Vol. 5 No. 4 (2026): Issue 4 (April Issue)

Discipline: Social Sciences (Miscellaneous)

Published: 2026-04-30

Articles

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Effect of Cyberbullying Exposure on Depression: Mediating Role of Self-Esteem

Hina Mehmood Cheema, Sonia, Fahad Asghar

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.234
This study investigates the relationship between cyberbullying exposure and depression and examines the mediating role of self-esteem among young social media users. The rapid growth of digital communication has increased online interactions but has also intensified risks such as harassment, exclusion, threats, and abusive messaging. Data were collected from 400 respondents aged 16–30 years using a quantitative cross-sectional research design. Structured questionnaires based on a 5-point Likert scale were employed to measure cyberbullying exposure, self-esteem, and depression. Data were analyzed using SPSS through descriptive statistics, reliability, correlation, regression, and mediation analyses. The findings revealed moderate levels of cyberbullying exposure (M = 3.22, SD = 0.74), self-esteem (M = 2.96, SD = 0.68), and depression (M = 3.31, SD = 0.76). Reliability coefficients demonstrated good internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha values ranging from 0.81 to 0.88. Correlation analysis showed a significant positive relationship between cyberbullying exposure and depression (r = .58, p < .01) and significant negative relationships between cyberbullying exposure and self-esteem (r = −.46, p < .01) and between self-esteem and depression (r = −.52, p < .01). Regression analysis further confirmed that cyberbullying significantly predicted depression (β = .58, p < .001) and negatively predicted self-esteem (β = −.46, p < .001).
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1-16
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Representation of Climate Change in Contemporary Fiction and Its Influence on Students’ Environmental Awareness and Activism

Muqaddas Akram, Dr. Mujahid Abbas, Anum Bashir

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.235
This study investigates the portrayal of climate change in recent fiction and examines its influence on students’ environmental awareness and activism in Pakistan. The aim of the study is to explore how climate fiction shapes students’ emotions, attitudes, and behavioral intentions toward environmental issues through the lens of Narrative Transportation Theory. Climate change is one of the most pressing crises of the twenty-first century, impacting ecosystems, economies, and human societies all over the world. While there is a large number of scientific reports about the environmental problem, many of these do not generate sufficient emotional response on the side of the general public. Climate fiction (cli-fi), a term often used for this type of fiction, or “cli-fi,” can consequently prove to be a valuable cultural means of conveying messages surrounding the environment. This article is an analysis of recent fiction's representation of climate change and how it affects the attitude of students towards climate change and action in Pakistan. Based on the Narrative Transportation Theory, the study examines the impact of fictional stories on the students' emotions, attitude, and environmental behavior. The article is a mix of theory and quantitative research among the students of a university in Punjab, Pakistan. The study finds that climate fiction enhances environmental awareness, emotional concern, and intentions for sustainable behavior by fostering empathy and ecological responsibility. However, it also notes that emotional awareness does not always translate to sustained activism. Moreover, climate fiction is proposed as an effective educational tool for raising environmental awareness, particularly among younger generations.
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17-32
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Strategic Hedging and Multi-Alignment China’s Balancing of Iran and Arab Gulf States in a Changing Regional Order

Dr. Syed Rizwan Haider Bukhari, Kashif Gill

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.236
China's increased Gulf involvement is a departure from its traditionally transactional energy diplomacy to one of multi-alignment. This paper explores the balance Beijing has to strike between Iran and the Arab Gulf states in the competition and sanctions-riven region without falling into explicit bloc politics, or competing with the expectation of achieving energy independence. The paper proposes that China's approach to the Gulf is characterized as a strategic hedging approach, encompassing economic pragmatism, political selectivity and diplomatic neutrality. China has established parallel ties with Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf countries with trade, infrastructure investments, the Belt and Road Initiative, and energy cooperation. The Saudi-Iran rapprochement in 2023 was a testament to Beijing's newfound diplomatic ethos and its stance on stability over ideological alignment. The ability of China, however, to maintain balanced relations could be impeded by regional polarization, maritime insecurity, and an emerging competition with the U.S. The study satisfies a need to discuss non-Western diplomacy, regional order, and China's new Middle East policy.
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33-48
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Teachers' Perceptions about Guidance and Counselling Training Areas at Secondary School Level

Afra Bint E Khalid, Dr. Muzammila Akram

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.237
In the growing context of diverse learner needs, the effective implementation of Guidance and Counselling services has become essential in schools. Although many teachers possess observation and listening skills to identify students’ diverse learning needs, individual differences, and socio-economic backgrounds, this study examines the need for specialized teacher training to successfully integrate Guidance and Counselling practices within the regular school environment. Through a review of national and international literature and a questionnaire survey of selected school teachers, the study highlights significant gaps in teachers’ skills related to student assessment, communication, crisis management, career guidance, and socio-emotional support. Findings indicate that without structured professional development, most teachers feel unprepared to address students’ psychological and behavioral issues, resulting in poor learning outcomes and increased classroom stress. The study emphasizes the necessity of introducing well-designed Training Programs on Guidance and Counselling within teacher education, continuous professional development (CPD), and school-based support systems. Training should include planning strategies for different guidance and counselling services, implementation through proper coordination, and appropriate assessment procedures. It is also necessary to equip teachers with effective communication skills and the ability to adapt new technology for the best implementation of Guidance and Counselling Programs and follow-up services.
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49-62
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Influence of Parent-Teacher Council Participation on Students’ Academic Performance

