Scholarship on collective memory from an explicit political science perspective has expanded over the last decade. This growth speaks to political dynamics unfolding across the world, as history has once again become part of political confrontations. The ongoing dispute about an acceptable name for Macedonia, the role of truth commissions in post-conflict societies, and the international tensions stemming from the memories of Japanese aggression on the Asian continent during the Asia-Pacific War illustrate that political science needs to include questions of collective memory in its analysis. Although political science’s focus on collective memory is new, it would be erroneous to believe that memory has started to shape politics only recently. The study of the societal significance of present-day representations of past narratives has a long history. Its intellectual forebears can be found notably in late-19th-century French sociology, and the topic has gained in prominence in the humanities and sociology since the 1980s and is now marching into the political sciences. This latter expansion also changes the methods and research strategies that scholarship on collective memory employs. Nevertheless, studying collective memory will remain an inherently interdisciplinary endeavor and uniquely integrates the social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences. Given the field’s quick shifts, a number of central conceptual tools retain an elasticity less common in other branches of the discipline. Meanwhile, the number of topics that can be approached through the prism of collective memory is inexhaustible. The field is therefore held together primarily by its underlying conceptual apparatus. Conceptual clarity is thus particularly relevant for a dialogue within and across the disciplines, and also to integrate the insights related to collective memory generated in political and social theory. The state of the scholarship illustrates, however, that studies of collective memory have overwhelmingly been motivated by empirical puzzles and at times continue to analyze memory as being a tangible phenomenon. While not necessarily shortcomings, many of the empirical contributions have thereby shied away from a more thorough theoretical investigation.
This article provides a comprehensive examination of the United States' role in addressing Pakistan's pressing energy security challenges. As a nation heavily reliant on energy imports, Pakistan faces the critical task of securing substantial technological and economic assistance from major global powers to satisfy its domestic energy requirements. The United States, as an established global leader, not only possesses the advanced technological capabilities necessary to support Pakistan's legitimate energy needs but also holds a strategic position to influence the region's energy landscape. Simultaneously, China has emerged as a key player, demonstrating a robust and growing interest in providing energy assistance to Pakistan. This dual interest from two of the world's foremost powers creates a complex geopolitical environment, requiring Pakistan to perform a delicate diplomatic balancing act to maintain constructive relations with both Washington and Beijing without alienating either. Employing Power Transition Theory as its central theoretical framework, this paper offers a critical and nuanced evaluation of the rationale underpinning U.S.-Pakistan green energy collaboration, explicitly juxtaposing it with the nature and scope of Chinese involvement in Pakistan's energy sector. The study utilizes a qualitative methodology, incorporating a mixed-methods approach to analyse a diverse array of primary and secondary data sources, including policy documents, bilateral agreements, and scholarly discourse. The central argument posits that the U.S. approach to facilitating a green energy transition in Pakistan is predominantly motivated by its own strategic security interests within the South Asian region, rather than purely developmental or environmental concerns. The analysis further concludes that in the face of intensifying strategic competition from China, the United States must accelerate and substantiate its energy cooperation efforts to remain a relevant and influential partner. Conversely, the findings suggest that Pakistan would benefit most from a diversified and pragmatic strategy, leveraging multiple energy partnerships to maximize its technological, economic, and political gains while navigating the complexities of great-power rivalry. References Abdullah, F. B., Iqbal, R., Jawaid, M., Memon, I., Mughal, S., Memon, F. S., & Rizvi, S. S. A. (2021). Energy security index of Pakistan (ESIOP). Energy Strategy Reviews, 38, Article 100710. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2021.100710 Blinken, A. J. (2024). America's strategy of renewal: Rebuilding leadership for a new world. Foreign Affairs, 103(1), 62–71. Bloomberg News. (2014, June 13). Xi calls for 'energy revolution' to ensure China's demand is met. Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-06-13/xi-calls-for-energy-revolution-to-ensure-china-s-demand-is-met BloombergNEF. (2024). Energy transition investment trends 2024. https://about.bnef.com/energy-transition-investment/ Bloome, D. (Director). (2024). International conference "Strengthening Pakistan-U.S. relations" [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiImREKMQ0g Finance Division. (2024, June 12). Federal budget 2024-2025 - Budget in brief. Government of Pakistan. https://www.finance.gov.pk/budget/Budget_2024_25/Budget_in_Brief.pdf Freeman, D. (2023). China and the geopolitics of the energy transition. In H. Overland (Ed.), Handbook on the geopolitics of the energy transition (pp. 123–140). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800370432.00015 Government of Pakistan. (2021). Nationally determined contributions: Update 2021. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/NDC/2022-06/Pakistan%20Updated%20NDC%202021.pdf International Energy Agency. (2022). Will new PV manufacturing policies in the United States, India, and the European Union create global PV supply diversification? https://www.iea.org/reports/will-new-pv-manufacturing-policies-in-the-united-states-india-and-the-european-union-create-global-pv-supply-diversification International Energy Agency. (2024). Renewables 2024: Analysis and forecast to 2030. https://www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2024 International Renewable Energy Agency. (2024). Renewable energy statistics 2024. https://www.irena.org/Publications/2024/Jul/Renewable-energy-statistics-2024 Janjua, S., Hassan, I., Ali, M. U., Ibrahim, M. M., Zafar, A., & Kim, S. (2021). Addressing social inequality and improper water distribution in cities: A case study of Karachi, Pakistan. Land, 10(11), Article 1278. https://doi.org/10.3390/land10111278 Lemke, D. (1997). The continuation of history: Power transition theory and the end of the Cold War. Journal of Peace Research, 34(1), 23–36. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022343397034001003 Li, J., Hu, G., Pengfei, S., & Jingli, S. (2007). China wind power report 2007. China Environmental Science Press. https://gwec.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/wind-power-report.pdf McBride, J., & Chatzky, A. (2019, May 13). Is "Made in China 2025" a threat to global trade? Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/made-china-2025-threat-global-trade Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives. (2024). Energy projects under CPEC. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Secretariat. https://cpec.gov.pk/energy Organski, A. F. K. (1958). World politics. Knopf. Our World in Data. (2024). Solar (photovoltaic) panel prices. https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/solar-pv-prices Pepe, J. M., Grinschgl, J., & Westphal, K. (2023). US-China rivalry and its impact on the energy transformation: Difficult cooperation fraught with dilemmas. In H. Overland (Ed.), Handbook on the geopolitics of the energy transition (pp. 200–218). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800370432.00021 Pomeranz, K. (2021). The great divergence. Princeton University Press. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781400836010 Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M. (2023). Bridging CPEC-driven industrial growth and skill-based education in Pakistan: A systematic review. Journal of Business Insight and Innovation, 2(1), 55–78. https://insightfuljournals.com/index.php/JBII/article/view/57 Raza, M. A., Khatri, K. L., & Hussain, A. (2022). Transition from fossilized to defossilized energy system in Pakistan. Renewable Energy, 190, 19–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.03.059 RIGL (Ritar International Group Limited). (2024, October 21). The cost of a 2MW battery storage system. https://www.ritarpower.com/industry_information/The-cost-of-a-2MW-battery-storage-system_269.html Salik, M. A. N. (2023, April 21). Issue brief on "US-Pakistan Green Alliance: Advancing bilateral cooperation on sustainable development". Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad. https://issi.org.pk/issue-brief-on-us-pakistan-green-alliance-advancing-bilateral-cooperation-on-sustainable-development/ Sattar, A., & Sattar, A. (2020). Pakistan's foreign policy 1947-2019: A concise history (5th ed.). Oxford University Press. Tammen, R. L., Kugler, J., & Lemke, D. (2017). Foundations of power transition theory. In Oxford research encyclopedia of politics. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.013.296 U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Pakistan. (2024, January 19). Factsheet: Pak-US Green Alliance. https://pk.usembassy.gov/u-s-pakistan-green-alliance-framework-improves-climate-smart-agriculture-promotes-sustainable-economic-growth-aug-1-2024/ U.S. Mission Pakistan. (2024, August 1). U.S.-Pakistan 'Green Alliance' framework improves climate-smart agriculture, promotes sustainable economic growth. U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Pakistan. https://pk.usembassy.gov/u-s-pakistan-green-alliance-framework-improves-climate-smart-agriculture-promotes-sustainable-economic-growth-aug-1-2024/ United Nations. (2024). Country profile - Pakistan. https://www.un.org/esa/earthsummit/pakis-cp.htm United States Agency for International Development. (2024, September 26). U.S. foreign assistance to Pakistan 1947-2024 [Data set]. https://foreignassistance.gov/ United States Trade Representative. (2025). Pakistan. https://ustr.gov/countries-regions/south-central-asia/pakistan The White House. (2024, June 13). Fact sheet: Partnership for global infrastructure and investment at the G7 summit. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/06/13/fact-sheet-partnership-for-global-infrastructure-and-investment-at-the-g7-summit-2/ The World Bank. (2020). Global photovoltaic power potential by country. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/466331592817725242/pdf/Global-Photovoltaic-Power-Potential-by-Country.pdf World Economic Forum. (2024). Fostering effective energy transition 2024. https://www.weforum.org/publications/fostering-effective-energy-transition-2024/ Zafar, M. R., & Raja, M. Y. S. (2022). The challenge of energy transition and energy security needs of Pakistan in 21st century. Global Foreign Policies Review, 1(1), 11–23. https://doi.org/10.31703/gfpr.2022(v-i).02
Shah Muhammad Farooq Rashdi, Nadia Agha, Bibi Hina
It is a widely acknowledged fact that sustainable national progress is inextricably linked to the active socioeconomic participation of all its citizens. Within this framework, a mother’s employment is a significant factor in national development and familial well-being. The present quantitative research project examines the multifaceted impact of mothers’ employment on their children's educational attainment and psychosocial development. Data was collected via a structured 52-item questionnaire from 261 working mothers employed in government sectors within Khairpur city, Sindh, utilizing a convenience sampling technique. As the primary agents of socialization, mothers are crucial to a child's development; this study specifically investigates correlations between maternal employment and children's scholastic performance and self-confidence. The collected data was rigorously analysed using IBM SPSS software (Version 26), employing descriptive statistics to quantify the results. The findings indicate that children of working mothers significantly improved their academic grades, participated more frequently in extracurricular activities, and developed greater confidence and independence. This study contributes valuable empirical evidence from a specific socio-cultural context, adding new meaning to the existing body of research and highlighting implications for policy supporting working families. References Agha, N. (2017, March 26). Working mothers. Dawn. Retrieved March 1, 2024, from https://www.dawn.com/news/1322904/working-mothers Agha, N. (2017, January 3). In honour’s name. Dawn. Retrieved March 1, 2024, from https://www.dawn.com/news/1306195/in-honours-name Andrabi, T., Das, J., & Khwaja, A. J. (2011). What did you do all day? Maternal education and child outcomes. Pomona College, The World Bank, Harvard University. Asian Development Bank. (2000). Country briefing paper: Women in Pakistan. The Office of Environment and Social Development. Asian Development Bank. (2016). Policy brief on female labor force participation in Pakistan. Gregory, W. J. (2000). Transforming self and society: A critical appreciation model. Systems Practice and Action Research, 13(4), 475–501. http://spdc.org.pk/Data/Publication/PDF/CP-58.pdf Kakepoto, H. (2005). Discrimination against women in rural Sindh: A sociological analysis. International Journal of Social Economics, 38(2), 98–113. Klebanov, P. K., Brooks-Gunn, J., & Duncan, G. J. (1994). Does neighborhood and family poverty affect mothers’ parenting, mental health, and social support? Journal of Marriage and the Family, 56(2), 441–455. Mahpara, B. S., & Qurra-tul-Ain, A. S. (2011). Employment situation of women in Pakistan. Malik, N., Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M., Bugti, M. A., & Bangulzai, W. A. (2025). Harassment of women in South Punjab politics: Impacts and strategies for enhanced leadership. ACADMIA International Journal for Social Sciences, 4(3), 2575–2590. https://doi.org/10.63056/ACAD.004.03.0547 Mansi, H. (2002). A multivariate study of decision making and emotional intelligence. Mariam, Q. (2011). The plight of women. Sindh Book Ishaat. Meheralia, M. S., Karmaliani, R., & Asad, N. (2011). Effects of mothers’ employment on toddlers’ cognitive development: A study conducted in Karachi, Pakistan. Early Child Development and Care, 181(7), 877–890. Mehra, R., & Gammage, S. (1999). Trends, countertrends, and gaps in women’s employment. World Development, 27(3), 533–550. Moghadam, M. V. (2005). The feminization of poverty and women’s human rights. Papers in Women’s Studies, 02, 1–32. Mohan, C. M. (1989). Status of women and socio-economic programmes under India’s seventh plan. In R. K. Sapru (Ed.), Women and Development (pp. 116–118). (PhD thesis, University of Karachi). Murtaza, G. (2010). The ignored sector of Pakistan. Daily Kawish. Hyderabad. Mustard, J. (2002, September 23–24). Best investment for the future: Experience-based brain development, the effects on health, learning, and behavior. Keynote address at Aga Khan University National Health Sciences Symposium: Early Childhood Care and Development, Karachi. Naviwala, N. (2015). Pakistan’s education crisis: The real story. The Wilson Center. Pakistan Pew Social Trends. (2014, April 8). After decades of decline, a rise in stay-at-home mothers. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2014/04/08/after-decades-of-decline-a-rise-in-stay-at-home-mothers/ Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M. (2025). Bridging the skills divide: A comparative study of skill-based education across SAARC countries with a policy roadmap for Pakistan. Social Science Review Archives, 3(3), 787–795. https://doi.org/10.70670/sra.v3i3.913 Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M., & Nadeem, M. A. (2024). Comparative analysis of skill-based education curriculum in Pakistan and India: A contemporary review. 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Global Social Sciences Review, IX(IV), 124–134. https://doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2024(IX-IV).13 Talaat, M. (2016). Convergence & social contexts in Pakistan. ELF Annual Research Journal, 4, 27–47. The Global Gender Gap Report. (2015). Committed to improving the state of the world (10th anniversary ed.). World Economic Forum. The Global Gender Gap Report. (2017). Committed to improving the state of the world. World Economic Forum. UNESCO Islamabad. (2013). UNESCO country programming document for Pakistan (2013–2017). UNESCO Islamabad. Women in the workplace. (2015). An unmet potential in Asia and the Pacific. Asian Development Bank.
