Pakistani Cities Research Articles

Security is a ‘Mental Game’: The Psychology of Bordering Checkposts in Pakistan

ABSTRACTThis article explores how checkposts, as a practice of everyday bordering, shape individuals’ feelings of ‘ontological security’ in the Pakistani cities of Peshawar, Islamabad and Lahore in a sample of Pakistani middle- and upper-class citizens. In this article, checkposts are treated as urban manifestations of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, being erected by the Pakistani state in the attempt to reinforce the border in the context of the war on terror. In contrast to the tendency in much of the political science literature to analyse ‘security’ in relation to states and militaries, this article interrogates individuals’ personal experiences of security by drawing on Giddens’ notion of ‘ontological security’. This exemplifies a shift away from quantitative accounts of what it means to ‘be secure’ towards a qualitative account of what it means to ‘feel secure’. The research analyses a series of semi-structured interviews conducted with psychologists, humanitarian workers and peace educators in Pakistan in 2014. Linking my participants’ narratives to an account of ‘ontological security’, I argue that bordering at checkposts diminishes feelings of security, even among citizens who seem not to be the prime suspects and target of checkposts.

Environment Friendly Products: Factors that Influence the Green Purchase Intentions of Pakistani Consumers

<span>This study examines the influence of various factors on the green purchase intentions of<span> Pakistani consumers. To this end, a conceptual model has been proposed and subjected to<span> empirical verification with the use of a survey. The survey results obtained in two major<span> Pakistani cities provide reasonable support for the validity of the proposed model. Specifically,<span> the findings from the correlation matrix, simple regression followed by multiple regression<span> analysis confirm the influence of OGI, EK, EC and PPP&Q on consumers purchase intentions<span> toward green products. The OGI, EK and EC, in turn, also seem to affect consumers green<span> purchase intentions via the moderating role of PPP&Q of a green product. Although the present<span> findings provide a better understanding of the process and significant antecedents of green<span> purchasing intentions, this also highlights one area for more thorough investigation. This is the<span> significant moderating role of PPP&Q variables in consumers’ green purchasing process. As the<span> findings suggest that respondents have a high positive attitude regarding green products and are<span> ready to buy green products more often, but as for as the product price and quality are concerned,<span> green products must perform competitively just like the traditional products. This study also<span> discusses how the present findings may help the Pakistani government and green marketers to<span> fine-tune their environmental programs.<br /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

Prevalence of Self-Medication of Psychoactive Stimulants and Antidepressants among Undergraduate Pharmacy Students in Twelve Pakistani Cities

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of self-medication of psychoactive stimulants and antidepressants among pharmacy students of Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional survey on self-medication of psychoactive stimulants and antidepressants among pharmacy students was conducted with a structured and validated questionnaire distributed to a total of 2981 final year undergraduate pharmacy students in 12 major Pakistani cities (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Dera Ismail Khan, Abbottabad, Bahawalpur, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Multan and Peshawar) of Pakistan. Out of this, 2516 (718 male and 1798 female) students completed and returned the questionnaire. Results: Prevalence of self-medication of psychoactive stimulants was 1.31 (1.13 – 1.75 for 95% CI) and antidepressants was 8.34 (8.03 – 8.85 for 95% CI). A majority of the students (63 %) identified academic competition as a driving force for indulging in self-medication of psychoactive stimulants while nearly all the students (96 %)admitted using antidepressants to obtain relief from the pressure of studies (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Pakistani pharmacy students, despite being aware of the hazards of psychoactive stimulants, indulge in self-medication. Prevalence of self-medication with antidepressants is very high among the students due to the pressure of studies. Primarily, academic competition is the major driving force for the use of psychoactive stimulants.

