The Journal of Global Social Transformation (JGST) is a peer-reviewed, open-access academic journal dedicated to publishing high-quality, interdisciplinary research that addresses global social issues and transformative processes. The journal serves as a platform for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to engage with critical analyses and discussions on social change, development, and transformation across diverse contexts.
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The Impact of Liquidity, Interest Rate, and Exchange Rate on the Capital Structure of Firms: Evidence from the Sugar Sector of Pakistan
This study examines into how the capital structure of businesses in Pakistan's sugar industry is affected by interest rates, liquidity, and exchange rates. The study's secondary data, which spans 50 firm-year observations, was gathered from the annual reports of specific sugar firms and other macroeconomic sources. The debt-to-total-assets ratio was used to assess capital structure, and the current ratio was used to assess liquidity. Interest rates and currency rates were calculated using the annual State Bank of Pakistan policy rate and the average PKR/USD exchange rate, respectively. To investigate the associations between the variables, multiple linear regression analysis, Pearson correlation, and descriptive statistics were used with SPSS. The findings show that the regression model as a whole is statistically significant (F = 2.911, p = 0.044). With an adjusted R2 of 0.105 and an R2 of 0.160, the model's explanatory power is quite poor. Liquidity is one of the independent factors that significantly affects capital structure (β = -0.398, p = 0.005), indicating that enterprises with more liquidity are less dependent on debt financing. On the other hand, interest rates (p = 0.880) and exchange rates (p = 0.916) have no statistically significant impact on capital structure. The results show that enterprises' reliance on external debt is lessened by internally available cash, which supports the Pecking Order Theory. The study finds that while interest rate and currency rate variations have little effect on financing decisions throughout the study period, liquidity is a crucial factor in determining capital structure in Pakistan's sugar industry. Corporate managers, investors, and legislators can utilize these data to better understand the variables influencing businesses' financing decisions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Fenhas Adeel, Dr. Muhammad Muzammil, Nelofer Muhammad Ali (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
When Delay Diminishes Well-Being: Locus of Control as a Psychological Bridge Between Adolescent Procrastination and Life Satisfaction
Adolescents' main self-regulatory problem is procrastination, and it affects their psychological well-being and health. This study used a mediation model of internal sense of agency to analyze the relationship between procrastination and life satisfaction in adolescents of Pakistan. The study was conducted on 800 school-going students in the age range of 13 – 19 years (Mean = 16.24 years, SD = 1.89) from secondary schools of Gujranwala in Pakistan, out of which 52% students were female and 48% were male. Three self-report scales were administered to all participants: the Pure Procrastination Scale (Steel, 2010), Locus of Control Scale (Rotter, 1966) and Multidimensional Students Life Satisfaction Scale (Huebner, 1994). For the mediation analysis, 5,000 iterations of resampling were used, following Preacher and Hayes (2008). The analysis showed that life satisfaction had a significant inverse correlation with procrastination (r = -.46, p <.01), and beliefs about external causality, a positive one (r =.49, p <.01). Further, there was a strong inverse correlation between life satisfaction scores and external causality beliefs (r = - .53, p < .01). The relationship was partially mediated by the indirect effect of procrastination on satisfaction (β = -0.31, SE =.05, 95-percent boot CI = -0.42, -0.22) and the effect accounted for 32.6 percent of the overall effect. Adolescents' beliefs of external causes partially mediate the relationship between their life satisfaction and procrastination. The conclusions indicate that there are immediate and indirect harmful effects of procrastination on people's subjective wellbeing, which increases external attribution and reduce people's sense of agency. Causality and procrastination interventions could be beneficial in improving adolescent life satisfaction.
Copyright (c) 2026 Anam Zafar, Noor Bibi, Malaika Amin, Minahil Noor (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
From Migration Aspiration to Intention: A Narrative Synthesis of International Student Migration in South and Southeast Asia, with a Proposed Model for Pakistan
International student migration from the Global South is now recognized not as a short-term educational stopover, but rather as a process that is also linked to labor market integration, long-term habitation and citizenship aspirations. Although a considerable body of migration research has confirmed that migration aspiration is a reliable predictor of migration intention, the psychological and relational processes by which this translation is achieved are relatively under-theorized, especially for Pakistan, a country with elevated emigration levels but with a relatively small amount of qualitative migration literature, particularly fieldwork-informed qualitative work – Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), in-depth interviews (IDIs), and key informant interviews (KIIs) – in comparison. This article critically synthesizes recent qualitative, conceptual, and documentary literature on international student migration by drawing on multiple foundational strands of scholarship, from the classical push-pull theory to the more recent aspiration-ability distinction, and then the more comprehensive framework of aspirations-capabilities which now dominates the field. The synthesis has been built largely using the qualitative studies from Bangladesh, Nepal, India and Vietnam that were published between 2021 and mid-2026 and is framed around five recurring themes that characterize the aspiration-to-intention pathway: the economic calculus, intrinsic well-being aspiration, imagined belonging, relational embeddedness, and structural and policy volatility. The synthesis reveals that these dimensions work synergically: economic reasoning is not fully and completely informed but is carried out based on socially filtered information; intrinsic aspiration often exceeds and reframes economic reasoning; and policy tightening in the destination country does not extinguish but redirects aspiration. The article positions these findings in the context of the peculiar structural conditions of acute economic instability and a growing internal brain-drain debate in Pakistan, and proposes a nuanced, process-oriented conceptual model to study Pakistani student migration based on fieldwork-informed qualitative work (FGDs/IDIs/KIIs), while also highlighting the intersection of economic and intrinsic aspiration, gendered relational embeddedness, and Pakistan’s own policy and public discourse on brain drain as priority gaps to be explored in future qualitative fieldwork.
