PUTAJ Humanities and Social Science

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1) Religion as a Voting Determinant in the Electoral Politics of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A Comparative Study of 2002, 2008 and 2013 General Elections
Author(s):Farmanullah, Shahbaz Khan & Sajjad Ali

Abstract :

This article explores the determinant of religious voting in the electoral politics of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with reference to 2002, 2008 and 2013 General Elections. The study asserts that the theory of religious voting is applicable to some extent (55.1%) in the electoral politics of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This claim is based on the primary data collected through questionnaire from a sample size of 800 respondents, selected through multistage random and systematic sampling from the voter list in NA-2 Peshawar. With regard to 2002 general elections, the data reveals that more than fifty percent respondents (72.6%) supported religious voting. Similarly, with reference to 2008 general polls, the data shows that less than fifty percent of the respondents (47%) favoured religious determinant of voting behaviour. Likewise, with respect to 2013 general elections, the data demonstrated that less than fifty percent of the voters (45.7%) based their electoral preferences on religious voting. The chi-square test, p-value, frequency distribution and percentage method have been used in making statistical analysis.
2) Ideological Analysis of Pervez Musharraf’s Interview with SIEGEL (German Online Magazine)
Author(s):Shazia Ayyaz

Abstract :

This article critically examines the discursive strategies of Pervez Musharraf to find out his ideologies in the background of his multiple identities i.e. Army Chief, President and politician of Pakistan. The study is focused on analyzing the discursive strategies used by Musharraf to express and acquire his ideologies. It also studies the ways in which Musharraf explains and legitimates his actions. Data for the present study is an interview of Musharraf to German online magazine SIEGEL. I analyzed my data following the concept of ideology and discourse suggested by Van Dijk (2006). The study concludes that ideologies are attempted to be expressed and acquired majorly at two levels. In the context of internal political discourse of Pakistan, the binary is between Musharraf (as past and present political figure) and his opponent political parties and the government. The other level of binary is between Musharraf as a Pakistani politician/former head of the country/Chief of the Army staff of the country and the West. He expresses his ideology at both levels in an effective way but sometimes he fails to acquire the ideologies he attempted to acquire.
3) BBC News Story on India funding of MQM: Understanding Expats Perception of Pakistani and Indian Nationalities in the Sultanate of Oman
Author(s):Khalid Sultan & Inam ur Rahman

Abstract :

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) News reported that Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) a political party from Pakistan has been getting funding from Indian's secret agency Research and Analytical Wing (RAW). It has received a considerable media attention in Pakistan. The same has been down played by the Indian national media. The behavior and approach adopted by the Indo-Pak media on BBC's news seemingly reflect the journalistic nationalism. This paper is an attempt to address the issue from the perspective presented on the Indian funding of MQM by the BBC news with particular focus on its coverage, credibility, perception and bias viz-a-viz journalistic nationalism in their respective media. Results and statistical analysis revealed differences between the trend followed by the respective national media and perceptions of this coverage among the highly educated expats of Indo-Pak nationalities residing in the Sultanate of Oman. The relationship has been significantly high in areas like awareness of news report regarding funds provided to MQM by India (x2=.000), source of awareness of BBC news report (x2=.000), credibility of BBC as a news channel (x2=.001) and the trend followed by the respective national media with regard to the BBC news (x2=.000).
4) Representation of Osama bin Laden in the Pakistani, British and American Media: A Case Study of the Abbottabad Operation
Author(s):Amir Hamza Marwan & Faizullah Jan

Abstract :

This research paper draws on the representation of Osama bin Laden, after his killing in the Abbottabad Operation, in the Pakistani, British and American media. The aim of this research is to look into the coverage of major national and international media outlets and to assess how they portrayed Osama bin Laden. The media outlets studied in this research study include: Dawn, The New York Times, Guardian, Geo News, Dunya News and PTV News. The content of these media outlets have been studied for the ten consecutive days. In order to ensure the better argument, the first three statements particularly made about bin Laden in the stories were collected, coded and studied. The findings – based on the Quantitative Content Analysis – demonstrate that almost all the selected media outlets stayed critical of Osama bin Laden after his killing in Abbottabad. It further demonstrates that the selected TV channels and newspapers covered it in independent way – without any fear of repercussions from Taliban or al-Qaida.
5) Student’s Motivation for News Media Consumption: A New Learning Approach
Author(s):Ayesha Qamar

Abstract :

