Qualitative Research Journal for Social Studies
The Qualitative Research Journal for Social Studies is a peer-reviewed, open-access academic journal dedicated to advancing research, theory, and practice in the diverse fields of social sciences. Our mission is to promote critical inquiry into the structures, dynamics, and transformations of societies across the globe. We publish original research articles, theoretical papers, policy analyses, and reviews that engage with disciplines such as sociology, political science, anthropology, human geography, economics, and cultural studies. The journal encourages interdisciplinary approaches and innovative methodologies that explore pressing social issues, including inequality, governance, migration, identity, education, and social change. The Journal of Social Science and Society aims to foster scholarly exchange and contribute to evidence-based public discourse. We welcome contributions from both established scholars and emerging researchers from around the world.
A SEMIOTIC AND PSYCHOANALYTIC ANALYSIS OF VISUAL AND TEXTUAL REPRESENTATIONS IN OVERTON’S THE SILENT CHILD
The article provides a semiotic and psychoanalytic interpretation of an Academy Award winning short film The Silent Child (2017) by Chris Overton that emphasizes the way in which film signs and subconscious processes create meanings of deafness, emotional deprivation, and identity formation. The study is based on the triadic model of signs provided by Charles Sanders Peirce and psychoanalytic theories proposed by Freud, Lacan, and Winnicott, and the research issues How do silence, gesture, gaze, and the space elements of composition work as systems of expression in conveying psychological reality in Libby. Instead of shaping deafness as a medical inadequacy or narrative metaphor, the analysis previews the communication inequality and affective neglect as socially constructed states. With a keen focus on mise-en-scene, framing, colour, lighting, and sound design, the article shows how the film alters the concept of silence into the full-fledged semiotic space that expresses the trauma, desire, and resistance. Combining the semiotics and psychoanalytic film theory, this paper is relevant to current theoretical discussions in film studies and disability discourse by demonstrating how the linguistic implications of depriving the deaf children of language use can have both ethical and emotional implications.
Semiotics, Psychoanalysis, Disability Representation, Deafness, Trauma, Film Theory, Visual Culture.
Dr Katsiaryna Hurbik (Corresponding Author)
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
’’الفتنہ‘‘ کا فقہی و معنوی اطلاق تفسیر تبیان القرآن کی روشنی میں
This research article provides a comprehensive analysis of the term Al-Fitna, focusing on its dual nature as a linguistic concept and a legal construct within the framework of Tafsir Tibyan-ul-Quran. The study investigates the semantic evolution of the word—from its root meaning of "refining gold by fire" to its broader Quranic applications involving trials of faith and civil strife. Furthermore, it delves into the juristic implications (Fiqh) as discussed by Allama Ghulam Rasool Saeedi, highlighting the distinction between individual trials and collective social disruptions. By synthesizing these perspectives, the article concludes that Tibyan-ul-Quran offers a balanced hermeneutical approach that reconciles the historical context of the revelations with contemporary socio-legal challenges, providing a clearer roadmap for understanding the boundaries of "Fitna" in modern Islamic jurisprudence.
Al-Fitna, Tibyan-ul-Quran, Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh), Semantics, Quranic Exegesis, Allama Ghulam Rasool Saeedi.
مسجد نبویؐ میں قائم صفہ کا تعلیمی کردار: تحقیقی مطالعہ
The Suffah established in Masjid al-Nabawi represents one of the earliest and most influential educational institutions in Islamic history. This research study explores the educational role of Suffah and critically examines the scholarly contributions of Ashab al-Suffah. Suffah was a shaded platform attached to the Prophet’s Mosque, where devoted companions resided and engaged in systematic learning under the direct supervision of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The study highlights how Suffah functioned as a center for religious education, focusing primarily on the teaching, memorization, interpretation, and writing of the Qur’an, as well as the preservation and practical application of Hadith. Ashab al-Suffah dedicated themselves to acquiring knowledge and implementing it in daily life, thereby setting a strong foundation for Islamic scholarship. The educational environment of Suffah emphasized simplicity, discipline, moral refinement, and spiritual development alongside intellectual growth. This research further discusses how the Prophet’s pedagogical methods at Suffah combined theory with practice, producing scholars, teachers, and missionaries who later played a vital role in spreading Islamic teachings. The study argues that Suffah was not merely a shelter for poor companions but a structured educational institution with a well-defined curriculum and objectives. The findings of this research demonstrate that the Suffah model provides timeless educational principles such as accessibility, character building, and experiential learning, which remain highly relevant for contemporary educational systems.
Mufti Naveed Ahmad Khan,Professor Dr. Fazal ilahi Khan,Sakhi Rehman
قرآن و حدیث میں جمالیات اور اس کے اظہار کی جہات
This research paper explores the concept of aesthetics and its various manifestations in the Qur’an and Hadith within the framework of Islamic thought. Islam, as a religion of natural disposition (dīn al-fiṭrah), establishes a balanced and harmonious relationship between the material and spiritual dimensions of human life. The study argues that Islamic teachings neither suppress human aesthetic inclinations nor allow unrestrained indulgence; rather, they regulate beauty through moral, spiritual, and legal boundaries. The Qur’an frequently draws attention to beauty in creation, order, proportion, and harmony, encouraging reflection on divine artistry as a means of strengthening faith. Similarly, the Prophetic traditions emphasize cleanliness, elegance, moderation, and excellence (iḥsān) in conduct, worship, and social interaction. The famous Hadith, “Indeed Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty,” serves as a foundational text for Islamic aesthetics, linking beauty with divine attributes and ethical responsibility. This paper analyzes how Islamic aesthetics transcend mere sensory pleasure and function as a means of moral refinement, spiritual elevation, and social harmony. It also examines the rejection of two extremes: materialistic indulgence that leads to moral decay, and excessive spiritual isolation (monasticism) that contradicts human nature and social obligations. By highlighting Qur’anic verses and selected Hadiths, the study demonstrates that aesthetics in Islam are purpose-driven, ethically grounded, and spiritually enriching. Ultimately, the paper establishes that Islamic aesthetics represent a comprehensive worldview in which beauty becomes a constructive force for individual character-building and collective well-being.
