PUTAJ Humanities and Social Science

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1) Critical Race Theory: The Intersectionality of Race, Gender and Social Justice
Author(s):Anoosh W. Khan

Abstract :

Critical Race Theory emerged in the mid-1970s and has its origins in the Legal Critical Studies and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s in the U.S. Legal scholars scrutinized how law upheld the white privilege, regarding race, gender, class, and social justice, rather than following the principles of law. Critical Race Theory also draws from critical theory, post-colonialism, continental social, and political philosophy, and feminism, which in turn, gave rise to Critical Race Feminism; LatCrit; AsianCrit; and Queer RaceCrit theories. This paper gives an overview and discusses the evolution of Critical Race Theory: its basic premise; the main themes; and some notable fiction and non-fiction works that operationalize the theory. Finally, it concludes that Critical Race Theory may be a specific framework meant particularly for Afro-American Studies in the U.S. but it can be appropriated and used as a methodological and theoretical tool kit for inquiry in any geographical and literary context.
2) The Dilemma of Recantation and the Quest for Lamarckian Ideal in Saint Joan
Author(s):Mohammad Iqbal, Amjad Ali & Ghani Rahman

Abstract :

The mind-blowing confession and the subsequent recantation is a hard riddle to solve in Shaw’s Saint Joan. The scene has already been dealt with in detail, but, to our knowledge, very little has been said about Lamarckian perspective which can brilliantly demystify the conflicting voices of the protagonist. This study highlights the dramatic worth of recantation scene and applies the literary parameters of Lamarck’s theory of evolution as a tool for analyzing the conflicting attitude of Saint Joan. The study, however, does not recognize the scientific principles of Lamarck. It takes the aesthetic and literary dimensions of the theory which the researchers have borrowed from K M Newton’s analysis of Lamarckian and Darwinian evolution and which they have duly acknowledged in the text of the paper.
3) Study of Information Generating Linguistic Features in Online Brands of Pakistani Fashion Blogs
Author(s):Shamim Noor & Aleem Shakir

Abstract :

This research studies the function of language of online fashion blogs through 1st dimension, i.e., involved versus informational production, of multidimensional analysis modeled by Biber (1988). A corpus based methodology is used. Corpus has been collected from Online Pakistani fashion brand’s blogs, and fashion blogs of male and female categories having their two products clothes and shoes were selected. Multidimensional tagger (v 1.0) is used to tag and analyze the data. Scores and co-occurrences of linguistic features are calculated quantitatively and are interpreted qualitatively through 1st dimension of multidimensional analysis. The results show that online fashion blogs fall in the category of informational production. Among two categories of shoes and clothes of male and female, blogs on male clothes were extremely informational as compared to the blogs on female clothes, in the same way blogs on female shoes are more informational as compared to male shoes. Among all categories blogs on male clothes are extremely informational due to the excessive use of nouns, adjectives and preposition etc. Highly informational text indicates that blogs were written with keen interest and care.
4) Public Patriarchy: An Analysis of Women’s Access to Education, Work and Politics in Pakistan
Author(s):Noor Sanauddin, Jamil Ahmad Chitrali & Syed Owais

Abstract :

This article presents a review of the experiences of inequality and discrimination that most women in Pakistan face in accessing important societal resources such as education, paid work and politics in the country. The article is broadly based on Sylvia Walby (1990) concept of ‘Public Patriarchy’ in which she traces the transformation of male dominance from the private sphere of household to the publish sphere of society and state institutions. The paper demonstrates that the various ways in which local traditions and norms of seclusion and segregation, family system and cultural ideals of femininity restrict women’s access to acquire education, get paid employment, and take part in politics in the country. The article argues that sexist cultural ideals coupled with the patriarchal laws and policies of the Pakistani state put women in a disadvantageous situation which amounts to systematic and structural discrimination of women in the country.
5) Pakistan’s Official Stand on the Killing of Osama bin Laden: A Case Study of the Daily Dawn
Author(s):Amir Hamza Marwan

Abstract :

This research paper draws on the official stand of Pakistan after the killing of Osama bin Laden in Operation ‘Neptune Spear’ in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Bin Laden’s death was one of the historic events in the ‘War on Terror’ as he was chased by US and her allies for more than a decade. All the news items carrying the official stand of Pakistan and published in the Dawn newspaper, from May 3, 2011 to May 12, 2011, have been selected and studied in this research study. The findings – based on the content analysis – show that Pakistani officials were less in sight on the issue of Abbottabad Operation and bin Laden’s killing. It further shows that there was lack of coordination between the Pakistani military and civilian leadership over the issue – besides no media strategy to control the public opinion and possible damage.
6) What Drives Foreign Direct Investment to BRICS?
Author(s):Mumtaz Hussain Shah & Zahid Ali

