PAKISTAN JOURNAL OF LAW, ANALYSIS AND WISDOM
Pakistan Journal of Law, Analysis and Wisdom (PJLAW) is a HEC Recognized multidisciplinary journal that provides a platform for researchers, scholars, and practitioners to publish high-quality research in the areas of law, social sciences, humanities, and Islamic banking and finance.
Supervisory Practices and Students’ Professional Development: An Empirical Study of Social Work Field Education in Punjab
Social work field education is considered the signature pedagogy which provides students with necessary opportunities to combine theoretical learning with the practice. Supervision is an important process in field work practice that can help social work students to attain professionalism. The present research analyzes how supervisory practices are used to improve the professional skills of social work students in Punjab, Pakistan. The current study is cross sectional in nature. By employing quantitative research technique 220 students of BS social work were selected from all the four public sector universities of Punjab where BS in social work was being offered. Proportionate random sampling method was applied to select the respondents and a standardized questionnaire was adapted for collection of data. Moreover, to determine the relationship between supervisory practices and development of professional skills, simple linear regression was applied. The results revealed that, supervisory practices were highly significant in terms of professional skills development among the students. The results highlighted that students demonstrated increased competency levels in many aspects e.g. time management, ethical decision making, communicating with clients, and applying theory to practice. With these findings in mind, it is advisable that the universities would establish structured and consistent coordination with field agencies and trainings of internal and external supervisors would facilitate the production of competent social work professionals in Pakistan.
Supervisory Practices, Professional skills Development, Field Education, time management, ethical decision-making, client communication.
Copyright (c) 2025 Navarah Fatima, Dr. Tahira Jabeen https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Factors Affecting Health Outcomes among Hepatitis Patients in Pakistan
This paper examined factors affecting health outcomes among hepatitis B and C Patients. The study analysed health literacy, cultural competence, disease related stigma, health practices, health behaviour, and media advocacy variables to see their effects on health outcome. This study recruited 399 hepatitis patients registered for the hepatitis treatment in three different public sector hospitals. The study revealed that three independent variables health literacy, cultural competence, and disease related stigma has direct effects on health-related outcomes among hepatitis patients. It has also been found that health practices and health behaviour has been playing role of path variable to affect the patient related health outcomes.
Health Literacy, Health Practices, Cultural Competence, Disease Related Stigma, Health Behaviour, Health outcomes, Hepatitis
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Aminullah, Dr. Akhlaq Ahmad, Dr Zaheer Abbas https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Tracing the Durand Line: Assessing the International Border between Pakistan and Afghanistan
The Durand Line, marking the international border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, was established in 1893 through an agreement between the British Indian government and Afghanistan’s ruler, Amir Abdur Rahman Khan. Its purpose was to define spheres of influence and maintain stability in a complex region. The agreement was later confirmed in 1905, 1919, and 1930 by successive Afghan rulers, which reinforced its legal and administrative validity. Despite this, after Pakistan gained independence in 1947, Afghanistan began to challenge the legitimacy of the Durand Line. Afghanistan argued that territories west of the line, reaching up to the Indus River, had historically been part of its empire and therefore should remain under Afghan sovereignty. These claims were frequently raised in international discussions, with Afghanistan suggesting that the agreement no longer held after the end of British rule. Pakistan has consistently rejected these claims, asserting that the Durand Line remains a recognised international border. The government stresses that historical treaties, supported by decades of administrative practice, confirm its status. Beyond legal arguments, the dispute carries human and social dimensions, as the line divides Pashtun communities across both sides, creating challenges for local populations and regional security.This research paper aims to explore the Durand Line in depth, examining its historical origins, legal standing, and political implications. By reviewing archival treaties, official confirmations, and the perspectives of both Pakistan and Afghanistan, the study seeks to provide a balanced, evidence-based understanding. The goal is to clarify whether the Durand Line can be regarded as the established international frontier or if Afghanistan’s objections have historical and legal weight. In doing so, the paper attempts to present not just a legal analysis but also the human and regional realities tied to this longstanding border dispute.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ayesha Asim https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Framing Of Political Parties in Urdu Press of Pakistan: A Comparative Study of General Elections 2013 & 2018
This study centers on the framing of politics major parties in the Urdu press of Pakistan during the polls of 2013 and 2018 by means of a comparative analysis and the newspapers' role in constructing political narratives, shaping public opinion and influencing electoral discourse. Political Communication and Framing Theory are the bases for the research which employs a quantitative content analysis of news reports, editorials, and columns of opinion from leading Urdu dailies like Jang, Nawa-i-Waqt, and Express Issue framing, attribution framing, and valence framing are the different dimensions through which the study is revealing the turning points in the media portrayal of the elections in the two different periods. The results indicate that the Urdu press in the election of 2013 preferred establishment narratives that were friendly and offered relatively positive coverage for a few parties and at the same time portraying others through themes of governance being incompetent or weak. However, the polarisation of the 2018 election coverage was extreme as accusations of corruption, debates on accountability, and perceptions of economic stability were the main factors that determined the political identity of the major actors. These transformations have shown that the press had a hand in political realities being created rather than just reporting events neutrally. The media did increase political awareness but also amplified partisan divides and through selective framing, alternative political voices were pushed to the margins. The research emphasizes the double effect of political framing in the Urdu press: on the one hand, it increased democratic participation and, on the other hand, it allowed for narrative manipulation and political bias. Providing a rare longitudinal comparison of two major election races, the study contributes to the academic knowledge of the media–politics interactions in Pakistan and indicates a need for journaling neutrality and media literacy training to ensure that democratic participation is based on informed choices.