Mubashir Hassan,Prof. Dr. Mustafeez Ahmed Alvi
The Impact of Digital Media on English Language Learning at University Level
The rapid growth of digital media has significantly transformed English language learning in higher education. With the increasing integration of technology in university classrooms, digital media has become a vital tool for enhancing language instruction and learner engagement. This study examines the impact of digital media on English language learning at the university level, focusing on its influence on students’ language skills, motivation, autonomy, and overall learning experience. Digital media platforms such as social networking sites, mobile applications, online videos, podcasts, learning management systems, and virtual classrooms provide learners with access to authentic language input and interactive learning environments. These tools support the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills by enabling exposure to real-life language use and opportunities for meaningful communication beyond the traditional classroom. Furthermore, digital media encourages learner-centered approaches, promotes self-directed learning, and increases student motivation through flexible and engaging learning resources. However, the study also highlights several challenges associated with the use of digital media, including digital distraction, unequal access to technology, limited digital literacy, excessive use of informal language, and insufficient pedagogical training among instructors. By reviewing existing literature and theoretical perspectives, this research presents a balanced analysis of both the benefits and limitations of digital media in English language education. The findings suggest that while digital media has great potential to enhance English language learning at the university level, its effective integration requires careful planning, proper training, and pedagogical guidance to ensure meaningful and academically sound learning outcomes.
WHEN CARES BECOMES COERCION: A BIOPOLITICAL STUDY OF HANG KANG’S THE VEGETARIAN
This paper aims to examine Hang Kang’s The Vegetarian (2007) through the theoretical framework of biopolitics, as articulated by Michel Foucault to analyse the regulation of the female body within modern disciplinary societies. The paper argues Yeong-hye’s refusal to consume meat and her gradual withdrawal from human life which constitutes a radical challenge to biopolitical power that seeks to normalise discipline and medicalise nonconforming bodies. Rather than interpreting Yeong-hye’s action solely as a symptom of mental illness, this study reads her bodily resistance as a response to sustain patriarchal and institutional violence enacted through family authority, marital expectations and psychiatric intervention. Through close textual analysis of scenes involving surveillance forced feeding and medical confinement, the paper demonstrates how the novel exposes the violence embodied in practices presented as care and normalcy. By foregrounding the body as a sight of struggle The Vegetarian exposes of contemporary systems of authority which assert control over life, revealing how biopolitical control collapses the boundary between protection and coercion. This study can be further extended by applying the same theoretical framework to a comparative analysis of works by other female authors.
Zamreen Abbas,Dr. Sadia Rahim,Fatima Ameen
THE EVOLUTION OF ISLAMIC CALLIGRAPHY: HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS AND MODERN TRANSFORMATIONS
Islamic art is widely recognized as a historical and culturally significant form of artistic expression throughout the Islamic world, with calligraphy occupying a central position within it. Islamic calligraphy emerged during the period of the revelation of the Qur’an and has since been extensively used to adorn the interiors and exteriors of mosques and prominent Islamic architectural structures. This article aims to examine and highlight both traditional and contemporary Islamic calligraphy painting through the works of well-known calligraphers. Rooted in the Arabic language, Islamic calligraphy transforms sacred text into a distinctive visual art form expressed through both classical and modern painting practices. The study provides a brief historical overview of Islamic calligraphy and explores its diverse stylistic developments, including traditional Arabic scripts and contemporary interpretations. Calligraphers draw inspiration from Qur’anic verses, historical poetry, and spiritual texts, creating compositions characterized by intricate structures and overlapping letterforms. Whether executed in traditional or contemporary modes, Islamic calligraphy paintings convey movement, rhythm, and visual dynamism through expressive linear formations. The study concludes that both traditional and contemporary calligraphy paintings represent innovative artistic practices, distinguished by their unique scripts, evolving visual identities, and diverse materials. Through the creative application of sacred language, calligraphers continue to produce a rich and evolving artistic tradition known as contemporary Islamic calligraphy painting.
