2026-01-12
Hashmat Ullah Khan, Cao Fengyu, Asif Iqbal Dawar
The trilateral relationship among Pakistan, India, and Iran exemplifies the complex geopolitical manoeuvring that shapes the regional strategic landscape. This paper analyses how regional security dynamics within one context can destabilize others and influence mutual perceptions, thereby complicating this triangular relationship. Each nation is prompted to reassess its strategies and alliances. The interplay of converging and diverging factors defines this relationship: India’s pursuit of regional dominance and external balancing, Iran's need for internal stability, the ideological rift with Pakistan, and Pakistan's limited proactive engagement in regional affairs serve as key catalysts. Recent tensions, such as India-Pakistan escalations and Iran’s conflict with Israel, have altered regional dynamics. This shift provides Pakistan with a strategic opportunity to align with Iran, potentially counterbalancing India’s influence in the region.
2026-01-08
Azmat Wazir, Razia Sultana Razia Sultana
The Iran-Israel conflict has caused a major geopolitical shift in Middle Eastern politics, particularly in the context of global powers that are keen to exploit the situation in their own favor. China’s role in the Middle East has also changed after the Iran and Israel backlash, as its prime goal and foremost objective is the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), for the realization of which Beijing is to play the role of mediator and economic partner. This research conducts qualitative content analyses of secondary data from to 2020-2025 to compare China’s approach with those of its competitors in the Middle East. China’s realignment policy requires it to expand its diplomatic, economic, and strategic influences. China, as a selectively neutral and economically vibrant country, is playing its part in the regional peace-building process and is benefiting from the easy flow of energy and trading routes. It does not adhere to the conventional Western model of interaction based on ideological convergence but is more adamantabout economic collaboration. Iran is an emerging strategic partner, and it is the second-largest trading partner of China; however, it also involves the risks of American sanctions, and the pro-sovereignty stance is eroding Israel’s political trust. The current study delves into the debate of hegemonic powers that balance themselves in finer struggles over regional conflicts alongside the promotion of strategic interests in a multipolar order of world politics. This is indeed a fresh contribution to modern research on the Middle East, as it does not focus on the war alone but on the Chinese realignment policy that tries to gain influence through a more robust economic way. This study attempts to answer the broader question of How China’s realignment policy is helping it gain influence in the Middle East in the presence of its Western competitors, particularly the US after the Iran-Israel conflict.
2026-01-08
journal@sbbwu.edu.pk
Full ISSIE: Vol. 19 No. 4 (2025): Winter
2026-01-08
Hassam Ahmad Hashmi, Wan Nor Jazmina Wan Ariffin Wan Nor Jazmina Wan Ariffin, Umair Munir Hashmi Umair Munir Hashmi
This study examines how young Muslims negotiate centrally accepted Sunni Islamic traditions while assimilating global modern cultural trends, and how Sunni Muslims respond to these hybrid practices. Young participants’ justifications for integrating modern elements into Sunni Islamic traditions reveal personalized interpretations of religious teachings that often diverge from macro-level orthodoxy, generating cultural divisions within society. The data was obtained by conducting semi-structured interviews involving purposively selected university members, organizational members, and senior citizens. The data were analyzed using content analysis that provided two distinct themes which are: i) Youngsters' hybridization practices and justifications for it; and ii) Pakistani society at large disapproves the youngsters' hybridizing tendencies and its justifications. Findings suggest that young participants selectively interpret Islamic principles to legitimize modern adaptations in dress, ritual, and worship, reflecting liberal and global influences on everyday religiosity. Senior citizens and community representatives view these reinterpretations as inconsistent with Sunni orthodoxy and attribute them to the spread of Western cultural norms and insufficient religious instruction among youth. The study offers insight into how globalization, digital exposure, and local orthodoxy interact in shaping contemporary Muslim identities within Pakistan’s Sunni Islamic traditions.
2026-01-08
Um-e-Farwa, Professor Dr. Malik Ghulam Behlol
Self-reflection is an introspective process that helps to lead a sound consideration of personal and professional experiences. The current inquiry intended to investigate the perceptions of prospective teachers about self-reflection and quantitatively mapped their current reflective levels using a validated self-reported questionnaire aligned with Valli’s (1997) typology. The study followed a cross-sectional survey method.1120 B.Ed. (Hon’s) prospective teachers from 4th, 6th, and 8th semesters from public sector universities were involved across Punjab using a census approach. The questionnaire was also validated. The experts ensured the content validity and the overall CVI was 0.86. While construct validity was ascertained through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, to confirm alignment with the theoretical constructs. An alpha coefficient of 0.89 indicates robust scale reliability. Data were summarised and compared using statistical analysis. The results revealed that most of the prospective teachers were aware about their self-reflection but majority of them were at preliminary level of reflection. These findings highlighted that prospective teachers need more guided support to reflect more deeply. Thus, the study concluded that integrating structured reflective practices into teacher education programmes can enhance self-awareness and promote deeper reflective levels, and support the development of effective and reflective practitioners.
2026-01-08
Ivana Vrselja, Katarina Culjak, Mario Pandzic
The Jakuševec landfill is the main landfill for Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Its proximity to residential areas has sparked protests from residents demanding better waste disposal solutions. Although its closure was planned years ago, it continues to operate due to a lack of alternatives. Over time, it has become a major environmental problem, mainly due to pollution and unpleasant odors. Despite public concern, no study has yet examined the mental health and somatic symptoms of residents living at different distances from the landfill. For this reason, the current study set out to examine this issue. A total of 823 residents of Zagreb (84.4% women) between the ages of 18 and 85 took part in the online study. Participants indicated their place of residence, reported on their mental health based on measures of depression, anxiety, stress and life satisfaction, and on the frequency of somatic symptoms. Participants indicated their place of residence and provided information on the frequency of somatic symptoms, as well as on their mental health using scales assessing life satisfaction, stress, anxiety, and depression. The results of a series of hierarchical regression analyses showed that living near the landfill was associated with reduced life satisfaction and a higher frequency of somatic complaints. These findings underscore the urgent need for the City of Zagreb to develop alternative waste management strategies that prioritize both environmental sustainability and the health and well-being of local residents.