Media Framing, Urdu Press, Political Communication, General Elections 2013, General Elections 2018, Political Parties, Valence Framing, Issue Framing, Pakistan Media, Electoral Narratives.
Copyright (c) 2025 Sadam Hussain, Dr. Abdul Wajid Khan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
From Structural Violence to Legal Accountability: Realising Article 19 of the CRC in Pakistan
This article critically examines Pakistan's persistent failure to fulfil its binding obligations under Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989, which requires protection from all forms of physical and mental violence. More than three decades after ratification, violence persist in homes, schools, workplaces, communities and online. Using General Comment No. 13 (2011) as the interpretive lens, the article undertake a doctrinal and policy analysis of constitutional and statutory text, case law, and institutional reports, and assesses practice against the four interlocking pillars of prohibition, prevention, protection and participation. It identifies three entrenched flaws sustaining non- compliance: 1) legislative fragmentation between federal and provincial regimes ; 2) weak, under-resourced institutions compounded by chronic fiscal neglect; and 3) socio-cultural norms that legitimize corporal punishment, child labour, early marriage, and other harmful practices. Empirical data underscores both prevalence and long-term public health harms. The article concludes with a rights- based reform agenda centered on absolute legal bans, prevention-first strategies, survivor-centred services, mandatory training for all professional working with children, meaningful child participation,and ring-fenced public financing.
CRC; Article 19; General Comment No. 13 (2011); Violence against children; Pakistan; Corporal punishment.
Copyright (c) 2025 Qurat-ul-Ain, Dr. Samia Maqbool Niazi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The International Clearing House (ICH) as a Case Study in Regulatory Overlap and Jurisdictional Conflict in Pakistan: A Critical Evaluation
This article addresses an important and complex issue in Pakistani regulatory law: the jurisdictional overlap between sectorial regulators using the International Clearing House (ICH) case as a test scenario. This paper critically examines the issue of regulatory overlap and jurisdictional conflict in Pakistan by using the International Clearing House (ICH) case as a lens through which to assess the boundaries between the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and sector-specific regulators, particularly the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). Drawing upon doctrinal legal analysis, the study explores the extent to which the Competition Act, 2010 should prevail over sectoral regulatory statutes when both claim concurrent jurisdiction. It reviews the ICH arrangement initiated by PTA and supported by the Ministry of Information Technology (MoIT) and deliberates upon the comparison of the powers of the Competition Commission of Pakistan viz-a-viz all other regulatory authorities prevailing in the country and also scrutinizes the conflicts of law between the regulatory statutes that are all concurrently applicable. It deliberates upon the question of the prevailing law in these circumstances in terms of being the most suitable to be applicable so as to avoid any conflict of both statute and jurisdiction. It critically evaluates the decision of the Competition Commission of Pakistan in regards to the proposed International Housing Clearance Exchange (ICH) Arrangement. The main findings of this article are that the Commission is the primary regulatory authority that exclusively deals with matters regarding unfair competition practices. However, in certain matters, it may share jurisdiction with other regulatory authorities such as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. When it came to the matter of the ICH Exchange Arrangement as an alternative to paying Access Promotion Contributions to the Universal Service Fund, it was given a regulatory framework via the Ministry of Information Technology’s Policy Directive dated 13th August 2012, however so as to comply with the recommendations of the PTA and also due to the decision of the Commission deeming it detrimental to fair marketing practices as it was undoubtedly creating a cartel, the MoIT revised the original regulatory scheme by issuing its Policy Directive dated 17th June 2014. The methodology used in this paper is doctrinal.
Corporate Law, Commercial Law, Competition Commission of Pakistan, International Clearing House, Long Distance International Operators, Access Promotion Contribution, Universal Service Fund, Regulatory Overlap, Policy Coordination, Cartelization.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Ayub Bhatti , Dr. Muhammad Akbar Khan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Jurisprudential Status of Digital Evidence in Pakistan while Courts’ Interpretation of Article 164, Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984
This study investigates the jurisprudential status and evidentiary value of digital evidence within Pakistan’s legal framework, focusing on judicial interpretation of Article 164 of the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984. The research explores how courts have responded to the challenges posed by electronic and digital evidence in both criminal and civil proceedings. Using a qualitative doctrinal approach, it examines relevant legislation, including the Electronic Transactions Ordinance 2002 and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016, alongside significant judicial precedents. The study finds that while Pakistani courts have gradually recognized the admissibility of electronic evidence under Article 164, they remain cautious in granting it the same probative value as traditional forms of evidence. Issues such as authentication, chain of custody, and forensic verification continue to influence judicial attitudes. The paper concludes that although legislative recognition has evolved, procedural shortcomings and limited technical expertise hinder the consistent application of digital evidence as primary proof. It recommends judicial training, forensic capacity-building, and clearer evidentiary standards to ensure effective integration of digital evidence in Pakistan’s legal system. This article examines how Pakistani courts have treated digital/electronic evidence under Article 164 of the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order QSO, 1984. It traces statutory and regulatory developments including ETO 2002 and PECA 2016, analyses leading judicial decisions to determine whether digital evidence is now treated as primary or secondary evidence and assesses jurisprudential trends and evidentiary standards applied by trial and superior courts. The article concludes with doctrinal observations and pragmatic recommendations to strengthen the probative value and procedural handling of digital evidence in Pakistan.
Digital evidence, Electronic Evidence; Article 164, Qanun-e-Shahadat Order 1984, ETO 2002, PECA 2016, Pakistan, Admissibility; Probative Value.
