International Research Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities

COVERT DIPLOMACY AND NON-KINETIC STATECRAFT: THE EVOLUTION OF INDIA-PAKISTAN RIVALRY (2018–2023)

Mian Mazhar Waqas , Dr. Aamir Khan — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Relation between India and Pakistan have been traditionally characterized by military confrontation, territory-related problems and direct engagement. Indo Pakistan strategic rivalry has seen some major changes, especially during 2018 – 2023. This period has demonstrated a clear transition towards non-kinetic and institutionally mediated contests. India has managed to align its statecraft by focusing on covert diplomacy, which is an indirect, undeniable and structurally embedded strategy through international institutions, economic regimes, strategic partnerships and global narrative construction.Using a qualitative interpretivist approach, the study analyse how India has been able to make use of multilateral platforms, financial governance structures and reputational mechanisms in order to influence the results that are not favourable to Pakistan. The process has led to the creation of a reputation asymmetry whereby India’s image of being a responsible and emerging power internationally offers diplomatic protection. While, placed Pakistan in a discourse of danger, instability and lack of compliance. This transformation, presents theoretical constructs, Boat Bridge Doctrine and Anshan Model. The former views national power as internally produced capacity based on addressing internal fault lines while the latter gives a practical model that if adopted can sail a nation through the turbulent waters of global politics towards glory. Combined, the frameworks represent a unified perspective on the way modern power can be produced and used on escalation-limited grounds. The transformation of India-Pakistan rivalry is indicative of wider tendencies in international politics whereby power is being exercised less through use of kinetic means and more through non-kinetic ones. The capacity of Pakistan to respond well will only be achieved through a complete re-set of its statecraft i.e. an inner consolidation, geo-economic involvement and a long-term narrative reconstruction.

NEUROIMAGING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AUTISTIC AND NEUROTYPICAL BRAINS:IMPLICATIONS FOR SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND SOCIAL COMMUNICATION—A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is associated with differences in speech, language, and social communication. This systematic review synthesised neuroimaging evidence published between 2020 and 2026 comparing autistic and neurotypical brains. A systematic search of nine databases identified 832 records, of which 30 peer-reviewed studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings showed atypical organisation in language-related cortical regions, white matter pathways such as the arcuate and uncinate fasciculi, functional networks including the default mode and salience networks, auditory electrophysiological processing, and self-related brain networks. Overall, the evidence suggests that communication differences in autism arise from distributed neural network organisation rather than isolated abnormalities in a single brain region. These findings have implications for speech-language pathology assessment, early intervention, and individualised support planning. Future research should include longitudinal designs, larger diverse samples, and stronger links between neuroimaging findings and communication outcomes.

THE MEDIATING ROLE OF STRESS PERCEPTION IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG PSYCHOLOGY AND MEDICAL STUDENTS

Anisa Habib , Dr Aftab Hussain , Uzma Farooq , Zeba Saghir — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The students enrolled at any university having intensive professional courses like medicine, psychology have high risk of mental health problems because of high exposure of psychological distress and academic stress. Emotional intelligence (EI) is one of the psychological resources that has been identified as playing a pivotal role in supporting adaptive coping and regulating emotions. Some evidence is available based on empirical studies and there is still limited evidence regarding the effect of EI on mental health in terms of stress perception among the students of these two groups in Pakistan. For the present study, a total of 300 subjects (students of medical and psychology) of age 19-30 years were selected from different universities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. There were 3 validated instruments which were Brief Emotional Intelligence Scale-10 (BEIS-10), Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) and Mental Health Inventory-5 (MHI-5). The results of the correlation analysis indicated that perceived stress had an inverse relationship with mental health measures of both groups, whereas EI showed a positive correlation with mental health measures. In particular, medical students' perceptions of the inverse relationship of EI to perceived stress and psychology students' perceived positive relationship of EI with psychological well-being were deeper. Using PROCESS Macro v4.2 for mediation analysis, the results indicate that EI has a direct effect on mental health, and that perceived stress is partially mediated between EI and mental health. The findings offer implications for understanding the psychological processes underlying the link between emotional competence and well-being and suggested avenues for emotion-focused training programs for universities and interventions that focus on emotions.

A MEDIATING ROLE OF SEDUCTIVENESS IN ATTENTION SEEKING BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL COMPARISON AMONG YOUNG FEMALES

