International Journal of Advanced Social Studies
International Journal of Advanced Social Studies is an open access double-blind peer-reviewed online journal published by Explore Scholar Publishing Group. Since the world is always changing, it's super important for us to keep up with new trends that affect us all, no matter where we live. This journal is a special place where experts from different fields come together to talk about important issues, share new ideas, and give us new ways to think about things.
British-Period Heritage and Its Role in Eco-Tourism Development: A Case Study of the Galiyat Region, Abbottabad, Pakistan
The Galiyat region of northern Pakistan preserves one of South Asia’s most intact ensembles of British-period hill-station architecture, including churches, rest houses, and civic buildings embedded within Himalayan forests. Despite its exceptional cultural and ecological value, this heritage remains largely absent from formal tourism and conservation planning. This study investigates how Galiyat’s colonial-era architecture can serve as a catalyst for eco-tourism that integrates cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and community participation. Extensive fieldwork was conducted across thirty-two British-period heritage sites, incorporating interviews with 150 stakeholders, including tourists, residents, and tour operators. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic framework, revealing that Galiyat’s heritage functions as a living landscape where architectural authenticity, adaptive reuse, community identity, and ecological interdependence converge. However, governance fragmentation and weak interpretation continue to constrain its sustainable development. In response, the research proposes the Eco-Heritage Development Model for the Galiyat Region (EHDM-G) a four-stage cyclical framework encompassing resource identification, community capacity building, eco-heritage product development, and policy integration. Anchored in environmental, cultural, and socio-economic dimensions, the model aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 15 (Life on Land). The study contributes a replicable framework for heritage-based eco-tourism planning in mountain regions, demonstrating how postcolonial landscapes can evolve into models of sustainable identity, community empowerment, and integrated heritage governance.
Copyright (c) 2025 Tunveer Qureshi, Shakir Ullah, Abdul Samad, Ruth L. Young (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Impact of Behavioral Finance on Employee Productivity: Mediating Role of Financial Decision Making
This research aims to better comprehend the impact of behavioral finance on employee productivity by investigating the mediating effect of financial decision-making. A part of financial decision-making is the link between behavioral finance and employee productivity observed with the help of prospect theory, heuristic theory, and rational decision-making theory. In this research, the researcher initially constructed a theoretical framework and subsequently formulated hypotheses. The findings of this study have explained the positive and significant effect of behavioral finance on employee productivity, along with the significant positive mediating impact of financial decision-making on behavioral finance and employee productivity. After this, the research has described a positive and significant mediating impact of financial decision-making between behavioral finance and employee productivity; all hypotheses are positive and significant except that representativeness bias, overconfidence, and herding have no significant relationship. Keywords: behavioral finance, employee productivity, and financial decision-making
Copyright (c) 2025 Muzammil Khurshid, Muhammad Azeem, Mahnoor Asmat Ullah (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Impact of Education Expenditure on Economic Growth: A Study of Selected ECO Countries
The relation between spending on education and economic growth has been a popular subject of research, where education as a human capital is an important aspect of human capital in the long-term development. This paper looks at how education expenditure affects the economic growth of some ECO nations from 1972 to 2014. Other macroeconomic variables like the participation of the labor force, household consumption, and foreign remittances are also factored in alongside education in order to have a holistic picture of their effects on growth. The secondary data has been used to analyze it, and the sources are reliable, such as the Pakistan survey, the WDI, and the SBP. The augmented Dickey-Fuller test was initially applied to test stationarity since time series data tend. Once the integration sequence of the variables had been verified, two sophisticated econometric tools were used, that is, Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS). Such approaches are especially appropriate because they address the problems of endogeneity and serial correlation, giving superior estimates of both long-run and short-run relationships between education spending and economic growth. The results indicate that the positive and statistically significant effect of the expenditure on education on the economic growth is positive. It was also discovered that labor force participation has a positive influence on growth, implying that the higher the participation in productive work, the higher the economic output. Household final consumption spending and foreign remittances, on the other hand, harmed economic growth. Overuse lowers savings and investment, which are essential in long-term development. It is time that policymakers focus on investment in education, promote higher levels of participation in the labor market, and implement other policies to redirect remittances and consumption towards productive investments to achieve long-term growth.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Shafique, Umar Ijaz Ahmed, Muhammad Rizwan, Mohsin Raza, Arqam Iqbal, Maryam Tahir, Farrukh Shahzad, Hafeez Nazar, Hassan Raza (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
This study investigates the syntactic architecture of Urdu relative clauses utilizing a mixed-methods approach. The study assimilates a corpus-based analysis with Kayne’s (1994) model. Accumulating naturally occurring Urdu data, this study categorizes relative clauses into subject relative clause, object relative clause, ergative relative clause, agentive relative clause, postpositional relative clause, and locative relative clause types, each introduced by distinct relativizers such as jo, jise, jinhon, jin se, and jahan. The results show that relativizers in Urdu are morphologically marked for number, gender, case, and function as probes that agree with their corresponding goals—particularly the head noun or embedded clause constituents. The study illustrates the role of ergative alignment in perfective structure, the syntactic integration of postpositional and locative relativizers, which encode relational and spatial semantics within clausal structures. This study demonstrates how relative clauses serve to discourse-level functions such as topicalization, focus, referential, and specificity. However, the findings suggest that Urdu employs a complex relativization strategy, equating typological properties in Indo-Aryan languages—Punjabi, Pashto, Persian, and Sanskrit—with principles of universal grammar. The study implicates second language pedagogy, computational parsing, and typological comparison, providing insights into clause accessibility, feature inheritance, and movement operations.