This research explored the transformative impact of FinTech innovations on financial inclusion, focusing on the roles of digital credit, micro-lending, and their contributions to poverty alleviation in developing economies. Employing a mixed-methods research design that integrated survey data and participant interviews, the study analyzed how technology-driven financial services enhanced accessibility, affordability, and equity among financially marginalized populations. The findings indicated that FinTech significantly reduced barriers to credit access through mobile-based lending platforms and algorithmic credit scoring, thereby improving economic resilience, entrepreneurial growth, and household income. However, the study also revealed disparities in adoption, with women, rural residents, and individuals with limited digital literacy facing greater challenges. The analysis emphasized that while FinTech served as a catalyst for inclusion, its success depended on strong regulatory oversight, consumer protection, and digital financial education. Qualitative insights further highlighted users’ perceptions of increased autonomy, trust, and empowerment through digital finance. The study concluded that FinTech holds substantial potential for inclusive growth but requires careful alignment with social, institutional, and ethical frameworks. Recommendations included expanding digital infrastructure, strengthening financial literacy, and ensuring equitable algorithmic governance to enhance sustainability and social justice in financial ecosystems. References Airlangga, T., Sunitiyoso, Y., & Sudrajad, O. Y. (2025). The role of FinTech lending in financial inclusion and poverty alleviation: A systematic review. 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Applied Economics Letters, 29(14), 1305–1310. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504851.2021.1884072 Ha, D., Le, P., & Nguyen, D. K. (2025). Financial inclusion and FinTech: A state-of-the-art systematic literature review. Financial Innovation, 11, Article 69. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40854-024-00741-0 Ha, T. T., Le, T. T., & Nguyen, D. P. (2025). Financial technology and the transformation of banking and financial inclusion: A bibliometric and conceptual analysis. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 208, 123876. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2025.123876 Hasan, I., Jackowicz, K., Kowalewski, O., & Kozłowski, Ł. (2021). Do FinTech firms increase financial inclusion? Cross-country evidence. Journal of Banking & Finance, 133, 106221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbankfin.2021.106221 Hu, X., Huang, Y., Li, B., & Lu, T. (2023). Inclusive FinTech lending via contrastive learning and domain adaptation. arXiv Preprint. https://arxiv.org/abs/2305.05827 Islam, M. A., & Grönlund, Å. (2023). Microfinance digitalization and poverty reduction: Evidence from developing economies. Information Systems Frontiers, 25(3), 815–832. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-022-10367-9 Koomson, I., Villano, R. A., & Hadley, D. (2021). The effects of mobile money adoption on financial inclusion and welfare in Ghana. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 167, 120729. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.120729 Kunwar, A., & Chhetri, B. (2025). Mobile banking and financial inclusion in rural Nepal: Evidence from post-pandemic adoption patterns. Sustainability, 17(4), 2101. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17042101 Mansyur, F. (2025). The impact of FinTech penetration on regional economic growth and inclusion in Indonesia. Journal of Asian Economics, 92, 102079. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asieco.2025.102079 Nagar, V., & Singh, A. (2023). Impact of digital micro-lending platforms on entrepreneurship and poverty alleviation in South Asia. Journal of Economic Studies, 50(4), 789–804. https://doi.org/10.1108/JES-06-2022-0299 Offiong, U. P. (2024). FinTech as a digital innovation in microfinance companies. Emerald Emerging Markets Review. https://doi.org/10.1108/EEMR-09-2023-1236772 Ozili, P. K. (2024). Digital financial inclusion and poverty reduction in Africa: New evidence and policy implications. Review of Development Finance, 14(1), 45–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rdf.2024.01.003 Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M. (2025). Beyond the blackboards: Building a micro-edtech economy through teacher-led innovation in low-income schools. Journal of Business Insight and Innovation, 4(1), 46–52. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16875721 Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M. (2025). Bridging the skills divide: A comparative study of skill-based education across SAARC countries with a policy roadmap for Pakistan. Social Science Review Archives, 3(3), 787–795. https://doi.org/10.70670/sra.v3i3.913 Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M. (2025). 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Gender differences in the use and challenges of breakthrough technology in higher education: Evidence from Punjab. The Critical Review of Social Sciences Studies, 3(3), 1056–1073. https://doi.org/10.59075/hpdvq714 Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M., Khalid, N., & Susanto, E. (2025). Addressing environmental and social challenges: A mixed-method study on the education and inclusion of eunuchs in South Punjab, Pakistan. Social Science Review Archives, 3(1), 284–299. https://doi.org/10.70670/sra.v3i1.311 Sahay, R., Čihák, M., & N’Diaye, P. M. (2020). FinTech, financial inclusion, and inclusive growth. International Monetary Fund. https://doi.org/10.5089/9781513529172.001 Shair, F., Jabeen, S., Zafar, S., & Hassan, M. (2024). Digital finance and financial inclusion: Empirical evidence from developing economies. Borsa Istanbul Review, 24(1), 32–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bir.2023.04.007 Smith, G. (2025). 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Abdullah Shah, Dr. Saqib Anwar Siddiqui, S. Ilyas
et al.
This paper aims to provide an understanding of how Green Marketing and Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) intersect to contribute to the creation of a sustainable brand by increasing employee engagement. Sustainability in organizations is a reality not only in external marketing but also internally in human resource policies, framed within the broader commitment to environmental stewardship. While Green Marketing focuses on promoting eco-friendly products and practices to consumers, GHRM embeds sustainability into organizational culture, fostering employee participation in green initiatives. The study reveals a weak but positive correlation between Green Marketing, GHRM, and employee engagement, suggesting that both strategies enhance sustainability efforts, though their impact may be modest. Additionally, industry-specific variations exist, with Retail and Services sectors demonstrating higher employee engagement compared to Manufacturing. These findings highlight the importance of aligning internal policies, leadership support, and corporate messaging to strengthen employee involvement in sustainability. Moreover, the research underscores the role of training, incentives, and transparent communication in reinforcing green behaviours among employees. Organizations that integrate Green Marketing and GHRM effectively can cultivate a cohesive sustainability strategy, enhancing both brand reputation and workforce motivation. For businesses striving to achieve long-term environmental and organizational success, this study offers valuable insights into harmonizing external branding with internal green practices to drive meaningful engagement and sustainable growth. References Aust, F., & Luechinger, T. (2018). Employee engagement and environmental sustainability: Linking environmental behaviors to organizational commitment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(11), 2397. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15112397 Banerjee, S. B. (2003). Corporate social responsibility: The good, the bad and the ugly. Critical Sociology, 29(1), 1-25. Bano, S., Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M., & Khalid, N. (2024). Assessing Health and Environmental Risks: Educational Awareness on Plastic Usage and Solid Waste Disposal in Bahawalpur. Journal of Asian Development Studies, 13(3), 917-929. https://doi.org/10.62345/jads.2024.13.3.75 Bansal, P., & Roth, K. (2000). Why companies go green: A model of ecological responsiveness. Academy of Management Journal, 43(4), 717-736. Berrone, P., & Ricart, J. E. (2007). The impact of environmental innovation on competitive advantage. European Management Review, 4(1), 18-28. https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.emr.1500074 Bhattacharya, C. B., & Sen, S. (2004). Doing better at doing good: When, why, and how consumers respond to corporate social initiatives. 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The role of employee engagement in sustainable business. Journal of Business Ethics, 154(3), 877-889. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-017-3445-2 Harter, J. K., Schmidt, F. L., & Hayes, T. L. (2002). Business-unit-level relationship between employee satisfaction, employee engagement, and business outcomes: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(2), 268-279. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.87.2.268 Hussain, M. S., Zafar, Z., Zafar, S., & Javed, I. (2025). A Serial Mediation Model of Green Workplace Behavior at Banking Sector of Pakistan: Do Green HRM Practices Matter?. ACADEMIA International Journal for Social Sciences, 4(3), 2117-2129. https://doi.org/10.63056/ACAD.004.03.0553 Jabbour, C. J. C. (2015). Green human resource management: A new pathway. International Journal of Business Research, 11(1), 48-61. Jabbour, C. J. C., & Santos, F. C. A. (2008). The influence of human resource management practices on environmental management. Journal of Business Ethics, 81(1), 103-114. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-007-9484-3 Jackson, S. E., Renwick, D. W. S., Jabbour, C. J. C., & Muller-Camen, M. (2011). State-of-the-art and future directions for green human resource management: Introduction to the special issue on green HRM. German Journal of Human Resource Management, 25(2), 99-116. https://doi.org/10.1177/239700221102500203 Khalid, N., Arshad, I., & Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M. (2024). Enhancing Environmental Education to Promote Pre-Emptive Smog Mitigation Strategies in Urban Areas of South Punjab: An Overview. Journal of Asian Development Studies, 13(3), 956-964. https://doi.org/10.62345/jads.2024.13.3.75 Kim, Y., & Lee, S. M. (2015). Employee green behavior and its impact on sustainability in green organizations. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 36(6), 755-776. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2017 Kramar, R. (2014). Beyond strategic human resource management: Is sustainable HRM the answer? 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The use of digital surveillance technologies in the migration control has received more and more of a second wave of popularity that does not only provide chances of strengthening border security but also harbours attitudes towards the breach of human rights. This paper examines the controversial use of digital surveillance technology, referred to as biometric identification, artificial intelligence in surveillance, and computer-based decision-making, and is applied in migration control. The study consists of several elements of case analysis, document examination, interviews with stakeholders, and the utilization of a thematic examination; thus, the research pinpoints the most crucial ethical issues, such as information privacy breaches, racial profiling, AI-based bias, and the undermining of asylum procedures. The paper recommends a close imbalance between humans play a key role in technological change and the aspect of human rights since this paper contends that stringent control measures, transparency, and accountability are required in the deployment of surveillance technologies. The overall results indicate that although the stakeholders recognize that digital surveillance has a lot to offer in improving security, there is much opposition based on the effects it has on the rights of the individuals, especially to the marginalized migrant communities. To prevent the use of technology in order to preserve dignity, fairness, and equality toward all migrants, the research proposes the introduction of human rights-based approach to digital surveillance in migration that takes place during the control of migration. References Aitken, R., & Lopez, M. (2022). Privacy and security in the digital age: The impact of biometric surveillance. Journal of Information Privacy and Security, 29(2), 124–138. Anderson, C., & Denham, L. (2021). Border control and surveillance: The evolving role of technology in migration management. Migration Studies, 29(4), 515–533. https://doi.org/10.1093/migration/mnab009 Anderson, P., & Denham, L. (2023). Public engagement with digital surveillance: The ethical challenges of migration technologies. Journal of Digital Ethics, 8(1), 35–50. https://doi.org/10.4337/jde.2023.01.03 Asif, M. (2022). Integration of Information Technology in Financial Services and its Adoption by the Financial Sector in Pakistan. Inverge Journal of Social Sciences, 1(2), 23-35. https://doi.org/10.63544/ijss.v1i2.31 Barker, T., & Ali, S. (2021). The ethics of automation in asylum decision-making: Challenges and solutions. Human Rights and Technology, 12(4), 97–110. https://doi.org/10.4337/hrit.2021.04.02 Bhui, K., Gibbons, R., & Harris, D. (2021). Racial bias in AI systems: Ethical implications for migration and border control. Ethical AI Review, 14(4), 45–58. Bhui, R., & Verma, P. (2022). AI and racial profiling: The intersection of technology and ethics in border control systems. Journal of Migration Technology, 19(3), 62–74. Binns, R., & Horne, S. (2021). Ethical concerns in migration control: A technological perspective. International Journal of Human Rights, 25(3), 489–503. https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2020.1863756 Bradley, M., & Shaw, D. (2022). AI and the future of border control: A critical examination. Journal of Migration and Technology, 34(3), 265–281. Brown, M. (2023). Racial bias in AI surveillance systems: Impact on migration control. Journal of Social Justice and Technology, 16(2), 118–131. Bukhari, S. T., Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M., & Hassan, B. (2025). The intersection of age, marital status, and abusive dynamics in females: A sociocultural perspective. The Critical Review of Social Sciences Studies, 3(2), 1071–1088. https://doi.org/10.59075/3djj2365 Chavez, R., & Ross, J. (2022). Lack of oversight in migration surveillance: A global perspective. Human Rights Review, 21(2), 145–162. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12142-021-00640-2 Cheung, T., & Finkelstein, R. (2022). The automation of asylum claims: Ethical implications for refugees. International Migration Review, 45(1), 77–89. https://doi.org/10.1177/01979183211040547 Cohen, J., Green, L., & Nash, P. (2023). Ethical governance of surveillance technologies in migration: A global perspective. Global Policy Review, 30(1), 67–80. De Genova, N., & Peutz, N. (2020). The ethics of migration control: Law, politics, and technology. Routledge. Duffy, R., & Freeman, L. (2022). A human rights-based approach to border technology governance. International Journal of Human Rights, 29(6), 303–320. Eubanks, V. (2020). Automating inequality: How high-tech tools profile, police, and punish the poor. St. Martin’s Press. (ISBN: 978-1-250-07431-7) Friedman, A. (2022). Digital borders: The privacy implications of surveillance technologies in migration control. Privacy Law and Policy Journal, 28(4), 183–200. Friedman, G. (2022). Biometrics and privacy: A clash of rights in migration management. Privacy and Data Security, 27(3), 213–230. Gibson, D., Miller, C., & Park, S. (2022). AI in border control: The racialized nature of facial recognition technology. Data Justice, 3(1), 33–50. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/8xz7f Gillespie, J. (2020). Digital surveillance and the future of border security. Borderlands: A Journal of Borderlands Studies, 19(1), 49–67. https://doi.org/10.1080/17471808.2020.1790312 Graham, S. (2023). The politics of migration control in the age of artificial intelligence. Policy Studies Journal, 44(2), 168–189. https://doi.org/10.1111/psj.12475 Greenberg, R. (2023). Transparency and accountability in migration control technologies. Policy and Governance, 11(4), 245–261. Hall, D., & Kunkel, T. (2023). Migration, privacy, and human rights in the age of surveillance. Social Justice Review, 16(1), 122–139. Harrison, R. (2021). The risks of AI in immigration control: Racial profiling and bias. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Studies, 42(5), 501–518. https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870.2020.1825756 Human Rights Watch. (2021). The erosion of asylum rights in the digital age. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/report Jackson, M., & Thompson, E. (2021). Privacy issues in migration surveillance: Who owns migrant data? Data Privacy Journal, 19(2), 198–213. Klein, H. (2021). The lack of accountability in AI-driven migration control. Migration Studies Review, 28(6), 341–358. Kumar, R., & Patel, A. (2021). Human rights in the digital age: Protecting migrants through regulation. International Law and Technology, 33(7), 122–135. Lange, S., & Silver, L. (2022). Facial recognition technology and its impact on racial discrimination at borders. Journal of Technology and Society, 38(9), 265–281. Liebig, T., & Wahl, H. (2022). The automated asylum process: A violation of fair trial rights? Human Rights Law Review, 45(2), 221–234. https://doi.org/10.1093/hrlr/ngab022 Lind, P., & Greenberg, R. (2021). Technology and migration governance: The ethical questions. International Migration, 54(3), 67–84. https://doi.org/10.1111/imig.12815 López, A., & Sánchez, P. (2023). The erosion of asylum rights through automation: A critical examination of AI’s role in refugee protection. International Migration Law, 38(2), 125–141. Lyon, D. (2020). The culture of surveillance: Watching as a way of life. Polity Press. MacDonald, A., & Fernandes, M. (2021). Surveillance, privacy, and the digital border: A global challenge. Journal of Borderland Studies, 39(6), 342–355. https://doi.org/10.1080/08865655.2021.1995678 Mayer, C. (2023). Who watches the watchers? Accountability in migration surveillance. Journal of Global Governance, 13(5), 81–97. Mayer, J., & Fischer, G. (2022). Balancing security and human rights in migration governance: The role of digital technologies. Journal of Migration Policy, 22(5), 89–106. Müller, M., & Bliesemann de Guevara, B. (2021). Migration, border control, and the politics of surveillance: The case of the Mediterranean. Global Politics Review, 22(2), 115–133. Nissenbaum, H. (2022). Privacy in context: Technology, policy, and the integrity of social life. Stanford University Press. Nissilä, M., & Määttä, K. (2022). AI in asylum decision-making: Unintended consequences and ethical considerations. International Refugee Studies, 17(3), 79–92. O’Neil, C. (2021). Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy. Crown Publishing. Pasquale, F. (2019). The Black Box Society: The Secret Algorithms that Control Money and Information. Harvard University Press. Pemberton, A. (2023). Digital surveillance and its role in managing migration. Migration Studies Review, 20(1), 28–42. Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M. (2025). Empowering the excluded: A review of skill-based education for eunuchs in South Asia. Global Political Review, X(III), 60–69. https://doi.org/10.31703/gpr.2025(XIII).06 Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M. (2025). The integrated skill-based education framework (ISEF): An empirically grounded model for reforming skill-based education in Pakistan. Global Social Sciences Review, X(III), 157–167. https://doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2025(X-III).14 Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M., & Ashraf, I. (2025). Academic needs of madaris in 21st century: A study of madaris in Tehsil Minchinabad, District Bahawalnagar, South Punjab. Inverge Journal of Social Sciences, 4(1), 122–131. https://doi.org/10.63544/ijss.v4i1.141 Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M., Khalid, N., & Shafi, S. (2024). Historical analysis of environmental degradation in Pakistan: A narrative review. Global Political Review, IX(IV), 24–35. https://doi.org/10.31703/gpr.2024(IX-IV).03 Rafiq-uz-Zaman, M., Khalid, N., & Susanto, E. (2025). Addressing environmental and social challenges: A mixed-method study on the education and inclusion of eunuchs in South Punjab, Pakistan. Social Science Review Archives, 3(1), 284–299. https://doi.org/10.70670/sra.v3i1.311 Robinson, C., & Clark, G. (2021). Digital surveillance in border management: Ethical implications and policy consideratio
Gulzar Ahmed Lakho, Shazia Gul Memon, Nazia Iqbal
et al.