Copyright (c) 2026 Kashif Gill (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Towards Smart Universities: An Integrated Framework of Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and Educational Policy for Digital Transformation
The rapid advancement of digital technologies has accelerated the transformation of higher education toward Smart Universities, where Artificial meha (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and effective educational policies collectively enhance teaching, learning, governance, and institutional sustainability. This research constructs an integrated framework that describes AI, IoT, and Educational Policy for the sustainable digital transformation of higher education. The framework was quantitatively assessed using a cross-sectional research design. Data were collected using a structured online questionnaire to a sample of 437 people comprising students, faculty, and staff from the universities and IT professionals from public and private universities in Punjab and Sindh, Pakistan. A cross-section of universities was selected, including but not limited to, University of the Punjab, Government College University Lahore, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, University of Education Lahore, University of Karachi, NED University of Engineering and Technology, and University of Sindh Jamshoro. The online data collection was done using Google Forms, data were processed in Microsoft Excel, and analytic procedures were done in IBM SPSS Statistics, Version 27. Study Variable Relationships were measured and assessed using Descriptive Statistics, Correlation (Pearson), Multiple Linear Regression, t-Test, and ANOVA (One Way). The research identified the collective impact of AI, IoT, and Educational Policy in the digital transformation of Smart Universities, signifying the value of concurrent coupling of innovation (technology) and governance and/or institutional policy. The framework offers research and practice insights toward Smart and Sustainable Higher Education for university administrators, higher education policymakers, and educators.
Copyright (c) 2026 Faheem Ahmed, Kashia Riaz, Kamran Dahri, Dr. Iram Saddiqa (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Exploring the Role of Positive Education in Early Childhood Education; A Pathway to Socio-Emotional Well-Being
This paper explored how Positive Education can be used in improving the socio-emotional well-being of Early Childhood Education (ECE), specifically in the Pakistani context. Through the perspective of a qualitative research design, a document analysis, and a thematic analysis, this paper looks at global guidelines like the PERMA model and Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) among the international best practices and national policy documents, including the Single National Curriculum of Pakistan (SNC, 2020). The results showed that Positive Education has a great contribution to the emotional strength, cognitive and social growth of children. Models like the PERMA and the SEL uphold major competencies like empathy, self-regulation as well as relationship-building. The study, however, pinpoints key weaknesses in the ECE system in Pakistan such as inadequate assimilation of socio-emotional learning, inadequate teacher training, and excessive focus on academic performance. In this analysis, the author also emphasizes the necessity of the cultural adaptation of Positive Education to include indigenous values like Sabr (patience) and Shukr (gratitude) to make sure that it can be more relevant and efficient. This research paper finds that Positive Education can offer a long-lasting solution to enhance educational opportunities and future well-being as it is introduced as a part of the ECE system in Pakistan. It suggests policy changes, training of teachers and curriculum, and community engagement to facilitate successful realization of well-being-based education.
Copyright (c) 2026 Riffat Bano, Dr. Muhammad Aslam Kamboh, Nida Imam (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Implementation of School Cluster System in Balochistan: A Qualitative Perspective of Female Teachers
The School Cluster System (SCS) is a strategic initiative intended to enhance educational quality, strengthen administrative capacity, and promote professional collaboration among schools in Balochistan. This study examined the challenges experienced by female teachers during the implementation of the SCS in selected cluster schools. Data were collected from female teachers through semi-structured interviews; data were analysed through thematic analysis to develop a deeper understanding of participants’ experiences. The findings indicate that the SCS has positively contributed to professional networking, collaborative learning, and the sharing of instructional resources. However, its effective implementation is constrained by inadequate training, insufficient infrastructure, weak administrative coordination, and limited institutional support. The study highlights the importance of continuous professional development, stronger leadership support, and the incorporation of gender-sensitive policies to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of the SCS. The findings provide useful evidence for policymakers, education planners, and development partners seeking to design equitable, context-sensitive, and sustainable educational reforms, particularly in under-resourced areas of Balochistan.
Copyright (c) 2026 Hani, Niamatullah Baloch, Rafiq Ahmed (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Sociology of Silence: Missing Female Voices in Punjabi Folk Tales
The present research paper discusses and analyzes the social construction of gender roles in Punjabi folk tales. In this research it is highlighted that the culture is the backbone of any civilization and it plays a vital role in human society. Storytelling is a cultural tradition in Punjabi society. In every folk tale there is depiction of human life in context of their gender roles either they are male or female but they are very close to the culture and its expectations. It is the diverse and heterogeneous constituent of daily life from the folk tales from secondary data collection like: Heer Ranjha, Sassi Punnu, Mirza Sahiban and Sohni Mahiwal. The main goal of this work is based on feministic viewpoint and their social standing in society. Secondly this study discern the importance has been given to Female emotions and their voices toward their life decisions. In the age of patriarchy either they are free to enjoy their lives as their own. This research is qualitative by nature. Critical discourse analysis has been adopted in this work. Different themes explains power, authority, female standing and patriarchal ideology. The final phase of this study involves documenting the findings, which encompass a review of the interpretations. This research has led to three primary conclusions. Firstly, it addresses the recognition of women across different cultures. Secondly, it examines the sacrifices, emotions, financial toxicity, and societal conflicts encountered by female characters within the narrative. Lastly, the research indicates that women are often required to assume responsibilities for matters typically not undertaken by men. Furthermore, girls and women experience greater stress and are often not permitted to make independent.