Copyright (c) 2026 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
پنجاب پولیس میں جدید ٹیکنالوجی: اسلامی تصور و تحفظِ عامہ کے تناظر میں تجزیاتی مطالعہ
The use of modern technology in the Punjab Police has become an indispensable tool for crime prevention, transparent investigation, public safety, and accountability. This research aims to examine how contemporary technological applications such as digital forensics, CCTV surveillance, e-record management, community policing, and data analytics affect police performance, officers’ psychological preparedness, and ethical conduct. Furthermore, the study provides a comparative analysis of these technological interventions in light of Islamic principles, including justice, ethics, citizen rights, and Shariah-compliant policing. The study adopts an analytical and comparative methodology, assessing the benefits, challenges, and implications of modern technology within the frameworks of legal standards, Islamic teachings, and contemporary psychological and social sciences theories. The findings indicate that technology not only enhances decision-making, case management, and operational efficiency but also strengthens public trust, accountability, and respect for citizens’ rights. Islamic ethical principles such as justice (ʿAdl), benevolence (Ihsan), accountability (Muhasaba), and moral training provide a normative framework for technology integration in policing. According to the Qur’an and Sunnah, law enforcement officers must uphold their responsibilities with integrity, respect human dignity, and ensure the equitable exercise of authority. The study demonstrates that modern technology and Islamic ethics are complementary: while technology improves operational efficiency, Islamic principles cultivate moral awareness, ethical conduct, and responsibility among officers. In conclusion, this research highlights that integrating modern technological tools within the Punjab Police, when guided by Islamic ethical and legal principles, offers a comprehensive and sustainable model for effective law enforcement. Such integration not only facilitates efficient crime control and administrative transparency but also promotes societal well-being and moral accountability, establishing a policing framework that is both technologically advanced and ethically grounded.
PAKISTAN’S DETERRENCE POSTURE AFTER MAY 2025 CONFLICT: RELEVANCE, LIMITATIONS AND FUTURE TRAJECTORIES
The May 2025 standoff between Pakistan and India is arguably one of the most significant post-nuclear crises in South Asia. It revealed the effectiveness, as well as the limited nature of deterrence in a multi-domain security setting. This paper re-evaluates the applicability of nuclear deterrence following the May 2025 episode by using a Pakistan-oriented analytical lens. It integrates knowledge of the classical theory of deterrence, stability-instability paradox, and the latest research on technological transformation in the modern military strategy. The study proposes that nuclear deterrence ensured high strategic stability, yet it was washed away at the conventional and sub-conventional levels. The commitment of India to use graded punitive military response and the corresponding proportionate and technologically adaptive response of Pakistan indicates a deterrence environment in transition. This landscape is built on the basis of asymmetries in the abilities, shifts in the doctrinal preferences, and the rapidity of the crisis emergence. Sub-conventional triggers continue to be a source of persistent instability due to outstanding political differences, rival threat statements, and momentum in diplomatic interactions. The paper concludes that crisis behaviour between the two states is still framed on the issue of deterrence. However, its performance is becoming more contingent and circumstantial upon technological, doctrinal, and political factors. In the case of Pakistan, contemporary and multi-domain deterrence will need recalibration to maintain future stability, as well as to maintain credible nuclear capabilities.
Deterrence; Crisis Stability; Pakistan–India Relations; Full-Spectrum Deterrence; Conventional Asymmetry; Subconventional Conflict; Multi-Domain Conflict; Escalation Management; Strategic Stability.
Dr. Fakhara Shahid (Corresponding Author)
عصرِ حاضر کے سماجی مسائل اور دعوتِ قرآن کی روشنی ان کا قرآنی حل: ایک تحقیقی مطالعہ
Modern societies are facing complex social challenges that threaten human well-being, social harmony, and moral stability. Among these issues are health crises, overpopulation, environmental pollution, family disintegration, and corruption in education. This study explores these contemporary social problems in the light of Qur’anic teachings, presenting the Qur’an as a comprehensive guide for both individual and collective life. The Qur’an emphasizes moderation, cleanliness, lawful consumption, and avoidance of excess as essential principles for maintaining physical and mental health. Regarding population growth, it rejects fear-based approaches and instead promotes trust in Allah, responsibility, and balanced family values. Environmental protection is presented as a moral and religious obligation, as humans are entrusted with stewardship of the earth. The Qur’an also provides a strong foundation for family life based on mutual respect, compassion, and moral responsibility. Furthermore, the Islamic concept of education extends beyond material success, aiming at moral development, spiritual awareness, and social responsibility. This study argues that the Qur’anic approach addresses the root causes of social problems by reforming human behavior, values, and priorities. Through the dissemination of Qur’anic guidance (Da‘wah al-Qur’an), societies can achieve peace, balance, and sustainable development. The research concludes that the Qur’an offers a holistic framework capable of resolving contemporary social challenges and guiding humanity toward a harmonious and ethically grounded civilization.
: Contemporary Social Issues, Qur’anic Guidance, Health and Environment, Family System, Moral Education, Da‘wah of the Qur’an, Social Reform.
ہندو مت اور اسلام کی اعتقادی تشکیلات کی فکری و نظریاتی اساسات اور فکری اثرات: تقابلی مطالعہ
This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the core doctrinal concepts in Hinduism and Islam, highlighting both the convergences and divergences in their belief systems. By examining foundational principles such as the nature of divinity, human purpose, ethical frameworks, and metaphysical postulates, the research explores how each tradition conceptualizes ultimate reality, moral responsibility, and spiritual fulfillment. Employing a theoretical and philosophical approach, the study situates these beliefs within historical, cultural, and theological contexts, offering insights into their underlying logic and implications for contemporary interfaith discourse. The analysis not only elucidates the distinctiveness of each tradition but also underscores the potential for meaningful dialogue based on mutual understanding of fundamental convictions.
Hinduism, Islam, Doctrinal Concepts, Comparative Study, Theology, Philosophy, Belief Systems, Interfaith Dialogue.
