Government Of Pakistan Research Articles

The rising appeal of creative industry for women entrepreneurs: an exploratory study of rural Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Purpose The current research study aims to explore the rising appeal of creative industry for institutionally embedded women entrepreneurs of rural Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research methodology is adopted to conduct the research study. Primary data is collected through in-depth interviews with 38 women entrepreneurs working in two sectors of creative industry in rural Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Findings The research study explored creative industry as the most informal, non-traditional, low cost, flexible and convenient business sector for institutionally embedded Pukhtoon women entrepreneurs of rural KP. Practical implications The study draws the attention of policymakers and government to consider the informal norms in which women entrepreneurship is deeply embedded, while making entrepreneurship development policies and programs. The research study drives the attention of government toward making entrepreneurial education and training facilities easily available so that the skill and talent of women entrepreneurs can be more polished and enhanced. It further suggests that if the policymakers and Government of Pakistan take positive initiations and recognize the paramount importance, the creative industry of Pakistan has the potential of contributing toward uplifting of the economy. Originality/value The study helps in identifying the prevailing social and cultural norms in KP that shapes the choice of women entrepreneurs toward entrepreneurship in creative industry. It emphasizes to understand the reasons, for which women in KP, opt to open their entrepreneurial ventures in creative industry.

Determinants of job satisfaction and motivation among community forest workers: insights from the Hindu Kush Himalaya, Pakistan

ABSTRACT To restore the forest landscape and improve livelihoods, the Government of Pakistan has implemented significant efforts under the Billion Tree Afforestation Project, with Community Forest Workers playing a key role. This study explores the factors influencing job satisfaction and motivation among these workers in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region of Pakistan. Data were collected through a survey of 362 workers and 15 interviews with village elders. The results show that low wages and agricultural landholdings reduce job satisfaction, while adequate training, timely funding for projects, prompt salary payments, and strong cooperation from stakeholders improve it. Additionally, respectful treatment by forest department staff enhances job satisfaction, while financial struggles, poor communication, and a lack of educational programmes negatively affect it. Our findings emphasise the need for the government to prioritise worker training, motivation, and foster better stakeholder collaboration to effectively involve workers in landscape restoration efforts.

Moderating role of digital media on environmental awareness and environmental beliefs to shape farmers' behavioral intentions towards sustainable agricultural land conservation practices.

The Green Revolution in Pakistan introduced intensive agricultural practices aimed at enhancing food security and economic growth. However, these measures have degraded the country's fertile agricultural land and exacerbated climate pollution due to farmers' overexploitation of resources in pursuit of higher yields. Addressing this issue requires identifying factors that can influence farmers' behavior toward adopting sustainable practices. This study explores how farmers' environmental awareness (EA) and beliefs (EB) shape their attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control to influence their intentions toward sustainable land practices. Furthermore, social media influence directly or indirectly moderate this relationship to achieve sustainable behavior as extending the framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Using data from 1400 educated farmers in Punjab, Pakistan, the study employs structural equation modeling to test hypotheses, with mediation and moderation analyses highlighting the effects of EA, EB, and social media influence on farmer behavioral intentions. The findings reveal that the extension of TPB with the addition of EA and EB statistically significantly with a p-value <0.05 improved the explanatory power of the original TPB model. The findings highlight that farmers who actively engage with agricultural communities on social media become more environmentally aware and strengthen their beliefs, are more likely to adopt sustainable practices. In particular, governments of Pakistan should use social media as a strategic tool to actively raise awareness among farmers by disseminating eco-friendly agriculture practices across various social media platforms, thereby encouraging farmers to engage in more proactive environmental actions.

Impact of Exchange Rate Volatility on Foreign Direct Investment: A Case Study of Pakistan

Countries are increasingly focused on attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and are offering various benefits to foreign investors. FDI has become a global trend, and this study investigates the impact of exchange rate volatility on FDI in Pakistan using data from 1992 to 2022 using FDI, exchange rate, exchange rate volatility, consumer price index (CPI) and trade openness. The study employed unit root testing to assess the stationarity of the variables, followed by the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) technique to examine the long-term impacts. The results indicate that trade openness and the Consumer Price Index (CPI) have significant effects, while other variables show insignificant impacts on FDI. Exchange rate volatility, CPI, and trade openness negatively impact FDI, while the exchange rate positively affects it in the long run. The negative coefficient for exchange rate volatility suggests that frequent changes in the exchange rate discourage FDI inflows. Thus, the government of Pakistan should implement policies to stabilize the frequently changing exchange rate.