Copyright (c) 2026 Iqra Almas, Dr. Nizar Ahmad, Dr. Sajjad Ahmad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Influence of AI-Assisted Programming Tools on Coding Competency Among Computer Science Students
This study examined the influence of AI-assisted programming tools on the coding competency of computer science students, with particular attention to how such tools affect debugging, independent problem-solving, and overall skill development. A descriptive correlational research design was utilized based on a structured questionnaire. The survey was built using validated scales on AI programming tools and coding. This survey was distributed with a few adjustments and was tested on undergraduate computer science students from universities in the Punjab and Sindh regions of Pakistan. Convenience sampling was applied for the survey, and ultimately, a sample of 268 students was surveyed. Respondents had to provide informed consent, and the data were collected through Google Forms. The survey was shared in the respective university class groups and through official student email and social media. The privacy of the respondents was assured, and the data were collected using quantitative analysis. The AI programming tools and coding skills research focused on the reliability analysis and the descriptive and principal component analysis. The results of this study will benefit students of computer science and coding. This will help educators structure tools in a way that will help students improve AI programming and maintain coding skills that offer students tools to remain independent coders and aid researchers to explain the use of AI in the coding and programming skills of university students for further research.
Copyright (c) 2026 Huzaifa Javed, Faheem Ahmed, Afrasiyab Ali, Kanza Zahra (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Financial Management Practices and Sustainability of NGOs in Pakistan
Much is being heard of the kind of funds financial management plays in the maintenance and operation of non-governmental agencies (NGOs) in Pakistan which are giving special attention to the relief of disaster, development and social work, and are gaining momentum in Pakistan very fast. While they have a strong grip on the ground, most NGos face issues of sustainability in Pakistan because of lack of proper financial controls, irregular budgeting, weak accountability and donor dependency. This is a research paper on empirical investigation of financial management practices (budgeting, internal control, financial reporting and audit compliance) on sustainability of NGO working in Pakistan. is positivist thesis and it can be said applying the theories of Resource Based View (RBV) and Stakeholder Theory, it is deductive axiological research using quantitative research type. The questionnaire was undertaken in a systematic manner targeting management officers and the finance experts of the 250 registered NGOs including the ones working on Disaster alleviation, Education, Healthcare etc. Purposive sampling was used to collect data which were then subjected to SPSS and AMOS. The techniques used to test the proposed relationships were descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, exploratory factor analysis, correlation, multiple regression and structural equation model (SEM). With regard to analysis, budgeting, internal controls and financial reporting showed a high and positive relationship to the sustainability of an NGO, while compliance was a strong predictor. Model fit was excellent (CFI = 0.94 and RMSEA = 0.05) indicating that the proposed constructs related to financial management are indeed strongly associated with sustainability outcomes. Financial transparency, too, was identified as a mediator between financial practices and sustainability, highlighting the importance of technical and ethical aspects. Results of the research benefit the theoretical literature and policy NGO management so far as it adds an objective correlation between financial management and sustainability. It ensures that good budgeting practices, integral internal controls and sanitation, frequent reports and careful audit procedures significantly increase the capacity of an NGO to survive, react and grow in difficult economic times. The study also provides an empirically supported framework of financial sustainability of financial sustainability measurement in NGO and some practical recommendations to the researchers, policy makers and international donors for boosting financial sustainability of development organizations in Pakistan. However, the limitations of the cross-sectional design and the use of a purposive sampling design provide a foundation for future studies of this research that would include a longitudinal and cross country comparative design. The following details the thesis, which proposes the following measures to promote the long-term influence of NGOs and donor trust: executing a capacity-building model, implementing good financial governance policies and increasing investment in financial systems used in NGOs.