تصوف و روحانیت کی تدریس کےبنیادی ماخذ، تدریسی لائحہ عمل
Sufism and spirituality represent an essential dimension of Islamic teachings, primarily aimed at the purification of the soul, moral refinement, and attaining closeness to Allah. The primary sources for teaching Sufism include the Qur’an, the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, the practices of the Companions and the Successors, and the writings of renowned Sufi scholars such as Ihya Ulum al-Din, Risala al-Qushayriyyah, Kashf al-Mahjub, and other ethical and spiritual works. In religious seminaries, the teaching of Sufism is generally conducted through the study of prescribed texts, spiritual guidance from teachers, and moral exhortation. While this approach emphasizes spiritual training, it often lacks critical and analytical engagement, pedagogical diversity, and relevance to contemporary intellectual contexts. At times, Sufism is reduced to outward rituals, ascetic practices, or the master–disciple relationship, which prevents a comprehensive understanding of its broader Islamic framework. Moreover, in addressing modern challenges such as materialism, moral decline, intellectual confusion, and spiritual emptiness, the practical, balanced, and reformative aspects of Sufism are not adequately incorporated into the teaching process. Although Madaris maintain that Sufism operates under the authority of Shariah, there remains a clear need for greater research depth and contemporary application within its pedagogical methodology.
Teaching; Methodology; Sufism; Islamic; Seminaries.
سلسلہ نقشبندیہ: تعارف ،امتیازات و اصطلاحات
The Naqshbandi Order is one of the most influential and widespread Sufi orders in the Islamic world. It traces its spiritual lineage to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) through Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, which distinguishes it from many other Sufi paths. The order is named after Khwaja Baha-ud-Din Naqshband (d. 1389), who systematized its teachings in Central Asia. One of the main distinguishing features of the Naqshbandi order is its emphasis on silent (khafi) remembrance of God, as opposed to the loud (jahri) dhikr practiced by many other Sufi orders. The Naqshbandiyya strongly stress strict adherence to the Sharia (Islamic law) and the Sunnah of the Prophet, considering inner spirituality inseparable from outward religious practice. Another key characteristic is the principle of “being outwardly with people and inwardly with God,” encouraging followers to remain socially active rather than withdrawing from the world. The Naqshbandi path is based on a set of spiritual principles which guide the seeker toward self-purification and constant awareness of God. These include vigilance of the heart, control of the ego, mindfulness of time, and continuous remembrance. Entry into the order requires sincere repentance, commitment to Islamic ethics, obedience to a qualified spiritual guide (shaykh), and consistency in spiritual practices۔ Through its balanced approach combining spirituality, discipline, and social responsibility.
Naqshbandiyya, Sufi order, Islamic Mysticism, Spiritual order.
Khalil Ahmad Yousufi (Corresponding author)
MAPPING HEGEMONY: DECOLONIAL KNOWLEDGE AND POLITICAL AESTHETICS IN SOUEIF’S THE MAP OF LOVE
This article analyses the strategies through which colonial hegemony is sustained through aesthetic forms of knowledge in Ahdaf Soueif’s The Map of Love. Using Walter Mignolo’s framework of decoloniality, the study shows the persistence of coloniality within modern forms of historiography, geographic mapping, and narrative formation. Mignolo insists that there should be plurality in knowledge, as one central approach creates hierarchies that bring one side to the light and hide the other. Soueif explains how imperial powers operate through epistemic binaries that have been centred in European systems of knowledge. These binaries privilege Eurocentric ways of understanding, recording and acting on the history and knowledge. Amal’s character is central to this intervention, who is narrating, mediating and repositioning the locus of enunciation. Through Amal’s character, the author challenges the colonial way of representation by enacting a form of epistemic disobedience. The article argues that Soueif’s use of aesthetics, archives, maps, translations, tapestries, journals, etc., as an epistemological practice, disrupts linear history, endorses border thinking and destabilises Eurocentric truths. In this regard, The Map of Love becomes a critique of modernity enforced by the colonisers. Moreover, it exposes the literary foundation of hegemony and insists on the persistent nature of the decolonial struggle through two different time periods: the colonial era and the postcolonial era.
Decoloniality; Coloniality; Political Aesthetics; Knowledge Production; Narrative Mediation; Mapping.
خطبات کے اسلوب میں منہج سیرت نگاری مسند سیرت رحمۃ للعالمین ﷺیونیورسٹی آف اوکاڑہ کی خطبات سیرت کے موضوع پر کتب کا جائزہ
In the modern era, while various styles of writing on the Seerah have emerged, the sermonic (khutbah-based) approach remains one of the oldest and most influential. Its importance lies in the fact that a speaker presents the essence of his knowledge directly to the audience, making it a powerful medium for guidance. The Seerah-oriented sermons have played a significant role in addressing fundamental religious, moral, and social issues. The sermons of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ whether delivered during Friday prayers, Hajj, or in the Farewell Sermon provide timeless teachings that go beyond the Muslim community and offer universal guidance for all humanity. These addresses deeply move the hearts, encouraging individuals to reform themselves and adopt higher moral standards. “Khutbat-e-Seerah” represent an intellectual continuity from the warmth of the pulpit to the vitality of the written page, connecting past wisdom with present understanding. Therefore, sermons of the Seerah and the books based upon them are not merely academic works; they are vital sources for the spiritual, intellectual, and civilizational survival of the Muslim community. Scholars who conveyed the Seerah from the pulpit and later preserved it in writing served as true intellectual representatives of the Prophetic mission, granting permanence to the Prophet’s message through the written word.