A case study of Pakistan’s exports in post covid-19 scenario

Exports are vital for a country's growth, balancing demand and enhancing international competitiveness. A higher export ratio safeguards the economy, generates foreign exchange, and funds job-creating projects. As a result, export maximization has consistently been a top priority for Pakistan's governments, driving sustainable development and growth. A quantitative research method was used to examine the research questions. This research found the impact of COVID-19 on global trade, focusing on Pakistan's exports. Data from various authentic sources were analyzed, comparing export states before and after the pandemic. The study examined the effects of COVID-19 on Pakistan's economy and the government's efforts to support the industry and revive exports. Results show that while COVID-19 severely affected Pakistan's exports, government actions eventually helped boost industrial operations and export growth.

Securing food futures: the interplay of safety governance, hygiene, supplier beliefs and consumer engagement

PurposeThis study focuses on the complex dynamics of food supply chain safety, safety governance and security in Pakistan’s food industry. By delving into the connections between hygiene practices, safety governance, customer perceptions, supplier attitudes and food safety outcomes, this study aims to shed light on the elements that shape food safety governance in the region.Design/methodology/approachAn analysis was conducted using self-administered questionnaires, with data collected from 352 individuals recruited from different departments within Pakistan’s food supply chain businesses. Using STATA software, we calculated important variables’ direct and indirect effects on the scales taken from previous studies by applying structural equation modeling (SEM) and path analysis.FindingsThe analysis found significant relationships between safety governance, hygiene practices, consumer perceptions, supplier attitudes and food safety outcomes. Violations of hygiene standards considerably impacted food safety and security; the relationship between these violations and food safety results was mediated by consumer psychological capital. Furthermore, the correlation between cleanliness procedures and food safety results was observed to be moderated by supplier attitudes.Research limitations/implicationsEven though the study has dramatically improved our understanding of food safety governance, we must acknowledge its limitations and consider future research. Researchers may expand knowledge in this critical area and promote evidence-based policies and practices to improve food safety and security by addressing these constraints and exploring new directions. Cooperation across disciplines and sectors can create a more robust, reliable and sustainable food system. This approach will protect public health and improve communities worldwide.Practical implicationsThe results have practical implications, as analysis found significant relationships between safety governance, hygiene practices, consumer perceptions, supplier attitudes and food safety outcomes. Violations of hygiene standards considerably impacted food safety and security; the relationship between these violations and food safety results was mediated by consumer psychological capital. Furthermore, the correlation between cleanliness procedures and food safety results was observed to be moderated by supplier attitudes.Social implicationsFor policymakers, regulatory agencies, industry stakeholders and consumers, the findings emphasize the importance of strict hygiene standards, consumer trust and engagement and supply chain partner collaboration to ensure food system safety and security.Originality/valueThis study illuminates the intricate interactions that shape food safety governance in Pakistan’s food supply chain business. For policymakers, regulatory agencies, industry stakeholders and consumers, the findings emphasize the importance of strict hygiene standards, consumer trust and engagement and supply chain partner collaboration to ensure food system safety and security.

Access and knowledge of contraceptives and unmet need for family planning in Pakistan

BackgroundFamily planning facilities provide an extensive choice of assistance that is beneficial for women and the society. It may limit the fatality risk for mothers and babies by reducing the rate of pregnancies and abortions. The Government of Pakistan has been continuously trying to persuade the people about the importance of family planning. The accomplishment of these programs depends upon various aspects associated with the knowledge, availability, and access to contraceptives. This paper has investigated the effect of knowledge and access to contraceptives on the unmet need for family planning (UMNFP) among married women of reproductive age (MWRA) in Pakistan.MethodThe comprehensive dataset of the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18 has been used to investigate the effect of knowledge and access to contraceptives on UMNFP among MWRA in Pakistan by applying Multivariable Logistic regression.ResultsThe prevelance of UMNFP is higher among MWRA of 25 to 34 years than other age groups. The likelihood of UMNFP decreases with increase in education above the primary level. The prevalence of UMNFP is found higher among women who belong to the poorer wealth quintile than the women of the poorest wealth quintile. The odds of UMNFP are considerably low among women belonging to the richer and richest wealth quintile, compared to the women of the poorest wealth quintile. Women’s participation in decision making for not using contraceptives is a significant factor to reduce UMNFP. The odds of UMNFP are higher among those women who have no knowledge and lack of access to contraceptives compared to those who have knowledge and access to contraceptives.ConclusionsBoth knowledge and access to contraceptives are important factors to determine UMNFP. The government should initiate programs to disseminate knowledge as well as provision of contraceptives for effective family planning.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SINGLE NATIONAL CURRICULUM IN PUNJAB: TEACHERS' PERSPECTIVES BY EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION

Education has been recognized to be an important factor in nation-building. Every student has a fair &amp; equitable opportunity to acquire a high-quality education within one education system which includes common curriculum, medium of instruction &amp; assessment platform. A Single National Curriculum is one step in that direction. In 2020, Pakistan's government implemented the SNC, a significant curricular reform aimed at reducing differences in the national curricula and promoting basic competencies for students. Prior to the adoption of SNC, many schools taught a diverse curriculum. The purpose of this study is to investigate teachers' perspectives on the implementation of a SNC in the province of Punjab, taking into account their qualifications and experiences. A quantitative descriptive research design was applied. The results revealed that the highly qualified teachers demonstrated a stronger commitment to the SNC objectives, while experienced teachers exhibited varying level of acceptance showing higher positivity. The study suggested the need for teachers' training and Continuous Professional Development programs in order to implement SNC effectively. The SNC's aim will only be accomplished if the proposed assessment procedure is used, hence improving the examination system.

Unveiling intimacy: sexual dysfunction and marital satisfaction among Pakistani males in Karachi.

In Asian countries, discussing sex-related issues remains a taboo. Sexual dysfunction is not even considered a serious disorder in Pakistan. To explore sexual dysfunction and marital satisfaction within the Pakistani context to develop supportive intervention programs. This study entailed a mixed method approach and was carried out in Karachi, Pakistan. The sample comprised 28 married men, and data were gathered by in-depth interviews. Subsequently, data were analyzed through content analysis. There is a strong relationship between marital dissatisfaction and sexual dysfunction in adult married males aged 25 to 40years in Pakistan. The analysis of participants' perspectives revealed 5 themes: psychosocial issues, rationale of openness in marital life, insufficient sexual knowledge, lack of sexual health service, and individual consequences. The results of this study suggest that it is an important suggestion to the government of Pakistan to introduce sexual health counseling and premarital counseling programs at the university level. The Ministry of Health and Higher Education needs to promote awareness about sexual health, sexual dysfunctions, and marital satisfaction, which will enable men to understand their sexual problems and effectively cope with them. The results of this study highlight the biopsychosocial dimensions of human sexuality. In this context, the psychosocial aspects associated with sexual dysfunctions are influenced by cultural and societal norms, where open discussions about sexual issues between male and female partners may be limited due to concerns about maintaining harmony in marital relationships. The limitation of this study is that the sample is not generalized; it is also not a demographic representation of all socioeconomic groups in Pakistan. Participants in low and middle classes reported an inability to seek help from professionals due to the high costs of treatments. Therefore, the results cannot to be extended to all Pakistani males. In this study, male sexual dysfunction strongly affects marital satisfaction within the couple. As such, marital counseling and psychotherapeutic strategies play an important role to help individuals and couples manage their sexual dysfunctions and enhance their marital satisfaction.

Effect of Interest-Based Debt Financing on Sustainable Development of Residents of Pakistan

Interest-based debt harms the country’s financial, social, and economic structure, undermining the sustainable development of the masses. In Pakistan, for example, the state’s reliance on interest-based debt at both international and national levels influences the nation’s socio-economic framework, thus impeding the sustainable progress of its citizens. The study’s objective is to analyse the effect of interest-based debt financing on the well-being of the masses in Pakistan. It is worth considering whether interest-based debt financing negatively impacts the sustainable development of Pakistan’s masses. The method used in this study is part of a qualitative approach that involves the analysis of secondary data obtained through documents, research results or writings that have been highlighted. Moreover, a qualitative research methodology is employed to develop a conceptual framework using an inductive approach. It is expected that interest-based debt, whether acquired from foreign or national institutions by the government of Pakistan, undermines the country’s sustainable economic growth. The study’s findings suggest that the Government of Pakistan should develop strategies or policies to lessen the nation’s reliance on interest-based debt. Nevertheless, Pakistan is constitutionally obliged to achieve sustainable development for its citizens in accordance with Islamic Shariah, ensuring the elimination of interest from its economy thereby enhancing both the tangible and intangible socio-economic well-being of its residents.