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Jamshaid, Dr. Muhammad Muzammil, Muhammad Anas (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Smart Fashion A Comprehensive Review of Smart Technologies and Their Applications
Smart technology in the fashion world resulted in smart wearable textiles becoming a new addition to the traditional textile industry, which brings functional aesthetics by combining smart into fashion. This survey aims to publish the development and main advances of smart fashion focusing mainly on the key advanced materials, nano technology, Ai, IoT and flexible electronics which bring the revolution to the textile by turning it into a smart and interactive garment. Smart textiles can be used for healthcare (checking health in real-time), wearable fitness trackers or in the military and fashion which can monitor the environment or takes adaptive responses. The research investigates the influence of AI-influenced tools, 3D printing and technology communication systems (5G, edge computing) on the future innovations in smart fashion. The problems of high cost of production, scalability and privacy and sustainability requirements, while rapid innovation challenges remain in its way. This review discusses the role of novel materials to overcome these challenges, as well as energy-efficient techniques coupled with secure IoT infrastructures. With its potential to bridge the gap between innovation and mass-adoption and transform clothes into a medium for technology near-physiological collaboration in a more sustainable and intelligent manner.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ayesha Hussain, Rizwan Munir, Tayyab Raza, Muhammad Muddasar Mehmood, Iffat Mahmood (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Breaking Barriers: Gender Inequality in Pakistan's Education System—Causes, Consequences, and Policy Solutions
Gender disparity remains one of the most persistent barriers to achieving inclusive and equitable quality education in Pakistan. It affects educational opportunities, social mobility, and national development objectives. This article aims to analyse the phenomenon of gender inequality, its causes, consequences, and to propose policy solutions to address this challenge. It provides insights from recent statistics to highlight the ongoing gender inequality across various educational levels in Pakistan. Major contributors to this disparity include socioeconomic constraints, cultural barriers, early marriages, and gender bias. The article also examines legislative and policy frameworks designed to promote gender equality. Finally, it advocates for evidence-based policies and practical solutions to improve girls' access, retention, and participation in education. By addressing all key factors, this article offers a comprehensive plan to advance the ongoing debate on promoting inclusive, equitable, and quality education in Pakistan.
Copyright (c) 2026 Imran Hussain (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Analysis of Pakistani TESOL Textbooks through Syllabus Design and Evaluation Models
The study is destined to appraise the TEOL textbooks of Pakistan through the syllabus design and evaluation lens models. It is anticipated to uncover the pedagogical practices that contour language instruction. It exploits a qualitative descriptive approach to synthesise the findings of the studies to interpret the plus and constraints of existing textbook practices through an evaluation lens, i.e., content analysis, checklist, and readability assessment. The study evaluates how syllabus design and assessment metrics replicate learners’ cultural engagement with pedagogical coherence. The interpretive conclusions of the study are reminiscent of the notion that some textbooks are aligned, but many falls short in terms of fostering multiliteracies and culturally responsive practices. The study is substantial in terms of on-going textbooks reformed discourse by offering learners’ specific and inclusive TESOL textbooks development in Pakistani context.
Beckett's Theatre Garden and the Contemporary Dramaturgy: An Eco-critical Perspective
Current study is intended to unearth the relation of man and nature as a key concept of eco-criticism. It is meant to uncover the eco-critical aspects that are there in Beckett’s plays in general and with respect to Waiting for Godot and Endgame in particular. The impacts of World War II and nuclear sublime on human nature as well as “nature” have also been amply addressed in the study. In order to achieve these objectives the researcher has made use of descriptive qualitative methodology. In addition, he has consumed eco-criticism as a theoretical approach to unearth relation between man and nature. Here, nature has been taken in an aesthetic sense rather than in scientific terms. The findings of the study indicate that there is a direct link between human and nature. It is human that has demolished nature and environment especially due to World War II and nuclear sublime.
Attachment Styles, Romantic Jealousy and Marital Satisfaction among Married Individuals
The aims of the current study were to find out relationship of attachment styles (secure, dependent & Anxious) and romantic jealousy (cognitive emotional & behavioral) with marital satisfaction. It was also aimed to explore the predictors (attachment styles, romantic jealousy) of marital satisfaction. Moreover, gender differences were also explored. These objectives were explored in two phases. The guidelines of forward-back translation (Brislin, 1976) were followed to translate the first: Multidimensional Jealousy Scale (MJS) and Marital Satisfaction Scale (ENRICH-MSS) into Urdu language. Sample of main study consisted N = 226 married individuals Men’s (N=162), Women’s (N=64) with age range of 25 to 50 years (M = 33.06, SD = 8.45). They differed in their level of education from matriculation to PhD. The Revised Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS) by Collins (1996) α = .74, Multidimensional Jealousy Scale (Pfeiffer & Wong, 1989) α = .93 and The Marital Satisfaction Scale (Fowers& Olson, 1993) α = .46 were used. Results showed that most of the participants scored high on Close attachment, Dependent attachment and anxious attachment, 128, 115 and 117 respectively with cut of scores of 17 and 18. In the same way, they scored high on Marital satisfaction = 139 and idealistic distortion = 116 with cut of scores 31 and 18 respectively. In contrast, they had low scores on Multidimensional Jealousy scale and its three sub scales. Highly significant positive relationship was found between attachment styles and ENRICH-Marital Satisfaction (r = .40, p˂.001) while inverse and significant relationship was found between ENRICH Marital Satisfaction and romantic jealousy (r = -.16, p˂.05). The results of the multiple regression analysis revealed that revised adult attachment and three sub-scores, multidimensional jealousy scale and three sub-scores were predictive of marital satisfaction and explained 32% of the total variance. In contrast, gender difference was not observed to be significant. The implications of the study were discussed in cultural context of Pakistan.