Copyright (c) 2025 Asad Ali, Naila Kanwal, Junaid Ashraf (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Institutional Quality, Industrialization, and Environmental Degradation: An Analysis from Selected Asian Countries
Environmental pollution is an important problem in both developing and developed economies. The worsening of the environment has to be a direct influence on the quality of human beings, or a danger to the existence of human life. The aim is to examine the factors causing environmental degradation in some selected Asian countries. We investigate the nexus between industrial production, economic growth, institutional quality, and environmental degradation in the selected economies in Asia from 2011 to 2020 by applying the GMM technique. Findings reveal that the increase in industrialization and economic growth increases environmental degradation. Moreover, institutional quality, energy consumption, trade openness, and labor force participation rate are the major causes of environmental degradation in these selected Asian countries. Energy policies should emphasize on supply of better quality energy by using other sources. There is also a need to enhance the efficient use of energy consumption. Some measures should be taken to enhance the growth of the agricultural sector to alleviate environmental pressure. Institutional quality should be improved.
Copyright (c) 2025 Durdana Qaiser Gillani, Khalid Mahmood Mughal, Sumra Khalid, Iqbal Javed (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Impact of Energy Prices, Consumption, and Government Effectiveness on Manufacturing Output: Evidence from Pakistan
This study investigates the impacts of energy price, consumption, and government effectiveness on the yields of the manufacturing sector of Pakistan. The data is taken from 1998 to 2023. The Unit root and ADRL bound testing are used to estimate short and long run impacts of energy prices, consumption, and government effectiveness on manufacturing output along the control variables; growth domestic product growth, trade, raw material prices, foreign direct investment, covid-19 dummy. The results concluded that the foreign direct investment, gross domestic product growth, trade, energy consumption, and government effectiveness have a positive relationship with manufacturing output. While the raw material price, trade, energy prices, and COVID-19 dummy have negative associations with manufacturing output. In light of the high energy prices, energy consumption, and government effectiveness this study provides the policy suggestions based on finding that can be useful for the growth of the manufactured sector performance.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ghulam Ghouse (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Nexus between Economic Growth and Environmental Degradation: An Analysis from Developing Countries
Naturally, human beings unceasingly search for change and are involved in small or huge commercial actions that are intended to achieve the fundamental needs and protect their interests in any credible way. Considering the significance of the environment, we have emphasized the economic factors, human development, and energy consumption affecting environmental degradation in developing nations. We have used data from 2001 to 2022 and employed the fixed effect method for the analysis. The study results showed that energy consumption and human development resulted in more environmental degradation in developing countries. The results also showed that economic growth and trade openness tended to increase environmental degradation. The study suggested more improvement in the environment in these economies. There should be more usage of safe and clean energy in production processes for a clean environment. Furthermore, the Government should provide more educational facilities and jobs to different segments of the population for their higher earnings and improved living standards. Finally, there is a dire need for more provision of energy resources for more growth, production, and welfare in these Asian countries.
Copyright (c) 2025 Zeeshan Muhammad Yasir, Ahmad Jan Essa, Nishwa Khan, Durdana Qaiser Gillani (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
IMF’s Policies, Social Spending and Human Development: An Analysis from South Asian Countries
IMF policies can considerably affect South Asian economies through lending, policy advice, and conditionality attached to financial assistance. The IMF's support, together with loans under the extensive credit facility, extended fund facility, and resilience and sustainability facility, can help stabilize the economies predominantly throughout periods of crisis. Though these policies can also lead to economic adjustments and reforms, which may affect positively and negatively the various sectors and segments of the population. Considering the effects of the IMF’s policies, we have checked the impact of social spending and trade on human development in some South Asian countries. Regression results showed that general Government health expenditures, education, and trade have enhanced human development in the South Asian countries. However, the real interest rate negatively affected the human development of the people in these countries because of the involvement of lending institutions. It is suggested that the Government should allocate more budget towards health and education in these economies. There should be a stable economic and political environment for attracting more investment from abroad. Moreover, there should be fewer conditions and policy interventions by the lending authorities. Finally, there is a need to diversify the economies, reshape their relationship with international financial institutions, and provide the population with sufficient amenities for uplifting their living standard.