Abstract :

This study explores the factors that drive foreign direct investment (FDI) to India, China, Brazil, South Africa and Russia that are called as “BRICS” collectively. Employing random effect panel estimation technique on panel data for the years 1990-2011, the study found that market size, trade openness, GDP growth rate, macroeconomic stability and infrastructure availability are essentially the key location factors for overseas investors. While, WTO accession has an insignificant impact on FDI in BRICS.
7) VoA Deewa Radio: Propaganda or Persuasion?
Author(s):Mehnaz Gul, Zia Obaid & Amir Hussain

Abstract :

The article presents a critical review of VoA Deewa Radio, a Pashto language radio started by the US following the Afghan war in the year 2001 to combat the Taliban ideological propaganda in the Af-Pak regions. It is argued that the radio has specific designs of persuasion and propaganda to counter the Taliban’s narrative of the War on Terror in the region. This study employs qualitative methodology of interpretive analysis to examine the VOA Deewa programs and agenda and link it to the wider discursive pattern of war and US positioning in the minds of populace.
8) Linguistic Market and Education: A Qualitative Investigation of Language Attitudes of Students and Teachers in Pakistani Madrassas
Author(s):Qaisar Khan, Nighat Sultana & Arab Naz

Abstract :

Globally, madrassas have become a key focus of researchers and scholars to identify and locate their socio-educational role and responsibility. In the context of Pakistan, majority of the studies however are driven by the security perspective in which attempts have been made to investigate and thus establish their involvement in training non-state actors and religious extremists i.e. Taliban on the Pak-Afghan border. There is a general dearth of in-depth studies conducted inside madrassas in Pakistan and majority views are based on sensationalized media reports. Also rare are research studies that focus these 12,979 religious seminaries from the perspective of educating about 2 million Pakistani citizens. Guided by the theory of linguistic market of Pierre Bourdieu, this study aims at investigating the language attitudes with a view to explore avenues for effectively incorporating English in the curriculum that in turn will enable them to assimilate in the country’s job market. Based on 42 in-depth interviews conducted in six madrassas in the war-torn province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the data reveals the virtual absence of English in the curriculum. It also reveals that Arabic reigns supreme as the fountain source of religious knowledge. English is viewed by many as language of opportunities and passport to success however. The study concludes that consistent and informed policy decisions by the government are needed to reform religious education. It further concludes that t
9) Role of Strategic Leadership in Competitive Healthcare Services: A Case Study of Hospitals in Pakistan
Author(s):Qadar B. Baloch & Aqsa Siddiq

Abstract :

The contemporary situations in worldwide healthcare sector requires a deliberate leadership to rethink the way of work by challenging current practices and designing a vigorous system aligned with the standards of internationally recognised best practices. The healthcare leadership framework proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) ranges the standards for all staff at any level based on the leadership roles as a shared responsibility for the success of the organisation and its services. The study applies the framework by focusing on the top level management of public and private sector teaching hospitals located in Peshawar, Pakistan, investigating the traditional practices and approaches of strategic leadership in delivering health care services. The top level management of public and private hospitals is randomly selected, sample size (N= 300), both male and female, having designation of directors, chairmen, medical superintendents (MS), deputy superintendents (DMS), chief executives etc. The prevailing strategic level practices in the public and private teaching hospitals in Peshawar are benchmarked against the leadership framework prescribed by World Health Organization (WHO). The value of Cronbach (α= 0.861) indicates a strong internal consistency and an overall reliable scale. The results showed both the sector hospitals in Peshawar have differences in two domains of strategic leadership including leaders‟ abilities to „demonstrate personal qualities‟ and
10) Role of Ports in the Economic Development of a Nation: Gwadar Port Perspective
Author(s):Kausar Takrim

Abstract :