Dr. Sameera Shafiq , Shamsa Bashir , Iqra Batool — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The study aimed to find out the connection between seductiveness, attention seeking behavior, and social comparison and to examine the connection between demographic variables (age, marital status) with seductiveness, and attention seeking behavior among girls. A cross sectional correlational research design was used to collect data from a sample of 510 women aged 19 years and above from University of Gujrat via purposive sampling technique. The participants were screened by using the HPDS. After the screening process, the selected participants completed the BHPS and the INCOM. The findings indicate adequate variability across all study variables. Pearson product moment correlation coefficient showed seductiveness have a significant positive correlation with attention-seeking behavior (r = .78, p < .01) and social comparison (r = .23, p < .01). Furthermore, attention-seeking behavior was positively associated with social comparison (r = .22, p < .01). The results showed a significant positive partial mediation between attention-seeking behavior and social comparison of ability among females (β = .20, p < .05), and with opinions in social comparison (β=.51 .23, p < .001). The results were non-significant with respect to seductiveness and attention seeking behavior among unmarried and married females. Finally, the results showed significant differences with respect to seductiveness (F(2, 507)= 10.44, p<0.001) and attention seeking behavior (F(2, 507)= 11.14, p<0.001) among females with different age groups. In conclusion, the findings of the present study demonstrated significant positive relationships among seductiveness, attention-seeking behavior, and social comparison. Moreover, seductiveness partially mediated between attention seeking behavior and social comparison. Insignificant differences were found in married and unmarried females in their attraction approach and attention seeking behavior. Youngest group of females showed high seductiveness and attention seeking behavior followed by younger and young groups of the females. Implications are discussed in the light of the present results.

WORKFORCE DISPLACEMENT AND EMPLOYEE PERCEPTIONS OF AI ADOPTION IN PAKISTAN'S AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

Haseeb Jan Saduzai — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the automotive industry by improving production efficiency, quality control, predictive maintenance, and decision-making. However, the increasing adoption of AI technologies has also raised concerns regarding workforce displacement, job security, and employee adaptation, particularly in developing countries such as Pakistan. This study examines workforce displacement and employee perceptions of AI adoption in Pakistan's automotive industry. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to employees working in automotive manufacturing and assembly firms. The findings indicate that while employees acknowledge the benefits of AI in enhancing productivity, operational efficiency, and workplace safety, many also express concerns about job displacement, changing skill requirements, and reduced employment opportunities for low-skilled workers. The study further reveals that organizational support, employee training, and reskilling initiatives significantly improve employees' acceptance of AI technologies. The research concludes that successful AI implementation requires balancing technological advancement with workforce development through inclusive policies, continuous training, and strategic human resource management to ensure sustainable industrial growth and employee well-being in Pakistan.

IMPACT OF AI DEPENDENCY ON SOCIAL,PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES AMONG STUDENTS:A QUALITATIVE INQUIRY

Laiba Rehman , Asma Bashir — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini have dramatically changed how university students learn, write papers, conduct research, and handle academic stress. These advantages are paired with concerns about AI's potential social, psychological (self-esteem), and educational impacts. This study explored the link between AI reliance, personality traits, and the social, psychological, and educational difficulties faced by university students.The present study used a qualitative, exploratory approach, conducting semi-structured interviews with participants (N=10) to gather insights into students' lived experiences with AI. The interview findings showed that students use AI for efficiency, meeting deadlines, academic support, and idea generation, as well as for cognitive outsourcing. It also indicates reduced critical thinking, reliance driven by personality, less peer interaction, and mixed trust levels. The results emphasize AI's dual role as both an academic aid and a possible source of disengagement. The study concludes that AI should be promoted as a supportive learning tool rather than a substitute for independent thinking, peer collaboration, and teacher guidance. Recommendations are presented for students, teachers, counselors, universities, and policymakers to promote responsible, balanced, and psychologically healthy AI use in higher education.

THE POLITICS OF PAKISTAN: HISTORICAL LEGACIES, CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

Faisal Ahmad , Shehla Ashraf — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Pakistan's political development has been shaped by historical legacies, constitutional evolution, civil-military relations, democratic transitions, and changing regional and global dynamics. Since its independence in 1947, the country has experienced alternating periods of democratic governance and military rule, significantly influencing state institutions, political stability, and socio-economic development. The historical foundations of Pakistan's political system, analyzes contemporary challenges including political polarization, governance deficits, judicial activism, economic instability, electoral reforms, and federal-provincial relations, and evaluates their implications for democratic consolidation. The study employs a qualitative research approach based on secondary data collected from scholarly books, journal articles, government reports, and policy documents. The findings suggest that sustainable democratic governance requires strengthening constitutional institutions, promoting the rule of law, ensuring transparent elections, enhancing political accountability, and fostering inclusive economic and social policies. The paper concludes that Pakistan's future political stability depends on institutional reforms, effective governance, civil-military balance, and greater public participation in democratic processes. Addressing these challenges is essential for achieving long-term political stability, national cohesion, and sustainable development.