A Qualitative Analysis of the Perception of Academic Pharmacists Regarding their Role in Healthcare System of Two Pakistani Cities

Purpose: To investigate the role and perception of academic pharmacists regarding their role in the healthcare system of Pakistan. Methods: Qualitative methodology was used to explore the perception of academic pharmacists, and semi-structured interview was used to collect the data. The study was conducted in the cities of Islamabad and Lahore, Pakistan from April to June 2011. Results: On the basis of the interview guide, thematic content analysis yielded five major themes: 1) the need for a more comprehensive pharmacy curriculum; 2) perception of pharmaceutical care in Pakistan; 3) collaboration with other healthcare professionals; and 4) strategies to improve the status of pharmacist. Conclusion: There is a necessity for curriculum alignment, which is considered important to enhance pharmacy practice activities, as this will ultimately yield several benefits for pharmacists, including job satisfaction.

Qualitative Assessment of the Pharmacist’s Role in Punjab, Pakistan: Medical Practitioners’ Views

Purpose: To assess the perception of Pakistani doctors regarding pharmacist’s role in Punjab Pakistan.Methods: A qualitative approach was used to assess the perception of doctors regarding pharmacist’s role in the study setting. A total of 12 doctors were interviewed using a semi- structured interview guide. The study was conducted for a period of 3 months in the Pakistani cities of Islamabad and Lahore, from July to September 2011. Doctors were informed regarding the aim, objective and nature of the study.Results: All the interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed for their content. Thematic content analysis yielded four major themes: 1) Availability of pharmacist in Pakistan’s healthcare setting. 2) Willingness to collaborate with pharmacist. 3) Separation of prescribing from dispensing. 4) Difference in academic levels of doctors and pharmacist.Conclusion: Doctors are receptive to an expanded role for pharmacists, also regard them as drug information experts, but their expectations fall short of the quality of clinically-focused pharmacy services that pharmacists are actually rendering.Keywords: Doctors’ expectation, Pharmacist, Clinical pharmacy services, Qualitative study, Prescribing

Underreporting of Road Crashes in Pakistan and the Role of Fate

Objective: Comprehensive, accurate information about road crashes and related trauma is a prerequisite for identification and control of risk factors as well as for identifying faults within the broader road safety system. Quality data and appropriate crash investigation are critical in reducing the road toll that is rapidly growing in much of the developing world, including Pakistan. This qualitative research explored the involvement of social and cultural factors (in particular, fatalism) in risky road use in Pakistan. The findings highlight a significant issue, previously unreported in the road safety literature, namely, the link between fatalistic beliefs and inaccurate reporting of road crashes. Method: Thirty interviews (one-on-one) were conducted by the first author with police officers, drivers, policy makers, and religious orators in 3 Pakistani cities. Findings: Evidence emerged of a strong link between fatalism and the underreporting of road crashes. In many cases, crashes and related road trauma appear to go unreported because a crash is considered to be one's fate and, therefore, beyond personal control. Fate was also implicated in the practice of reconciliation between parties after a crash without police involvement and the seeking and granting of pardon for a road death. Conclusions: These issues represent additional factors that can contribute to underreporting of crashes and associated trauma. Together, they highlight complications involved in establishing the true cost of road trauma in a country such as Pakistan and the difficulties faced when attempting to promote scientifically based road safety information to counteract faith-based beliefs.

Air quality study of Islamabad: preliminary results

Over a 1,000 pairs of coarse and fine filters were collected using Gent samplers and polycarbonate filters from three sites in Islamabad from the period 1998 to 2010. The black carbon in these samples was determined by reflectance measurement while their elemental composition were determined using the techniques of instrumental neutron activation analysis, ion beam analysis and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Islamabad is a well planned and relatively small city as compared to Lahore or Karachi therefore its air quality is better than the air quality of other major Pakistani cities. It was found that the new air quality standards being implemented by the Pakistani government on the 1st of January 2012 may not be attained even in Islamabad without the implementation of control and remedial measures. An overview of the elemental data obtained and calculation of enrichment factors shows that the particles in Islamabad originate from re-suspended soil, vehicular emissions and coal combustion. However further work is required for identification of pollution sources and their origin.