This research paper explores the new technology, emerging trends and challenges that academic libraries in Pakistan tend to encounter in the 21st century. It seeks to evaluate the ways in which the digital transformation is transforming library operations, user services as well as professional functions and also determine where it is heading to in terms of sustainable development. A quantitative descriptive study design was adopted with a structured questionnaire to be given to 200 library professionals in the public and the private universities in Pakistan. The data were interpreted through descriptive statistics (frequency and percent) to generalize the perceptions of the respondents on technological adoption, service innovations and institutional challenges. The findings show that there has been a drastic change towards digitalization as majority of libraries have embraced automation in cataloguing, OPAC and cloud based services. Digital literacy training, provision of virtual reference services and utilization of social media in engaging libraries are also emerging practices that have been adopted by libraries. Nevertheless, certain obstacles like lack of sufficient funding, ineffective ICT, ineffective infrastructure, and institutional support remain in the way. There was a great deal of optimism about the future, which included professional development, collaboration, and national policy support as respondents thought that innovation can continue to flourish. The results indicate that there is a requirement to invest in ICT infrastructure strategically, continuous professional training, and development of policy frameworks to facilitate equitable technological development within academic institutions. Innovation and quality of service can be even improved through strengthening institutional support and collaboration. The given research offers the detailed data-driven information on the technological revolution in the field of the Pakistani academic libraries, which is acute considering the lack of information about the situation on the ground in Pakistan and in the context of the digital era, in general. References Ahmed, S., Sheikh, A., & Akram, M. (2018). Implementing knowledge management in university libraries of Punjab, Pakistan. Information Discovery and Delivery, 46(2), 83–94. https://doi.org/10.1108/IDD-02-2018-0004 Ali Khan, T. (2023). Examining the impact of university libraries in facilitating foreign language learning in Pakistan. International Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 5(1), 10–18. Arif, M., & Mahmood, K. (2012). The changing role of librarians in the digital world: Adoption of Web 2.0 technologies by Pakistani librarians. The Electronic Library, 30(4), 469–479. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640471211247040 Ashiq, M., Rehman, S. U., & Mujtaba, G. (2021). Future challenges and emerging role of academic libraries in Pakistan: A phenomenology approach. Information Development, 37(1), 158–173. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666920917113 Asif, M., & Asghar, R. J. (2025). Managerial accounting as a driver of financial performance and sustainability in small and medium enterprises in Pakistan. Center for Management Science Research, 3(7), 150-163. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17596478 Asif, M., Shah, H., & Asim, H. A. H. (2025). Cybersecurity and audit resilience in digital finance: Global insights and the Pakistani context. Journal of Asian Development Studies, 14(3), 560-573. https://doi.org/10.62345/jads.2025.14.3.47 Awais, S., & Ameen, K. (2019). The current innovation status of university libraries in Pakistan. Library Management, 40(3/4), 178–190. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-11-2018-0096 Afzal, M., Arshad, N., & Shaheen, A. (2025). ChatGPT and the future of academic writing: Enhancing productivity and creativity. Journal of Engineering and Computational Intelligence Review, 3(1), 1–11. Baber, M., Islam, K., Ullah, A., & Ullah, W. (2024). Libraries in the age of intelligent information: AI-driven solutions. International Journal of Applied and Scientific Research, 2(1), 153–176. Bashir, F. (2020). Ambassador of lifelong learning/public libraries in multicultural society: The case of Pakistan. Türk Kütüphaneciliği, 34(3), 548–558. Batool, S. H., Rehman, A. U., & Sulehri, I. (2022). The current situation of information literacy education and curriculum design in Pakistan: A discovery using Delphi method. Library Hi Tech, 40(6), 1705–1720. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-07-2021-0168 Bibi, T. (2024). Academic advancement: Libraries' integral support for research in public sector universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Journal of Computing & Biomedical Informatics, 7(1), 559–570. Butt, R., Siddiqui, H., Soomro, R. A., & Asad, M. M. (2020). Integration of Industrial Revolution 4.0 and IOTs in academia: A state-of-the-art review on the concept of Education 4.0 in Pakistan. Interactive Technology and Smart Education, 17(4), 337–354. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITSE-03-2020-0032 Gul, S., & Bano, S. (2019). Smart libraries: An emerging and innovative technological habitat of 21st century. The Electronic Library, 37(5), 764–783. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-09-2018-0171 Hanif, S., Shah, S. A. A., Rehman, A. U., & Hassan, S. (2024). Changing role of libraries and librarians in the new technological era: An evaluative study of university libraries of Islamabad. Bulletin of Business and Economics (BBE), 13(2), 448–454. Hussain, A. (2020). Industrial revolution 4.0: Implication to libraries and librarians. Library Hi Tech News, 37(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-01-2020-0006 Iqbal, Q., Akbar, T., Zia, M., Ahmed, R., & Cheema, A. M. (2024). Transforming library leadership: Redefining leadership in the digital era and its impact on innovative work behavior in Pakistan. Journal of Information Management and Practices, 4(2). Islam, K., Shamshad, A., & Usman, M. (2025). Adoption potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning in Islamabad’s academic libraries. Journal of Engineering and Computational Intelligence Review, 3(1), 12–24. Khalid, A., Malik, G. F., & Mahmood, K. (2021). Sustainable development challenges in libraries: A systematic literature review (2000–2020). The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 47(3), 102347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2021.102347 Khan, M. I., Jan, R., Hussain, M., & Bahadar, M. (2024). Perception, competencies, and potential challenges towards big data management among the university libraries of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Journal of Regional Studies Review, 3(1), 21–28. Kiran, N., Aziz, T., & Lashari, A. A. (2024). Academic libraries emerging trends in 21st century: A systematic review. Pakistan Social Sciences Review, 8(1), 270–281. Malik, A., & Ameen, K. (2021). The employment landscape and LIS education in Pakistan: Challenges and prospects. Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, 70(1/2), 79–93. https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-02-2021-0036 Rafi, M., JianMing, Z., & Ahmad, K. (2019). Technology integration for students’ information and digital literacy education in academic libraries. Information Discovery and Delivery, 47(4), 203–217. https://doi.org/10.1108/IDD-08-2018-0037 Shah, S. H., Shah, N. U., & Jbeen, A. (2024). Exploration of LIS professionals efforts in Pakistan towards the improvements of technological competencies in 21st century. Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, 73(4/5), 596–613. Soroya, S. H., & Ameen, K. (2020). Millennials’ reading behavior in the digital age: A case study of Pakistani university students. Journal of Library Administration, 60(5), 559–577. https://doi.org/10.1080/01930826.2020.1772513 Ullah, A., & Usman, M. (2023). Role of Libraries in Ensuring Quality Education at Higher Education Institutions: A Perspective of Pakistan. Inverge Journal of Social Sciences, 2(4), 13–22. https://doi.org/10.63544/ijss.v2i4.57 Zahra, M., Hanif, S., & Shah, S. A. A. (2024). Current technological trends used in libraries: A study of public sector universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Journal of Development and Social Sciences, 5(3), 87–99.
Since the launch of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in 2015, Beijing and Islamabad have developed a joint strategic narrative in favour of China and its investments in Pakistan. As state-funded think tanks play a pivotal role in crafting and spreading these narratives, this study examines two major Islamabad-based think tanks during 2015 and 2023. It argues that these state-funded think tanks play a key role in legitimising policy decisions on CPEC by disseminating state-endorsed narratives. They emphasise CPEC's economic and strategic benefits, reinforcing the official discourse through research, publications, and advocacy.
Political institutions and public administration - Asia (Asian studies only), Social sciences and state - Asia (Asian studies only)
We investigate convergence among Indian states between 1981 and 2016 using the distance of any state from the leading state as our key variable. We focus on the role of three major sectors—agriculture, manufacturing, and infrastructure—in achieving convergence. Prima facie, we do not find any firm evidence of convergence in our dataset. However, unit root tests both at the state level and in panel data confirm convergence. Considering the three main sectors strengthens our findings, indicating that an increase in the relative income gap with the leading state is associated with a decrease in the Distance variable. This is consistent with the notion of convergence. Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Infrastructure variables demonstrate statistically significant relationships with distance, and each has its own individual impact, in terms of magnitude and direction, on convergence. Additionally, we find that the overall effect of each of these three major variables is actually dependent on the distance. Our results remain robust to alternative estimation methods.