Methodology of Seerah; Writing Books; Khutbat-e-Seerah; Okara.
FAIR TRIALS ARTICLE 10-A CONSTITUTION OF PAKISTAN, ARTICLE 6 OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT 1998 & ARTICLE 6 OF THE ECHR
This article examines the scope and application of Article 10-A of the Constitution of Pakistan, which guarantees the fundamental right to a fair trial and due process. Introduced through the Eighteenth Constitutional Amendment, Article 10-A reflects Pakistan’s commitment to constitutionalism, judicial independence, and international human rights standards. The study analyzes how Pakistani courts have interpreted this provision, particularly in relation to the admissibility of unlawfully obtained evidence and procedural fairness. Drawing upon constitutional jurisprudence, comparative legal perspectives, and relevant case law, the article highlights the evolving judicial approach toward balancing individual rights with the interests of justice. Special attention is given to the influence of Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the principles articulated in international legal systems. The discussion demonstrates that Pakistani courts increasingly emphasize transparency, equality of arms, and access to justice as essential components of a fair trial. However, inconsistencies in judicial reasoning and practical challenges in implementation continue to affect the effective realization of this right. The article argues that a coherent and principled application of Article 10-A is necessary to strengthen public confidence in the legal system and ensure constitutional supremacy. It concludes that sustained judicial training, legislative reforms, and adherence to international best practices are vital for embedding the right to fair trial within Pakistan’s legal framework and promoting the rule of law.
IMPACT OF BENAZIR INCOME SUPPORT PROGRAM ON HOUSEHOLD DEVELOPMENT IN PAKISTAN’S LOWEST INCOME BRACKET
This study assesses how household development differs between Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) recipient and non-recipient households in Pakistan’s bottom 40 percent. Using PSLM-HIES 2018-19 data (n=9,923), it constructs a Household-based Human Development Index (HHDI) by combining living standards, health, and education into a single 0–100 index. Living standards are measured through per-capita expenditure, health through under-five survival and child immunization, and education through mean years of schooling and enrolment. The study compares outcomes using descriptive statistics, OLS regressions with household and location controls, and propensity score matching (kernel) to improve comparability on observable characteristics. Results show that BISP recipient households have lower average HHDI scores than non-recipients, mainly due to lower living standards and weaker education outcomes, while health differences are small and not statistically significant. After adjustment, the gaps reduce but remain for HHDI and living standards, and education differences become smaller.
Waqas Shair,Sidra Raza,Badar un Nisa,Haleema Afzal
FROM TEXT TO TECHNOLOGY: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF DIGITAL HUMANITIES–BASED WRITING INSTRUCTION IN ESL CLASSROOMS
By incorporating Digital Humanities (DH) in the English as a Second Language (ESL) classrooms, this paper has examined how the use of such tools can support writing skills in the study of students. With the rising need of English skills in our digitalized world, there are urgent demands of leaving behind conventional grammar-based model of instruction delivery and switching to technology-augmented pedagogies. Pre-tests and post-tests were conducted on two groups; experiment group and control group all composed of undergraduate students of ESL. The experimental group also got the training assistance of DH tools, whereas in the control group the traditional methods were used. The SPSS statistical analysis found that there was a remarkable difference in writing performance in the experimental group compared to results in content, organization, vocabulary, grammar, and mechanics. It was a quasi- experimental study that was conducted on a sample associated with 44 undergraduate students that were split into an experimental group and a control group (n = 22 each). The control group was guided through the traditional learning techniques.
Digital Humanities, ESL (English as a Second Language), English Writing Skills, Technology-Enhanced Learning, Experimental Study, Writing Proficiency, Digital Tools in Language Learning.
THE ROLE OF TURNITIN IN MAINTAINING ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: A BACKGROUND STUDY ON LARGE UNIVERSITIES IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN
This study selected large size universities from Lahore, Pakistan to find out the role of one of the text matchings softwares “Turnitin” in maintaining the academic integrity. The major objective of this study was to explore the role of text matching software in maintaining academic integrity. One hundred and ninety-two faculty members from selected universities having instructor’s account of Turnitin who participated in this study through their responses. A Quantitative research design followed by survey method was opted to conduct this study and self developed questionnaire was used for data gathering. Results of the study enlightened that text matching software Turnitin is playing significant role in maintaining academic integrity. The use of text matching software (Turnitin) strengthens the academic integrity among academic institutions as well as maintains quality of work and improves writing skills among researchers. Significant positive effects of research skills, use of Turnitin, expectation of Turnitin were found on academic integrity while negative effect of training need was seen on academic integrity.
Text-matching software, Higher education, Pakistan, South Asia, Academic Integrity, Academic Dishonesty.
