iRepository (Institute of Business Administration)
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Intelliscore - An AI Based Credit Scoring System
No full textThis project introduces an AI-based credit scoring system developed in collaboration with Meezan Bank, aimed at enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of credit risk assessment through modern machine learning techniques. The core objective is to leverage artificial intelligence to analyze a range of financial and behavioral attributes in order to generate reliable credit scores. Trained on financial data collected by the Pakistani Govt, labeled HIES 2018/2019, the system adopts a student-teacher distillation paradigm, where the student model learns from credit scores generated by a hardcoded rule-based formula, a neural network, and a gradient boosting algorithm. This design enables the student model to generalize complex patterns effectively while leveraging the complementary strengths of each scoring approach. The current implementation successfully demonstrates the feasibility of AI in streamlining credit scoring, offering promising implications for more inclusive and data-driven financial decision-making within the banking sector
What is the cost of cash?
No full textThe estimated total direct cost of managing cash in Pakistan is approximately Rs76 billion annually — a figure that continues to rise. The increasing reliance on cash transactions places a drag on economic efficiency, capital formation, and revenue growth. Large denominations in circulation and frequent withdrawals drive up printing, handling, and operational costs. The State Bank of Pakistan’s financial statements show substantial resources devoted to currency production and ATM operations. Experts advocate for a gradual shift towards digital payments, structural reduction in large cash denominations, and incentivizing transactions through formal banking channels to lower these costs. Without such reforms, the country will continue incurring billions on maintaining an inefficient cash-based economy
Warranty management system for Habib University
No full textProblem Description:
Habib University (HU) is a liberal arts institution that continues to expand its program offerings and student enrollment. To support this growth, the university is upgrading its existing facilities and opening new campuses, which involves significant material procurement, including appliances and equipment. With this large-scale procurement, each item comes with distinct warranty terms, such as start dates, warranty periods, and coverage details. Managing these varying warranties can present a significant challenge for HU, which necessitates the discovery of an efficient solution to handle the complexity of warranty management.
Significance: Organizational - Given the volume of materials, the absence of a warranty management system at HU would lead to a frustrating after-sales experience. Employees may struggle to access warranty details and secure timely support, resulting in inefficient service processes. This lack of coordination could cause prolonged wait times and require repeated follow-ups, further complicating the resolution of warranty-related issues. These can lead to inefficient use of resources and additional costs. Economical - Without a warranty management system, HU risks incurring additional expenses due to missed warranty claims and delays in obtaining proper repairs. For example, time and money may be wasted on follow-up calls, transportation, and temporary replacements if issues aren\u27t resolved promptly. Moreover, the lack of clear and accessible information could result in missed opportunities to take advantage of warranties and associated benefits, ultimately increasing financial costs and causing frustration. This goes both ways and equipment manufacturers and vendors may also not be able to provide adequate services to HU, which may result in additional costs, or loss of trust. Social Aspects - Employees encounter challenges when requesting appliance servicing from manufacturers, given their sheer volume and separate operating procedures. Additionally, they endure long wait times, repeatedly answer the same questions from customer service representatives and sometimes face disconnections, leading to frustration and a reliance on unauthorized service providers. Inefficiencies can cause morale to go down and employees to lose focus. Managing physical warranty cards presents additional difficulties. These cards are easily lost or damaged, and tracking expiration dates while manually filling out claim forms is time-consuming. Such inefficiencies can delay warranty claims and increase costs. Moreover, physical cards contribute to environmental waste, raising concerns in HU where preservation of the environmental is among its core values.
Approach:
Our group will propose a solution for HU that enables them to efficiently manage warranties for various materials. At a minimum, HU employees should be able to store and manage warranty card information through a database that consolidates and organizes this data. With such information, valuable trends and analytics can also be extracted that may benefit the organization.