Copyright (c) 2026 Esham Noor, Ayman Naeem, Maham Muzaffar, Saira Shafiq, Madiha Zafar, Mehak Zafar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Influence of CSR on Brand Equity and Consumer Satisfaction: Role of Customer Satisfaction and Moderating Role of Skepticism
This study examines the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on customer satisfaction and customer-based brand equity (CBBE) within a collectivist cultural context, specifically in Pakistan. It explores how CSR initiatives shape customer perceptions, foster satisfaction, and ultimately enhance brand value, with customer satisfaction acting as a bridge between CSR and brand equity. A quantitative research approach was adopted, collecting data from 200 respondents in Karachi using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire administered both in person and online. Smart-PLS was utilized for hypothesis testing. The findings reveal that CSR positively influences both customer satisfaction and brand equity, with customer satisfaction playing a crucial mediating role. Additionally, skepticism was found to impact the relationship between customer satisfaction and brand equity, highlighting the significance of consumer trust in brand perception. However, the study faced limitations such as a short data collection period, a lower response rate of 168 out of 200, and the use of a structured questionnaire with close-ended questions. Given these constraints, future research should explore this relationship from other stakeholders’ perspectives and employ longitudinal data to enhance generalizability and reliability.
Copyright (c) 2026 Raheel Farooqi, Khalid Baig, Muhammad Sufyan Ramish, Marium Mateen Khan, Zainab Iftikhar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Navigating the AI Era: Artificial Intelligence Literacy, Career Anxiety, and Employability Confidence Among University Students
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming higher education and the global labor market, making AI literacy an essential competency for university students. This paper investigates the connection between the artificial intelligence (AI) literacy, career anxiety, and employability confidence of university students in Punjab and Sindh, Pakistan. Using a quantitative cross-sectional research design, data were collected with an online structured, published, and validated questionnaire. The sample included postgraduate and undergraduate students from various public and private universities, such as University of the Punjab, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Government College University Faisalabad, University of Karachi, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, and Sukkur IBA University. A convenience sampling technique was used to collect data from 397 respondents. The data were transferred to Microsoft Excel, where they were prepared for analysis in IBM SPSS Statistics. A variety of statistical analyses were conducted, including descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression as well as independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA. The results demonstrated a positive correlation between AI literacy, employability confidence, and career anxiety. This study addresses a gap in the literature by empirically substantiating AI-skill-based curricular and career interventions from a career confidence perspective in response to digital disruption, thus offering university constituents and educational policymakers a means to enhance students’ career confidence.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ishtiaq Ahmad, Asma Amanat, Meer Hamza Jehangir, Zafar Ali (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Climate Change, Energy Transition, and Great Power Competition: Examining the Future of Global Environmental Governance in an Era of Geopolitical Rivalry
The global energy transition is increasingly entangled with great power competition, shifting global environmental governance from multilateral cooperation to fragmented "climate statecraft" and green protectionism. This study investigates how macro-level geopolitical rivalry impacts micro-level corporate resilience, specifically examining the moderating role of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) integration in navigating this volatility. Utilizing a quantitative panel data design, we analyze 450 firm-year observations of non-financial firms across China (n=250) and Pakistan (n=200) from 2015 to 2025. Employing Two-Way Fixed Effects (TWFE) and System GMM estimators to address endogeneity, the findings reveal that heightened Geopolitical Risk (GPR) significantly erodes corporate resilience. However, robust SDG integration acts as a critical "conditional crisis insurance," significantly mitigating the adverse financial and operational shocks induced by geopolitical rivalry. This buffering effect is highly context-dependent: Chinese firms leverage SDG alignment to synchronize with state-directed "Dual Carbon" mandates, secure policy-backed green financing, and insulate themselves against Western decoupling and export controls, while Pakistani firms utilize it as a strategic hedge against acute macroeconomic instability, debt vulnerabilities, and regional security shocks. Ultimately, this paper demonstrates that the future of global environmental governance relies heavily on corporate sustainability strategies serving as the frontline defense against geopolitical fragmentation, particularly for firms navigating the crossfire of great power rivalry. We recommend future research expand to broader BRICS+ economies, utilize supply chain network analysis, and examine the distinct dynamics of State-Owned Enterprises in the geopolitics of green industrial policy.
Copyright (c) 2026 Nosheen Zahra, Hina Ahmad, Syeda Vardah Aftab, Dr. Asiya Khattak (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A Model-Agnostic Framework for Transparent, Fair, and Reproducible Automated Essay Scoring
The most accurate automated essay scoring systems function as opaque black boxes. This lack of transparency presents a significant obstacle to trust among the students, teachers, and policymakers who rely on these tools, as fairness and accountability are non-negotiable. The design and evaluation of a model-agnostic framework for explainable AI in essay scoring are detailed, with a foundational focus on reproducibility and algorithmic fairness. By addressing these longstanding challenges, the proposed framework delivers a tool that is understandable and trustworthy for students, educators, and policymakers. The contributions of this work are threefold. First, a prompt-aware binning strategy is introduced to normalize essay scores into three proficiency tiers, which enhances model stability and enables a more meaningful fairness analysis. Second, both classic and state-of-the-art transformer models are benchmarked within a reproducible pipeline that utilizes deterministic controls and a manifest system to track every data artifact, ensuring that all findings are auditable and verifiable. Third, rather than focusing on fairness or interpretability in isolation, this work integrates both dimensions, using SHAP and LIME to dissect model logic and to identify and measure disparities across demographic groups. On the ASAP2.0 dataset, a fine-tuned DeBERTa-v3-large model achieves a macro-F1 of 0.898. An XGBoost model trained on a fused set of linguistic and transformer features achieves a competitive 0.890. This framework aims to set a new standard for transparent and trustworthy AI in educational assessment and offers a foundation for future research in explainable educational technology.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ahsan Javed (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