No nation can achieve economic development in isolation; cross border trade is needed for this purpose. The transportation sector plays a strong role in national and regional development, and has strong influence on the integration of a nation to the world market. Ports constitute an important economic activity in coastal areas. The higher the throughput of goods and passengers at ports, the more infrastructure, provisions and associated services are required. These will bring varying degrees of benefits to the economy of a country. Ports are also important for the support of economic activities in the hinterland since they act as a crucial connection between sea and land transport. Pakistan has a rich history of trade across seas and can offer itself as a gate way and hub of trade because of its strategic and the geo-political situation in the region, Pakistan is a maritime nation having long coastal line of around 960 Km and to materialize its dream to become a hub of economic activities, Pakistan is constructing a deep sea port with the assistance of China at Gwadar, having close proximity to Persian Gulf, Middle East and to the international Sea Lanes of Communication. This paper explores the role of Gwadar port in the economic development of Pakistan.
11) Nuclearization of Family as a Transformative Process from Expressive to Instrumental Social Capital in Pakistan
Author(s):Javaria Raza, Aminullah & Niaz Ahmad

Abstract :

The institution of family switched over to many forms in its adaptation sojourn to the emerging needs. More and more families nuclearize in response to the demand of globalization in Pakistan. Movement from joint family to nuclear family is a shift from solidarity/ cohesion function (expressive) of traditional society to get wealth/fame of modern society (instrumental). It is generally believed that Nuclearization of family leads to deficit in social capital by loosening strong „intra‟ family ties; however, he transformed structure of family caters to the emerging needs and individual aspirations. The study is carried out in Kothal township Kohat employing ethnographic approach. Individual and group interviews are conducted for collection of data. The aim of this paper is to see the emerging patterns of social capital building in the form of „inter‟ community links because of Nuclearization of family in response to growing pre-requisites of modern life.
12) Understanding the Lived Experiences of Pakistani Migrant Workers in Saudi Arabia: A Study in District Malakand, Pakistan
Author(s):Khalil ur Rahman & Noor Sanauddin

Abstract :

Due to its accommodative labor market and scores of employment opportunities, Saudi Arabia is one of the prime destinations for international migrant workers from Asia and Africa. However, its migration policies have been reported as inhospitable and discriminatory for variety of reasons. This paper aims to document the lived experiences of Pakistani migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. A total of 15 returnee migrant workers in selected villages of District Malakand were identified through snow ball sampling method. A qualitative method of study was adopted to conduct in-depth interviews with migrant workers while adopting data saturation principles. Based on the first hand information collected from the study participants, their personal migration stories were documented and a thematic discussion was performed. It is concluded from this study that migrant workers in Saudi Arabia have been socially marginalized and economically subjugated in many aspects which includes confiscation of travel documents, Aqama (work permit) renewal process, absence of favorable and secured working environment, job substitution, and withheld wages. Reforms in the existing immigration policies are recommended to protect the basic rights of migrant workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
13) E-Educators’ Perspective on ICTs and Its Social Implications
Author(s):Sadia Jabeen, Afshan Ambreen & Asma Zafarffi

Abstract :

Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) has been doing wonders for more than half of the century in every walk of life all around the globe. Though West has explored it in its maximum extents, we “the people” living in South Asian region still need to come up with new implications of ICTs in social sector. Keeping in mind the context, present study aims at exploring the social implications of ICTs in Pakistan. This study finds out the favorable, unfavorable and potential implication of ICTs in social sector. Methodology adopted for current research is quantitative; a 4 point Likert scale is administered through web-survey to know the social implications of ICTs from e-educators. For analysis purpose, descriptive statistics is used. Preliminary findings of the study suggest that ICTs is considered very important tool in order to develop social networks around the world. This study stresses the expansion of ICT in all fields of life in developing countries like Pakistan and opens a discussion for social planners to adopt ICTs as a tool to achieve social sector development.
14) Causes of the Failure of Judges of the Punjab Boundary Commission to Demarcate the Boundary between East and West Punjab
Author(s):Farzana Gul Taj

Abstract :

According to the 3rd June Plan of 1947, two important Muslim majority provinces of the British India i.e. Punjab and Bengal were also to be divided along with the division of the Indian Sub-continent. The task of dividing Punjab and Bengal was handed over to two Boundary Commissions consisting of four judges each, who ultimately failed to accomplish their assignment. An attempt has been made in this article to understand the causes for the failure of the judges of the Punjab Boundary Commission in demarcating the boundary between the East and West Punjab. The problems and circumstances under which Radcliffe, the Joint Chairman of the Punjab and Bengal Boundary Commission, eventually demarcated these boundaries have also been discussed at some length.
15) Early Age Employment and its Socio-Economic Determinants
Author(s):Syeda Nabahat Asher, Syeda Kaniz Fatima Haider & Jamil Ahmad Chitrali