Pakistani media has passed through huge changes and significant growth since 2002. The increased number of private channels ultimately changed the user media consumption habits. The establishment of the new multiple media environment and its influence to reform the patterns of news media consumption have in turn affects the motivation level of students. The researcher's approach has combined uses and gratification and Rubin is (1984) motivational measurements for multiple news media consumption for learning and motivation from news media channels. Using simple random (probability) sampling with digital dialing, the researcher successfully completed the survey with 143 students in total from Islamabad different universities. The study result shows that education level influences the media consumption of the students’. Higher level of education is significantly associated with learning motivation for news media consumption.
6) An Empirical Analysis of Fiscal Policy Hypothesis: Finding the Most Suitable for Pakistan?
Author(s):Umar Hayat, Kausar Takrim & Iftikhar Hussain

Abstract :

The paper examines the correlation between government revenue and expenditure in Pakistan. Fiscal policy plays a vital role in the economic development of an economy. Moreover, fiscal regulation on other actions is important to provide and nourish fiscal discipline for a true policy action. In order to plan fiscal regulations for a country, reduction in public expenditure would be coupled with other important variables. The present study is designed to test the appropriate fiscal policy hypothesis for Pakistan among the following mentioned hypothesis: Tax-and-expenditure by both Buchanan & Wagner (1978) and Friedman (1978); the expenditure-and-tax proposition (Lincoln, 1979); the fiscal harmonization (Islam, 2001); and hypothesis of many factors by Baghestani and Mc-Nown (1994). For data treatment, the co-integration VAR (Vector Auto-regression) model along with Granger causality test was used. The results suggest that uni-directional causality from expenditure to tax proceeds. It also confirms the spend-and-tax hypothesis for fiscal regulation in Pakistan during 1980-2013. Consequently, uni-directional causality running from expenditure to tax proceeds. Government expenditure restraints should be established to control deficit and dipping expenditure. It is an attractive clarification as compared to enhancing tax to attain optimum financial regulation in the country. The study will help policy makers to attain fiscal discipline in the country.
7) Total Quality Management: Implementation in Teacher Training Institutions
Author(s):Sadaf Jabeen, Mahr Muhammad Saeed Akhtar & Muhammad Rauf

Abstract :

The study investigated the extent of total quality implementation in teacher training institutes in Pakistan. These institutes include Institute of Education and Research (IER), University of the Punjab Lahore; University of Education (UE), Lahore; Institute of Education and Research (IER), University of Peshawar; Department of Education, International Islamic University Islamabad and Department of Education, University of Karachi as study sample. Issues such as Teacher Quality Management (TQM) implementation and its benefits were surveyed, discussed and analyzed through specifically constructed research instrument. A questionnaire was sent to the campuses of all five universities. The data were collected from 150 PhD and M Phil students teachers (30 from each university), selected through Purposive Sampling Technique. The study revealed that implementation of total quality is still limited in these universities. The findings of this research will help the management of teacher training institutes to design appropriate strategies to develop TQM culture, redefine their preferences and reallocate the resources of their institutes.
8) The Shalamar Gardens Lahore: A Case Study of Mughal Garden Design and Concept
Author(s):Rabia Chishti, Imrana Seemi & Zile Huma Mujeeb

Abstract :

Islamic landscape architecture is one of the most significant domains of Islamic art and design, especially the development of Chaharbagh based on the concept of the paradisiacal garden that created lush green places in Islamic territories. Muslims developed magnificent paradisical gardens during Timurid Kingdom in Persia and Central Asia and then during Mughal Empire in the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughals laid a unique style of gardens which was symbolic in design. The present study examines the relationship between the physical and symbolic features of Mughal gardens. The paper considers the example of Shalamar Gardens Lahore to examine this relationship.
9) Textiles of Ancient Gandharan Civilization with Special Reference to Bed Linens
Author(s):Faiza Inayat & Shabana Rafique

Abstract :

The study was conducted to observe the use of textiles in the daily life of ancient Gandharan people. The relief panels and sculptures of Gandhara depicted their taste for upholstery and mattresses. Beautifully decorated bed sheets and pillows were commonly used by them.The cultural links between the present and past could be easily bridged by studying the salient features of Gandharan textile items of daily use. Moreover, the beautiful motifs used in their bed sheets can be an asset for future designers.
10) Development of Speaking Skill in English Language through Rote Learning
Author(s):Dyar Ali & Zahoor-ul-Haq

Abstract :

