1) Rukhsana Ahmad’s “The Gatekeeper’s Wife”: An Existentialist Study of a Western Woman’s Experience of the South Asian Mystique
Author(s):Syed Hanif Rasool, Jahangir Khan, & Fasih Ur Rahman
Abstract :
Rukhsana Ahmad’s short story “The Gatekeeper’s Wife” maps the plight of a western woman, Annette, who is married to a wealthy man in Lahore. Despite living in an affluent and luxurious environment, she finds herself alienated and secluded. To escape the burthen of her lonely life, she keeps herself busy with animals at the zoo. To her utter bewilderment, one day she finds a woman stealing meat from the cage of a wild cheetah. For all its seemingly mysterious nature of the subsequent episode, the story invokes Annette’s existentialist sojourn into the unfathomable South Asian mystique. This paper explores that Annette gets awareness of her own existence in the time of her own inner emotional strain and anxiety. The paper analysis existentialist impacts on the story from the views of two major exponents of existentialism; Soren Kierkegaard (1813-55) and Jean Paul Sartre (1905-1980)2) Role of Female Education in National Economic Development of Pakistan
Author(s):Farah Khan (PhD) , Ghazala Yasmeen (PhD) , and Nayab Karim
Abstract :
Education play significant role in society development. Education is the fundamental right of all human-beings but unluckily in Pakistan, female education is still not given proper attention. Obviously, education plays a pivotal role in bringing changes and development in societies. Therefore, the main purpose of this article is to analyze the role of female education in national economic development of Pakistan. This is a quantitative study, and we used secondary data. The data is obtained from the World Development Indicators, the World Bank. The results showed that female primary and secondary education enrollment and female teachers have a positive correlation with national economic development of Pakistan. Findings of this study suggest that Government of Pakistan should increase expenditure on education sectors where more focus to be given to female education in the country. The ultimate consequences of improved female literacy would be women empowerment, which will help decline in poverty through employment, elimination of income inequality and an enlarged social consciousness for the improvement of life.3) Pakistan’s Strategic Interests in Afghanistan: Post NATO Drawdown
Author(s):Naveeda Yousaf , Manzoor Ahmad , Shaukat
Abstract :
Pak-Afghan relations went sour in current time due to the rising negative perception and trust deficit between the two countries. The Afghan authorities held Pakistan responsible for the security deterioration of their country irrespective of the fact that Pakistan has persistently been paying ‘heavy price’ for the Afghan peace and offered huge sacrifices for the stability and security of Afghanistan. Currently the relations between the two countries is estranged if not totally broken, however, a peaceful, prosper and friendly Afghanistan is Pakistan’s strategic priority and a matter of national interest. This paper aims at exploring and analyzing the strategic interests of Pakistan, its role and involvement in Afghanistan for the realization of its national interests. This research mainly focuses on Pakistan’s previous role and present position in the light of its vital interests. The study also seeks to evaluate the required conditions for the revival of bilateral relationship and bringing peace and security in the region.4) Exploring Structure and Content: Genre Analysis of a Pakistani Clothing Brand Website
Author(s):Fizza Farrukh & Wasima Shehzad
Abstract :
Analyzing the genre of websites helps in understanding the minimum requirements expected out of that particular virtual space. The idea of understanding the structure and content of a well-established e-commerce website is particularly important for those who are relatively novice in the field. For this purpose, the current study investigates how a popular Pakistani clothing brand has constructed its website by keeping its potential users in forefront. The theoretical framework comprises of genre-based approaches of Swales (1990) and Bhatia (2014). Moreover, the investigation outlines how genre-based studies help in understanding the meaning-making processes prevalent in the minds of the creators of that genre. The study also compares and contrasts the studied website with other similar websites to provide an overall comprehension of this sub-genre in particular.5) Social and Institutional Challenges in Implementation of Pakistan’s Bonded Labour Laws
Author(s):Kashif Saeed, Zahid Pervaiz, Sajjad Ahmad Jan, Tanweer Ahmad
Abstract :
Bonded Labour laws safeguard the rights of downtrodden sections, including daily wagers and brick kiln workers, who are often subjected to the harshest forms of working conditions. Prevalence of bonded and forced labour is a growing problem in South Asian countries. This paper examines societal factors and institutional challenges that influence implementation of bonded labour laws and treaties in Pakistan. The paper carries out a comprehensive review of literature and historical trends regarding bonded labour in Pakistan. Moreover, a critical analysis of social and institutional factors that hinder implementation of bonded labour laws is undertaken. Evidence from Pakistan indicates that bonded labour legislation lacks application as well as proper institutional frameworks. Experiences from South Asian countries including Pakistan reveal that the capacity and ability of state and state institutions needs to be strengthened for enforcing the relevant legislative measures. The paper concludes by suggesting corrective measures and actions for strengthening bonded labour legislation enforcement and oversight.6) Microfinance as a Vehicle of Liberal Political Ideals and Pakistani State
Author(s):Amir Saeed & Anam Tariq
Abstract :
In recent years, microfinance has been a primary policy for combating poverty and socio-economic development worldwide. The common perception about microfinance is that it’s simply about helping the poor by providing microloans and other financial services thus enabling sustainable socio-economic growth. The paper delineates the current perspectives of microfinance and its coexistence with the current social order and connection with the liberal cultural ideals. It is argued that microfinance has aggravated the problems for society instead of reducing it. This paper analytically analyzes microfinance and traces its underlying values. The analysis is based on the theory presented by Bishop (2007) that social science is deeply colored with liberal cultural ideals and commitment to these values has serious consequences in societies. It is being argued that the scheme provided by microfinance for poverty alleviation be aligned with the political agenda of liberals. It manipulatively influences governments to emasculate a wide range of developmental and progressive policies for society. Moreover, the current microfinance policy runs deeper than just changing the economic system of the country.7) Personal and Organizational Predictors of Job Satisfaction among Teachers
Author(s):Sumbal Zafar, Naumana Amjad, & Amir Saeed
Abstract :
The present study aimed to investigate the personal and organizational predictors of Job Satisfaction. Personal predictors were; Personality traits and Psychological empowerment and organizational predictors were communication and perceived organizational support. One hundred teachers from government and private institutes were assessed through The Generic Job Satisfaction Scale (Macdonald & Macintyre, 1997), Psychological Empowerment Scale [PEQ] (Spritzer, 1995), Big Five Inventory (Costa & McCrae, 1987) ,Organizational Communication Survey (Tariq & Amjad,1990) and Survey of Perceived Organizational Support (Eisenberger et al,1986. There was a significant positive correlation between all the predictors. Personality and psychological empowerment and organizational communication and perceived organizational support strongly predict job satisfaction. Organizational variables are stronger than personal predictors in predicting job satisfaction.8) Contents
Author(s):Contents
Abstract :
ContentsVolume No. 26
Issue No. 1
PUTAJ-HSS June 2019