Abdullah, Dr. Nasrullah

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.238
It is well known that school–community partnerships are an important part of better educational outcomes. This study investigated the relationship between Parent-Teacher Council (PTC) involvement and academic achievement of secondary school students in public secondary schools. The data were gathered from 258 members of Parent-Teacher Council using a correlational predictive research design, structured questionnaire and institutional academic performance records. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses were used. The results indicated that there was a significant positive correlation between the students' participation in PTC and their academic performance. The regression analysis showed that participation variables significantly predicted academic achievement, accounting for a significant amount of variance in the academic achievement outcomes. The results indicate that active involvement in governance improves accountability, school/community collaboration and student learning outcomes. The research emphasises the need to enhance participatory school management systems to enhance educational effectiveness.
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63-71
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Carbon Emissions, Water Scarcity and Geopolitics in South Asia: Evidence from Cross-Sectionally Dependent Panel

Musrat Nazir, Dr. Khalid Zaman, Dr. Imran Khan

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.320
This study investigates the role of environmental sustainability in shaping geopolitics in South Asia. Environmental Sustainability is proxied by carbon emissions and water scarcity, while control of corruption serves as a proxy for geopolitical governance. The analysis employs a balanced panel of selected South Asian countries over the period from 1996 to 2024. After confirming cross-sectional dependence, slope heterogeneity, mixed orders of integration, and long-run cointegration, the study employed the CS-ARDL model to estimate both long and short-run relationships. Robustness of the findings is examined through the application of PCSE. Findings revealed that carbon emission, GDP per capita, and renewable energy consumption are negatively associated with control of corruption, while water scarcity improves governance by encouraging institutional reforms and strengthening accountability mechanisms. In the short run, all the variables are insignificant except GDP per capita. The error correction coefficient is negative and statistically significant, showing that 29% of short-run deviations from the long-run equilibrium are corrected within each period. These findings contribute to the literature on the environment-geopolitics nexus by reversing the conventional causal perspective.
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72-85
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The Effect of Organizational Justice and Leadership Style on Employee Commitment

Abdul Salam, Prof. Dr. Nazar Hussain, Arooj Fatima, Abdul Nabi, Bushra Shaikh

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.241
Organizational justice and leadership styles are important factors that affect employee attitudes and organizational behavior. Among the various factors that shape employee’s commitment, the organizational justice and leadership style have received considerable attention in organizational behavior research. This research explores the impact of organizational justice and leadership style on employee commitment. This study adopted a cross‑sectional quantitative approach, a purposive sample of 350 employees working in banking sector was used. Organizational justice, leadership style and employee commitment were assessed using a 15‑item adopted questionnaire with a 5‑point Likert scale. Cronbach's alpha of .948 indicated excellent internal consistency. Pearson’s correlation test showed significant positive associations between organizational justice, leadership style and employee commitment (r = .863, p < .01) and between leadership style and employee commitment (r = .881, p < .01). The variance explained by the two independent variables was 83.2% (R² = .832, adjusted R² = .831) when using multiple regression analysis. Leadership style (β = .527, p < .001) had a slightly stronger impact than organizational justice (β = .425, p < .001). The both hypotheses were supported, with organizational justice and leadership style having a positive significant impact on employee commitment. The results highlight the role of justice and leadership in promoting commitment in the banking industry and provides practical implications for managers seeking to enhance organizational commitment.
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86-94
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Beyond Functional and Experiential Value: The Mediating Effect of Self-Congruity in the Utilitarian–Hedonic Value Framework

Sana Sameen Sabir, Uneeb Waseem Qureshi, Farah Yasser, Fatima Nawaz

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.242
Consumer value perceptions represent the main drivers of consumer attitudinal outcomes by shaping their psychological association with the products and brands. Therefore, the aim of this research is to analyze the impact of hedonic and utilitarian values on consumer satisfaction with the mediating role of self-congruity. A survey of 225 smartphone users has been conducted to empirically test the utilitarian and hedonic value framework. Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modelling were executed using Amos-22 to test the hypotheses. The results highlight that self-congruity mediates the relationship between utilitarian value perception and consumer satisfaction. The research framework provides practical insights to managers by highlighting the significance of both hedonic and utilitarian values in developing products and experiences that resonate with the self-image of the customers. It contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence that self-congruity serves as an important mechanism through which hedonic and utilitarian dimensions enhance customer satisfaction
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95-106
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Assessment of Water Quality and Customer Satisfaction of Water Supply Schemes in District Badin, Sindh, Pakistan