Copyright (c) 2025 Fazail Asrar Ahmed https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Lawyers, Justice, and Power: A Historical Evolution of the Legal Profession in Pakistan
This paper critically examines the historical evolution of Pakistan’s legal profession through the intersecting dimensions of justice, authority, and professional identity, tracing its journey from the moral pluralism of Islamic and customary law to the codified and bureaucratic order forged under British colonialism. In the precolonial era, Qazi courts and local councils functioned as moral communities grounded in ethical learning and communal legitimacy rather than coercive authority. Colonial rule disrupted this order through Anglo Muhammadan law, transforming the Qazi into an administrative agent and confining Islamic law to the private realm. From this emerged a new class of English trained lawyers who served both empire and resistance, exemplified by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who turned legal discourse into a tool of political emancipation. After 1947, the courts repeatedly legitimized executive dominance and martial interventions, embedding elite power at the heart of law while oscillating between reform and complicity. The Lawyers’ Movement of 2007–2009 briefly revived law’s moral conscience, converting the courtroom into a space of collective defiance, though its aftermath fostered judicial populism and institutional overreach. Drawing on Gramsci’s notion of hegemony and Bourdieu’s concept of legal capital, the paper argues that Pakistan’s legal field remains caught between the promise of justice and entrenched elite power. Yet emerging reformist lawyers in digital rights, environmental accountability, and gender inclusion signal a fragile moral renewal. True decolonization lies in democratizing the Bar, genderifying the Bench, and restoring law’s ethical purpose as a living pursuit of justice.
Legal Profession in Pakistan, Judicial Power and Constitutionalism, Rule of Law and Hybrid Regimes, Lawyers’ Movement (2007–2009), Judicial Activism and Political Legitimacy
Copyright (c) 2025 Khalid Iqbal Sandhu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Empowering Pakistani Women through Education: A Mixed-Method Exploration of Psychological Strength and Resilience
This study addresses the critical issue of enhancing women's psychological empowerment through education in Dir Lower, Pakistan, where deeply entrenched socio-cultural norms and gender disparities persist. The research explores how education acts as a catalyst for empowering women in terms of security, independence, competence, self-determination, motivation, and resilience, within a challenging societal context. Dir Lower, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, exemplifies a society where traditional gender roles often hinder women's access to education and opportunities. This research aims to investigate how education, despite these constraints, can empower women in Dir Lower to navigate life's challenges confidently. The unique challenges faced by women in Dir Lower, including limited access to quality education, cultural norms, and gender-based violence, make this problem particularly critical. Understanding how education affects these dimensions of psychological empowerment is essential for improving the well-being and empowerment of women in this region. This research adopts a mixed-methods approach, using quantitative analyses like the Chi-square test, correlation analysis, and regression analysis to establish the relationship between education and psychological empowerment. Qualitative in-depth interviews provide insights into women's personal experiences regarding education's impact on their empowerment. The findings reveal that education plays a central and multifaceted role in promoting women's psychological empowerment in Dir Lower. Quantitative data offer robust statistical evidence, while qualitative narratives deepen our understanding of how education influences empowerment. Policy implications include increased investment in girls' education, creating safe and inclusive learning environments, community engagement, teacher training, financial incentives, mentorship, life skills education, community-based support services, collaboration with NGOs, data collection, and digital literacy. Implementing these policies can transform education into a powerful tool for enhancing women's psychological empowerment, fostering gender equality, and contributing to more empowered and resilient communities in Dir Lower, Pakistan.
Education, Sense of Security, Self-Determination, Autonomy, Resilience, Women Psychological Empowerment.
Copyright (c) 2025 Umar Daraz, Aziz ul Hakim, Ibrahim, Zakir Hussain, Mohammad Hussain https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Comparative and Critical Analysis of the Offences in Islamic and English Criminal Law
There have been debates and discussions globally, which is ongoing, over the nature of rights and obligations under Islamic criminal justice systems, particularly when it comes to Human Rights law as developed in the west. If we take a closer look we find that over the centuries there has been a gradual paradigm shift in the western jurisprudence while enlisting rights, obligations and offenses including those against God. Whereas, Islamic legal history never witnessed throughout its age of one and a half millennium such a shift in the Muslim jurists’ writings as regards rights, obligations and offenses particularly those against God. Moreover, it is interesting to note that offenses against God do not mean in Islamic criminal law what they mean in English law of crimes. In Islamic law they mean violation of the rights of Allah Almighty which are in fact not ‘God-centric’ rather they belong to His servants although He attributes violation of such rights as offenses against Himself. Thus, this article attempts to compare the nature and classifications of offenses and their legal effects on Islamic and English criminal law so as to better understand the scheme of rights and obligations in both the legal systems.
Law, Islamic Law, Offence, Right, Obligation, Jurisprudence, Classifications
Copyright (c) 2025 Tauheed Ullah Siddiqui, Zeeshan Adhi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Protecting Journalists and Media Workers in International Labor Law Framework:A Critical Appraisal of Pakistan’s Compliance and Challenges
The media landscape in Pakistan has undergone exponential transformation since the turn of the millennium, witnessing a massive expansion in human resources, particularly following the deregulation of electronic media licensing in 2002. While the number of working journalists and media workers surged from approximately 28,000 in 2002 to an estimated 250,000 by 2018, the legal framework governing their employment remains archaic and fragmented. The primary legislation, the Newspapers Employees (Conditions of Service) Act (NECOSA), 1973, is narrowly tailored only to print media employees, creating a massive regulatory vacuum for workers in the expansive electronic and burgeoning digital/internet-based media sectors. This article critically appraises Pakistan's domestic legal architecture, its compliance with fundamental international Labour related obligations (specifically ILO Conventions 87 and 98), and highlights the systemic shortcomings related to the precarious state of rights for the gig workers, lack of gender inclusivity, and compromised implementation mechanisms. Through a detailed analysis of NECOSA's structural flaws, the judicial interpretation of 'workman,' and a study of comparative regional and international best practices, the article concludes by urging immediate, comprehensive legislative reform to establish a holistic, sector-wide labour protection framework for all media workers, thereby upholding the guarantees of fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. The continued failure to update this framework institutionalizes labour apartheid in a sector vital to democratic discourse.