Transportation Problems in Developing Countries Pakistan: A Case-in-Point

Identifying and solving transportation problems is one of the chief tasks confronting governments in developingcountries like Pakistan. Despite large expenditures on urban transport systems, the current transportationproblems in developing nations continue to worsen because of bad planning, lack of governance, and corruption.Therefore, developing countries like Pakistan, have a major crisis on their hands. Urban transport problems inPakistan are mostly managed by building larger and better roads, but building roads is not the solution. Roadprojects need to be part of an over-all transportation plan that includes traffic management and bigger and bettertransit systems and public transport. The principles of sustainable transport encourage utilization of low costpublic transport capable of performing well in mixed land use and densely–populated Pakistani cities. Thisarticle highlights the core problem of continuing failure by Pakistani government to develop and manage theirpublic transport systems to provide a high level of mobility, equity, and environmental sustainability.

P2-S2.09 Profile of clients of sex workers developed through imagery used with FSWs in six major Pakistani cities

BackgroundNegligible data on clients of FSWs is available in Pakistan. Severe punishments like stoning to death for sex outside marriage etc, has made clients unusually cautious and researchers have shied...

Performance and coverage of HIV interventions for injection drug users: Insights from triangulation of programme, field and surveillance data from Pakistan

IntroductionNearly 20% of the estimated 84,000 injecting drug users in Pakistan are HIV infected. Non-governmental organisations have implemented HIV interventions for IDUs in 7 cities in Pakistan. Here we report on the performance, coverage and costs of these interventions. MethodsNational HIV bio-behavioural surveillance data were used to measure effectiveness of interventions by comparing HIV prevalence and behavioural trends in intervention and non-intervention cities. Coverage was measured by comparing the supply of syringes with the total syringe need and intervention cost per IDU served per year was calculated. ResultsThe NGOs registered 20,640 IDUs (original targets: <10,000); provided 66% of new syringes for all registered IDUs and 75% for all estimated street-based IDUs. This compared to a national coverage of about 13%. Intervention cities had higher baseline HIV prevalence, reflecting their choice as intervention sites. More IDUs from intervention cities (59% vs. 27%) reported always using a clean syringe. Condom use with last sexual partner (24% vs. 11%) and HIV prevention knowledge were also higher amongst this group (all at p<0.001). HIV prevalence in intervention cities remained unchanged in Faisalabad (13%) and Quetta (10%) but increased in Karachi (26–30%) and Lahore (4–7%). Coverage of sterile syringes for intervention cities was 30% compared to 13% nationwide. However within city, coverage varied from 30 to 99%. The costs of services varied widely by NGOs from USD 146 to 403. ConclusionsIDUs interventions are performing well in some Pakistani cities. However, considerable expansion is needed to increase nationwide coverage.

A Controversial Role Model for Pakistani Women

Al-Huda is a movement of Islamic education and reform with a dedicated female following in Pakistani cities. Its founder and leader is a woman, Dr. Farhat Hashmi, who has become a well-known public figure in Pakistan. This paper explores how Hashmi derives her authority, displays it, and defends it against challenges. Women who become active participants in her classes claim she transforms their understanding of Islam and inspires them to change their lives. However she is criticized by the secular-liberal elites of the country and by the traditional male leadership of Islamic institutions, who question her religious expertise and are uncomfortable with the role of both gender and class in this movement. This analysis highlights the collective interactions and organizational innovations through which Hashmi’s teachings acquire an authoritative status for selected women.

The Relative City Price Convergence in Pakistan: Empirical Evidence from Spatial GLS

It is evident from general experience that price of same good may differ considerably among countries, regions, cities in same country and even adjacent shopping malls and outlets. It is also common knowledge that stronger competitive forces and information about market price tend to ensure convergence of prices. In the presence of these forces price differentials cannot be persistent and are hence short lived. The recent literature on price convergence has focused on country studies using regional commodity prices and Consumer Price Index (CPI) data.1 The analysis of relative prices or real exchange rates between regions or cities in a country has certain advantages in estimating Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) puzzle. There are no trade barriers and non tradable goods in a single country. Krugman and Obstfeld (2007) consider transportation costs, trade barriers and goods market segmentations as obstacles to hold international Ppp.Furthermore they mention that countries have different endowments, baskets of goods and consumption weights in their inflation index. So PPP may not hold even if there are no non tradable goods and barriers. The PPP theory is related to the law of one price through arbitrage of international goods. The estimation of real exchange rates among countries shows that the convergence towards PPP is very slow.2 This study attempts to use overall Consumer Price Index (CPI) data on 35 Pakistani cities from July 2001 to June 2008 to estimate relative city price convergence with Karachi and Lahore, two numeraire cities. The case of Pakistan is interesting primarily due to the following reasons.