Dr. Muhammad Ali, Dr. Tanveer Ahmed Gadhi, Muhammad Ibraheem Shaikh

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.244
In many developing countries like Pakistan, water availability to drink is a serious public health problem primarily due to poor quality water in combination with its inadequate delivery. The district Badin is situated at the farthest part of Indus River. The study evaluates the water quality and satisfaction on the operated water supply schemes of the district with respect to the five talukas of the said district which includes Badin, Matli, Shaheed Fazil Rahu, Talhar and Tando Bago. A method mix between laboratory analysis of 330 water samples and structured household survey of 234 households along with qualitative data from key informant interviews and focus group discussions were used. The water samples were tested for physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics. Results revealed wide-spread microbiological contamination in all talukas in the form of E.coli and Total coliforms. From the water supply scheme level to the household level, contamination levels were significantly higher, while chemical parameters were mostly within acceptable limits. Badin and Tando Bago were found to be the most polluted, whereas Talhar had relatively good water quality. Survey findings showed a low level of trust and satisfaction with piped water services. Although most households had access to piped water for domestic use, they relied on handpumps, public taps, or bottled water for drinking purposes. Only 10% reported being “very satisfied.” Unreliable timing of supply, weak billing practices, and poor household water storage practices were key factors affecting dissatisfaction. The study concludes that technical improvements, institutional strengthening, and improved WMPs are necessary to enhance water services in District Badin.
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107-116
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Transformational Leadership and Academic Environment in Secondary Schools: A Principal-Perspective Study on the Mediating Role of Teachers' Attitudes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Manzoor Ahmad, Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.245
This study explored the relationship between transformational leadership (TL) and academic environment (AE) in government boys' secondary schools of Malakand Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan, and identified the mediating role of teachers' attitudes (TA). Data were obtained from 168 principals from five districts using Yamane's (1967) formula with multistage random sampling. Transformational leadership (13 items, α = .90), academic environment (17 items, α = 0.90), and teachers' attitudes (5 items, α = 0.77) were measured by validated Likert-scale questionnaires. SPSS v26 was used for descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations, while Smart-PLS v4 was used for PLS-SEM with 5,000 iteration bootstrapped mediation. Academic environment showed a high positive correlation with transformational leadership (r = .775, p < .01). The study reveals that teachers' attitudes significantly mediate the academic environment (β = .634, t = 8.641, p < .001), contributing an indirect effect (β = .089, t = 2.270, p = .023; 95% CI [.012, .168]). The model explains 51.2% of the variance in the academic environment. Principals with M.Phil (Education) qualifications show higher scores in transformational leadership (M = 57.55) and academic environment (M = 80.09). The results underscore a dual impact of principals' leadership: a direct administrative effect alongside a mediating role of teacher attitudes. Notably, the direct effect is similar across principal and teacher perspectives (β = .634 vs. β = .632), while the teacher attitude mediation appears weaker from principals' data. The findings suggest a need for principals' training in management and transformational behaviors, alongside a multi-source feedback evaluation system for school leaders.
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117-130
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Macroeconomic Determinants of Employment Opportunities in Pakistan: The Role of Foreign Direct Investment, Economic Growth, Gross Capital Formation, and Population Growth

Konooz Anwar, Dr. Muhammad Muzammil, Habibullah Khan

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.246
The current study investigates the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI), economic growth, gross capital formation, population growth and employment opportunities in Pakistan. This is the primary focus in exploring the short-term and long-term impacts of these macroeconomic variables on employment generation. The World Bank World Development Indicators (WDI) database is used for collecting time series data on an annual basis from 1990 to 2024. The stationarity properties of the variables are checked using the Augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) and Phillips–Perron (PP) unit root tests to provide robustness of the empirical analysis. The ARDL bounds testing method is used to check if there is a long-run relationship between the variables and then to estimate LRC and SRC. In addition, the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) estimator is used for robustness checking of the results of the ARDL. Based on the empirical results, it can be concluded that foreign direct investment has a positive influence on employment opportunities in Pakistan in terms of investment, productive capacity and labour demand. In contrast, the fast-growing population causes pressure on the labor market and negatively affects employment opportunities. Robustness analysis is used to check the robustness of the estimated results. The study therefore proposes the policy measures to attract sustainable FDI, increase the capital formation, maintain the stability of economic growth and shift towards effective population management policies for better job creation and long-term sustainable economic development in Pakistan
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131-142
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Institutional Collusion and State Apparatuses: A Foucauldian Analysis of Jamal Abro's Pirani & Other Short Stories (2017)

Wajid Hussain Khoso, Nadia Noor Muhammad

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.247
The present study explores the collusion of the state institutions, legal apparatus and local power networks that are used to exercise biopower in Pirani & Other Short Stories (2017), a collection of short stories by Jamal Abro. The main objective of this research is to dissect the functioning of the various administrative institutions, judicial systems, police and medical institutions, which come together to control, discipline and regulate human populations in rural Sindh. This paper adopts a qualitative interpretive research design based on the theories of Michel Foucault on biopower, disciplinary power and state apparatuses, which goes beyond the traditional thematic analysis of state corruption as a failure of ethics and/or governance. The study has been done in four stages of textual analysis: close reading, thematic coding, identification of discursive elements and theoretical synthesis, which has led to the exploration of the systemic subjugation of subaltern subjects in the text. The results show that institutional collusion can be seen as a localized administrative machine that, through regulatory surveillance, spatial containment and legal manipulation, helps to uphold the hegemony of the ruling class and leaves bodies of the margins to strategic abandonment and systemic vulnerability. This research is an important critical approach to comprehending the ways literature maps the institutional power and political management of life.
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143-150
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Effect of Green Finance Awareness on Sustainable Investment Decisions: Mediating Role of Environmental Concern