Effectiveness of English Textbooks of Oxford University Press according to Teachers’ and Students’ Perspectives

Objectives: The current study is an attempt to examine the effectiveness of English textbook published by Oxford University Press and being taught to the students of grade 5 in many private schools. During last few years, government of Pakistan has implemented the concept of Single National Curriculum (SNC) to get it introduce and functional in every educational institution of the country. For this purpose, state-owned and private publishers brought modifications in their curricula and materials in order to ensure their alignment with the SNC. Methods: Researcher adopted descriptive framework in this survey-based research to gather and analyze the data quantitatively. The randomly selected 200 teachers and 100 students with equal proportion of gender was determined as the sample of the study. Two different types of questionnaires were taken as data collection tools in order to obtain information from the participants. Findings: The obtained results indicated diversity of findings regarding effectiveness and utilization of Oxford English textbooks in schools. The participants highlighted the importance of textbooks, its impressive content, logical organization, comprehensive exercises, and meticulous course learning objectives. However, it was also found that textbook is expensive, lack cultural components, ignore real life linguistic issues, and devoid of maintaining learning and teaching interest. It was also found that teachers are not given proper trainings on implementing textbook-based instructional strategies in English classrooms. Research implications: The problems and challenges highlighted by students and teachers may benefit the school administrators, implementers and managers to devise their further policies, which may facilitate learning effectively.

The Role of Islam in Shaping Pakistan's Political Identity and Governance

This study examines the influence of Islam in shaping Pakistan’s political identity and governance, analyzing the ways Islamic principles and values have been integrated into the nation’s constitutional and institutional frameworks. Since its inception, Pakistan has sought to balance Islamic ideology with modern statecraft, creating a unique model of governance that intertwines religious ideals with political structures. This paper investigates the historical foundations of Islam's role in Pakistan’s political development, exploring how Islamic concepts have influenced legal, social, and policy domains. By studying key constitutional amendments, political movements, and policy shifts, this research sheds light on the complex relationship between religion and state governance in Pakistan, highlighting both the achievements and challenges of incorporating Islamic ideals into contemporary political systems.

Role of Pakistani e-libraries in promoting health awareness for the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal-3.

Pakistan is a densely populated South Asian country. It is facing numerous health challenges, as well as problems of the digital divide. The government of Pakistan established e-libraries as a pilot project in 2018. These libraries are functioning through community centers/public libraries in the largest province of the country. This paper examines the role of Pakistani e-libraries in creating health awareness and providing health information to the public. The qualitative research design was based on focus group discussions with the head librarians of all 13 of the 20 e-libraries contacted. The findings revealed that e-libraries actively create health-related awareness and connect the public to health advisors. The e-libraries were engaged in four types of health-related activities (seminars, awareness campaigns, open health camps, and special health day celebrations) with high attendance from the public. Attendees of these programs returned to librarians with additional health-related queries. The study suggests a need for more liaison between the community and local healthcare institutions. This approach can make these programs more effective in helping individuals manage their health. The results of this study can serve as a useful guide for other developing nations in developing similar services.

Evaluating compliance with track and trace and other regulations in Pakistan's cigarette market.

To control the illicit cigarette market, the government of Pakistan adopted a Tracking and Tracing System (TTS) that was fully operational by July 2022, despite many roadblocks. By this date, major tobacco companies had either registered their brands with the tax authority and/or installed TTS. This paper is the first to evaluate the degree of compliance with the TTS by evaluating the extent and nature of illicit trade in tobacco products. We use randomised sampling to collect cigarette packs from waste recycling stores located in the ten most populous cities of Pakistan, to evaluate illicit trade penetration. Almost a third of the packs collected did not bear a tax stamp, mostly due to the lack of compliance by local companies, confirming a recent review of the TTS implementation by the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR). Even the largest companies that ostensibly adopted the TTS did not fully comply with the system, signalling poor enforcement. This is a missed opportunity, since a well-functioning TTS combined with proper enforcement is an effective means of controlling illicit tobacco trade, boosting tax revenue and improving public health. However, the enforcement should not be limited to the TTS since 23.6% of packs did not comply with other regulatory requirements.