Media Workers , Right to Association, Technology Based Workers, Labour Law, ILO
Copyright (c) 2023 Dr. Abdur Rauf Khatana https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
A Stylistic Analysis of If They Come in the Morning by Warsan Shire
The poetry of Warsan Shire expresses the themes of displacement, fear and survival using novel rhetoric and poetic elements. The poem If They Come in the Morning is both emotionally charged and politically impractical in marginalized experiences, which explains its intriguing nature as an object of stylistic investigation. This study seeks to determine the stylistic devices used in the poem by Shire and determine how rhythm, imagery, and repetition create the concepts of survival, resistance, and fear. The poem was examined using a qualitative stylistic framework with close reading using the theory of stylistics by Leech and Short (2007) and Halliday (1971) to get the relationship of linguistic form and meaning. The discussion indicated that imagery and vulnerability, repetition and fear turning into resistance, and rhythm and emotional turbulence were reflected to create poetics of survival. The study comes to a conclusion that the stylistic decisions made by Shire go beyond aestheticism and make language a potent instrument of defiance and self-defense.
Stylistic analysis, If They Come in the Morning, survival, resistance, fear, Warsan Shire
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Tabassum Iqbal, Dr. Nazia Anwar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Resistance, Power and Ideology in Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: A Critical Discourse Analysis
Half of a Yellow Sun by Adichie is a sociopolitical narrative of postcolonial Nigeria in which the author reveals the impact of the colonial past, hierarchical classes, and patriarchy on human life. Adichie builds a story that defies the ideological domination by literature as a weapon of resistance and through the use of language and representation. This study explores the discursive practices of Adichie by building narratives of resistance, power, and ideology and it also explores the way Adichie is representing class hierarchy, colonialism, and patriarchy in the text. Using the Critical Discourse Analysis model by Fairclough (2013), the study uses the thematic analysis to analyze linguistic patterns, characterization and ideological discourse throughout the narrative framework of the novel. It can be seen that Adichie counters colonial and patriarchal authority by means of code-switching, expressiveness of indigenous cultures, and female agency, and discloses internal hierarchies in the postcolonial Nigeria. This study concludes that Half of a Yellow Sun is a discursive performance of decolonization in which Adichie makes language one of the spaces of power and resistance and ideological change.
Resistance, Power, Ideology, Half of a Yellow, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Ideological Power Structures and Gendered Voices: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie
Language is a strong tool of constructing ideology and gender relations. Burnt Shadows (2009) by Kamila Shamsie is an intricate exploration of the intersection of the colonial, patriarchal, and war-related issues and the power structures prevailing or challenged by discourse. This study seeks to find the discursive methods employed in forming ideological and gendered discourses in Burnt Shadows as well as to understand how the female voice can be seen to oppose or go against these power structures. This qualitative study, based on the thematic analyses of linguistic patterns, narrative positioning and intertextuality decovers the ideological implications inherent in the text through the means of the Critical Discourse Analysis used by Fairclough (2013) and the socio-cognitive approach by van Dijk (1993). In the analysis, the language of Shamsie replicates and opposes hegemonic ideologies. Although the female characters have been ideologically silenced, they regain agency using memory, empathy and cross-cultural solidarity. The study finds that Burnt Shadows transforms discourse into a place of resistance and conveys how discourse of gendered voices can challenge the dominance of ideologies by the use of linguistic and emotional action.
Ideological Power Structures, Gendered Voices, Cda, Burnt Shadows, Kamila Shamsie
The Role of Online News in Shaping Voting Behaviour in Pakistan: A Uses and Gratification Theory Perspective
In recent years, democratic societies, including Pakistan, have increasingly turned to online news as a primary source of information on political issues. This paper investigates the gratification derived from online news consumption among Pakistani voters and its implications for the political landscape. The study examines how information seeking, social utility, guidance/judgment, and personal fulfillment —key dimensions of the Uses and Gratification theory — influence voting decisions in the April 2024 elections of Pakistan. A survey was conducted with a sample of 300 voters who cast their votes in major urban cities across Pakistan, employing convenience and purposive sampling methods. The data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4.0. The findings reveal that online news serves as a significant predictor of voting behaviour, with guidance/judgment being the most influential factor (β = 0.412, p < 0.001), explaining 64.7% of the variance in vote choice. The study demonstrates that Pakistani voters who seek guidance through online news are 2.5 times more likely to make informed voting decisions compared to those who rely solely on traditional media. Furthermore, the research establishes that social utility derived from online news platforms significantly enhances political participation, with users showing higher engagement in electoral processes. The study underscores the potential for the government and political parties to leverage online media for public outreach and policy advocacy. Future research should consider a longitudinal approach to capture changes in voter behaviour over time.
