Journals of Forman Christian College
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Demographic Change and Economic Growth: A Policy Perspective: Ahsan Butt, Hafiz Rizwan Ahmad and Abdul Jalil Khan
Full text linkMany advanced countries are facing the problem of ageing population while many low-income countries still believe that controlling population may positively affect their economic growth. In this regard, this paper attempts to analyse effects of demographic factors on economic growth. A sample of top ten most populated countries in the world has been considered and panel 2GLS estimation technique has been applied to probe the effects of number of demographic and non[1]demographic variables on per capita GDP growth. The results reveal that per capita GDP growth rate is inversely associated with growth rate of population but is directly depended on life-expectancy, dependency ratio, gross domestic savings and labour force participation rate. The major finding is that although higher Population Growth Rate (PGR) may reduce per capita GDP growth rate initially but policies to strictly control the population growth may cause shortage of working age population (WAP) in short run and ageing society in long run. Therefore, rather pursuing the past policies of developed countries regarding control over PGR that have recently been reversed as well, Pakistan needs to develop human capital and labour productivity in rapidly ageing world
Investigation of Easterlin Paradox in Developed Countries in the Context of Income Inequality
Full text linkIt has been questioned, time and again, if money or financial wellbeing can make us happy. Higher incomes and hence more freedom to live life the way that we want to live it, ought to yield happiness and wellbeing to people. However, this might not always be true, as shown by Richard Ainley Easterlin who found out, in his 1974 study that happiness changes with income both within and among nations, but in the long term, happiness and income are not significantly related. One such reason that offers an explanation to this contradictory phenonmenon is income inequality. This paper uses a purely empirical approach to examine the moderating effect that income inequality has for GDP per capita and happiness. More specifically, applying the Ordinary Least Squares Technique (OLS), Fixed Effects Regression on multiple panels, and by the use of an interaction term, this paper analyses the impact of income inequality on the relationship between GDP per capita and selfreported happiness. The findings of this paper reaffirm a significant and negative interactive effect of income inequality on the relationship between economic prosperity and happiness, in economically prosperous nations. Furthermore, it also shows the prevalence of a satiation point beyond which the relationship between economic prosperity and happiness disintegrates, as proposed by the Easterlin Paradox. Lastly, the study also suggests briefly, the policy implications based on the empirical findings in order to provide an insight into how income inequality may pose a threat to happiness and wellbeing of nations across the world
Perception of Home Demands, Demography, and Mental Health amongst Married Women During COVID-19.: Mahnoor Butt and Masha Asad Khan
Full text linkThis study aims to explore the relationship between the perception of home demands, demography and mental health of married women during the COVID-19 pandemic. The predictive role of perception of home demands, and demographics has also been assessed, in determining the mental health of married women during the pandemic. A sample of 250 married Pakistani women, between 20 to 55 years, with at least one child and minimum matric qualification, were included in the study. Participants were administered a self-constructed questionnaire. Regression analysis showed that quantitative home demands and husband’s employment status were significant negative predictors of anxiety and depression in women, whereas emotional home demands and mental home demands were significant positive predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress in married women. The results of this study help to highlight the work pressure women are facing during the pandemic and to support reform in balanced gender role expectations in society. This study also has implications for mental health practitioners, feminists, social workers, psychologists, and policymakers
Illness Perception, Perceived Social Support and Quality of Life in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients.: Humera Hameed, Muhammad Nasar Iqbal, Muhammad Rafiq, and Fatima Javed
Full text linkThe objective of the current study is to determine the relationship between illness perception, perceived social support and quality of life in pulmonary tuberculosis patients. To this end, the World Health Organization Quality of life scale, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were used to measure the relationship between variables. The quantitative approach was used, with purposive sampling. A total of 150 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were part of the final sample. Hierarchical multiple regression results indicate that social support of family, friends, and significant others, are significant positive predictors of quality of life in pulmonary TB patients. This study has implications for designing better health and social policy for pulmonary tuberculosis patients with respect to (i) advancing support from significant others, (ii) strengthening quality of life through daily activities and work opportunities, and (iii) provision of medical and treatment information consistently
The Politics of Energy Trade Between Iran and Pakistan.: Rizwan Ali
Full text linkPakistan and Iran are neighboring countries that have longstanding historical ties. However, there is little research available about Pakistan-Iran energy trade relations, especially with respect to the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline. This research is based on primary data collected through qualitative interviews with key policymakers, academicians, and social activists, from Australia, India, Pakistan, and the United States. Based on the analysis of the data, this paper argues that there are risks involved for Pakistan in either honoring United States’ sanctions on Iran or bypassing them. In the former, Pakistan is incurring a huge cost in terms of delayed energy import from Iran while in the latter Pakistan, its officials, and its relevant organizations may face heavy sanctions by the United States. The study concludes that Pakistan must adopt a safer policy to pursue energy import from Iran while conducting good relations with both U.S. and Iran. The participation of India in the Iran-Pakistan energy project can increase the likelihood of its success
Pak-China Defense Cooperation and Evolving International Relations.