ENGLISH AS A MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN SOUTH PUNJAB, PAKISTAN: STAKEHOLDERS’ IDEOLOGIES, PRACTICES, AND POLICIES
With an emphasis on how language ideologies, teaching methods, and educational policies influence and mirror larger social and linguistic trends, this research examines the function of English as a medium of instruction in South Punjab, Pakistan. The study examines how students, teachers, and schools view and use English in instructional environments in a multilingual area where Punjabi, Urdu, and Seraiki are spoken. The study, which employs a mixed-methods methodology encompassing classroom observations, surveys, and statistical analysis, uncovers considerable discrepancies between actual implementation and formal policy. Although English is widely seen as a route to social and economic advancement and modernity, its imposition frequently ignores local linguistic facts, leading to disparities in access to high-quality education. In many cases, teachers are not adequately trained or confident in teaching English, which results in erratic lesson delivery and higher levels of student anxiety. The study emphasizes the continuation of teacher-centric classrooms with little student participation, which further restricts the effectiveness of the learning process. The results indicate that the current EMI regulations favor urban and elite populations while marginalizing rural students, thereby perpetuating existing inequalities and linguistic hierarchies. In multilingual settings like South Punjab, inclusive language policies, enhanced teacher training, and student-centered pedagogical changes are necessary for fair and successful education, according to the study.
English Medium Instruction (EMI), Language Ideologies, Educational Inequality, Teacher Training, Language Policy.
HUMOUR AND HIERARCHY: A MULTIMODAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF PHD SUPERVISOR–SUPERVISEE MEMES IN NEOLIBERAL ACADEMIA
This study explores how PhD supervisor–supervisee memes use visual and textual elements through representational, interactive, and compositional metafunctions to humorously express identity and challenge power relations in neoliberal academia. This study uses a qualitative research design and Multimodal Discourse Analysis grounded in Kress and van Leeuwen’s (2006) framework to examine PhD supervisor–supervisee memes collected from Facebook, X, and Instagram. Memes were selected using purposive sampling based on their depiction of supervisor–supervisee relationships. The findings show that PhD supervisor–supervisee memes use visual and textual elements to humorously highlight power imbalances, supervisor detachment, student exploitation, resource inequality, and the emotional toll of neoliberal academia. It reinforces hierarchical structures and critiques the performative nature of academic mentorship, while a few present idealised, supportive relationships as rare exceptions. The study highlights how memes function as a critical outlet for expressing and negotiating power relations in academic culture. Academic institutions should recognise and address the underlying issues of hierarchy and student well-being reflected in these memes. Further studies could explore the impact of such memes on academic communities across different cultural and institutional contexts.
Humor and power dynamics, Multimodal discourse analysis, Supervisor–supervisee relationship, Neoliberal academia, Academic memes.
FROM FIR TO FINAL APPEAL: A SOCIO-LEGAL ANALYSIS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE ADJUDICATION IN PAKISTAN THROUGH THE NOOR MUKADAM CASE
The Noor Mukadam Case, progression from the registering of the First Information Report to the final adjudication by the Gender Based Violence (GBV) Special Court and the Supreme Court of Pakistan is a good and necessary socio-legal prospect to understand the adjudication of gender-based violence in Pakistan criminal justice system. This study examines the case using a criminological socio-legal approach; a combination of doctrinal analysis of the judicial proceedings and criminological assessment of evidentiary practices is used. The research focuses on the virtue of Section 302, 364, 342, and 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code (1860) in the application process and the determination of actus reus and mens rea using CCTVs, forensic science, and eyewitness accounts. The Additional Session Judge Special Court GBV, East/West Islamabad and Supreme Court judgments court stressed on how vital digital evidence is and enforced the responsibility of household staff to intervene or report imminent harm. The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of murder and rape, but set aside the charge of kidnapping, thereby strengthening the acceptability of digital and forensic evidence to support capital punishment in line with the absence of eyewitness. By the perspective of criminology, the case shows how technological advancement and forensic tools are capable of eliciting the physical and psychological aspects of violent crime. Beyond the doctrinal implications, the study draws attention to systemic issues, such as relying too much on circumstantial reasoning and lack of capacity in forensic expertise and a dispensation in gender-sensitive investigative techniques. It proposes to internalize the procedures of digital evidence, empower forensic infrastructure and integrate the use of victim-based strategies into policing and judicial education. This study puts the case on Noor Mukadam in context through relating law and criminology with broader concerns on gender based violence, accountability and reforming justice in Pakistan.
Noor Mukadam Case; Pakistan Penal Code; Gender-Based Violence; Actus Reus; Mens Rea; Digital Evidence; Forensic Evidence; Absence of Eyewitness; Criminological Socio-legal Approach; Doctrinal Analysis.
FORENSIC POWER AND THE PRODUCTION OF TRUTH: A CRIMINOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF POSTMORTEM REPORTS IN PAKISTAN AND KENYA
Postmortem reports can be considered as very important tools in the investigation of crimes because they make biological evidence intelligible in terms of legal account of death. Nonetheless, according to its central position, very little research investigated the role of such reports as a tool of forensic power especially in cross-jurisdictional situations. This study fills this gap by applying a comparative criminological approach to the study of postmortem reporting related to Pakistan and Kenya to examine the way in which the procedures, the institutional power and the narration process influences the construction and the contestation of the forensic truth. A publically available postmortem reports were reviewed, coded and themed using a qualitative document analysis technique. The study uses an excellent conceptual framework involving social constructionism, state crime theory, procedural justice and critical criminology to explain results. Findings indicate consistency in deciding firearm wounds on the head and chest as the cause of death, and disparity in reporting patterns: Kenyan reports focus on internal organ trauma, gun track, and the general assessment, whereas Pakistani reports focus on the external form of wounds, sewage documentation, and wound categories. These variations show that forensic truth is socially and institutionally produced (via jurisdictional norms, medico-legal practices, and procedural priorities). The study becomes significant in the body of criminology by demonstrating that the postmortem report can be utilized as an instrument of institutional legitimacy and investigative authority. These policy suggestions are that there is a necessity to have standardized forensic procedures, capacity building of the investigators and judicial actors, independent examination of the forensic postmortem documentation and knowledge exchange with other states to increase the level of transparency and responsibility and accountability of the contested death investigations.