Dr. Naqeeb Ullah, Syed Sohaib Zubair, Umar Akbar

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.248
As sustainable development and environmental protection become more prominent, more people are interested in the factors which affect their sustainable investment behavior. This research aims to determine how the awareness of green finance affects the decisions of sustainable investments and to find out if it has a mediator effect on environmental concern. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of enhanced awareness of green financial products, sustainable investment opportunities and concepts of environmental finance on investment decisions that are good for the environment. A quantitative research design was employed, and data were gathered from 300 respondents; investors, banking customers, business students, and financial professionals were obtained through the use of a structured questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale. Data collected were analyzed descriptively and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) with reliability test, correlation test, regression test, and mediation test. The results show that the awareness of green finance exerts a significant positive impact on sustainable investments and environmental concerns. The study highlights the significant role of environmental concerns in sustainable investments. It finds that green finance awareness has both direct and indirect effects on sustainable investment decisions, mediated by environmental concern. The findings emphasize the importance of financial literacy and environmental values for responsible investing, adding empirical support to the literature on sustainable finance regarding the mediating role of environmental concern. The results have practical implications for policy makers, financial institutions and educators interested in fostering the adoption of sustainable investment practices and encouraging long-term environmental and economic sustainability.
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151-165
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Existing Gaps in English-Speaking Proficiency Among Secondary School Students in Punjab, Pakistan: A Diagnostic Analysis

Javeria Tayyab, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sarwar, Prof. Dr. Shafqat Hussain, Dr. Shazia Jabeen

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.255
English communication skills are very important for success in academic and career life. But students in secondary schools across Pakistan are invariably failing to meet international criteria of competence. The study is a diagnostic study to find out the English-speaking proficiency gaps of 9th-grade female students (N=50) of a public school of Lahore, Punjab. The study design was quantitative diagnostic baseline survey design based on a positivist research paradigm. The Performance Assessment for Language Students rubric was utilized because it provides standardized criteria for assessing many aspects of speaking proficiency, such as fluency, pronunciation, vocabulary, comprehensibility, task completion and language control. The standardized descriptors for performance increased consistency of scoring and enabled reliable diagnostic assessment of both interactive (conversation) and independent (monologue) speaking activities. The second linguistic expert set scoring to assure objectivity and inter-rater dependability. Descriptive analysis showed that 94% of the students performed below the "Meets Expectations" benchmark, with a full 70% falling into the "Does Not Meet Expectations" category The whole mean score (M = 7.70 / 24) demonstrated serious deficits in speaking. All sub-indicators had considerable disparities with the largest gaps in Language Control (62%) and Vocabulary (59.3%) followed by Comprehensibility, Pronunciation, Fluency and Task Completion. The findings provide a diagnostic basis for future pedagogical interventions to shift English language training from rote learning to functional oral communication.
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166-176
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Experimental Assessment of Treated Wastewater for Sustainable Mud Brick Production: Integrating Architectural Sustainability and Engineering Performance

Amir Sohail, Faiqa Bashir, Dr. Nijah Akram, Shehryar Khan, Muhammad Qamar

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.262
As the demand for sustainable construction materials has grown and freshwater scarcity has become a major concern, the use of treated domestic wastewater (T.D.W.) in construction has emerged as a potential solution for conserving freshwater, reducing environmental pollution, and promoting circular economy principles. This study experimentally investigated the feasibility of using treated domestic wastewater as an alternative to freshwater in the production of hand-moulded sun-dried mud bricks. Bricks measuring 228.6 × 114.3 × 76.2 mm were prepared using three mud-to-treated-wastewater mixing ratios (70:30, 75:25, and 65:35) and cured naturally under sun exposure. Water absorption was evaluated after 24 hours, while compressive performance was assessed after 7, 14, and 21 days in accordance with ASTM C67/C67M. The results showed a water absorption of 20%, which falls within the maximum allowable limit of 25% for clay bricks used under normal conditions. The average failure loads were 25.8 kN after 7 days, 23.4 kN after 14 days, and 25.3 kN after 21 days, corresponding to average compressive strengths of 0.99 MPa, 0.90 MPa, and 0.97 MPa, respectively. The findings indicate that the use of treated domestic wastewater did not negatively affect the physical and mechanical properties of the bricks.
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177-199
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Impact of Holistic Health Model on Recovering Addicts