PSYCHOSOCIAL EXPERIENCES OF SNAPCHAT USE AMONG PAKISTANI YOUNG ADULTS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In Pakistan, Snapchat has become an increasingly popular platform among young adults, shaping how they connect, communicate, and present themselves in digital spaces. While existing literature has examined global patterns of social media use, little is known about the psychosocial experiences of Pakistani youth on Snapchat, where cultural, religious, and gendered values intersect with digital practices. This study aimed to explore (1) the psychosocial experiences young adults encounter through their everyday use of Snapchat, (2) how Snapchat use influences their communication and relationships, (3) the role of cultural, religious, and gender-based factors in shaping their experiences. A qualitative exploratory design was employed. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 young adults (10 males, 10 females) aged 18–26 years from Lahore, Pakistan, recruited through purposive sampling. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-step framework. Four major themes emerged from the analysis: (i) Digital Belonging (everyday social glue, playful digital expressions, and relational dynamics), (ii) Pressures and Emotional Costs (streaks and digital compulsions, emotional fluctuations), (iii) Performing the Self (curated vs. authentic selves, boundaries of expression), and (iv) Cultural and Gendered Boundaries (gendered norms of comfort, cultural expectations and family honor, religious and spiritual concerns). The findings suggest that while Snapchat fosters belonging, creativity, and relational maintenance, it also generates pressures of comparison, compulsive use, and cultural constraints. These insights highlight the importance of culturally sensitive digital literacy and mental health interventions Future research should expand to diverse populations and explore cross-platform dynamics to provide a more comprehensive understanding of youth social media experiences.

THE IMPACT OF LIFE SKILLS TRAINING ON COLLEGE STUDENTS’ PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AND LIFE SATISFACTION

Areeba Asif , Asma Bashir , Nabia Luqman Siddiquei — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Life Skills Training for students is a vital psychosocial intervention addressing academic, emotional, and social challenges. This insightful study demonstrates that implementing a life skills training program significantly improves college students' mental and physical health. Using a rigorous quasi-experimental pretest–posttest control group design with 300 participants—divided equally into experimental and control groups—the research highlights the positive impact of focusing on HED life skills modules. Participants outcomes were assessed using the Life Skills Assessment Scale (LSAS) and the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) at the pretest, followed by the Youth Life Skills Scale (YLSS), WHO-5 Well-Being Index, and Temporal Satisfaction with Life Scale (TSWLS) at the posttest The results show that life skills training boosted psychological well-being and life satisfaction among students. These compelling findings underscore the urgent need for educational institutions to integrate such programs into their curricula to enhance students' emotional resilience, social skills, and personal development, thereby supporting their success and overall well-being. Policy implications and recommendations have been discussed.

LEADING FOR SUSTAINABILITY: THE INFLUENCE OF SCHOOL LEADERSHIP ON EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN KARACHI'S PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS THE CONNECTING CLASSROOMS PROJECT

Shameer Khokhar, Rahat Rizvi — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has gained a strong consensus as a core element of the Sustainable Development Goals, and an integral part of modern education systems. It depends on the commitment of all stakeholders, especially the school leadership to encourage a culture of sustainability in the school. This qualitative study with case study design explored how school leadership contributes to the implementation and sustainability of the British Council's Connecting Classrooms Project in the field of ESD in private secondary schools in Karachi, Pakistan. The data were gathered from 18 participants using purposive sampling by in-depth face-to-face interviews. All audio recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. The results indicated that distributed, collaborative, and contextual leadership practices contributed to the sustainability of ESD initiatives. The following key themes emerged as important factors to sustain ESD and build long-term education transformation: curriculum integration, teacher professional development, institutional support, international collaboration, and supportive policy frameworks.

DEVELOPMENT AND PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF PSI BELIEF AND EXPERIENCE SCALE (PBES) IN PAKISTANI SOCIO-CULTURAL CONTEXT

Sidra Mobeen ; Sameera Shafiq — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Psi phenomena refer to a range of beliefs and experiences that appear to involve knowledge, perception, or influence beyond existing known physical or sensory mechanisms. Experiences such as precognition, telepathy, psychokinesis, psychic healing and clairvoyance, have been documented across diverse cultures. Psi phenomena continue to attract scientific and psychological interest but no culturally appropriate and psychometrically validated indigenous instrument is available to assess psi beliefs and experiences among Pakistani adults. These experiences continue to be reported by many individuals and represent a significant area of investigation in mental and psychological research. However, the absence of culturally applicable assessment tools limits systematic research in non-western populations. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop and validate an indigenous measure of psi phenomena to examine its preliminary psychiatric properties. The Psi Belief and Experience Scale (PBES) were developed through focused group discussions and extensive literature review exploring indigenous conceptualization of psi phenomena. An initial pool of 41 items was generated and evaluated by subject matter experts. After expert review and pilot testing 37 items were retained, data were collected from 599 adults (262 males and 337 females) using purposive sampling. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) yielded a three-factor structure reducing the scale to 32 items. Sampling adequacy was (KMO = .904), Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity was significant, (p<.001), and three factor solution comprising 32 items, accounting 50.94% of the total variance and an excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=.904). Three factors including: .psi beliefs and experiences, openness to psi phenomena, and media based psi exposure, reflecting both experiential and contemporary social cultural dimensions of psi. The finding suggested that the PBES is a reliable and culturally grounded instrument for assessing psi beliefs and experiences in Pakistani adults and might facilitate future research on parapsychology, spirituality, and consciousness.