Postmortem reports; Forensic power; Truth production; Comparative criminology; Procedural justice; Institutional Legitimacy; Constructionism.
DEVELOPING CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS AT TERTIARY LEVEL: AN ANALYSIS OF ISSUES FACED BY ESL STUDENTS AND REMEDIES
This study explores the multifaceted challenges faced by tertiary-level ESL students in developing creative writing skills, with a particular focus on learners enrolled in three universities in Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan: KFUEIT, IUB-RYK, and AIOU-RYK. Through a quantitative methodology, data were collected via a structured questionnaire from 60 students across departments of English, Education, and Business. The primary aim was to investigate core writing obstacles and assess the role of technology-based tools in addressing these gaps. Findings revealed that students struggle significantly with grammatical accuracy, sentence structuring, and logical idea organisation. Emotional barriers such as writing anxiety, lack of motivation, and limited confidence were also prevalent, particularly when engaging in long-form assignments. These struggles frequently led to reduced academic performance and a diminished sense of achievement. Notably, many students reported receiving insufficient feedback on their work, highlighting a disconnect between learner needs and instructional practices. Despite these challenges, students expressed strong intrinsic motivation to improve their writing abilities. Tools like grammar checkers and digital writing aids were widely used and perceived as helpful. However, more advanced tools such as citation software and structured writing templates were underutilised due to lack of awareness or training. This points to a clear gap in digital literacy, not willingness. The study recommends a multipronged intervention approach: embedding technology use into curricula, offering department-specific writing modules, facilitating scaffolded writing tasks with timely feedback, and reducing affective stress through peer support and flexible assessment strategies. Furthermore, extracurricular activities such as writing clubs and student publications can enhance writing culture beyond coursework.
BALANCING INDIVIDUAL EFFICIENCY AND COLLECTIVE ENGAGEMENT: THE DUAL IMPACT OF AI TOOLS ON GRADUATE STUDY PRACTICES
This paper addresses the duality in terms of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools that influence graduate study practice centered around the conflict between personal effectiveness and social interaction. Although AI tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, and QuillBot have become part of every academic, the ways in which they are affecting the culture of collaboration have yet to be studied. The study had a semi-structured interview design (focused on 120 graduate students) and followed the model of thematic analysis developed by Braun and Clarke (2006) in order to adhere to the principles of the social constructivist theory by Vygotsky (1978) and the engagement of semi- structured interviews with students of COMSATS University Islamabad, International Islamic University Islamabad, National University of Modern Languages, and Quaid-i-Azam University. The results showed that AI tools were largely useful, as they increased individual efficiency, productivity, language skills, and confidence. Immediate feedback, time-saving options, and language support were appreciated by the students, which gave them strength to achieve in their studies. Nevertheless, the research also revealed the disruptive impacts of AI implementation, such as poor originality, less critical thinking, and less peer-to-peer conversation. This paradox shows that AI has dual functions as a facilitator of individual success and destroyer of the culture of study as a group. The paper concludes by stating that AI must be perceived as a two-fold phenomenon that must be balanced. Teachers and legislators should find a way to employ the positive aspects of AI without sacrificing the collaborative culture. The strategies that can be applied practically are to encourage students to use AI when performing preliminary tasks and then hold group sessions in which the outputs of AI are critically assessed and elaborated. The research contextualized in the Pakistani setting would provide local knowledge to the global research as it is important to focus on culturally specific methods of AI integration in higher education.
A CASE STUDY OF RAHIM YAR KHAN`S KINDERGARTENS ON RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SCREEN TIME AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
The case study is qualitative in nature and aims at examining the connection between screen time and English language development among children enrolled in kindergarten, 4-6 years of age in Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan. Within the framework of the growing digital media exposure during early childhood, the research problem focuses on how the length, the content type, and mediation of screen time affect the major language areas, such as vocabulary learning, pronunciation, comprehension, and early literacy. The study is based on the Sociocultural Theory, Cognitive Load Theory, and Multimedia Learning Theory to discuss the interaction between digital input and social scaffolding and cognitive processing in the early language learning. The data have been gathered in the form of observations, semi-structured interviews of parents and caregivers, and informal discussions with children in several kindergartens. Thematic analysis exposed that screen time is not necessarily harmful or beneficial, but the effects that it has depend on their mediated and structured nature. The results shown show that educational and age relevant online technology with restricted and predictable practices and guided by the active mediation of parents can improve receptive and expressive vocabulary in the English language, accurate pronunciation, and the confidence in using language. Conversely, too much, passive, and unsupervised viewing of the screen especially entertainment-oriented materials were linked to disjointed language, restricted attention, and poor understanding. The paper identifies imitation and paralinguistic learning as transitional processes during which children learn English using a screen as the first exposure. Nonetheless, significant language growth was most evident when the use of digital exposure was accompanied by communication and adult involvement and practice of real-world language. The research arrives at the conclusion that purposeful and guided screen use can enhance early development of English language in multilingual, however, caution is necessary: caregivers need to be aware, control content, and integrate both digital and traditional literacy activities.