AI-Supported Education and Student Mental Health: Balancing Innovation with Psychological Well-Being
Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed higher education by introducing intelligent learning environments that support personalized instruction, adaptive learning, automated assessment, and enhanced student engagement. While AI-supported education offers substantial academic benefits, its implications for students' mental health and psychological well-being remain insufficiently explored. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between AI-supported education and student mental health, This research aimed to identify artificial intelligence-supported education systems and teaching models and the effect that AI-assisted education has on students' psychological well-being and mental state. It focused on health in the field of higher education, balancing the innovations and psychological health of students. A quantitative, cross-sectional study was used. The primary data used were collected by means of a structured questionnaire. The targeted population for this study included both undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled at public and private universities in Punjab and Sindh, Pakistan, including Bahauddin Zakariya University, The Women University Multan, University of the Punjab, Government College University Faisalabad, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, University of Sindh Jamshoro, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, NED University of Engineering and Technology Karachi, Foundation university medical college, and the University of Karachi. The specific sample used for this study was convenience sampling. Google Forms were distributed to university mailing lists and academic social media platforms, collecting data from 457 participants. The data were screened using Microsoft Excel. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 27. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics including Cronbach's Alpha, Pearson’s correlation, multiple linear regression, Independent Samples t-test, and One-Way ANOVA were employed for this study. The results showed that AI-supported education positively affected student mental health and psychological well-being, showing distinct demographic patterns for respondents. The results of this study build on established research to show that, when critically applied in the field of higher education, AI innovation may support the enhancement of not only teaching and learning but also the psychological well-being of students. Based on the results, recommendations are made for educators, higher education administrators, and policy makers, as well as instructional designers and education technology entrepreneurs, to aid the development of ethical, student-centered, and psychological support frameworks for the use of AI Learning technologies within the field of higher education.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dr Batool Butt, Nimra Jamil, Dr. Mahira Mirza, Dr. Muhammad Imran Saleem (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Artificial Intelligence in Predictive Maintenance: Enhancing Machine Reliability and Industrial Productivity
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technology in modern manufacturing by enabling predictive maintenance strategies that enhance machine reliability and improve industrial productivity. This research investigated the effects Artificial Intelligence has on machine reliability and the productivity of the industrial sector, concerning predictive maintenance, and manufacturing companies located in Punjab and Sindh, Pakistan. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was used and an adopted, structured, online questionnaire was deployed. 467 online respondents located at various Pakistan based companies filled in the questionnaire. These respondents were maintenance engineers, production engineers, and plant managers, among others. Concerning the sample companies, the respondents hailed from Pakistan Steel Mills, Engro Corporation and Honda Atlas Pakistan, among others. The responses were downloaded into Microsoft Excel and then uploaded into SPSS Version 27 to perform the statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics were used in preliminary analysis of the study sample. To analyze the study variables, Pearson correlation analysis, multiple linear regression and Independent Samples t-test were employed, and One-Way ANOVA was used to establish the predictive effects and differences among the study variables. The study found that AI and predictive maintenance positively impacted the machine reliability, industrial maintenance, and the productivity of the industry. The study adds to the existing research of AI and predictive maintenance in the context of the Pakistan manufacturing industry. It also offers practical use for industry managers and policy makers.
Copyright (c) 2026 Rashad Mahmood Khan, Faheem Ahmed, Mishal Zahra, Dr. Muhammad Imran Saleem (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
When Constitutions Exist but Constitutionalism Fails: A Constitutional History of Pakistan from 1947 to Present
Pakistan’s constitutional history contains a paradox. Since gaining independence, the country has implemented three written constitutions as well as numerous constitutional amendments intended to establish and enhance democracy and enforce the use of state powers. Despite the constitutional developments, Pakistan continues to collide with a military coup dislocation of power, political disruption and constitutional crisis. This article examines the constitutional realms of Pakistan from 1947 till the present by distinguishing between existence and practice. In this context, distinction envisaged new laws, principles, and precedents. Pakistan’s constitutional problems faced are not because constitutions were not present, but because the political institutions and state actors have constantly violated the constitutional principles. This research applies doctrinal and historical legal research methods on constitutional documents, constitutional amendments, landmark court judgments and major political developments to evaluate the relationship between constitutional text and constitutional practice. Pakistan, this article finds, suffers from weak constitutionalism due to military interference; executive dominance; weak parliamentary traditions; judicial legitimisation of unconstitutional actions; and an underdeveloped constitutional culture. For the stability of constitution to last forever security of constitutional supremacy, independence of judiciary, accountability of executive to the democratically elected parliament and rule of law must be observed by all institutions of the state.