Abstract :

Education of children is must for the development of healthy nation and society. In many underdeveloped countries children are sent to work instead of going to school. Their earnings add to family income. The main purpose of the study was to assess the contribution of working children to their families’ economic stability and to identify socio-economic reasons behind early age employment. The study was conducted in Peshawar city and it was based on primary data. A total of 70 respondents were interviewed from different work places. Since most of the respondents were not able to read and write, they were directly approached and interviewed. The data was examined by using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The study finds that poverty is the root cause of child labor along with education of parents and large number of family members. It is recommended that child labor laws should be implemented. Education should be made compulsory at primary level. People must be aware about the detrimental effects of child labor upon their future.
16) Attitude of Faculty and Students of University and Colleges of Physical Education towards Curriculum of the Academic Program
Author(s):Muhammad Athar Hussain, Imtiaz Ahmad & Syed Munir Ahmad

Abstract :

The purpose of this study was to analyze the attitudes/opinions of lecturers and students of University Teaching Department and colleges of Physical Education towards curriculum of physical education at the Bachelor’s level. For this purpose, a questionnaire was administered to 548 participants, which included 82 faculty members, 88 master degree students and 378 BS students. Based on the results, it was concluded that there was a difference in attitude of lecturers and students of University Teaching Department and Colleges of Physical Education, towards the overall curriculum of Physical Education. The study also indicates that the majority of the respondents had unfavorable attitudes towards the total curriculum of the academic program.
17) Effect of Perceived Organizational Support on Organizational Commitment among Doctors in Healthcare Organizations
Author(s):Sania Zahra Malik & Sadaf Zahra Kazmi

Abstract :

Employees are assets for an organization and to keep them committed to their workplace is a major challenge faced by many organizations. This study attempts to examine the impact of perceived organizational support (POS) on dimensions of organizational commitment among medical doctors working in healthcare organizations in Lahore. The study also compares the level of POS and organizational commitment between doctors working in public and private sector. A questionnaire consisting of 32 items was employed as the survey instrument. Data was collected from 160 respondents working in two private and two public hospitals. Data was analyzed through various statistical techniques such as, internal consistency reliability; correlation analysis; regression analysis; and t-test. Results suggest that there is significant positive relationship between POS and affective as well as normative commitment and insignificant relationship between POS and continuance commitment. It is suggested that management should take various measures to increase organizational support among employees thereby increasing organizational commitment.
18) Impact of Parental Involvement on Academic Achievement of Secondary School Students
Author(s):Syed Afzal Shah, M. Iqbal Majoka & Shakeel Ahmad

Abstract :

This study was designed to explore the effect of parental involvement on academic achievement of students at the secondary level. The study aimed to explore the impact of three aspects of parental involvement viz. parental support, parental communication and parental monitoring on students’ academic achievement. The study objectives were to explore the relationship of parental involvement with parental education level and to find out the impact of parental involvement on academic achievement of secondary school students. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 1438 students from the population of grade 10 students of Hazara Division. A questionnaire comprising of 23 items was developed and used for gathering data from the respondents, which was validated by the experts. Cronbach reliability coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.72 which was got through pilot study conducted on 100 students. Mean, standard deviation, correlation coefficient, and regression analysis was used to analyze the data. The results indicate that parental monitoring has the highest mean among the three aspects of parental involvement. Further, it was found that parental level of education is significantly correlated with parental involvement. Similarly, parental monitoring and parental communication proved significant predictors for academic achievement of students at the secondary level.
19) The Impact of Negative Labeling as Emotional Abuse on Teenagers
Author(s):Syeda Kaniz Fatima Haider & Syeda Nabahat Asher

Abstract :

The major purpose of present research was to study the impact of labeling on adolescents personality. This research was carried out on three hundred adolescent girls and boys with age ranging between 14 and 22 years from different schools, colleges and university of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The participants were selected on the basis of their availability through self-administered questionnaires. The sample of three hundred participants was divided into two groups. (a) Labeled group (N=150) and (b) Non-labeled group (N=150). Self-image scale and Sixteen-personality factors (16pf) test were administered to know the relationship of labeling with their personalities. The study found that labeling effected the self-image of the participants but there was no strong impact on their personalities. Results indicate that labeled and non- labeled groups both have same personality, their age, mature and stable beliefs, norms, personality differences and environmental changes were the major reasons of their stable personalities. Adolescents having good home environment and normal health were more stable than participants with poor health and unhealthy home environment.
20) Neural Networks and Stock Market: Efficiency Hypothesis: A Case of Pakistan
Author(s):Nosheen, Amjad Amin & Danish Alam

