IDEA Publishers Open Journals System
Not a member yet
522 research outputs found
Sort by
The role of religious seminaries in electoral politics: a case study of District Mardan, Pakistan
Full text linkThis paper is an attempt to understand the role of religion and religious seminaries in electoral politics in Shergarh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This paper concentrates on two of the most famous seminaries in the area, which are aligned with Jamiat Ulema Islam and Jamaat-e-Islami. The research seeks to do so by investigating the networks between how these institutions conducted their education and the region\u27s political environment. To achieve the results, this study uses a mixed methods approach with questionnaires as well as in-depth interviews with different stakeholders (students, educators, and local political figures). It provides a full understanding of how religious teachings are related to the political scenario and electoral outcomes. The indoctrination at the seminaries matters to voter behaviour and party preference. These seminaries are important venues for disseminating political messages and framing issues in a religious context that resonates with the local population. This indoctrination within these institutions can directly affect how politics is done and how the elections are conducted. The study makes a further contribution to the understanding of how the process of political socialization takes place in these seminaries
New records of spiders: Araneae, Eresidae, Cheiracanthiidae, Scytodidae from Pakistan
Full text linkIn this study, we confirm the presence of the spider species Cheiracanthium approximatum O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1885, which has been observed after a 139-year absence. The species is validated based on an established population and an extended distribution, as reported. We also report the rediscovery of a new species, Stegodyphus pacificus Pocock, 1900, after 90 years, recorded, and Dictis striatipes L. Koch, 1872, a species is recorded as new, including the genus Dictis L. Koch, 1872, in the subtropical North-West Hindu Kush sub-mountainous foothills of Peshawar valley, with uneven population. These results reveal that both Sub-continent Eurytopic C. approximatum O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1885 and Eurasian Eurytopic and D. striatipes L. Koch, 1872 gradually acclimated to habitats. Our findings show that both Cheiracanthium approximatum and Dictis striatipes have adapted well to their environments. The populations we observed are not evenly distributed, highlighting the complex ecology of the area. To help with identification, we have included detailed photographs of these spiders and their reproductive organs. This research enhances our understanding of spider diversity in South Asia and emphasises the need for ongoing studies in less-explored regions
Missing themes of manhood and childhood: an analysis of Pakistani and American women writings
Full text linkThis article aims to discover the element of partiality and political representation in women\u27s writings, focusing on authors from the United States and Pakistan. Its goal is the identification of recurring and negligent themes in a profound assessment covering four centuries of women’s narratives and compelling anthologies. The woman literature revolves around women\u27s challenges and their rights. It seems to be chauvinism to ignore other vital themes in literature. Though man is also abused sexually, morally and psychologically in a society being part of a marginalised member of the patriarchal society, women were felt to be inferior and unwise to men. Therefore, they have self-centred themselves in literature. This analysis aims to expand the circle of the themes outside feminism so that female literature might grow intellectually and universally and cover essential literary theories beyond discrimination. This quest will assist in finding out the neglected themes in literature by the women writers on each side. For the collection of data, qualitative research methodology has been adopted. This research helps women writers reflect all humans\u27 emotions without showing women\u27s literature as the theory of political representation. This article helps to draw expected creative conclusions about neglected themes by women writers
Tourism to terrorism: mapping the wounded landscape of the Swat valley in Pakistan
Full text linkSwat valley is an administrative district of Pakistan where Pashtuns live. Their ethnic and cultural heritage and Islamic values are mixed with the Pashtunwali, a traditional Pashtun code of conduct. The strong warrior history of Pashtuns made them vulnerable, and especially foreign terrorists tried to use this land for their interests. The Taliban insurgency in Swat started in 2007, due to which every sector of life was affected. Hence, Pakistan’s government, Pakistan\u27s military, and different national and international NGOs put their utmost efforts until now to re-establish the lost peace at the hands of the Taliban in the beautiful valley of Swat. The central argument of this article is shaped by the study of the Pashtun’s heritage, culture, demographic history, the Taliban’s insurgency, the major destructions and the reconstruction by the government of Pakistan, and the revival of tourist sustainability in Swat. The research methodology is characterised by mixed-method research, making it a descriptive, exploratory, and observational study. However, the paper\u27s significance is contributed by analysing the role of influential factors in the rise of militancy and providing recommendations for the future security of the Swat region
Performance evaluation of marble dust as a filler material in asphalt concrete in Peshawar, Pakistan
Full text linkMarble dust generated during cutting, grinding, carving, and polishing is one of the significant sources of marble production. Due to its high production, it can be used as an alternative material and has been used as a filler replacement to retain outstanding usability. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of marble dust as filler in asphalt concrete. A mixed design was developed for asphalt concrete with marble dust. To assess the impact of various percentages of these industrial waste on the qualities of the asphalt filler matrix by contrasting it with the properties of the mix, including stone dust as filler, various tests like Marshall stability and flow, indirect tensile, wheel tracker and Resilience Modulus (RM) were carried out. The comparison results reveal that modified asphalt concrete has 1.63% more stability than normal concrete. Similarly, the indirect tensile test shows 23% more strength, the wheel tracker test shows low rutting depth for modified HMA and a 44% increase in MR. The bitumen extender marble dust infill reduces the ideal binder by 4.05%. As a result, marble dust can be used as a filler in asphalt concrete up to 4.5% with success, creating a stable, economical, and eco-friendly pavement
The role of administrative discretion in the coping behaviour of street-level bureaucrats in higher education institutions of Pakistan