Social sciences and state - Asia (Asian studies only)
Traditional military threats have given way to non-traditional security (NTS) issues, including human security, as the essence of international security has changed. Narcotics smuggling is a major NTS concern that presents a huge burden, especially in border regions. Covering an area of around 4.4 million square kilometers, Southeast Asia is home to the "Golden Triangle," an infamous center for the production of drugs that is situated near the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. These locations have facilitated the growth of extensive drug smuggling operations. The dangers of drug smuggling as a NTS concern in border states are examined in this paper. The research examined the effects of drug trafficking on regional security utilizing a qualitative methodology with realism as the theoretical framework. The results show that drug smuggling poses serious security threats to Southeast Asia, especially via marine routes that cross the Malacca Strait between Indonesia and Malaysia. Smugglers mostly operate at night and use advanced techniques, such as GPS-equipped drug packages and using fishermen as couriers. This smuggling route continues to exist due to several factors, such as the close proximity of territorial waters, the existence of unofficial and illegal ports, the lack of surveillance patrols, and the difficulties in maintaining law enforcement professionalism in border areas. Stronger regional collaboration, increased marine security, and better law enforcement strategies are needed to address these problems and lessen the growing menace of drug smuggling in Southeast Asia.
Political science, Social sciences and state - Asia (Asian studies only)
In the 2000s, the Government of the People’s Republic of China extended basic health insurance to most of the population. In the 2010s, it introduced a catastrophic medical insurance (CMI) program to further improve urban and rural residents’ protection against financial shocks due to inpatient treatment. This study evaluates the outcomes of CMI. It analyzes a corpus of CMI-related documents to reconstruct the process of policy implementation. Implementation effects were tested using hospitalization data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study surveys in 2011, 2013, and 2015. The findings indicate that CMI improved reimbursement rates in the basic insurance schemes it complemented. Out-of-pocket payments decreased significantly. However, in prefectural and provincial hospitals, reimbursement rates decreased, most notably due to rising drug spending. This increase may be partly related to the use of higher-quality pharmaceuticals following the introduction of CMI.
Social sciences and state - Asia (Asian studies only)
This research aims to explore the experiences of social stigmatization, psychological distress, and coping strategies among rural Punjabi women who have only female children. The study was conducted within a cultural setting where patriarchy and pronatalism are two complex realities. In such contexts, anyone who deviates from these approved cultural norms may face stigma and distress, and to destigmatize themselves may use coping strategies. A qualitative research design grounded in an interpretive approach was adopted to explore these contextually embedded assumptions. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions carried out with participants residing in the rural setting of Punjab province, including mothers of only daughters and community members. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify key patterns and narratives emerging from participant experiences. The findings reveal that these women face persistent stigmatization, emotional abuse, and social exclusion, particularly from in-laws and other female relatives. They are often blamed for reproductive failure and pressured to seek spiritual or herbal interventions. Despite enduring significant psychological distress such as anxiety, shame, and isolation, many women adopt coping strategies rooted in religious faith, emotional resilience, and avoidance. These insights highlight a critical need for culturally sensitive interventions to protect mothers of only female children from psychological distress and resulting mental health issues.
Alwee Othman, Fakhrusy Syakirin Zahari, Muhammad Amirul Aiman Harmizan
Propaganda is an effort by the conflicting parties to undermine the interests of their opponent. It functions to influence the audience not to support them regardless of whether the facts presented are true or otherwise. The Second World War has shown this phenomenon through the forms of propaganda used. In this case, the British and Japanese were military powers competing for influence in Southeast Asia, especially Malaya. The early defeat of the British at the Japanese hands forced them to carry out propaganda actions to restore their image. This paper aims to discuss British propaganda in its efforts to oppose Japan in Malaya during the Second World War. Among the forms of propaganda used for this purpose include through film screenings, public speeches, newspapers, posters, pamphlets, currency, photographs and radio broadcasts. These forms of propaganda will be examined through documents from the National Archives of Malaysia consisting of Colonial Office (CO) reports, meeting minutes, correspondence and reports from the Publicity and Printing Department as well as personal collections. In addition, newspaper clippings can also be accessed through the SG News website at the National Library of Singapore. Meanwhile, journal articles, books and theses were obtained from the Tun Sri Lanang Library and the Centre for the Study of History, Politics and International Affairs, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia as a complement. This paper further found that the public who were somewhat influenced by Japanese propaganda began to change their stance. This proved the effectiveness of the British in changing the stance of the public through their propaganda. However, this positive impact was only short-term because the tarnishing of the British image at the hands of the Japanese opened the eyes of the local community to be more confident in voicing their desire to demand independence through the establishment of political parties later.
Александр Геннадьевич Малахов, Виктор Павлович Римский
Purpose of the study. This article analyzes extremist practices in the Russian Empire of the 18th–19th centuries as forms of cultural and philosophical response to crises of measure, identity, and authority under the conditions of catch-up modernization. It is demonstrated that extremism is not an anomaly but a specific structure of the cultural chronotope, in which violence, sacrifice, and the refusal of compromise become instruments of historical action and symbolic expression. The study examines the 17th-century religious schism, Old Believer resistance, Peter I’s reformist absolutism, peasant and Cossack uprisings, as well as the revolutionary ideology of the radical intelligentsia. It concludes that extremism in Russian culture was not merely a political practice, but an expression of sacred anxiety and a metaphysical drive to restore authentic legitimacy through the destruction of the old world. The aim of the study is to reconstruct extremism as a philosophical and cultural mechanism that structures transitional states of Russian civilization in situations of temporal and ontological crisis. Research methodology. The study is based on a philosophical and cultural approach that interprets extremism not as a social deviation, but as a form of symbolic and ontological response to crises of measure, identity, and authority. The research employs methods of philosophical hermeneutics, event analysis, and categorical synthesis (measure, form, symbol, violence). The central methodological framework is event analysis, which treats extremist acts as turning points in cultural history — disrupting established norms and generating new layers of meaning. This is complemented by philosophical hermeneutics, which reveals the internal logic of radical action as an expression of sacred anxiety. The study also employs categorical analysis of the concepts of measure, gesture, sacrifice, violence, and imposture, allowing for the reconstruction of the deep structures of cultural memory. A key role is also played by the cultural-semiotic approach, which views extremism as a mode of meaning-making under conditions of normative collapse. The results of the study. The study produced theoretically and culturally significant findings that enable a new interpretation of extremism in the history of the Russian Empire as an ontologically meaningful and philosophically structured phenomenon. It was established that extremism in 18th–19th century Russia is not a marginal deviation but a structural element of the cultural chronotope that emerges during moments of civilizational rupture, when established norms and forms of legitimacy lose their stability. The 17th-century religious schism and the resistance of the Old Believers are interpreted as extremism of measure — a sacred protest against ontological intrusion into the liturgical and ritual order. These forms of violence are not political but metaphysical in nature. The emergence of state extremism under Peter I is analyzed as a model in which violence becomes not an exception but a rationalized tool of modernization embedded within state normativity. The study highlights the dual nature of power, which combines order with destruction. Further, the transformation of extremism in popular culture during the 18th–19th centuries is revealed in the form of peasant and Cossack uprisings, sectarian movements, and the cult of the impostor as an archetype of sacred resistance. Popular consciousness perceives violence as a means of restoring lost justice. The philosophy of the radical intelligentsia (from Belinsky to Lenin) is reconstructed as an ideological system in which violence acquires ethical and mythopoetic legitimacy. Terror becomes not only a political act but a form of cultural expression. The study introduces the concept of «pure extremism» as the final stage of radical action, in which the destruction of order becomes an end in itself and an act of eschatological rupture with historical time. Revolution is thus interpreted as a metaphysical limit of modernity, where measure as a cultural category vanishes. The prospects of studying. The findings of this study open up avenues for further investigation of extremism as a structural phenomenon of cultural history that transcends political or criminological interpretations. Promising directions for future research include: expanding the historical scope of analysis to include extremist practices of the Soviet and post-Soviet periods in order to trace the continuity between imperial and modernist forms of violence and radicalism; comparative cultural analysis, involving the juxtaposition of the Russian model of extremism with similar phenomena in Western European, Islamic, and East Asian cultural contexts, which would help identify both universal and culturally specific parameters of extremism as a form of limit-experience; deepening the conceptual framework through the development of key notions such as gesture, imposture, eschatological action, and symbolic sacrifice as core forms of expressing extremist experience within culture.
