JSSH

From Policy to Practice: Examining the Effectiveness of the Elections Act 2017 on Women’s Political Participation in Lower Dir

2025-11-14T08:05:35+00:00

Women’s political participation has long been a topic of discussion within global conversations on gender equality and democratic inclusion, as reflected in international frameworks such as CEDAW, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and the Sustainable Development Goals. As a signatory to these commitments, Pakistan has implemented several policy measures to increase women’s representation in its political institutions. This study critically examines the Elections Act 2017 as a policy tool intended to turn these commitments into action, focusing on its effectiveness in changing the gendered political landscape of Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one of Pakistan’s most traditionally patriarchal districts. Rooted in liberal democratic theory and feminist perspectives on political participation, this qualitative research employs an ethnographic approach to examine how legal reforms intersect with social and cultural barriers. Data were collected through primary and secondary sources, including field observations during the 2018 general elections and unstructured interviews with local respondents. The results show that cultural barriers, often seen as unchangeable obstacles to women’s emancipation, have been strategically maintained by state and institutional actors to justify exclusionary practices. However, the analysis indicates that these barriers are not insurmountable; rather, they can be effectively addressed through strong, consistent, and context-specific implementation of progressive laws. The study concludes that while the Elections Act 2017 marks an important legislative step forward, its potential for transformation depends on active engagement by district electoral institutions, whose focus should shift from merely increasing numbers to ensuring meaningful, qualitative participation by women in politics.

The Accented Cinema: A Narrative Analysis of Bollywood film Water

2025-10-03T00:10:13+00:00

The cinema act as a mass medium that project intangible reality related to the socio-cultural setting of an era with reference to gender portrayal that may envelope the viewers perception. This article focusses on the re-presentation of gender disparity in the film Water (2005) directed by Deepa Mehta. The study seeks to identify the discrepancies in terms of gender dichotomous role in the film contextually situated before the partition of Indo-Pak subcontinent. By examining the film as case study, the qualitative research design is employed to critically evaluate the underlying thematic frameworks like male dominancy, child marriages, plight of widows and symbolic re-presentation of women in accented cinema. The narrative analysis method is adopted to understand the thematic construction of gender discriminatory narrative based on socio-cultural and economic factors of that era. The findings suggest the notion of privileged gender disparity and unquestioned traditions under the umbrella of cultural beliefs that were downplaying the role of women. Moreover, the conventional portrayal of the widow as ‘devoid of substantial agency’ makes them powerless to voice out their grievances. The film is a critic to the time-honored facet of the culture, so that the deplorable condition of the underprivileged class can be highlighted.

Politicization, Vested Interests, And Regulation: Stakeholder Perspectives on Pakistani Television Channels

2025-10-21T13:42:13+00:00

Television channels in Pakistan represent one of the most powerful mediums for shaping public opinion, disseminating political information, and influencing democratic processes. This study investigates the growing politicization and vested interests that undermine the independence and credibility of Pakistani television channels. Using a mixed-method approach involving 161 respondents comprising viewers, anchors, broadcasters, advertisers, cable operators, and channel owners the research explores how political affiliations, ownership patterns, and advertiser influence distort media professionalism and journalistic ethics. Results reveal that politicization and vested interests are widely perceived as primary threats to media integrity, leading to non-professional practices and restricted freedom of expression. The study also finds that the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) is viewed as inconsistent, government-controlled, and selective in its enforcement, further eroding trust in regulation. Grounded in Social Responsibility Theory, the Political Economy of Media, and Agenda-Setting Theory, the analysis demonstrates how political and economic power structures shape news agendas, promote polarization, and marginalize independent journalism. The findings highlight that weak regulatory autonomy and cross-sector ownership create a cyclical pattern where media content serves elite interests rather than the public good. The study concludes by recommending reforms to enhance PEMRA’s independence, enforce transparency in media ownership, and strengthen professional ethics and newsroom autonomy. These measures are essential to restore the democratic role of Pakistani television as a credible, balanced, and socially responsible medium.

Decolonizing Political Thought: Plato's Justice and Civil Military Relations in Pakistan

2025-09-03T07:34:39+00:00

This research study employs Plato’s theory of justice to critically evaluate the civil military relations in Pakistan, which have long been marked by institutional imbalance, periodic military intervention, fragile democracy and recurring political instability. For Plato, justice arises when the spirited, appetitive, and rational elements of the soul—as well as their corresponding social classes—function harmoniously without interference or role-transgression. By applying this classical concept of functional harmony to contemporary governance, this research study evaluates civil military disequilibrium that disrupts the institutional order. Further, through the integration of de-colonial perspective, this research also examines how colonial legacies have shaped governance structures, institutional hierarchies, and the distribution of power between military establishment and civilian authorities. By combining classical philosophy with de-colonial critique, this research study seeks to reinterpret political theory in a way that is responsive to Pakistan’s historical context, local realities, socio-political struggles, and contemporary challenges, by challenging the dominance of Eurocentric colonial frameworks.

The Impact of Presence or Absence of Father on Daughters’ Marital Relationship: Pakistani Perspective

2025-09-27T13:56:25+00:00

This research explores how the presence or absence of father impacts daughters’ marital relationship, how daughters with absent father view men, what qualities they idealize and how they cope and adjust with the situations they face with their spouse and what are the perceptions of daughters whose father is present. While previous research has largely concentrated on the effects of father absence or presence on daughters' self-esteem, developmental outcomes, sexual behaviour, and changing parental roles, limited data exist on how both father absence and presence shape daughters' views of men and their ideas of spousal relationships. The present study includes the sample of fifteen daughter who voluntarily participated in the research. The results suggest that fathers, whether present or absent, have a great influence on daughters’ perception about men and based on those ideas how they choose their partners. It explains the factors which are related to the absence and presence of father during childhood that could stay with individuals as they grow up. Most daughter showed a fear of getting attached and getting hurt but at the same time they praised their husband’s affection and support towards them. Whereas, daughter who reported a positive and consistent presence of father explained great trust in men, clear expectations of mutual respect, and a strong sense of emotional security within their marriages. The findings further explained that the early relational pattern with fathers, either characterized by absence and inconsistency or presence and support, can persist into adulthood and shape marital adjustment. The biggest implication of the study falls for the multicultural perspective because different cultures have different values and belief systems and their relationship emerged differently with fathers. It could also serve as a help to single mothers to induce the idea that how to shape their daughters’ ideals by becoming an example of a healthy marital relationship.

Jinnah and British Balochistan: Dynamics of Political Mobilization During the Struggle for Pakistan

2025-10-17T07:31:54+00:00

This paper examines Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s policy and political strategy toward colonial Balochistan, focusing exclusively on the British Administrative Districts, while setting aside the princely states and tribal territories existed in the province. Largely based on primary sources, the study aims to explore how Jinnah viewed Balochistan’s political significance within the broader framework of the Pakistan Movement and how he nurtured political awareness and support in this otherwise politically deprived province. The paper investigates Jinnah’s connectivity with the people and leadership of Balochistan, his strategy to win over the electoral college comprising of Shahi Jirga and the non-official members of the Quetta Municipality, and his dealing with the colonial administrative mechanism of the province. It argues that Jinnah’s commitment to the Balochistan cause and his strategy to convince the local populace managed to align British Balochistan with the demand for Pakistan