2026-01-08
Muhammad Nawaz, Miki Nishioka, Saad Zahid
This paper analyzes the nominalization system in four Pakistani languages: Urdu, Pahari, Punjabi, and Hindko, using Shibatani’s (2017) framework. The study examines data from native speakers to identify the specific morphological features of each language, highlighting their similarities and differences. The findings reveal that Urdu employs the “ -waalaa ” marker, while Punjabi, Pahari, and Hindko use “ aalaa ” markers, each with distinct phonetic and morphological forms. In terms of relative features, Urdu uses “ jo ,” whereas Pahari, Punjabi, and Hindko utilize “ jairha, ” which varies according to gender and number. Notably, Pahari and Hindko exhibit relative-correlative constructions. All four languages use participles for nominalization and share similar genitive constructions. Urdu uses the genitive markers “ ka, ki, kay ,” Pahari uses “ na, ni, nay ,” and both Punjabi and Hindko use “da, di, day.” These genitive markers agree in gender and number across all languages. Additionally, appositives are generally similar, though Pahari uniquely employs two forms: “ kay ” and “ khay .” The study concludes that while there are distinct morphological features in each language, there are also significant overlaps. The interchangeable use of “ waalaa/aalaa ” markers and genitives for nominal expressions across these languages underscores the intricate nature of their nominalization systems. Keywords: Nominalization, Urdu, Pahari, Punjabi, Hindko, Markers
2026-01-08
Ahmet Elnur
In this study, 33 dissertations conducted in women's studies doctoral programs in Turkey between 2018 and 2024, spanning from the earliest completed dissertation to the most recent with finalized data analysis, were thematically analyzed to systematically identify the prevailing trends, themes, and social issues addressed in the generation of feminist knowledge. Theoretically, the study is based on Haraway's concept of situated knowledge and feminist critique of knowledge. Methodologically, a qualitative research design based on document analysis was used, and the data was analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-step thematic analysis, which was supported by MAXQDA software. The findings identified the following six main themes: "Feminist Activism and Empowerment," "Migration, Identity and Gender," "The Body, Health and Life Cycle Experiences," "Gender Roles and Masculinity," "Cultural, Familial and Ecological Representations," and "Everyday Life and Gender." These themes elucidate how feminist knowledge contributes to social transformation and its connection to contemporary debates regarding digitalization, care work, ecofeminism, and everyday life. The findings, which underscore the practical relevance of doctoral research and its academic contributions, emphasize the importance of women's studies doctoral programs in developing policies based on gender equality and provide a guiding framework for future researchIn this study, 33 dissertations conducted in women's studies doctoral programs in Turkey between 2018 and 2024, spanning from the earliest completed dissertation to the most recent with finalized data analysis, were thematically analyzed to systematically identify the prevailing trends, themes, and social issues addressed in the generation of feminist knowledge. Theoretically, the study is based on Haraway's concept of situated knowledge and feminist critique of knowledge. Methodologically, a qualitative research design based on document analysis was used, and the data was analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-step thematic analysis, which was supported by MAXQDA software. The findings identified the following six main themes: "Feminist Activism and Empowerment," "Migration, Identity and Gender," "The Body, Health and Life Cycle Experiences," "Gender Roles and Masculinity," "Cultural, Familial and Ecological Representations," and "Everyday Life and Gender." These themes elucidate how feminist knowledge contributes to social transformation and its connection to contemporary debates regarding digitalization, care work, ecofeminism, and everyday life. The findings, which underscore the practical relevance of doctoral research and its academic contributions, emphasize the importance of women's studies doctoral programs in developing policies based on gender equality and provide a guiding framework for future research.
2026-01-08
xueying mao, Rosila Bee Mohd Hussain, Fonny Dameaty Hutagalung
In an era when online discourse and mediated scrutiny increasingly shape public attitudes, understanding how citizens construct the image of “exemplary police” has practical importance for legitimacy and governance. This qualitative study asks: How do citizens conceptualize an exemplary police image, how do these conceptions vary across generations, what obstacles hinder image construction, and what strategic pathways might address those obstacles? Using an online Jungian free-association task (n =200;1,740descriptors) and follow-up semi-structured interviews (n = 30;>80,000 words), we applied inductive thematic analysis in NVivo 12 to generate empirically grounded findings across four birth cohorts. Results identify three core image dimensions—moral integrity, professional competence, and civic embeddedness— and reveal clear generational priorities——Baby Boomers: ethics; Gen X/early Millennials: relational trust; late Millennials/Gen Z: integrated expertise and digital responsiveness. We also identify three major gaps that hinder image construction: fragmented frameworks, conflicting enforcement–service standards, and uneven individual image awareness. To address these gaps we propose a three-part roadmap: institutionalize leadership (value alignment and accountability metrics); build organizational ecosystems (role modelling, incentives, and disciplinary clarity); and cultivate individual agency (co-created goals, peer reflection, and recognition). The study concludes that coordinated top-down, mid-level, and bottom-up strategies are necessary to co-construct a trusted, adaptable police image. Future research should test the model’s generalizability in underrepresented regions, develop quantitative validation instruments, and evaluate targeted interventions.