Cities and Quality of Life - Should We Monitor Pakistani Cities?

Around the world, national governments as well as international organization measure and monitor performance of large cities and the Quality of Life (QoL) of urban residents, to gain insights into the well-being of the citizens and the state of various amenities at city level and make informed policy decisions. There is a need to develop a system of measuring and monitoring QoL and city performance in the large urban areas of Pakistan. This paper suggest such a framework.

On Measuring the Complexity of Urban Living

This paper explores the concept of city ranking as a way to measure dynamics and complexities of urban life. These rankings have various dimensions and uses. Both the context in which these rankings are done, and their nature has changed considerably overtime. These rankings are also afflicted with many methodological and measurement problems. A review of major city rankings and related literature is carried out to suggest a framework for measuring Pakistani cities.

Partition, memory and trauma: Voices of Punjabi refugee migrants in Lahore and Amritsar

The article draws on first-hand accounts of the violence, migration and resettlement which accompanied the 1947 division of the subcontinent. The testimonies were provided by members of refugee families in the neighbouring Pakistani and Indian cities of Lahore and Amritsar. These former ‘twin cities’ were demographically and culturally transformed by the drawing of the Punjab boundary line between them. The interviews which were conducted in Punjabi and English are supported by documentary sources from this period. The oral testimonies reveal the common experiences, hopes and fears of all communities caught up in the upheaval which accompanied the division of the subcontinent. The determination to start afresh, despite unconscionable loss, is a feature of many of the accounts. They also reveal ambivalence regarding the role of the state in the resettlement process. Finally, there are hints of the differential class and gender-based experience of uprooting.

English-Teaching Institutions in Pakistan

English is taught in several institutions in Pakistan. It is a medium of instruction in elitist, highly expensive, private schools as well as cadet colleges indirectly controlled and partly subsidised by the state. It is taught as a subject in the vernacular-medium, state-controlled schools where ordinary Pakistanis study. It is also taught, though to very few children, in the Islamic seminaries (madrassas). As it is the language of lucrative and powerful jobs, it is much in demand. Thus, a large number of private schools, charging high fees, have come up in all parts of Pakistani cities and towns. At the moment English is an elitist preserve and a stumbling block for all other Pakistanis. However, it is also the means of bringing a person into contact with the outside world and hence with liberal-humanist, democratic values. Thus, exposure to English might counteract the growing religious and cultural intolerance in Pakistan. It is suggested that English should no longer be a medium of instruction for the elite but it should be taught to all children so that it is spread out widely and evenly all over Pakistan. English will then function as an empowering device and a liberalising influence in the country.

Breastfeeding in Pakistan: Thirty Key Questions

In November 1988 a number of traveling seminars were held in Pakistan. The talks were comprised of visiting consultants and other health colleagues promoting breastfeeding through discussions and workshops in 6 major Pakistani cities. After the seminar there was another workshop for 2 days where information and reports collected at the conference were presented to government officials. 30 questions most asked during the conference were presented and answers were prepared after a number of discussions among conference participants. Questions ranged from the importance of breastfeeding to the methods of gaining information on breastfeeding through the media. The questions asked show concern over the harm that may be caused by traditional practices. Responses to these questions show that certain Pakistani practices in addition to Western ideas can be harmful to the baby. The practice of giving ghutti - 1st taste of food the delaying of giving milk because of colostrum the giving of contaminated water through bottle-feeding may cause diarrhea SIDS and/or malnutrition. Recommendations and answers to questions concerning information dissemination included: health service workers - obstetricians midwives nurses and pediatricians providing information on breastfeeding to new mothers; information being presented through the mass media schools religious organizations and support groups; and legislation.