Abstract :

Stock market prediction is among the significant factors determining the decision to invest in the stock market. The motive of earning more and getting maximum profits from the investments in the stock market has led the investors, researchers and financial analysts to devise the methods to predict the price change of the commodities which are in circulation in the market, and the need for understanding forecasting techniques became even more crucial as the level of trading and investment in the stock market grew. The desire for optimizing gains and minimizing risk factor can also be considered as a motive of applying and devising the new techniques for forecasting. This study uses a totally different method to forecast and predict stock returns in Karachi Stock Exchange. The study has applied three years data on monthly basis of Karachi Stock Exchange-100 index for forecastimg. The data range is June 2011 to July 2014 consisting of 36 observations. A Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network technique is applied for prediction. The study concludes that the Karachi Stock Exchange 100 index is not efficient and that returns can be forecastedby applying other methods for prediction and Multilayer Neural Network is among the methods. In the circumstances, buying and holding stocks is the most appropriate strategy.
21) Mean Reverting Phenomenon on Karachi Stock Market
Author(s):Muhammad Abdul Basit Khan & Naimat U. Khan

Abstract :

The study examines the relationship between stock price and earnings-per-share for firms listed on the Karachi Stock Market (KSE) of Pakistan. The paper explores the phenomena of mean reversion which refers that the stock prices tend to move towards their average price over time. The stimulus for studying the phenomenon is the fact that less work has been conducted in emerging markets such as Pakistan. The data has been extracted from Karachi stock exchange and method used to find out relationship is random effect regression while using panel data. The results indicate that there is positive and significant relationship between the stock prices and earnings-per-share (EPS) which refers to the existence of mean reversion process. In addition, stock prices look to change with firm fundamentals, in the long-run and on average, but not essentially at the similar proportion and this relationship can help an investor to predict the stock prices with the help of earning per share.
22) The Revival of Islamic Calligraphy in Pakistan: Through the Pen & Brush of Sadequain
Author(s):Rabia Chishti, Muhammad Naeem Qazi, Zil-e-Huma Mujeeb & Imrana Seemi

Abstract :

The present paper traces the revival of Islamic calligraphy in Pakistan through the zealous pen and brush of the Sufi Artist Sadequain. Islamic Calligraphy originated as an Arabic script to preserve the holy verses of the Quran into beautifully written form. Therefore, it embraces a spiritual character as conveying the divine message of the Holy Quran to the whole world. Kufic is the oldest form of the Arabic script. Initially, it emphasized straight and angular strokes. However, the advance progression of Arabic calligraphy enhanced the Kufic writing in remarkably beautiful script. Like many other forms of Islamic art, calligraphy also went through revolutionary changes from time to time and origin to origin. The region of Pakistan also further enriched the art of calligraphy with transnational modernism through the brush of Sadequain who is known as a man responsible for the Renaissance of calligraphic art in the county. He held a distinctive position among the renowned artists of his time as he transformed the calligraphic art into stunning expressionist paintings. His eye catching wall murals of Quranic verses and calligraphy in Kufic script once again raised the status of Islamic calligraphy on international forum. The artist’s calligraphic expressions and experimentation with modernism give new meanings to this art form and hence becoming more universal in scope.
23) Title and Contents
Author(s):Contents

Abstract :

Contents

Volume No. 23

Issue No. 1

Foreword


PUTAJ provides intellectual platform to scholars from around the world to share their scholastic knowledge and contributions made in their respective field of interest. It has now achieved the status of a reputable journal at national and international level where academicians, researchers and policy makers publish their original work in the shape of empirical researches, conceptual framework, case studies and review articles on issue of local, national and international concerns.
PUTAJ has the distinction of being the only journal in Pakistan which is managed by the Peshawar University Teachers’ Association (PUTA). It clearly shows the commitment of PUTA executives for the welfare of the teaching community in general and their interest in promoting research culture at large.
Over the years, PUTAJ has achieved some milestones which deserve to be appreciated. The development of a separate website for PUTAJ, its recognition by the Highe