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of Rote Learning in students’ achievement in speaking skill of English language. A sample of fifty students was randomly selected from Government Shaheed Waseem Iqbal High School Tarkha Nowshera to engage the study. To make the study limited, the students were pre-tested and then divided into two equal groups of control and experimental groups. The teaching of control group remained unchanged while the experimental group was taught through Rote Learning. Different methods of Rote learning like Chunking, Rhyming, Mediation, Recital and Bridging were used for the study of experimental group. The data was analyzed by paired sample T-test. The result showed that the students who were engaged through Rote Learning showed good result as compared to those students who were not taught through Rote Learning. The study revealed that Rote Learning had an effective role in the improvement of speaking skill in the study of English.
11) The British Education Policy and Colonial Discourse: A Case Study of Passage to India by E. M. Forster
Author(s):Gulzar Jalal Yousafzai & Arif Khan

Abstract :

The Indian education system was replaced by the British system, recommended by Lord Macaulay. The main objectives of an education system, according to the international norms, is development of critical thinking, logical reasoning, character building, love for one’s nation and humanity, and service to God. However, the colonial attitude was totally against such approaches. British education system was introduced to create a group of literate Indians who would assist the British in ruling the country and in strengthening their political authority. The colonial system of education kept suppressed the nationalist feelings of Indians and changed the basic philosophy of their life. The English writers of the colonial period also advocated the colonial policies in their texts and tried to justify the point of view of the colonizers. A Passage to India by E.M. Forster also reflects this view point. The present paper is an attempt to analyze the colonial attitude of the ruling British about delivering the education in India. The research method is qualitative and analytical; the text is studied for the identification of colonial discourse about the education system and is analyzed in the light of relevant critical study from various dimensions. The analysis reveals that the texts of the colonial period reflect the colonial policy.
12) Semiotic Portrayal of Marginalized Identity in Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man
Author(s):Fehmida Manzoor

Abstract :

The purpose of this study is to trace the use of semiotic resources which frame social and individual identities. The theory of social-semiotics highlights the social and cultural practices which transmit ideologies, generate power and frame identities. The theory of social semiotics is applied to explore the semiotic signs which construct the oppressors and oppressed identities in a social setup. Moreover, African theory (Black Existentialism) is applied further to show the retaliation of the subjugated against power dominated domains in society. Qualitative research paradigm is taken up as a prime research methodology that has guided data analysis. The data is analyzed through the socio-cognitive method of Van Dijk. The data consists of lines from Invisible Man that provide an evidence of social semiotic signs which shape individual and group identities. Conclusions are thereby is drawn, answering the formulated research questions, successfully achieving the objectives. Ralph Ellison’s Invisible man exhibits the semiotic signs which determine human behavioral pattern and further shows the strife of silenced subaltern invisible man for self-attainment and freedom.
13) Modernism and Postmodernism Foregrounded: A Stylistic Analysis of E. E. Cummings Poems
Author(s):Riaz Hussain & Amjad Saleem

Abstract :

E. E. Cummings’ poetry has fascinated readers and critics since the first edition of his poems, primarily because of its unique and unusual style. Although he belongs to the modernist school of poets, with a literary consciousness and sensibility peculiar to the school, some critics still consider his poetry repetitive in themes and technique, and fail to see modernism and postmodernism as prominent features of his picture poems. This article stylistically analyses two of Cummings’ poems, ‘1(a’ and ‘fl’ in order to unravel the modern and postmodern themes and techniques instantiated in the poems through foregrounded deviations. The paper employs five types of foregrounded deviations: typographical, grammatical, lexical, semantic, and morphological as a theoretical framework―deviations proposed by Geoffrey Leech in A Linguistic Guide to English Poetry. The study finds the poems deviant to various degrees, in all five respects, and concludes that modernism and postmodernism are prominent features of the poems both in terms of themes and techniques; hence, style and meaning are embedded and complementary to each other in his poetry.
14) Title and Contents
Author(s):Title and Contents

Abstract :

Title and Contents

Volume No. 24

Issue No. 2

Foreword
PUTAJ provides intellectual platform to researchers and scholars for sharing their scholastic knowledge and contributions of their respective fields of interest and expertise. As a reputable national and international journal, PUTAJ receives contributions from academicians, researchers and policymakers for publishing their empirical research, conceptual papers, case studies and review articles on issues of local, national and international significance. PUTAJ – as an academic venture of the Peshawar University Teachers’ Association (PUTA) – has the distinction of being the only journal in Pakistan which is managed and published by a teacher’ association. It clearly shows the commitment of PUTA executives for the welfare of the teaching community in general and their interest in promoting research culture in particular.
This issue brings together an array of papers that are from disciplines ranging from history, politics, and journalism