Online News Consumption, Uses and Gratification Theory, Voting Behaviour, Political Communication, Digital Media Influence
Copyright (c) 2025 Amna Zulqarnain, Dr. Mumtaz Aini Binti Alivi, Dr. Wajid Zulqarnain https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Green Criminology, Climate Change and Corporate Consequences in Pakistan:Need for Policy & Legislative Reforms
This study explores the intersection of green criminology, climate change, and corporate accountability in Pakistan, highlighting the urgent need for policy and legislative reforms. As one of the most climate-vulnerable nations, Pakistan faces escalating environmental harms ranging from industrial pollution and resource depletion to catastrophic floods driven in large part by corporate practices and weak regulatory enforcement. The purpose of this research is to examine how green criminology can reframe these harms as not only regulatory violations but as crimes against ecosystems, communities, and future generations. The research design adopts a doctrinal and analytical approach, drawing upon statutory frameworks such as the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997, the National Climate Change Policy 2012, provincial environmental laws, and comparative international practices, complemented by case-based illustrations of corporate-driven environmental harm. Findings indicate that Pakistan’s current legal regime is fragmented, punitive measures are inadequate, and corporate liability remains weak. The study concludes that targeted reforms such as stricter liability provisions, mandatory climate risk disclosures, specialized environmental courts, and integration of environmental enforcement with financial regulation are essential to strengthen corporate accountability and align governance with climate resilience and ecological justice. This article applies a green criminology lens to Pakistan’s climate crisis and corporate behaviour, arguing that corporate-driven environmental harms are a major driver of ecological degradation and climate vulnerability in Pakistan. After mapping the legal and institutional framework (federal and provincial), reviewing empirical patterns of environmental harm and corporate practices including resource-extractive projects and pollution, and identifying enforcement gaps, the paper proposes targeted policy and legislative reforms to strengthen corporate accountability, close regulatory gaps, and align Pakistan’s legal regime with climate resilience and ecological justice goals.
Environmental Governance, Corporate Liability, Ecological Justice, Climate Vulnerability, Regulatory Enforcement, Environmental Crime, Legislative Reform, Sustainability Policy, Public Interest Litigation
Freedom of Speech vs. Online Hate Speech: A Human Rights Dilemma in the Digital Public Sphere
The rapid expansion of the digital public sphere has reshaped the exercise of free expression, allowing voices across the globe to participate in political, cultural, and social discourse. Yet, the same openness has fuelled the rise of online hate, ranging from cyberbullying and misogynistic trolling to racist propaganda and extremist mobilization. This article investigates the human rights dilemma that arises when freedom of speech collides with the imperative to protect individuals and communities from discriminatory harm. Drawing on international legal instruments, constitutional provisions, and comparative jurisprudence, the study examines how different jurisdictions and digital platforms navigate this conflict. The research adopts a qualitative design based on doctrinal analysis of case law, international treaties, and regulatory frameworks, supplemented by critical review of policy documents and platform governance practices. Findings reveal that overbroad restrictions risk chilling legitimate speech, while under-regulation entrenches inequality and silences vulnerable groups. The article concludes that a balanced, human rights–cantered approach grounded in proportionality, accountability, and international cooperation is essential to safeguard democratic discourse while curbing the escalating harms of online hate in the digital era. The digital age has transformed the way individuals exercise freedom of expression, expanding the reach and immediacy of communication. However, the same platforms that enable global dialogue also to facilitate the spread of online hate, harassment, and discriminatory content. This article critically examines the tension between protecting free speech and addressing online hate in the digital public sphere, situating the debate within international human rights law, constitutional frameworks, and contemporary policy debates. By analysing case law, regulatory approaches, and ethical dilemmas, it argues for a nuanced balance that safeguards democratic discourse while mitigating the harms caused by digital hate speech.
Digital Rights, Content Moderation, Human Dignity, Cyber Governance, Algorithmic Amplification, International Human Rights Law, Platform Accountability, Democratic Discourse, Discrimination and Equality, Regulatory Frameworks.
Copyright (c) 2025 Humaira Meer, Muhammad Nawaz, Dr. Sami Ur Rahman https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
A Critical Appraisal of Mechanisms to Expedite Disposal of Litigation in Pakistan
The litigation before the court of first instance generally involved production and examination of evidence on issues and judgment by the court after a full-fledged exercise of trial through the prescribed procedure. Any party resorting to litigation has to inevitably fulfill the procedural requirements while the courts also ensure procedural adherence under the general law of the land. The presence of procedure establishes fairness and eliminates arbitrariness in adjudication. At the same time, the procedure or its technicalities could not be stretched to hinder the course of justice and adjudication of cases on merits. But the necessity of fulfilling the procedural requisites and going through the agony of trial entails time and expense involved in evidence giving, which are usually hard to bear by the majority of litigants. Considering such implications, the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 has laid down certain mechanisms available either before or at various stages of trial to expedite the disposal of litigation. The pre-trial mechanisms prevent citizens from frivolous litigation and disposal of cases through such mechanisms does not always mean decisions on merits. Generally, these mechanisms are available to save the genuine litigants from the agony of trial and protracted litigation at the hands of parties exploiting the law and its processes. The mechanisms available during trial expedite disposal of cases provided these mechanisms are applied in a simple and systematic manner. However, the question particularly to be answered is the efficacy of both the kinds of mechanisms and their role to expedite the disposal of litigation in Pakistan. Thus, critical appraisal of such mechanisms is necessary to answer such question and truly understand the implications of such mechanisms.