Screen time, English language development, Kindergarten children, Parental mediation, Vocabulary acquisition, sociocultural theory, Multimedia learning, Cognitive load, early childhood education, Qualitative case study.
احکام و عبادات میں امام جعفر الصادقؒ کی غیر مرفوع روایات:تجزیاتی مطالعہ
This article presents an analytical study of non-marfu narrations related to acts of worship as transmitted from Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (d. 148 AH). Imam Jafar holds a distinguished position in Islamic scholarship, particularly in the fields of jurisprudence and Hadith. Although the narrations examined in this study are not directly attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), they reflect the practical understanding of worship through the teachings of the Companions and early successors. The research highlights that these non-marfu reports play a significant role in understanding applied jurisprudence, especially in matters of worship such as Hajj, Zakah, ritual purity, and related legal rulings. The study further demonstrates that these narrations were not isolated opinions but were deeply rooted in the broader scholarly and practical traditions of early Islam. The article concludes that non-marfuʿ narrations, when analyzed within proper methodological frameworks, contribute meaningfully to Islamic legal discourse. Ignoring them altogether would result in an incomplete understanding of juristic development, particularly in the domain of devotional practices.
Imam Jafar al-Sadiq, Non-Marfu Narrations, Acts of Worship, Islamic Jurisprudence.
Dr. Usman Abbas Rai (Corresponding Author)
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVENESS: A STUDY OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF DISTRICT GUJRAT
The purpose of the present study was to investigate a correlation between emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness in educational leaders working in the Tehsil Sialkot in the public secondary schools. Data were gathered via a quantitative correlational research design using a sample of educational leaders (n=86) and teachers (n=344) in the form of structured questionnaires, one of which was Genos Emotional Intelligence Inventory (Genos EII), and another was a researcher-administered Leadership Effectiveness Scale (LES). According to descriptive statistics, educational leaders reflected high emotional intelligence on all the variables assessed, especially emotional reasoning, self-control, and the ability to manage the emotions of others. Equally, the leaders were effective leaders particularly in fostering collaboration, vision of purpose and passion. Correlation analyses indicated that all sub-factors of emotional intelligence had a positive and significant relationship between overall leadership effectiveness, and there was a moderate positive relationship between overall emotional intelligence of leaders and their leadership effectiveness. These results indicate that emotional intelligence can be a major predictor of leadership efficacy in schools, and the training of emotional capabilities should be guided to improve the leadership performance in schools. The paper gives a policy implication to the policy-makers and education administrators to prioritize emotional intelligence training as a policy to enhance educational leadership and school performance.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF UNIVERSITY TEACHERS' ASSESSMENT COMPETENCIES BASED ON PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION
Assessment competencies are an important aspect of effective teaching and learning in higher education that determines the outcomes of students, the quality of instruction, and the level of academics. The objective of this study was to empirically study assessment competencies of university teachers in Punjab, Pakistan, and compare professionally trained and non-professionally trained teachers on five grounds planning, administration, scoring and grading, reporting results, and instructional decision-making. The quantitative, comparative research design was chosen, and the data were gathered through a self-designed Assessment Competencies Questionnaire (ACQ) on 120 teachers (60 professionally qualified and 60 non-professionally qualified) in two randomly selected universities of the public sector. The findings have shown that teachers portrayed moderate to high competencies in total, with the best competency being the administration of assessments, and the worst competency being instructional decision-making. Administration and reporting results showed greater performance of professionally qualified teachers over non-professionally qualified teachers and no significant differences were detected in planning, scoring and grading, or instructional decision-making. These results indicate that professional qualification is an enrichment of some assessment skills, whereas it is necessary to supplement weak areas and optimise the application of assessment data to instructions through specific professional development programs.
Talbina as a functional food and a source of health-beneficial ingredients
Talbina is a traditional barley‑based porridge that occupies a unique place at the intersection of prophetic medicine, traditional diets and modern functional food science. Prepared from barley flour cooked in water or milk and often sweetened with honey, talbina provides complex carbohydrates, high‑quality protein, soluble and insoluble dietary fibre, β‑glucans, vitamins, minerals and a variety of antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory phytochemicals. Classical Islamic sources describe talbina as a food that soothes the heart and relieves sorrow, while contemporary research has begun to document its effects on mood, lipid profile, glycaemic control, gastrointestinal health and chronic disease risk. This narrative review synthesises evidence from religious texts, experimental studies, clinical trials and modern nutrition literature to evaluate talbina as a functional food. The paper outlines the composition and preparation of talbina; summarises data on barley β‑glucan, milk and honey as bioactive ingredients; and reviews studies linking talbina consumption with antidepressant effects, cardiometabolic benefits and gut microbiota modulation. Potential mechanisms include increased intestinal viscosity, bile acid binding, fermentation to short‑chain fatty acids, improved neurotransmitter balance and reduced oxidative stress. Safety considerations, limitations of the current evidence base and future research priorities are also discussed. Overall, talbina appears to be a culturally meaningful, low‑cost and nutritionally dense food that could be incorporated into preventive and therapeutic strategies, especially within Muslim communities and settings where traditional prophetic foods are valued.