Zoha, Amna Nawaz

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.263
As drug addiction is prevalent all over the world, it demands a multidimensional approach to address different aspects of addiction. This study explores the “Impact of Holistic Health Model on Recovering Addicts,” which covers biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of the recovery process. By using a qualitative research design, Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 male participants with an age range between 20 and 40 years. All of them were in sobriety for at least two years. Braun and Clarke's (2006) thematic analysis framework was used to analyze the data. The findings highlight eleven major themes that emerged from the transcribed interviews. These include physical challenges, psychological issues, healthy lifestyle, belief system, family dynamics, peer pressure, professional growth, therapeutic support, medications, follow-ups, and relapse prevention. Participants reported that practicing healthy activities, rebuilding social bonds, improving interpersonal relationships, self-awareness, emotional regulation, a strong belief system, and sticking to treatment and follow-ups facilitated their reentry into society and a sober life. By integrating holistic health approaches in the treatment programs, long-term recovery and personal development are promoted.
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200-215
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Exploring Curriculum Integration: A Comparative Study of Reading and Writing Comprehension through Science Subjects at SSC Level

Shaista Mumtaz, Dr. Farzana Naheed Salim, Dr. Sajad Ali

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.267
Developing reading and writing skills is fundamental to academic achievement. The study aimed to explore the influence of integrating the curriculum through the science subject on the comprehension of both reading and writing at the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) level. A quantitative quasi-experimental design involving pretesting and post-testing with a control group was utilized in this research. Fifty students from the 9th grade at Government Girls High Schools in Peshawar (Pakistan) participated in the study, with half randomly assigned to the experimental group and half assigned to the control group. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, an independent t-test, and ANCOVA. The experimental group had a higher mean post-test reading (M = 45.36, SD = 2.57) than the control group (M = 28.93, SD = 10.75). The results of the t-test revealed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.001), similar results were observed using ANCOVA to confirm that there were significant differences between teaching methods (F(1, 47) = 47.68, p < 0.001), with a large effect size; η²p = 0.499). Thus, the results of this study support the claim that the integration of the curriculum considerably increases student comprehension of both reading and writing. Consequently, it is recommended that schools and policymakers encourage teachers to use integrated methods of instruction and provide them with the proper resources and training.
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216-223
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An Analysis of Social Emotional Intelligence across Demographic Variables among University Students

Aqsa Bano, Dr. Amna Saleem

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.268
The present study was conducted to compare the Social Emotional Intelligence (SEI) of University students with respect to selected demographic variables. This study analyzed the impact of demographic factors—including gender, age, area of residence, living arrangement, academic discipline, and university—on five dimensions of Social Emotional Intelligence (SEI): Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Self-Management, Relationship Management, and Responsible Decision-Making. Utilizing a quantitative survey design, data were collected via a structured questionnaire divided into two sections; the first gathered demographic data, while the second evaluated SEI dimensions using a 5-point Likert scale. A convenience sample of 117 undergraduate students from two public universities in Southern Punjab, Pakistan, was employed. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), employing One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at a 0.05 significance level to explore differences in SEI dimensions across demographic variables. The study found that demographic factors influence various aspects of Social Emotional Intelligence (SEI). Self-Awareness was significantly affected by age, area, residence, and academic discipline. Social Awareness varied notably by gender, age, area, residence, and university, while Self-Management showed significant links to gender, residence, discipline, and university. Differences in Relationship Management and Responsible Decision-Making were also linked to demographic variables. Although these factors affected some SEI components, they did not fully explain students' social and emotional development.
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224-238
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Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Against Children in Schools: Teachers' Perceptions and Educational Implications in Tehsil Mandi Bahauddin, Pakistan

Muhammad Aqib Mehmood, Anam Talib, Muhammad Dawood Ashraf, Ch Chand Fatima Warraich, Zaid Ahmed

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.306
Despite the international condemnation of corporal punishment and the ban on the practice in schools in most countries, this type of punishment is still considered controversial and is still practiced in many schools in the country. In this study, teachers' perceptions of corporal punishment and its perceived educational implications in public schools of Tehsil Mandi Bahauddin, Pakistan, were studied. This study utilized a quantitative descriptive-correlational research design, and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 120 respondents, elementary and secondary school teachers, who were sampled using a convenience sampling technique. The data were analyzed with SPSS for the purpose of obtaining descriptive statistics. The results show that teachers' knowledge of the ban on corporal punishment was high, but attitudes on its effectiveness were not unanimous. Many of the respondents disagreed with the idea that corporal punishment is necessary for school discipline and/or student academic success. The study also shows the increased awareness of teachers regarding the negative psychological, educational, and social effects of physical punishment. Results of this study are consistent with modern education policies that promote positive discipline, counselling, and child-centered teaching plans. The study suggests that teachers should undergo continuous professional development, child protection policies should be effectively implemented, and there should be improved collaboration between schools, parents, and policymakers so as to create safe, inclusive, and violence-free learning environments.
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239-252
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Pretrial Publicity Concerning Accused Persons: A Constitutional Framework for Balancing the Public’s Right to Information with Fair Trial Rights