Pre-Trial Process, ADR, Expeditious Disposal, Jurisprudence, Virtual attendance, Evidence
Copyright (c) 2025 Farhana Aziz Rana, Dr. Amir Mahmood Chaudhry, Dr. Naveed-ur-Rehman, Asma Rehman https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Association among Social-Emotional Learning Competencies and Academic Engagement of Undergraduate University Students
Social-emotional learning skillshave been an issue of concern particularly in the higher education. The study amined to investigate the relationship between social-emotional learning and academic engagement of university students at the undergraduate level. It has been identified that SELC such as self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship, and responsible decision-making abilities are essential in academic and personal development of the students. Academic engagement, having behavioural, emotional and cognitive aspects, is one of the important predictors of the learning outcomes and overall performance of the students in higher education. The quantitative research design was used, and an adaptive questionnaire was used. 400 undergraduate students (out of the total population of University of Sargodha) were the sample. The SPSS was used to analyze the data. The general analysis of the research was that the relationship between SEL competencies and academic engagement was significantly positive, which meant that the students with more advanced SEL skills are more likely to exhibit their engagement in academic activities. The research recommended that the universities need to incorporate social-emotional learning competencies in curriculum to increase student academic engagement since the students who participated in their learning are more likely to achieve high academic performance.
Social-Emotional Learning Competencies, Academic Engagement, Undergraduate Students, Higher Education.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mahnoor, Sahibzada Shamim-ur-Rasul , Mushtaq Ahmed Malik https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Beyond Incrementalism: The Case for a National Tax Agency and Fundamental Institutional Reform in Developing Countries' Revenue Administrations in Pakistan
The persistent fiscal instability in developing countries, particularly Pakistan, underscores the limitations of fragmented and incremental tax reforms. This paper, “Beyond Incrementalism: The Case for a National Tax Agency and Fundamental Institutional Reform in Developing Countries’ Revenue Administrations (with a Focus on Pakistan),” argues that Pakistan’s enduring revenue crisis—characterized by a chronically low tax-to-GDP ratio, entrenched corruption, administrative inefficiency, and political interference—cannot be resolved through piecemeal changes. It proposes the establishment of an autonomous and unified National Tax Agency (NTA) as a transformative institutional reform capable of addressing these systemic weaknesses. Drawing on comparative case studies from Uganda, Rwanda, and Singapore, the paper demonstrates that operational independence, financial autonomy, and professionalization are critical to effective tax administration. The study further explores the constitutional, institutional, and political economy challenges facing such reform in Pakistan, particularly in light of the 18th Amendment and landmark judicial interpretations concerning fiscal federalism, such as Messers Sui Southern Gas Company Limited v. Federation of Pakistan (2018 SCMR 802). It argues that a carefully designed NTA—aligned with constitutional principles and equipped with transparent governance, technological modernization, and merit-based staffing—could significantly expand Pakistan’s tax base, mobilize up to Rs. 8 trillion in potential federal revenue and foster public trust and compliance. Ultimately, the paper concludes that Pakistan must move “beyond incrementalism” toward disruptive institutional transformation in its revenue administration. Establishing a National Tax Agency is not merely an administrative reform; it is a necessary step toward fiscal autonomy, economic resilience, and sustainable national development.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Pakistan, Companies Act 2017, Corporate Governance, Ethical Practices
Copyright (c) 2025 Shaheryar Malik , Asim Mahmood, Shahid Javed Iqbal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Climate Change and State Responsibility; Critical Analysis of International Dynamics and Implications of Environmental Laws for Pakistan
This research proposal critically examines the intersection of climate change and state responsibility, with a specific focus on the international dynamics and implications of environmental laws for Pakistan. While global agreements such as the Paris Agreement highlight the shared but differentiated responsibilities of states, the operationalization of these commitments remains uneven. Pakistan, despite contributing minimally to global emissions, ranks among the most vulnerable nations to climate change impacts, including floods, droughts, and heatwaves. This proposal aims to analyze international climate negotiations, evaluate Pakistan’s legal and institutional responses, and assess the challenges in aligning domestic environmental laws with international obligations. The research will employ a qualitative and doctrinal legal methodology, supported by case studies and comparative analysis, to identify gaps in implementation and propose pathways for strengthening climate governance. The findings will contribute to climate policy debates, enhance legal scholarship on state responsibility, and provide actionable recommendations for Pakistan’s sustainable development and resilience.
Climate Change, State Responsibility, Environmental Laws, Pakistan, International Dynamics, Climate Governance, Sustainable Development
Copyright (c) 2025 Saqib Aziz Sani, Muhammad Arslan, Fiaz Ahmed, Naeem Khan, Tariq Hussain Khan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Feminist Praxis and Pedagogical Approaches in Higher Education in Pakistan
This study critically examines the intersection of feminist praxis and pedagogical approaches in higher education in Pakistan, exploring how feminist ideas of inclusivity, empowerment, and reflexivity are integrated within teaching and learning processes. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study employs content analysis of secondary data drawn from peer-reviewed journal articles, policy documents, and academic publications, and selected 113 published research documents through purposive sampling. The analysis situates feminist pedagogy within Pakistan's socio-cultural and institutional context, marked by patriarchal norms, hierarchical relations, and structural inequalities that shape both educational practices and gendered experiences in academia. The findings reveal that the formal implementation of feminist pedagogy remains limited; however, individual educators and scholars are progressively engaging in contextualized feminist praxis, often reframed in culturally acceptable terms, such as gender sensitivity, inclusive teaching, or empowerment-based learning. The study concludes that feminist praxis in Pakistani higher education is a gradual but significant movement toward educational democratization. It underscores the urgent need for institutional reforms, gender-sensitive pedagogical training, and curriculum development that embed feminist principles across disciplines, thereby providing a roadmap for future action.