We will begin by conducting secondary research to evaluate existing warranty management solutions and analyze how other organizations handle warranties. To better understand the problem, we will gather insights through interviews, surveys, focus groups and observations across relevant functions in HU, focusing on the specific needs of end users and the varying requirements for materials under warranty. By conducting both qualitative and quantitative analyses, we aim to propose a viable solution that aligns with HU’s future expansion plans
Coloring Communal Lines: The Good Hindu, the Bad Muslim, and the Acceptable Indian in Bollywood
No full textFilms act as cultural artifacts that shape popular culture and influence identity construction. This research paper critically examines how socio-political events in India (the dominance of Hindutva) and the broader international context (9/11 and the war on terror) culminate in the re-imagination of the Muslim ‘Other.’ This paper foregrounds the Hindu right-wing theme of Love Jihad and explores cross-border and interfaith romance in Bollywood. This paper uses framing theory and the signifier-signified model to analyze archetypal portrayals and examine the intersection of gendered religious identities in these films. The films in focus - Veer-Zaara (2004), Jodhaa Akbar (2008), and Kurbaan (2009) - belong to distinct genres: romantic drama, action thriller, and historical epic drama, respectively. To ensure a holistic analytical framework, each chapter examines a central theme in addition to the overarching motif of forbidden romance: Veer-Zaara explores the border and nationalist discourse, Kurbaan interrogates the construction of a Muslim terrorist image in a post 9/11 world, and Jodhaa Akbar examines religio-cultural sovereignty through the projection of Mughal-Rajput relationships. Through critical film analysis and an emphasis on the mise-en-scène element of color, the article studies how visual aesthetics disseminate dominant national discourses and thereby contribute to constructing religious, social, and national identities. This study ultimately expands the commonly cited binary of the Good Hindu/Bad Muslim to a more nuanced framework: the Good Hindu, the Bad Muslim, and the Acceptable Indian
Understanding Customer Purchase Intention Through Masstige Brand Values: The Moderating Role of Brand Familiarity
No full textPurpose In the evolving landscape of consumer behavior, masstige brands occupy a unique position between luxury and mass-market appeal. This study investigates how different types of brand value functional, financial, individual, and social affect purchase intention. It also explores the moderating role of brand familiarity in these relationships. Study Design/ Methodology A quantitative research approach was adopted. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire from 300 masstige brand consumers in Karachi who had made purchases within the past six months. Purposive sampling was used, and data was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings Financial value emerged as the strongest driver of purchase intention, followed by functional value, Individual and social values also had significant effects, as consumers preferred brands that reflect personal identity and social status. Brand familiarity moderated the impact of financial and individual values on purchase intention by enhancing trust and reducing uncertainty, but showed limited moderating effects for functional and social values. Originality/ Value This study adds to the limited body of research on masstige branding by incorporating multiple value dimensions and examining the moderating role of brand familiarity. It offers a comprehensive understanding of how consumer perceptions shape buying decisions in the masstige segment. Research Limitations The study is limited to Karachi and the fashion industry, with a cross-sectional design. Future studies should consider broader geographic and industry coverage and explore mediating variables like brand credibility. Social Implications Masstige brands should focus on enhancing financial and functional value, maintaining brand familiarity, and aligning products with consumer identity and lifestyle. Practical Implications Strengthening brand familiarity and value perception can promote informed and confident consumption, enhancing overall consumer satisfaction and brand loyalty
Overcoming Challenges in Pakistan’s Capital Market: Lessons from Emerging Markets and the Role of Regulatory and Technological Advancements
No full textThis report provides a three-phase assessment of Pakistan’s capital markets, identifying key structural challenges, drawing global comparisons, and recommending reforms for the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). Phase 1 outlines the market’s limited depth, low investor participation, and regulatory inefficiencies, which hinder its role in economic growth. Phase 2 reviews capital market reforms in developed, emerging, and frontier economies, highlighting successful strategies in improving transparency, liquidity, and investor engagement. These global insights underscore the need for technological advancement, stronger disclosures, and inclusive investor frameworks in Pakistan. Phase 3 presents five strategic proposals for the PSX, including timely disclosure of material information, improved free float regulations, the launch of an AI-driven investor support chatbot, the introduction of derivatives (conventional and Shariah-compliant), and enhanced market surveillance. Collectively, these reforms aim to improve market integrity, boost investor confidence, and support the long-term growth and competitiveness of Pakistan’s capital markets
Beyond Karbala: Contemporary Perceptions of Zaynab bint Ali\u27s Courage & Defiance