ABSTRACT This article examines how the India–Myanmar border in Mizoram is being reimagined and contested amid stateled securitization measures, with a focus on their impact on Zo communities whose familial, cultural, and religious ties span both sides. It asks how policy shifts, such as the 2024 suspension of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and plans to fence the border, alter local notions of security, mobility, kinship, and belonging. Drawing on policy documents, media reports, and scholarly literature, the analysis situates these developments within a framework that views borders as socially produced and negotiated. The article defines core concepts of security (as territorial control and discourse), mobility (as everyday movement and exchange), kinship (as transborder family networks), and belonging (as identity and place in the borderland) and uses these to interpret how Mizoram's communities experience and respond to securitization. By examining state strategies and local responses, opposition by the Mizoram government and civil society, the study contributes to debates on postcolonial border governance, Indigenous rights, and federalism in South Asia. It argues that borders are experienced not only as imposed lines of separation but also as lived spaces of connection, where security imperatives collide with enduring kinship ties and local agency.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the media played a vital role in transmitting truthful information alongside misguiding false messages. Research evaluates media coverage effects on public discussions throughout Ghana after the government struggled against the spread of fake information about pandemic treatments and vaccines and their origins. According to Herman and Chomsky's propaganda model, this study evaluates how media institutions backing the government ended up promoting official statements through their platforms though independent outlets and social media channels became place where authentic reporting occurred alongside dangerous misinformation. Media framing shows direct influence over how people trusted health authorities and followed their health-demanding protocols. The official media platforms, which were associated with government, promoted public safety guidelines simultaneously as social media networks disseminated false information that weakened people's compliance with protection measures. The research establishes the requirement to evaluate how media representations combine with state communication and public awareness in crises, which turn life-threatening misinformation into a problem. This research reveals the challenges in deceptive media influences, which fills gaps in crisis communication literature to benefit policymakers together with journalists. The authors suggest enhancing fact-checking programs while teaching people to better understand media information and requiring public health officials to clearly communicate their messages. The research confirms that free media in democracies plays an essential role because it enables journalists to monitor authorities while blocking false information. The study makes an important global contribution to emergency health media analysis by demonstrating why accuracy should replace sensationalism in the media landscape. Ghana’s experience provides worthwhile lessons, which should guide other nations fighting pandemic-related misinformation during this age of wide-ranging incorrect information spreading freely. References Adom, D. (2020). Cultural and educational implications of the COVID-19 global pandemic in Ghana. International and Multidisciplinary Journal of Social Sciences, 9(3), 209–229. https://doi.org/10.17583/rimcis.2020.5416 Ansong, A. B. (2012). The media and democratic consolidation in Ghana. African Renaissance, 9(1), 121–134. Antwi-Boasiako, J., Abbey, C. O. A., Ogbey, P., & Ofori, R. A. (2021). Policy responses to fight COVID-19; the case of Ghana. Revista de Administração Pública, 55, 122–139. Appiah, B., Gastel, B., Burdine, J. N., & Russell, L. H. (2015). 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Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China. The Lancet, 395(10223), 497–506. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30183-5 Klaehn, J. (2002). A critical review and assessment of Herman and Chomsky's 'Propaganda Model'. European Journal of Communication, 17(2), 147–182. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267323102017002691 Klaehn, J. (2003). Behind the invisible curtain of scholarly criticism: Revisiting the propaganda model. Journalism Studies, 4(3), 359–369. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616700306487 Klaehn, J. (2017). The propaganda model: Theoretical and methodological considerations. Westminster Papers in Communication and Culture, 6(2). Klaehn, J. (2018). Media, power and the origins of the Propaganda Model: An interview with Edward S. Herman. Media Theory, 2(2), 95–100. https://hal.science/hal-02047633 Lin, C. Y. (2020). Social reaction toward the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Social Health and Behavior, 3(1), 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/SHB.SHB_11_20 Larsson, A., Oxman, A. D., Carling, C., & Herrin, J. (2003). Medical messages in the media—barriers and solutions to improving medical journalism. Health Expectations, 6(4), 323–331. Mensah, K., Awini, G., & Mensah, G. K. (2021). Fake news and SDG16: The situation in Ghana. The Palgrave Handbook of International Communication and Sustainable Development, 325–344. Mullen, A., & Klaehn, J. (2010). The Herman–Chomsky propaganda model: A critical approach to analysing mass media behaviour. Sociology Compass, 4(4), 215–229. Naeem, S. B., & Bhatti, R. (2020). The COVID-19 'infodemic': A new front for information professionals. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 37(3), 233–239. https://doi.org/10.1111/hir.12311 Nyarko, J., Serwornoo, M. Y. W., & Azanu, B. (2021). Communication lapses to combating COVID-19 pandemic: Evaluating Ghana's COVID-19 campaign. Journal of African Media Studies, 13(2), 159–175. Nyarko, J., & Teer-Tomaselli, R. E. (2018). Print media standardization and professionalism: Determinants of independence of Ghanaian media. Journalism Practice, 12(1), 76–93. https://doi.org/10.1177/0973258617743620 Okereke, M., Ukor, N. A., Ngaruiya, L. M., Mwansa, C., Alhaj, S. M., Ogunkola, I. O., Jaber, M. H., Isa, A. M., Ekpenyong, A., & Lucero-Prisno III, D. E. (2021). COVID-19 misinformation and infodemic in rural Africa. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 104(2), 453. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.20-1488 Shardow, M. S., & Asare, B. E. (2016). Media ownership and independence: Implications for democratic governance in the fourth republic of Ghana. Journal of Pan African Studies, 9(9), 179–198. Smith, M. S., & Tietaah, G. K. (2017). Online media surveillance: Coverage of meningitis outbreaks in Ghana. Athens Journal of Health, 4(4), 303–319. https://doi.org/10.30958/ajh.4-4-2 Yendork, J. S., & James, S. (2020). 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This study examines the evolution of cultural expressions in Pakistani cinema from 1947 to 2024, analyzing how films reflect and influence societal transformations. Grounded in Media Representation Theory, the research investigates ten pivotal films per decade to trace shifts in gender roles, family structures, traditional-modern value conflicts, religious/ethnic identities, and international relations (IR). From Laary (1950) to Daghabaaz Dil (2024), each film functions as a socio-political artifact, capturing the anxieties and aspirations of its era. Pakistani cinema not only documents emerging social trends but also actively reshapes cultural norms through narrative innovation. Filmmakers emerge as both cultural archivists and agents of change, bridging media and societal discourse. The findings reveal how cinematic representations reinforce or challenge dominant ideologies, particularly in portraying women’s agency, intergenerational tensions, and national identity debates. By juxtaposing historical and contemporary films, the study highlights the industry’s responsiveness to geopolitical events, such as partition, Islamization, and globalization. Additionally, it explores the interplay between commercial constraints and artistic freedom in shaping narratives. This research offers novel insights into the symbiotic relationship between cinema and society, contributing to global scholarship on media’s role in cultural preservation and transformation. It proposes future directions for cross-cultural studies on cinematic activism and the transnational flow of ideological narratives. References Ahmad, A. N. (2016). Explorations into Pakistani cinema: introduction. Screen, 57(4), 468-479. https://doi.org/10.1093/screen/hjw043 Cooper, T. P. (2020). The Kaččā and the Pakkā: Disenchanting the Film Event in Pakistan. Comparative Studies in Society and History, 62(2), 262-295. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0010417520000055 Hall, S. (2024). Culture, the media and the ‘ideological effect’. In New Critical Writings in Political Sociology (pp. 341-374). Routledge. Jørgensen, M. W., & Phillips, L. (2002). Discourse analysis as theory and method. Sage. Khan, N. (2021). Representation of domestic violence in Pakistani Urdu drama serials: A feminist textual analysis [Doctoral dissertation, Flinders University]. Flinders University Library. https://flex.flinders.edu.au/file/ae4c9b6e-8e2e-4b9d-9e3b-1b1e3b5e5e5d/1/Thesis-Khan-2021.pdf Khan, A. K., & Ahmad, A. N. (2016). Cinema and society: Film and social change in Pakistan. Oxford University Press. Masood, N., & Bilal, A. (2024). The Socio-Cultural Identities of Local Films and Reception on Global Platforms. Human Nature Journal of Social Sciences, 5(2), 306-312. https://doi.org/10.71016/hnjss/0g87ep26 Masood, S. M. (2023). The many stories of cinema and cinephilia in Pakistan. Routledge. Moazzam, S., & Yousaf, Z. (2023). Portrayal of Pakistani culture in Hollywood movies: Pre and post 9/11. Pakistan Languages and Humanities Review, 7(3), 546–554. https://doi.org/10.47205/plhr.2023(7-III)50 Nizami, M. F. (2023). Evolution of female representation in Pakistani cinema: A comparative analysis of revival, resurgence, and new wave eras [Doctoral dissertation, Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture]. IVSAA Digital Repository. Noreen, M., Shah, B. H., & Shah, S. M. H. (2022). Evaluating Quality of Media Content in Pakistan through the Lens of Comprehensive Literature Review. Journal of Media Studies, 37(1), 45–62. Pakala. (2017, September 10). An Indian’s review of Pakistani movie Khuda Kay Liye. Aaghaz-e-Dosti. https://aaghazedosti.wordpress.com/2017/09/10/review-of-khuda-kay-liye Rahim, A., & Akhtar, S. (2024). Framing Pakistan: Cross-Cultural Communication and Geopolitical Narratives in American Cinema. Contemporary Journal of Social Science Review, 2(04), 1347-1359. https://contemporaryjournal.com/index.php/14/article/view/204 Rehman, M. (2016). Discourse on gender, religion, and culture in Pakistani films: A narrative analysis of contemporary independent films from Pakistan. [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of London. Rizwan, R. (2023). Outside the imagined community: Pashtun subjects in contemporary Pakistani cinema. South Asian Popular Culture, 21(1), 25-40. https://doi.org/10.1080/14746689.2023.2174289 Rojek, C. (2009). Stuart Hall on representation and ideology. In Media/cultural studies: Critical approaches (pp. 49–62). Peter Lang. Sadiq, S., Saleem, N., & Mian, H. A. (2025). Women Portrayal in Contemporary Pakistani Films. Pakistan Social Sciences Review, 9(1), 27–40. https://doi.org/10.35484/plhr.2025(9-I)03 Saleem, N., Mian, H. A., Ishaq, N., Ahmed, M., & Rana, M. S. (2020). Feminist Trilogy in Lollywood: Exploring Female Transcendence In Blockbuster Pakistani Movies. Migration Letters, 21(7), 111-124. Sarwar, B., Arshad, A., & Shams, M. (2024). Islamic Teachings Portrayal in Pakistani Television Dramas: A Review of Current Research and Findings. Pakistan Social Sciences Review, 8(2), 14–29. https://doi.org/10.35484/pssr.2024(8-II)02 Shahzadi, R. ., & Ahmad, J. . (2018). Examining Global Media Influence: Understanding the Impact on Pakistani Culture. Journal of Policy Options, 1(4), 141-152. https://resdojournals.com/index.php/jpo/article/view/39 Xuepei, Z., & Bohier, J. (2021). Films and Movies as Cultural Representatives of the Nations: An Appraisal of Pakistan and China. Pakistan Vision, 22(1), 176-190. Yousaf, Z., Adnan, M., & Aksar, I. A. (2017). Challenges of patriarchal ideologies in Pakistani cinema: A case of feminist depiction in films. Global Media Journal: Pakistan Edition, 10(1), 1-21. Zhou, W., & Iftikhar, R. (2024). 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This research aims to explore the multifaceted concept of perceived value from the perspectives of orthopaedic patients, contributing to a deeper understanding of its measurement within clinical settings in Punjab, Pakistan. The study examines six key dimensions: transaction value, efficiency value, aesthetic value, social interaction value, self-gratification value, and conditional value. A qualitative methodology was employed, utilizing thematic framework analysis of data gathered through in-depth structured interviews with orthopaedic patients. The participant cohort was specifically limited to individuals who had undergone minor or major surgical interventions. Out of a purposive sample of 50 approached patients, 32 provided complete and usable responses, resulting in a 64% response rate. The findings offer a nuanced understanding of perceived value and were instrumental in developing robust, culturally relevant measurement items for the concept. The analysis also revealed additional emergent dimensions; namely, empathy from healthcare providers and operational value related to clinic processes and efficiency, which extend beyond the initial theoretical framework. These insights provide healthcare administrators and practitioners with practical guidance to enhance service delivery by strengthening both the clinical and experiential aspects of patient care, ultimately improving patient satisfaction and loyalty. References Agarwal, S., & Teas, R. K. (2001). Perceived value: Mediating role of perceived risk. Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, 9(4), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/10696679.2001.11501891 Akdim, K., & Casaló, L. V. (2023). Perceived value of AI-based recommendations service: The case of voice assistants. Service Business, 17(1), 81–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11628-022-00504-2 Anwar, A., Thongpapanl, N., & Ashraf, R. (2021). Strategic imperatives of mobile commerce in developing countries: The influence of consumer innovativeness, ubiquity, perceived value, risk, and cost on usage. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 29(8), 722–742. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965254X.2020.1747790 Asif, D. M., & Sandhu, M. S. (2023). Social Media Marketing Revolution in Pakistan: A Study of its Adoption and Impact on Business Performance. Journal of Business Insight and Innovation, 2(2), 67–77. Baidoun, S. D., & Salem, M. Z. (2024). The moderating role of perceived trust and perceived value on online shopping behavioral intention of Palestinian millennials during COVID-19. Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal, 34(1), 125–143. https://doi.org/10.1108/CR-09-2022-0173 Boksberger, P. E., & Melsen, L. (2011). Perceived value: A critical examination of definitions, concepts and measures for the service industry. Journal of Services Marketing, 25(3), 229–240. https://doi.org/10.1108/08876041111125498 Bushara, M. A., Abdou, A. H., et al. (2023). Power of social media marketing: How perceived value mediates the impact on restaurant followers’ purchase intention, willingness to pay a premium price, and e-WOM? Sustainability, 15(6), 5331. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065331 Castillo-Montoya, M. (2016). Preparing for interview research: The interview protocol refinement framework. The Qualitative Report, 21(5), 811–831. Cheng, A. L., Snider, E. M., Prather, H., et al. (2024). Provider-perceived value of inter-professional team meetings as a core element of a lifestyle medicine program: A mixed-methods analysis of one center’s experience. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 18(1), 95–107. https://doi.org/10.1177/15598276231167845 Cronin, J. J., Brady, M. K., & Hult, G. T. M. (2000). Assessing the effects of quality, value, and customer satisfaction on consumer behavioral intentions in service environments. 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Since its independence in 1962, Algeria used Islam to strengthen the sense of national identity or as a tool of self-legitimization. The Algerian political elite not only legitimized governments in the shadow of Islam, but institutionalized it through different organisms, represented by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf), the Islamic High Council, and more recent institutions, such as those gravitating around the Great Mosque of Algiers with important cultural, social, and administrative tasks. This bureaucratization of Islam represented the cornerstone of the state fight against radicalization and the crystallization of an Algerian national Islam that has been vital for the stabilization of the country.
The state of Penang, including city councils for island Pulau Pinang (with urban-core George Town) and mainland Seberang Perai, has negotiated at least a degree of political marginalisation since independence. Ruled previously by a secondary partner in the ruling Barisan Nasional (National Front), and since 2008, by the Democratic Action Party and its coalition partners, the economically powerful state has negotiated constrained autonomy and resources. While to some extent, these governing challenges are common to all states in Malaysia's highly centralised federation, in other ways, they reflect Penang's specific political position. Penang's leadership has sought in particular ways to circumvent inertia or divided loyalties among bureaucrats from the federal, rather than a state-level, civil service. Central to that solution has been reliance on an array of state government-linked corporations, facilitating administration, but at possible cost to clear accountability, transparency, and promised empowerment of civil society.
International relations, Political institutions and public administration - Asia (Asian studies only)