Full text linkThis study is about the impact of different global and regional changes resulting from PakistanChina’s defense cooperation and further examines the increasing range of diplomatic cooperation in the social, tactical, and economic realms. The paper focuses on three events: (i) the 1978 transformation of China and its opening-up policies; (ii) disbanding of the U.S.S.R (1991); and (iii) the event of 9/11 in the United States. These events had a significant influence on Pak-China ties. This study is a literature review and contributes to a better understanding of the evolving international systems namely the India-U.S. tactical relations and strategic cooperation. The paper concludes that China and Pakistan need to preserve amicable, strategic, and diplomatic connections with one another as it is necessary for the peace, security, and economic development of not only China and Pakistan but for the region overal
Agenda Setting Role of Print Media in Shaping Civil-Military Discourse in Pakistan: A Decade in Review (2008-2018): 1.Dr. Hassan Siddique 2.Umer Farooqi 3.Shiraz Hasnat
Full text linkThis study highlights the significant role of print media in Pakistan from 2008 to 2018 in shaping civil-military debates and setting agendas, showcasing the media\u27s potential impact on public opinion and civil-military relations. The study examines four Pakistani newspapers\u27 editorials on civil-military ties using content analysis as its research approach. The results show that the Pakistani press contributed significantly to agenda-setting by emphasizing civil[1]military concerns. In the selected newspapers throughout the study period, thirteen categories of civil-military issues were covered; certain issues received more prominence than others. The study also found that over a decade, there were observable patterns and trends in how civil-military issues were reported in the Pakistani press. The study emphasizes the media\u27s potential impact on public opinion and civil-military interactions. During the 2008–2018 study period, the Pakistani press was crucial in addressing specific civil-military concerns. Different publications covered these problems differently, revealing varying priorities and viewpoints
Analysis of Pakistan\u27s Household Expenditure data: Muhammad Arshad & Eatzaz Ahmad
No full textGeneralizing quadratic expenditure system to spline specification in which the number and locations of knots are determined endogenously on the basis of Maximum Likelihood criterion, this study analyzes household expenditure patterns in rural and urban Pakistan for 12 food and 10 non-food commodity groups. Flexibility in the Engle equations systems resulting from the spline specification reveals that household consumption goods cannot be uniquely classified into necessities and luxuries, rather the classification changes substantially across income ranges. Thus a uniform structure of taxes and government expenditures will have varying implications for budget allocation and welfare of different income classes and, therefore, specific income transfer policies need to be supplemented with the uniform tax and expenditure packages
Corruption and Growth: A Nexus Revisited
Full text linkThis study revisits the relationship between corruption and growth. The different indices are used to measure the corruption but this study uses the corruption perception index. We estimated the conventional Barro equation along with the set of control variables, using annual data series for 104 countries. The results indicate a negative impact of corruption on GDP per capita but it does not affect the GDP growth. It is suggested that authorities should concentrate on anticorruption policies along with other economic and non-economic reforms to enhance the level of GDP
Impact of Democracy, Political Instability and Policy Uncertainty on Private Investment: Asad Mahmood Bhatti, Amanat Ali, Muhammad Nasir and Waheed Iqbal1
No full textThis paper examines the impact of political institutions on growth through the investment in private sector of Pakistan. Three main determinants of private investment in the politico-economy are democracy, political instability and policy uncertainty. The empirical results show that political instability and policy uncertainty are negatively related with gross fixed capital formation whereas democracy is not significantly affecting the level of private investment in case of Pakistan