Copyright (c) 2026 Tufail Ali Shaikh, Muhammad Abu Bakar Memon, Aftab Ahmed Shaikh (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Fiscal Vulnerability and Execution Paralysis: A Quantitative Case Study of the Government of Balochistan (2023-2024)
Background: Public Sector Financial Reporting is the cornerstone of accountability and fiscal transparency in government. Structural inequities between budgets and service provision frequently occur at a sub-national level of governance in developing countries. The objective of this case study is to review the fiscal situation of the Government of Balochistan for Fiscal Year 2023-2024, in the context of indicators of revenue dependence, sectoral budget execution variance, and public debt management. Data Analysis: Quantitative descriptive analysis, and the information was collected from the data of the Fiscal Annual Statement presented by the Auditor General. The analysis was done not in the traditional way, as nominal reporting, but also in real terms, which included measures of real purchasing power and how the provincial expenditure is executed efficiently. Results: The fiscal system is very reliant on transfers: 75.8% of the income comes from federal transfers and just 4.8% from provincial tax collection. Moreover, the study shows that there is execution paralysis with the systematic approach in all public sectors. The government spent less than its revised budget allocations in key areas such as Social Protection, Education (Rs. Health (Rs. 797 million). Strangely enough, although they could not use the existing funds, new domestic borrowing increased by 112.6% year over year. This surge in borrowings led to rising repayment costs and over-investment in debt, with Rs. $52.6 billion in closing cash balances left unspent. Conclusion: The fiscal deficit in Balochistan is not due to a shortage of money but to a serious lack of absorptive capacity and administration. Simply pushing more federal transfers and debt-financed allocations doesn't necessarily lead to better public results if that's not accompanied by a broader reimagining of the province's project pipelines and tax-collection systems.
Copyright (c) 2026 Khalid Umer, Dr. Kamran Khan, Hakima, Dr. Muhammad Zada, Sajjad Ahmad, Israr Hussain Raisani, Dr. Asif Iqbal, Dr. Abdul Rahim, Dr. Nazakat Ali (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Impact of Socio-Economic Shocks on Food Insecurity: A Case Study of Pakistan
Despite these efforts, food insecurity remains a significant development concern in Pakistan, exacerbated by socioeconomic shocks such as COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the 2022 floods, inflation, and climate change. This study compares the multidimensional food insecurity situation in the nation by analyzing nationally representative Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) data for 2018–19 and 2024–25. A Multidimensional Food Insecurity Index (MFII) was constructed based on four dimensions: availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability. The findings reveal that although food-secure households increased slightly from 15.8% to 18.17%, moderate food insecurity became the dominant category, rising from 34.8% to 38.78%, indicating that many households remained food insecure rather than becoming food secure. Serious food insecurity remained high at 32.99%, while 9.32% of households continued to face alarming food insecurity. On the provincial level, multidimensional food insecurity continued to be high in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, with the number of moderate food insecure increasing from 17.65% to 41.94% and 18.71% to 40.09%, respectively. The results indicate that, even with government support, socio-economic shocks are still affecting the resilience of households and clearly highlight the importance of adopting specific policies that can enhance long-term multidimensional food security in the country.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mehwish Zatoon, Sami Ullah (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Impact of Transformational Leadership on Employee Creativity: The Mediating Role of Intrinsic Motivation in Organizational Settings
This study examined the impact of transformational leadership on employee creativity with the mediating role of intrinsic motivation in public and private sector organizations in Punjab, Pakistan. A quantitative research approach with a cross-sectional, survey-based correlational design was employed to test the proposed hypotheses. Data were collected from 867 employees working in schools, colleges, universities, and administrative offices through a structured self-administered questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale. Respondents from public and private sector organizations were selected using a convenience sampling technique. The data were analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, correlation, regression, and mediation analyses were employed in the study. The findings showed that transformational leadership positively influences employee creativity (β = 0.62, p < .01), and intrinsic motivation (β = 0.58, p < .01). In addition, the study established that intrinsic motivation significantly and positively influences employee creativity (β = 0.65, p < .01). Mediation analysis showed that intrinsic motivation partially mediates the influence of transformational leadership on employee creativity. Overall, the findings indicate that transformational leadership enhances employee creativity both directly and indirectly through intrinsic motivation. The study contributes to transformational leadership and motivation theories by identifying intrinsic motivation as a key psychological mechanism linking leadership behaviour to employee creativity. Practically, the findings suggest that managers should adopt transformational leadership practices that strengthen employees’ intrinsic motivation, thereby supporting innovation and organizational performance.
Copyright (c) 2026 Robina Iqbal, Zafar Ali, Muhammad Nadeem (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Teachers' Adoption of Emerging Educational Technologies: Opportunities, Challenges, and Pedagogical Readiness in Private Schools of Karachi
The rapid advancement of emerging educational technologies has transformed teaching practices and created new opportunities for improving learning experiences. The present study investigated how teachers use emerging educational technologies in private schools of Karachi with respect to the teachers' familiarity, adoption of the technology, pedagogical readiness, barriers, and professional development requirements. The research design adopted was quantitative research design with cross-sectional design, and the data collection technique used was a structured questionnaire, the subjects of the study were 34 teachers. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS, descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Pearson correlation and regression analysis. The results showed that teachers' knowledge of emerging technologies was positive, and they were also ready to use and ready to teach technologies. Pedagogical readiness, professional development needs, teacher familiarity were among the factors that significantly predicted technology adoption while barriers negatively predicted technology adoption. The study highlights the importance of strengthening teachers’ digital competencies, providing continuous professional development, and ensuring institutional support for sustainable technology integration in school education.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Syeda Aliya Fatima, Salima Shahzad Arwani, Kiran Naz Saleem (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Digital Transformation of Terrorism: Emerging Technologies and Pakistan's Counterterrorism Strategies
Terrorist methods and strategies have been greatly altered by technology, allowing them to cross physical borders and expand their reach. Terrorist groups within and outside the country's borders have utilized technological breakthroughs to enhance their operational capabilities. In fighting again terrorism, Pakistan has accepted technology as an essential tool in countering terrorism. Advances in modern surveillance systems, biometric identification tools, AI, and cybersecurity infrastructures have allowed the country to better predict and respond to attacks. This study mainly seeks to explore how terrorist organizations are taking advantage of emerging technologies in their operational activities in Pakistan. Additionally, this research also examines the effectiveness of Pakistan's technological counterterrorism policies, emphasizing on the effective initiatives and strategies employed by the state of Pakistan to combat terrorism by using technology in the digital age.