Feminist Pedagogy, Feminist Praxis, Higher Education, Gender and Education, Critical Pedagogy
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Shoaib, Shamshad Rasool, Muhammad Adnan Zaman https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Digital Dialogue: Unpacking the Language Shift and Investigation of the Social Media effecting the Communication Skills
The development of social media sites has brought a fundamental change to the communication dynamics affecting the way people use language and affect communication skills in significant ways. This thesis will examine the complex nature of the influence of social media on communication with regard to its effect on the development of language, communication patterns, digital literacy, and identity formation. This study examines how social media sites facilitate condensed and informal language style, promote visual and multimodal participations, and hasten the development of new linguistic norms by synthesizing current body of knowledge on this topic and empirical studies. It also discusses issues about the effects on the formal writing ability, creating echo chambers, and the polarization of opinions. The paper highlights the value of comprehending digital conversation to maneuver its effects on language proficiency and interpersonal communication successfully in modern society.
Digital Conversation, New World Media, Effectiveness in Communication., Digital Literacy, Evolution of Language, Digital Conversation
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. M. Qamar Zaman Baber, Dr Syed Ali Hassan Shah, Asif Arshad, Sadam Hussain https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Trends and Paradoxes of Gender in Higher Education in Pakistan
This study examines gender trends and paradoxes in Pakistani higher education, with a focus on access, participation, and outcomes. One key paradox is that, although female university enrolment has grown rapidly at times surpassing that of males in certain fields, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles and are concentrated in feminized disciplines. This progress is accompanied by persistent contradictions. Female students frequently excel academically but remain underrepresented in leadership roles, disproportionately concentrated in feminized disciplines, and constrained in translating educational attainment into meaningful labor market participation. Another paradox is that increased education for women does not consistently translate into strong labor market participation. The study uses human capital theory, gender role theory, feminist institutionalism, intersectionality, the capability approach, and Bourdieu’s ideas. Thus, higher education acts as a source of both empowerment and inequality: structural barriers, patriarchal norms, and institutional practices limit women’s agency even as opportunities expand. The findings underscore a persistent paradox: women have more opportunities, yet gender hierarchies persist. Achieving genuine equality require reforms beyond increased access, with direct measures to challenge cultural barriers, institutional biases, and structural inequalities.
Gender, Higher Education, Bourdieu, Gender Inequality, Students
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Shoaib , Shamshad Rasool, Shamraiz Iqbal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The Influence of Self-Efficacy on Academic Output of Undergraduate Student
Students have to face various kinds of situations and problems during their studies in universities. Among these problems, the more dropout ration and low academic performance are prominent one across the world. To deal with these problems universities need to focus on pupil centered teaching strategies and researches has suggested that self-efficacy play a coping role in in students to avoid the academic dropout and low academic performance. The main goal of this study was to check the influence of academic self-efficacy on the academic output of university students. This research follow quantitative method with descriptive survey research design. All undergraduate students of the University of Mianwali was considered as population. Furthermore, sample of the study was students from departments of faculty of social sciences and faculty of arts and humanities. The convenient sampling technique was utilized in the current study. An general self-efficacy scale was adopted in the current study. Demographic information was also gathered along with the scale. The Cronbach’s alpha value revealed that the research tool was reliable. Data was collected by using both methods i.e., online and physical. Mean, standard deviation, correlation and regression analysis techniques were used for the data analysis. The result revealed an insignificant association among self-efficacy and academic output of students. The influence was also insignificant on the academic output of students. The results of the current study recommend that universities need to focus on the awareness of the students regarding their potential abilities and in this way the academic output of students may raise.
Academic, Self-Efficacy, Student, Academic Output, Undergraduates
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Rahat Yasmeen, Dr. Sehrish Naseer https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Orbital Commons or Neo-Colonial Frontier; A New Paradigm of Stellar Stewardship
The increasing push to exploit outer space resources has reignited fundamental questions about sovereignty, equity, and stewardship beyond Earth. Is outer space to remain an “orbital common” held in trust for all humankind, or is it becoming a neo-colonial frontier dominated by those with the means to stake early claims? This paper confronts that dilemma, arguing for a new paradigm of stellar stewardship that reimagines space governance through equity and collective custodianship. Current international space law, anchored in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty (OST), proclaims lofty principles that the exploration and use of space shall be “for the benefit and in the interests of all countries” and that space is the “province of all mankind”. Yet in practice, these ideals have been undermined by hegemonic powers and private actors pursuing unilateral advantages. The failure of the 1979 Moon Agreement, which declared the Moon’s resources the “common heritage of mankind”, underscores deep divisions between visions of space as a shared legacy and as a realm for competitive exploitation. This article takes a highly analytical and doctrinal approach, enriched by novel theoretical interpretations, to examine how outer space governance has evolved amid power imbalances. It interrogates the OST, the Moon Agreement, and emerging customary norms, alongside critical perspectives from Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL), postcolonial theory, and indigenous legal traditions. The analysis reveals how colonial-era dynamics persist in space law, through the exclusion of Global South voices in lawmaking and the framing of space as terra nullius ripe for conquest, thus threatening to repeat on the “final frontier” the inequities of earlier eras. This paper critically assesses how hegemonic actors (predominantly Global North states and corporations) have undermined the Common Heritage of Mankind (CHM) principle, and how the failure of the Moon Treaty can be attributed to systemic marginalization of the Global South and the erasure of indigenous cosmologies. Building on this critique, the paper proposes an alternative framework for space resource stewardship grounded in indigenous and customary law principles. This proposed regime emphasizes intergenerational equity, collective rights, and planetary custodianship, seeking to align space governance with the values of communities historically attuned to sustainable resource management. Structurally, the discussion is organized into distinct but intersecting parts. First, a literature review outlines the development of space law and commentary on its gaps, as well as theoretical frameworks that inform this study.