Dr. Shahid Sultan, Hafiz Muhammad Azeem, Asif Azam Jathol

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.309
The rapid expansion of media and social media has transformed criminal investigations into matters of immediate public discourse. Information concerning accused persons and alleged crime circulates broadly before judicial determination. Even though such publicity promotes transparency and democratic accountability, yet it also raises constitutional questions about its impact on the right to a fair trial. Contemporary scholarship has mostly examined pretrial publicity through separate empirical, psychological, or media law perspectives, but limited attention is drawn for a constitutional methodology with an aim to reconcile right to information with the fair trial rights of accused persons. To address this gap, this article examines the constitutional regulation of pretrial publicity in Pakistan through a doctrinal analysis of the Constitution, judicial precedents, selected constitutional theories. This article further explains through Cognitive Bias Theory that pre-trial publicity may create a constitutional harm from predictable cognitive processes which is also capable to influence multiple participants throughout the criminal justice system before trial. The analysis reveals that constitutional jurisprudence of Pakistan recognises the constitutional risks associated with pretrial publicity but has yet to devise a structured methodology for balancing the competing rights involved. Relying on Konrad Hesse's doctrine of Practical Concordance and Aharon Barak's proportionality methodology, this article develops a structured judicial framework through which courts may reconcile the right to information with the right to fair trial. The study contributes to constitutional scholarship by integrating constitutional doctrine, cognitive science, and proportionality analysis into a coherent methodology for adjudicating this significant constitutional challenge.
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253-269
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Exploring the Link between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Industrial Policy & Trade Policy: A Case Study of Pakistan

Saba Maitlo, Dr. Naveed Ahmed Shaikh

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.310
The main objective of this systematic literature review is to analyze the relation between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Industrial Policy with Trade Policy within the time period of 2000-2025 in Pakistan. In this in-depth analysis of 25 peer-reviewed studies and policy documents, we explore the interactions between these three policy streams in determining the economic trajectory of Pakistan. The results show a complex and sometimes disjointed policy framework, with the overall policy focus on sector-specific incentives for attracting FDI and the processes of trade liberalization has largely eschewed industrial development. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) launched in 2015 is a paradigm shift in the attraction of FDI through infrastructure investments, but issues of technology transfer, local content and sustainable industrial development remain. We highlight key trade-openness–industrial upgrading policy gaps and FDI promotion–domestic industrial capacity gaps. The review emphasizes the importance of integrated policy frameworks connecting FDI attraction and targeted industrial development and strategic trade policy. Overall, our analysis adds to the existing body of work on development economics by offering a detailed analysis of development economics interactions in a developing economy context.
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270-287
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The Politics of Language in Higher Education: Linguistic Hierarchies and Student Experiences in Pakistan

Lubna Farhan Ali, Sundas Javed, Farhan Ali, Shamrez Khan

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.250
This research investigates how higher education in Pakistan shapes identity construction, academic confidence, and educational inequality through linguistic hierarchies. The study is a postcolonial sociolinguistics analysis based on the notion of linguistic capital of Bourdieu, and examines the role of English, Urdu, and other regional languages as unequal symbolic resources in university classrooms. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 university students who are multilingual using an interpretivist phenomenological design to explore their experiences. Results indicated that English is a marker of intelligence, prestige, and upward mobility, and that fluent speakers are visible and are given institutional legitimacy. Urdu served as a kind of lingua franca for peer communication and at the same time marginalizes non-Urdu speakers in some situations. Regional languages and students' cultural identity are not well represented in formal academic practices. Students of Urdu medium background face problems of language anxiety, self-doubt, and perceived lack of success in school, whereas English medium students are more confident in language and more engaged in school activities. Participants exercised agency through translanguaging, peer collaboration, and digital tools to navigate structural inequities. The study highlights students' voices to reveal the colonial nature of linguistic practices and institutional norms, and invites pedagogies that are linguistically inclusive and that view multilingual repertoires as intellectual resources. The results further inform the current debates on medium of instruction, identity, and equity issues in postcolonial multilingual settings.
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288-306
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Regulatory Quality and Agricultural Value Added in Pakistan: Roles of FDI, Innovation, Employment, and Energy

Dr. Khawaja Asif Mehmood

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-vi.316
Agriculture value added is an important aspect for the agrarian economies like Pakistan. This research caters the state of agriculture value added in the presence of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), technological innovation, employment in agriculture sector, and usage of renewable energy. For the observance of in-depth outcomes of the selected variables, the variables are constructed with the interaction of regulatory quality. The data was collected from 1990 to 2025. The analysis is done via Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL). The results confirm that FDI and technological, innovation positively, employment in agriculture, and renewable energy consumption post a positive effect on agriculture value added in Pakistan. Policy option is to effort for better regulatory quality together with consistent FDI inflows, adaptation of technology, rich employment opportunities in agriculture, and usage of a renewable energy for achieving desired agriculture growth targets.
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307-318
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Impact of Social Media on Students’ Mental Health at University Level