Full text linkPolicies are created at the highest level, and street-level bureaucrats (SLBs) implement them at lower levels. SLBs work directly with citizens and exercise significant discretion in their service. According to Lipsky\u27s theory, SLBs face various problems and use multiple coping techniques to deal with them. This study focused on the discretionary powers of the heads of departments (HODs) and the use of coping mechanisms when faced with challenges in enacting the semester system policy. The existing study used the theoretical model of coping mechanisms using a single-case research methodology to investigate the HODs of a prestigious public university\u27s coping behaviour in implementing the semester system. Semi-structured interviews were employed to get the perspectives of HODs in this qualitative research. This study used the classification model of coping families developed by Tummers, Bekkers, Vink, and Michael (2015) and concludes that management has given HODs some task-discretionary authority for carrying out the semester system policy based on thematic analysis. The findings reveal that HODs move against the students rather than towards or away from them in coping behaviour. HODs strictly follow the semester system\u27s policy by adhering to rigid rule-following
Impact of project planning and project risk management on project success: moderating role of project managers’ competencies in the construction sector in Afghanistan
Full text linkThis research examines the impact of project planning (ProP) and project risk management (RisM) on project success (ProS) while maintaining project managers’ competencies (PMC) as moderators using resource-based view theory concepts. This research addresses the gap in how ProP and RisM lead to ProS in the presence of a PMC as a moderator in construction-based private organisations. Utilising a convenience sampling technique, data were collected from 249 participants working in construction-based organizations across major cities in Afghanistan. Data were analysed using Smart-PLS and SPSS software. Supporting theories for this study are the theory of knowledge reuse and the social exchange theory concepts. Analysis revealed that ProP significantly and positively impacted ProS. RisM was also found to have a positive effect on project success. The results showed that project managers’ competencies moderated the relationship between ProP and ProS. The findings indicated that PMC moderates the connection between project risk management and ProS. Implementing project planning methodologies, a construction project manager’s competency improves team outcomes through risk management and boosts project success. The study’s limitations, future suggestions, and managerial implications are also discussed
Higher education governance in Pakistan: the role and influence of HEC in the post-18th Amendment
Full text linkIn the 18th Amendment in the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan, the role of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan was limited to the quality standards of higher education and federal institutions and research centres only, as explained in Federal Legislative List I and II. Despite this constitutional constraint, the HEC maintains significant power over the universities and higher education, including policy formation, budgetary administration, and governance. The HEC was established as an advisory body under the HEC Ordinance, 2002. However, its powers have since then expanded its role to that of a quasi-governing organisation. The 2011 Supreme Court decision reaffirmed the HEC\u27s authority under the law, emphasising the necessity of maintaining high educational standards and effective control. This article critically explores the degree of HEC\u27s impact after the 18th Amendment, investigating the conflicts between provincial autonomy and federal monitoring and assessing the ramifications of HEC regulation on Pakistan\u27s higher education environment. The study\u27s findings show that despite the passage of the 18th Amendment, higher education is a more centralised subject controlled by Pakistan\u27s federal government. The provinces, especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, possess limited autonomy concerning higher education governance and rely on HEC for higher education governance
Beyond the screen: a comparative study of the student\u27s perception of online education effectiveness in pre- and post-pandemic times
Full text linkThis research was carried out to compare the effectiveness of online education in pre- and post-pandemic periods as perceived by the students of higher education institutions in developing countries facing financial and technological limitations. For this purpose, time-lagged data from 288 students of higher education institutions were collected and analysed in SPSS version 26 using the paired sample t-test for differences. Using adapted questionnaires, the effectiveness of online education was assessed in terms of blended learning, goal setting, interaction, time management, self-evaluation, learning environment, skills to use online learning tools, quality of learning technologies, and learning motivation. Results indicate that students\u27 perception significantly differs during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period, compared to all dimensions of online education. It was found that the students, teachers, and institutions have acquired the requisite knowledge, skills, and technology during the pandemic. Therefore, the usefulness of online education has improved in the post-pandemic period. These results significantly affect all stakeholders, including students, teachers, researchers, institutions, and policymakers. The study suggests continuing blended learning systems in higher education institutions to ensure extended access to equitable education and the sustainability of online learning practices
Stabilization strategy of normal and chrome tanning effluent mixed subsoil: a novelty to enhance the soil characteristics
Full text linkSoil stabilisation is a unique method to effectively and accurately find a solution to the issues caused by loose subsoil. This research investigates the problems of uncontrolled industrial effluent disposal, mainly from tannery enterprises, which presents severe environmental problems in emerging nations due to soil properties changing and large regions being unfit for cultivation and human habitation. The study uses Atterberg\u27s limits, sieve analysis, and direct shear testing to examine the effects of untreated tannery effluents on soil parameters. The findings show that the soil\u27s shear strength, moisture content, and flexibility have all significantly decreased. Lime and waste stone powder were added to lessen these impacts, and this improved soil stability was shown by an increase in the values of all the variables. For efficient soil remediation, the study suggests using waste stone powder and lime in the following proportions: 0%, 3%, 6%, and 9%. Combining lime stabilisation methods with industrial by-products like slag and fly ash opens up new possibilities for enhancing the geotechnical characteristics of polluted soils. This study emphasises how important it is to use customised geotechnical design techniques to handle soil contamination issues in infrastructure and foundation projects, especially in areas where the leather industry predominates