Good Governance in Pakistan Through Effective Laws: A Case Study of Legislative Drafting and Law Reform Processes in Pakistan

Good Governance in Pakistan Through Effective Laws: A Case Study of Legislative Drafting and Law Reform Processes in Pakistan

Contestations of Internet Governance and Digital Authoritarianism in Pakistan

AbstractThe existing literature on Internet governance offers important insights on the relationship between state and society in China and the West. It is important to explore this relationship in the developing world. This study focuses on Pakistan, exploring the role of relevant legal frameworks, political authorities, and institutional structures in relation to monitoring and regulating telephone traffic, legal compliance, and consumer interests. By focusing on the interplay between political dynamics, international partnerships, and evolving digital landscapes, this study examines the evolution of Internet governance model in Pakistan. While Pakistan appears on a trajectory to digital authoritarianism, its journey is hampered by structural limitations, resistance from democratic forces, concerns about data protection and privacy, pushback from the judiciary, and the emergence of a vigilant civil society. Challenges in establishing a coherent authoritarian model of Internet governance have resulted in an ad hoc approach. This study offers a nuanced understanding of multifaceted factors influencing Internet governance in a developing country.

Voters’ perceptions of the policy making and performance of the elected government after 2018 general election in Pakistan

In this study, the phenomenological approach was used to explore the perceptions of Pakistan Tahreek Insaf (PTI) voters regarding PTI policy making and performance six months after the Pakistani general election of 2018 (GE-2018). The sample comprised 20 PTI voters, and data was collected through one-to-one interview. The thematic analysis led to the following broad and sub themes: The first broad theme, pre-election party ideology, was described by the following sub-themes: vision of change, fight against corruption, and developing Pakistan along the lines of the State of Medina. The second broad theme, the performance of the elected government, was understood through the following sub-themes: accountability, political stability, poor policy making, and false election pledges. And the last broad theme, the public’s perceptions of the future performance of the elected government can be explained by its single sub-theme, i.e., giving the elected government a chance to complete its tenure of five years. It can be concluded that most of the participants were optimistic that the elected government of Pakistan would fulfill its pre-election promises.

The Role of Judicial Activism in the Enforcement of Human Rights in Pakistan and its Impacts on Governance in Pakistan

This study examines how judicial activism impacts governance in Pakistan after the lawyer's movement with a focus on its effect on human rights, the rule of law, and accountability. The study uses mixed techniques to examine Supreme Court decisions and interventions that demonstrate the judiciary's role in protecting civil liberties and checking executive powers. Apex Court's activism on extrajudicial killings forced disappearances, and gender discrimination has advanced human rights, according to the findings. The research also shows how the judiciary has strengthened the rule of law by upholding and enforcing legal principles fairly, boosting public faith in legal institutions. The research also notes that alleged judicial overreach has caused problems between the legislative and executive branches due to the courts' wide interpretations of their authority. This detailed analysis highlights the delicate balance between judicial interventions and democratic government.

Do Climate Change Matter for Agricultural Production in an era of Globalization? Empirical Insights from Pakistan

The purpose of current research is to examine the “sunspot theory” of business cycles in the case of Pakistan in the globalization scenario. The current research uses time-series data from 1980 to 2021. To find out the impact of Climatic variation on agricultural Production, the NARDL technique is used for the estimation of results. Results confirmed that CO2 emissions and mean temperature show an asymmetric effect on Agricultural production. Variations in CO2 emissions and mean temperature pose mixed results about agricultural production both in the long-run and short-run in different globalization scenarios. Further, through discussion, it is confirmed that this decrease in agricultural production due to climatic variation has slowed down the economic activity in an economy. Based on the results, it is recommended that government must expand tree planting projects and maintain greenery at all costs. The problem is expected to worsen as the temperature rises and the population grows. Agriculture producers must be taught new and sophisticated agricultural and cultivation practices. To address the issue of water scarcity, the government of Pakistan must construct more dams and reservoirs to give farmers greater access to water. The last but not least, this research confirmed the validity of the sunspot theory in the case of Pakistan.

Unpacking cross‐country variations in domestic worker protection regimes: Adopting a policy regime perspective

Domestic workers are some of the most vulnerable and least protected workers in the world. However, there is significant variation in domestic worker protections across countries. Using a policy regime perspective, I unpack how differing ideas, institutional arrangements and interest groups inform differences in the degree of legal protections that a country provides domestic workers. I posit that only if all three of these building blocks are present and supportive will a country institute a strong domestic worker protection regime. I apply this model to explain the incomplete/weak domestic worker protection regimes in Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa and Sweden.