Technology, Cybersecurity, Counterterrorism, Artificial Intelligence, Radicalization.
Copyright (c) 2026 Kausar Imdad Ul Haq, Asif Iqbal Dawar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A Comprehensive Assessment of Pakistan’s Sectoral Export Via Inward Foreign Direct Investment: An Operational Implications
This study comprises a panel of nine sectors and has been analyzed for monthly data for 108 months for the period from 2006 to 2022 by using the statistical packages of STATA. In monthly analysis panel unit root tests of Fisher Dicky Fuller, Pesaran and Shin and Breitung are conducted which infer that exports, foreign direct investment, domestic investment, exchange rate, terrorism, production, scale economy and labor productivity are stationary at level ‘I(0)’ while exchange rate is stationary at order one ‘I(1)’. This reveals that the problem of non-stationarity is not very serious. So pooled regression, Least Square Dummy Variable, fixed effect and random effect models have been used. Results show that in analysis across sectors, lag exports, domestic investment, exchange rate, terrorism and labor productivity have an influential effect on exports in the many sectors. However, foreign direct investment has no significant effect on exports in the sectors of food, chemicals, textile and machinery and equipment. While in overall sector analysis, lag exports, foreign direct investment, domestic investment and exchange rate have significant positive effect on export. This shows that food, chemical, textiles and machinery sectors are favorable sectors for foreign direct investment.
Copyright (c) 2026 Umar Sultan, Muhammad Idrees, Umar Hayat, Tariq Usman, Kashif Ali (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Signifying the Imperative nexus among Co2 Emissions, ICT’s and Economic Growth: A case study of Pakistan
Pakistan is facing the problem of environmental pollution. Environmental Pollution is caused by the use of coal energy consumptions, infrastructure proxy as transport, for economic growth but the concerns of environmental pollution cannot be ignored. The purpose of this study to investigate the impact of information and communication technology, gross domestic product, (GDP) with CO2 emission in Pakistan for a long-run by using annual time series data from 1990 to 2020. Using Augmented Dickey-Fuller Unit Root and Phillips Perron Test for stationary, Autocorrelation and ARDL Bound technique. The estimated results of ARDL indicate that economic growth (GDP), increase the CO2 emission in Pakistan both in short run and long run. While Information and communication technology decrease the CO2 emission Based on the estimated results it is recommended that policy maker in Pakistan should install advance technology and convert traditional energy sources such as coal energy consumption to solar energy that can reduce the CO2 emission and also ensure sustainable economic development of Pakistan.
Copyright (c) 2026 Tariq Usman, Umar Hayat, Muhammad Idrees, Kashif Ali, Umar Sultan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Perception of Fairness and Organization Citizenship Behavior (OCB): Empirical Evidence from Education Sector of Pakistan
The study examined that how teacher’s perception of fairness affects their willingness to cooperate and contribute in higher degrees awarding education institutions of Pakistan. using cross-sectional survey design. The data has been collected from 267 faculty members of higher degrees awarding institutions in Peshawar city of KPK were selected using stratified random sampling procedures and responses was recorded survey instrument. For results computation descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis were used to find relationship between dependent and independent variables using Ordinary Least Square (OLS) approach. A positive and significant relationship was found between teacher’s perception of fairness and OCB.
Copyright (c) 2026 Kashif Ali, Muhammad Idrees, Umar Hayat, Tariq Usman, Umar Sultan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Exploring Undergraduate Students’ Lived Experiences of Learning Critical Thinking and Reflective Practices: A Phenomenological Study
Critical thinking and reflective practice are essential competencies for prospective teachers in contemporary education. This study explores the lived experiences of undergraduate students who took the course Critical Thinking and Reflective Practices in a BS program of a public university at Sialkot. It was a qualitative study with a phenomenological research design. 8 prospective teachers were selected through a purposive sampling technique to get rich and detailed descriptions of their experiences. For data collection, semi-structured interviews were conducted through a self-developed interview guide. All the interviews were audio-recorded with the permission of the participants and lasted for 30-45 minutes. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The analysis generated three major themes: (1) transformative learning through student-centred pedagogy, (2) learning activities for critical thinking, reflective practice, and professional identity development and (3) contextual challenges and pathways for sustaining transformative learning. The results indicated that the students' analytical thinking, self-awareness, problem-solving skills, and reflective learning habits were improved. Some of the difficulties mentioned by participants were unfamiliar learning approaches, not having encountered critical inquiry before, and writing reflections. The study shows that critical thinking and reflective practice courses have a significant effect on students’ intellectual and professional development and suggests that reflection/ interactive learning should be introduced more in the academic curriculum in higher education institutions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Syeda Asma Sarwar, Sidra Shahzadi, Dr. Muhammad Jamil (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0