Common Heritage Principle, Third World Approaches to International Law, Space Resource Governance, Indigenous Stewardship Regimes, Decolonial Institutional Design, Artemis Accords, International Space Governance Regime.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ghalib Naseer , Noe Maurice Bhurgri https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Impact of Technostress and Digital Health Awareness on Academic Burnout: Examining the Mediating Role of Sleep Quality among University Students
In the era of digitalization, university students are becoming affected more and more The rapid digitalization of higher education has increased reliance on technology but also introduced psychological and behavioral challenges such as technostress, poor sleep, and burnout. This study investigated the effects of technostress and digital health awareness (DHA) on academic burnout among university students, with sleep quality examined as a potential mediator. Grounded in Cognitive Load Theory and the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model, a cross-sectional design was employed with 400 students from the University of Sargodha. Data were collected using validated instruments: the Technostress Scale, Digital Health Awareness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Maslach Burnout Inventory–Student Survey (MBI-SS). Correlation and regression analyses showed that technostress was positively associated with academic burnout and negatively associated with sleep quality. In contrast, DHA was positively associated with sleep quality and negatively associated with burnout, reflecting a protective effect. Mediation analysis using PROCESS Macro (Model 4) indicated that sleep quality partially mediated the relationship between technostress, DHA, and burnout. These findings suggest that while technostress intensifies burnout, awareness of digital health practices can reduce its impact, both directly and indirectly. The study highlights the importance of integrating digital wellness education and sleep hygiene programs into higher education to safeguard student mental health and academic success.
Technostress, Digital Health Awareness, Sleep Quality, Academic Burnout, Higher Education
Copyright (c) 2025 Misbah Sharif, Prof Dr Riffat-un-Nisa Awan, Dr Muhammad Nadeem Anwar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence in the Relationship of Academic Burnout and Engagement of University Students
The mediating role of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in the academic burnout and academic engagement relationship among university students was the focus of this research. This research was carried out at the University of Sargodha, where students experience growing academic and socio-economic pressures that tend to lead to burnout and decreased engagement. Taking a quantitative correlational research design, data were obtained from 300 students distributed in the faculties of Sciences, Social Sciences, and Arts & Humanities through stratified sampling. Standardized instruments were utilized: Ulutas and Ozan's (2020) EI scale, Salmela-Aro et al.'s (2009) Academic Burnout Scale, and Schaufeli et al.'s (2002) Academic Engagement Scale. The reliability of all measures was established with Cronbach's alpha values greater than 0.80. Data were examined with SPSS (v.26) and Hayes' PROCESS Macro to examine mediation effects. The results showed moderate EI, burnout, and engagement levels among students. Correlation analysis showed that EI was inversely correlated with academic burnout and positively correlated with engagement. Mediation analysis verified that EI significantly mediated between burnout and engagement, implying that greater EI buffered the negative impact of burnout on student engagement. The conclusions emphasize the need for inclusion of EI-based training and interventions in higher education to mitigate stress, build resilience, and improve student engagement. This study adds both theoretical insight and practical approaches to enhancing student wellbeing and academic performance in the Pakistani university setting.
Mediation, Emotional Intelligence, Academic Burnout & Engagement, University Students, EI-Based Training
Copyright (c) 2025 Adan Raza, Prof. Dr. Riffat un-Nisa Awan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Mediating Role of Self-Directed Learning in the Relationship Between Digital Skills and Creative Mindset among University Students
This article examines how self-directed learning (SDL) functions as a mediator between digital skills and creative mindset among university students in Pakistan. Adopting a quantitative survey design, data were collected from 400 participants at the University of Sargodha using standardized instruments, including DigSki-CUS, the Self-Directed Learning Instrument (SDLI), and the Short Scale of Creative Self (SSCS). Analyses performed through SPSS (version 27) and Hayes’ PROCESS Macro (Model 4) demonstrated that digital skills significantly influenced both SDL and creative mindset, with SDL exerting a partial mediating effect. The study also revealed academic-level differences, with postgraduate students reporting stronger SDL than undergraduates, while no meaningful gender variations were observed. These findings highlight that digital skills and self-directed learning play a central role in fostering a creative mindset among university students. Aligned with the global agenda of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), the study provides valuable insights for educators, curriculum planners, and policymakers seeking to strengthen digital readiness and autonomous learning practices to enhance student innovation.
Digital skills; Self-Directed Learning; Creative Mindset; Higher Education; Mediation Analysis; Student Autonomy
Copyright (c) 2025 Farkhanda Jabeen, Prof. Dr. Riffat-un-Nisa Awan, Dr. Muhammad Nadeem Anwar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Punjab Police Cold Case Homicide Investigation: A Quantitative Analysis of Cold Case Homicides in Punjab, Pakistan, 2014-2021
This study investigates cold case homicides in Punjab, Pakistan, focusing on cold homicides reported between 2014 and 2021, analysing their spatial and temporal patterns, correlating factors, and investigative practices. Using quantitative data obtained directly from Punjab Police records, 3,387 homicide cases were registered, including 599 absolute cold case homicides and 1,122 under investigation. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping revealed significant spatial disparities: urban centres such as Lahore, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala showed high concentrations, while rural areas had scattered but impactful cases. Population density strongly correlated with case distribution, though other socio-structural factors also influenced trends. The Punjab Police’s clearance rate was 44%, with limited use of forensic science and reliance on traditional investigative methods. The study also examines cancelled homicides and the theoretical frameworks underpinning investigative strategies. Findings highlight the need for targeted, data-driven interventions, greater forensic capacity, and policy reforms to improve the homicide detection rate and deliver justice.
Punjab Police, Cold Case Homicide, Quantitative Analysis, Translational Criminology, Detection Rate, Population Density.
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr Muhammad Aslam, Professor Dr. Christian Kaunert, Associate Professor James Barker , Assistant Professor Zaheer Abbas https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0