Saba Kiran, Dr. Qaisara Parveen, Dr. Imran Yousuf, Dr. Mazhar Hussain Bhutta

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.317
This research examines the impact of social media on the mental health and psychological well-being of university students. Being the part and parcel of the daily routine of the university students due to their wide-spread use on the social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp, social media is considered to have a detrimental effect on their mental health in terms of creating anxiety, depression, stress, and low self-esteem. The purposes of this study included the examination of social media use patterns among the university students; identification of both positive and negative consequences on mental well-being; and finding out the correlation between social media use and students' psychological well-being. The research adopted the descriptive research methodology and data were gathered through questionnaires and interviews. Simple random sampling technique was used to collect data from 310 university students enrolled at six universities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad for the academic year 2025-2026. The gathered data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and regression analysis using SPSS. The results indicated that 58.4% of respondents used social media for more than five hours per day, 25.8% for three to five hours, and 15.8% for one to three hours. The study concludes that the effects of social media on students' mental health are both positive and negative, depending on the duration and purpose of use.
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319-329
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Pre-Service Teachers Intention to Use Educational Technology: A Technology Acceptance Model Study

Ammara Abid, Dr. Muhammad Shuaib

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.326
The study aimed to examine the factors that affect the PST’s behavioral intention to use educational technology using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). A quantitative, cross-sectional survey method was employed to collect data from PST in District Sudhnoti, AJK. The perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), attitude toward using technology (ATUT), and actual use (AU) of educational technologies on behavioral intention to use (BIU) educational technologies were analyzed in the study, and the predictive power of TAM in this context was examined. Reliability analysis assessed the instrument’s internal consistency, and descriptive statistics revealed that PST had positive perceptions of technology and intentions to use it in their future lessons. The regression analysis indicated that both PU and PEOU had direct and indirect influence on BIU, and they were the best predictors of BIU. ATUT had a positive impact on BIU, but to a lesser extent, and AU had little predictive power. The results validate the applicability of TAM and indicate that technology training for teachers should focus on practical, relevant classroom experiences, regular access to technology, and mentoring.
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330-340
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Examining the Relationship between Teachers and Students' Resilience at the Higher Education Level

Dr. Shazia Bibi, Dr. Musarrat Habib, Dr. Zunaira Fatima

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.323
Resilience is the capability to show a positive attitude towards others, face many difficulties, and continue performing effectively against challenges due to stress and adversity. In education, resilience is very necessary for both students and teachers because it promotes academic success, emotional well-being, and a positive learning environment. The objectives of the study were: examine the relationship between students and teacher’s resilience at higher education level, effects of teacher’s resiliency on teaching effectiveness (job satisfaction and job stress), effects of student’s resilience on student’s performance, identify the strategies that promotes the teachers and student’s resilience. The target population was all the public and private universities of the City Lahore. The accessible population was the two public and two private universities, which were selected through stratified sampling techniques. Through stratified sampling techniques, 100 teachers and 100 students were selected from the same universities. Two types of research scales were used for the study. After the pilot-test procedure, the data were analyzed through statistical measures. The results interpreted that the teacher’s resilience has positive and strong effects on teachers’ job satisfaction and teachers' job stress. It also reveals that students’ resilience is strongly and positively correlated with teachers’ resilience, and it has strong effects on students’ performance.
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341-351
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Flexible Human Resource Management and Innovation in the Digital Economy: The Moderating Role of Work-Related Stress in Pakistan's IT Sector

Dr. Niaz Hussain Buriro, Dr. Ikhtiar Ali Ghumro, Akhtar Ali

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.369
While there is general agreement that flexible human resource management (FHRM) is an enabler of organizational innovativeness, the processes by which the three-dimensional aspect of FHRM (skill flexibility, behavioral flexibility, and HR-practice flexibility) both positively and negatively influence innovation generation and innovation adoption, and the reasons why each aspect of FHRM interacts with employees' psychological experience of work-related stress are not coherent enough. Based on the Resource Based View, Dynamic Capabilities theory and Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, this research conceptualizes and examines the moderation model using primary data collection with questionnaire survey from employees of software houses working in Pakistan's Information Technology sector. The current study employed data analysis using PLS-SEM (Partial least squares sequential modeling) to investigate the reliability and validity of the data, discriminant validity through Heterotrait-Monotrait ratio, and bootstrapped significance. Skill and behavioral flexibility significantly predict both innovation generation and adoption, while HR-practice flexibility is generally less influential. Behavioral flexibility is the strongest predictor of innovation adoption. Work-related stress weakens the positive effect of skill flexibility on innovation outcomes but does not significantly affect behavioral flexibility. These findings show that Flexible HRM dimensions differ in their contribution to innovation and in their sensitivity to workplace stress. The study recommends further research in emerging economy technology sectors using PLS-predict, necessity-condition analysis, and longitudinal designs, while also encouraging deeper examination of Flexible HRM dimensions and stress as a boundary condition within the JD-R framework.
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352-367
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Effect of Flipped Teaching Model on Computational Thinking Skills of Secondary School Students in the Subject of Computer Science

