors and policymakers to curb risks in investment decisions.

This research explores how ethical behavior of leaders influence employee engagement by enhancing the moral intensity of the employees. It also explores the impact that transparency of policies that a leader applies and decisions that he takes can have on the organizational citizenship of the employees. Two conceptual models are used to explore the constructs in light of social learning and social exchange theory. Data from 205 faculty members, working in higher education sector of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, was collected through structured questionnaires. Results revealed a considerable positive relation exists among ethical leadership and the organizational citizenship behavior of employees in an organization when mediated by moral intensity. Subsequently, significance is analyzed in ethical leadership and moral intensity when transparency moderated the relationship. The study contributes to the understanding of how perception of faculty members regarding their leaders’ ethical behavior can have an effect on the implementation of policies. It also explains the role of transparency of the ethical conduct in enhancing faculty’s performance and leading to the benefit of higher education institutions.

The study finds relationship between social and academic adjustments of BS students in University of Sargodha Pakistan. A sample of 550 BS students was selected from different departments through multistage random sampling. Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ) was adapted with permission to measure the social and academic adjustments of BS students which has acceptable value of reliability coefficient Cronbach Alpha 0.90 after analysis of pilot testing data. In this correlational study, data collected through survey were analysed using frequencies, percentages, means scores, standard deviation, t-test, and one-way ANOVA. The study finds majority of students have moderate level of social and academic adjustment; Male students have better social adjustment but both have equivalent academic adjustment; boarders have better social adjustment than day scholars, students of 2nd and 8 th semester had equal level of academic adjustment but 8 th semester students have better social adjustment than 2nd semester students. It is recommended that students are provided with the opportunities of group projects, seminars and guidance and counselling regarding values of university education.

This paper aims to analyze the institutional framework in Pakistan for disaster management and specific disaster management policies. This paper is also designed to develop an in-depth understanding of the key challenges that the communities of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan face in the wake of constantly reoccurring disasters. House-hold survey, observations and key informant interviews were conducted to analyze the preparedness, both at community and organizational levels. The findings point out that disaster management policies and mechanisms regarding preparedness are not implemented by both federal and state authorities at local level. Further, the local communities of AJK, Pakistan are susceptible to different kind of hazards related to disasters. The paper reveals that available federal/state mechanism of disasters do not meet the needs of community. All of the stakeholders including federal government institutions, state government institutions and local communities are not prepared. Thus, communities are continuously getting affected by natural disasters. The paper suggests that there is a dire need to improve the coordination between state and national agencies. Further, there is need to enhance community preparedness specifically in AJK, Pakistan to upgrade community"s defensive and awareness mechanism to safeguard citizens" lives in response to seismic emergency.

Language and advertising are interconnected and play a significant role in communicating a message directly or indirectly. Direct roles concern buying decisions of the consumers while indirect roles establish a lasting relation of consumer with the brand. This research studies the language of copywriting of advertising focusing its role in developing consumer-brand relationship. The research uses mix of quantitative and qualitative methods based on the framework of Laswells model of communication. The study uses content analysis for examination of the language of print advertisements and the consumer brand relationship. Survey is used as method of data collection from magazines including Akhbar e Jahan and MAG published by Jang group of newspapers. The study finds that figurative language style is used more in Pakistani print advertisements in comparison to literal language. Moreover, the results prove that the copy writing of print advertisements does play a significant role in developing consumer-brand relationship.

Divorce is the lawful form of dissolution of a marriage, which is permitted by Allah Almighty only in unavoidable unconducive conditions, hence it is still the most disliked act near to Him among lawful acts. The divorce has severe socio-psychological outcomes for stakeholders, particularly children from divorced spouses are at worst hit. Today"s children are the tomorrow"s vital human resource. The main objective of this research has been to analyze social and psychological impacts of divorce on the divorced spouses" children. Hypothesis of study was that parental divorce affects the children adversely in psycho-social terms. The universe selected for this study was province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A number of 30 respondents were purposively selected, while using non-probability sampling technique. The respondents were juveniles having their ages ranging between 5 years to less than 18 years; these juveniles" parents were divorced. The Interview was used as method of data collection. The results of study shows that parental divorce affect their juveniles in terms of parental loss associated with emotional and economic loss, stress in life, complex dynamics in relationships, social and psychological problems etc. It is recommended that every possible effort should be made to maintain the marital tie intact, and if in some case, Allah forbid, the divorce occurred, even then children should be supported by both parent, by society and by the state.

The language used in academic texts and pedagogy is referred as academic discourse. Being student and teacher, the researchers observed that mixing of home language with academic language was a common practice in many institutions. Some linguists appreciate it, while others resist it by claiming it detrimental to objectivity and neutrality. Chiang (2006) finds role of teacher’s discourse a determining factor in pedagogy. Current study was conducted to observe the phenomenon of hybridization in academic discourse and to assess it in the light of pragmatics. Pragmatic analysis is known as a useful method to infer covert and implicit meanings of language (Savignon, 2007) and the researchers deemed it appropriate for current research. The pragmatic analysis could provide a newer outlook on academic discourse. Data was collected through observation sheet from the classes. Questionnaire was also used to get relevant data from teachers. The findings revealed that teachers often relied on cultural and ideological underpinnings in their pedagogy. The individual conversational styles were also responsible for different mode of hybridization and subsequently reinforced diverse facet of discourse different in pragmatic nature. The data was first analyzed for hybridization followed by its pragmatic analysis. The study was important in the backdrop of one of many beliefs, that meaning never remains fixed and it resides in socio-cultural structures and lack of pragmatic knowledge among interlocutors impedes semantic proficiency. The study revealed utility of pragmatic competence in turning this mixing of discourses in a class into a continuum. It also found that knowledge of academic pragmatics could reinforce semantic proficiency.