No full textThe study Beyond Karbala: Contemporary Perceptions of Zaynab bint Ali\u27s Courage & Defiance delves deeply into the life and lasting legacy of Zaynab bint Ali, a symbol of resilience and defiance in Islamic history. Born into a family of revered figures, Zaynab\u27s life was shaped by major events, most notably the Battle of Karbala. This study focuses on her role beyond this battle, highlighting her efforts to protect women and oppose Yazid\u27s regime, which underpins the Azaadari tradition in Shi\u27a Islam. This study aims to fill a scholarly void by focusing on Zaynab\u27s narrative, particularly her post- Karbala endeavours, and thus provides a unique perspective on Islamic history. The focus is on current perceptions and interpretations of Zaynab\u27s legacy in Karachi, Pakistan. This investigation is critical for determining the historical and cultural significance and preservation of Zaynab\u27s actions, as well as their impact on current practices and beliefs. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Zaynab\u27s influence, agency and role as a symbol of courage and defiance by analysing local Shi’a narratives through Majaalis focused on Bibi Zaynab from the last 10 years of prominent religious scholars, Zakir and Zakirah from the Shi’a sect
Research and Reflections on Child Wellbeing in Pakistan
No full textThe book explores how early childhood experiences—including nutrition, socio-economic and emotional development, and environmental factors—play a fundamental role in shaping a child’s personality and future potential. With children under the age of 14 accounting for 2.01 billion people—25% of the global population—the subject holds profound global relevance. Indicators such as the Early Childhood Development Index and key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight a strong connection between economic growth and the well-being of all age groups. In particular, child well-being emerges as a pressing concern in countries with lower levels of economic development—making this not just a national challenge, but a moral responsibility shared by all. Highlights the nature of the many crises faced by children in Pakistan and underscores the need for urgent intervention Discusses children under 14 years of age in a country which has the second highest number of children in this age group Addresses issues faced by many developing countries and provides the foundation for further research in other countrieshttps://ir.iba.edu.pk/faculty-research-books/1068/thumbnail.jp
Navigating Descent: Struggles for Excellence in the Cambridge School System
No full textThis research explores the paradoxical outcomes of strategic academic interventions aimed at improving General Certificate of Education (GCE) Cambridge O and A-Level results within one of Pakistan’s largest private school networks. Initiated to reverse a three-year decline in high achiever (A/A*) grades, the differentiation strategy—grouping students by ability for targeted instruction—was implemented with the intention of improving academic performance and restoring the institution’s reputation. Despite historical success, the Southern Region of the school system faced continued underperformance post-COVID, exacerbated by increased competition, evolving student expectations, and the rise of tuition-focused institutes. A recovery initiative, centered on differentiation varied across campuses, with mixed results. While the strategy effectively reduced failing grades (U, D, and E), it did not yield a significant increase in top-performing students. Data revealed a reduction in U grades between 2021 and 2023, but a simultaneous drop in high achievers, raising critical questions about the efficacy of the strategy. Through case analysis, classroom observations, focus groups, and academic performance tracking across 22 campuses, the study finds that while differentiation may help underachievers attain passable grades, it inadvertently sidelines high performers, leading to stagnation or decline in A/A* results. Mixed-ability groups, conversely, promoted collaboration, peer learning, and emotional support, suggesting that social dynamics in learning environments may influence performance outcomes more significantly than academic segregation. The study also underscores operational challenges: inadequate teacher training, inconsistent execution of differentiation, and burnout due to overloaded responsibilities. The prevalent private tuition culture further complicated the in-school learning experience. High achievers were often left to self-manage, while teacher attention skewed toward helping struggling students, driven by pressure to maintain school averages and improve overall grade distributions. In light of these findings, the thesis argues for a nuanced approach that combines academic strategies like differentiation with socio-emotional considerations and peer engagement. Additionally, it advocates for revised training programs, a reevaluation of academic success metrics, and a realignment of institutional focus—one that values holistic student development over purely statistical performance improvements. vii The research concludes that sustainable excellence in Cambridge education within Pakistan requires dynamic, inclusive, and student-centered reforms that transcend traditional pedagogical divides
Gender Sensitive Mobility: Casing Karachi\u27s Mobility Issues for Women & Gender Non-Conforming Individuals
No full textThe analysis scrutinizes gender mobility within Karachi by assessing public transit system rules and analyzing present-day transportation services throughout the city. The research examines population attitudes toward these transportation systems together with their practical aspects and implementation barriers as part of a strategy to upgrade female mobility. These qualitative approaches analyze public transportation before proposing policy changes which address the mobility needs of women and men