Muhammad Faisal Shahzad, Dr. Jan Alam, Dr. Umbreen Ishfaq, Dr. Tehseen Tahir

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.390
The present study investigated the effect of the Flipped Teaching Model (FTM) on the computational thinking skills of secondary school students in Computer Science. An experimental research design was employed, and 60 male students were randomly selected from a population of 120 students at GHSS Kot Najibullah. The participants were divided into experimental and control groups based on their pre-test scores. A 100-item multiple-choice test was developed to assess computational thinking skills, and its validity and reliability were established before administration. The experimental group received instruction through the Flipped Teaching Model, while the control group was taught through the traditional method for eight weeks. Pre- and post-test data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, and independent-samples t-tests through SPSS. The findings indicated that students taught through the Flipped Teaching Model performed significantly better than those taught through the traditional method, demonstrating its positive effect on computational thinking skills. The study recommends teacher training and adequate technological infrastructure to facilitate effective implementation of the Flipped Teaching Model at the secondary level.
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368-380
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Artificial Intelligence and the Future of International Security: Emerging Challenges for the International System

Dr. Saira Akram

doi https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.416
Artificial intelligence (AI) is now embedded in military targeting, intelligence analysis, cyber operations, information campaigns, and great-power industrial competition. Scholarship remains divided between accounts that treat AI as a revolutionary shift in power and accounts that stress its limits and uneven diffusion. This paper asks how AI is reshaping international security and under what conditions international institutions can manage its emerging risks. It combines a transparent narrative review of peer-reviewed research, official documents and policy analysis published mainly between 2018 and September 2026 with a structured comparison of three cases: United States–China competition over advanced semiconductors, AI-enabled drone warfare in the Russia–Ukraine war, and the multilateral effort to regulate lethal autonomous weapons through the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and the UN General Assembly. Drawing on the security dilemma and liberal institutionalism, it argues that AI's most consequential security effects arise less from "killer robots" than from three interacting mechanisms: the compression of decision time, the concentration of the inputs needed to build advanced AI, and the erosion of verifiable information. These mechanisms intensify competition but do not preclude cooperation. Institutions are most likely to succeed where they target narrow, observable behaviours, where leading states perceive shared exposure to accidents, and where developing countries gain material benefits rather than only obligations. The paper concludes with recommendations on human control, testing, incident reporting, confidence-building and inclusive capacity-building.
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381-401

Vol. 5 No. 4 (2026): Issue 4 (April Issue)

Articles

Effect of Cyberbullying Exposure on Depression: Mediating Role of Self-Esteem

Representation of Climate Change in Contemporary Fiction and Its Influence on Students’ Environmental Awareness and Activism

Strategic Hedging and Multi-Alignment China’s Balancing of Iran and Arab Gulf States in a Changing Regional Order

Teachers' Perceptions about Guidance and Counselling Training Areas at Secondary School Level

Influence of Parent-Teacher Council Participation on Students’ Academic Performance

Carbon Emissions, Water Scarcity and Geopolitics in South Asia: Evidence from Cross-Sectionally Dependent Panel

The Effect of Organizational Justice and Leadership Style on Employee Commitment

Beyond Functional and Experiential Value: The Mediating Effect of Self-Congruity in the Utilitarian–Hedonic Value Framework

Assessment of Water Quality and Customer Satisfaction of Water Supply Schemes in District Badin, Sindh, Pakistan

Transformational Leadership and Academic Environment in Secondary Schools: A Principal-Perspective Study on the Mediating Role of Teachers' Attitudes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Macroeconomic Determinants of Employment Opportunities in Pakistan: The Role of Foreign Direct Investment, Economic Growth, Gross Capital Formation, and Population Growth

Institutional Collusion and State Apparatuses: A Foucauldian Analysis of Jamal Abro's Pirani & Other Short Stories (2017)

Effect of Green Finance Awareness on Sustainable Investment Decisions: Mediating Role of Environmental Concern

Existing Gaps in English-Speaking Proficiency Among Secondary School Students in Punjab, Pakistan: A Diagnostic Analysis

Experimental Assessment of Treated Wastewater for Sustainable Mud Brick Production: Integrating Architectural Sustainability and Engineering Performance

Impact of Holistic Health Model on Recovering Addicts

Exploring Curriculum Integration: A Comparative Study of Reading and Writing Comprehension through Science Subjects at SSC Level

An Analysis of Social Emotional Intelligence across Demographic Variables among University Students

Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Against Children in Schools: Teachers' Perceptions and Educational Implications in Tehsil Mandi Bahauddin, Pakistan

Pretrial Publicity Concerning Accused Persons: A Constitutional Framework for Balancing the Public’s Right to Information with Fair Trial Rights

Exploring the Link between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Industrial Policy & Trade Policy: A Case Study of Pakistan

The Politics of Language in Higher Education: Linguistic Hierarchies and Student Experiences in Pakistan

Regulatory Quality and Agricultural Value Added in Pakistan: Roles of FDI, Innovation, Employment, and Energy

Impact of Social Media on Students’ Mental Health at University Level

Pre-Service Teachers Intention to Use Educational Technology: A Technology Acceptance Model Study

Examining the Relationship between Teachers and Students' Resilience at the Higher Education Level

Flexible Human Resource Management and Innovation in the Digital Economy: The Moderating Role of Work-Related Stress in Pakistan's IT Sector

Effect of Flipped Teaching Model on Computational Thinking Skills of Secondary School Students in the Subject of Computer Science

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of International Security: Emerging Challenges for the International System

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