Copyright (c) 2025 Zeeshan Muhammad Yasir, Nishwa Khan, Talat Munazza, Muhammad Bilal Rafaqat (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
A Critical Analysis of Judicial Structure of Pakistan’s Apex Court: Pre- and Post-26th Constitutional Amendment
Since Pakistan’s independence in 1947, the Supreme Court has undergone significant constitutional transformations, shaped by numerous amendments aimed at realizing the true spirit of the Constitution and the will of the state. The Constitution of 1973 established core objectives of constitutional supremacy, separation of powers, judicial autonomy, and the protection of fundamental rights. Within this framework, the 26th Constitutional Amendment stands as a landmark reform with profound implications for the judiciary’s structure and role. This study critically analyzes the procedural, structural, and functional impacts of the amendment. Key changes include fixing the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s tenure at three years, restructuring the Judicial Commission of Pakistan and the Parliamentary Committee, and introducing controversial grounds for the removal of the Chief Justice. Proponents argue these reforms enhance transparency, democratize judicial governance, and limit the concentration of authority. Critics, however, contend that they erode judicial independence, politicize appointments, and dilute the principle of separation of powers. Employing doctrinal and comparative methodology, this research evaluates the amendment through the lenses of separation of powers, rule of law, and judicial independence, drawing parallels with similar reforms in Hungary and Poland. Findings suggest that while the amendment may increase parliamentary oversight and accountability, it simultaneously risks political manipulation and undermines judicial impartiality. Notably, curtailing the Supreme Court’s Suo-Motu powers under Article 184(3), once a vital tool to protect fundamental rights, further complicates the balance between judicial activism and legislative authority. The study concludes that reforms must be guided by principles of merit-based appointments, financial autonomy, and transparent removal mechanisms. Without such safeguards, the 26th Amendment threatens to reverse decades of progress in strengthening judicial independence. This research contributes to constitutional scholarship by underscoring the urgent need for reforms that reinforce, rather than compromise, Pakistan’s democratic governance and judicial credibility.
Copyright (c) 2025 Haq Nawaz, Manual Selvaraj Bexci (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Effect of Artificial Intelligence Tools Usage on Students' Classroom Performance among Undergraduate Students: An Experimental Study
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools usage and classroom performance have shown a positive relationship in the present time. Despite recent history, AI has an increasing relationship with the classroom performance of students. This experimental study aims to explore the effect of artificial intelligence (AI) tools usage on students’ classroom performance among undergraduate level students in the Health and Physical Education (HPE) program. A sample of 24 first-semester students was selected using a convenience sampling technique. The experimental group received AI instruction tools with the help of ChatGPT, and the control group received traditional pedagogical instruction. Pre- and post-tests, along with MCQs MCQ-based questionnaire, were administered to assess performance, knowledge retention, critical thinking, motivation, and engagement of the understudies with the help of AI tools. This pretest-posttest design was employed to evaluate both the frequency of AI tool usage and the comparison of academic performance before and after a two-week AI-integrated instructional intervention. The study used quantitative measures and applied descriptive statistical tests, paired sample t-tests to determine significance. Result analysis has shown a significant improvement in both groups, by favoring the experimental group in terms of classroom performance and knowledge retention. Results indicated a notable improvement in both AI tool usage, student performance and comparison of academic performance, suggesting a positive impact of AI-based educational technologies. However, the study’s time series experimental design, short follow-up period and limited time represent limitations. To make research better, the effect of AI tools usage is related to long-term experimentation and exploring how different demographics can benefit from these interventions.
Copyright (c) 2025 Liaqat Ali, Aleena Chaudhry, Saeeda Samin (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Impact of Climate Change on Physical Health and Health Care System. A Scoping Review
Climate change is an escalating global threat to physical health and the resilience of healthcare systems. This scoping review synthesizes current evidence on both the direct and indirect effects of climate change on physical health, with implications for healthcare infrastructure, service delivery, and workforce capacity. Direct effects include heat-related disorders and cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, while indirect effects encompass vector- and water-borne diseases, nutritional deficiencies, and occupational health hazards. Vulnerable populations—including children, older adults, and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups—experience disproportionate impacts, worsening existing health inequities. The review further identifies significant strains on healthcare systems, including infrastructure weaknesses, increased disease burden, supply chain disruptions, workforce shortages, and economic consequences. Adaptation and mitigation strategies such as climate-resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, public awareness initiatives, and policy integration are critical to enhancing system preparedness. Despite increasing recognition of these issues, research gaps—especially in low- and middle-income countries—persist. This review underscores the pressing need for integrated, equity-focused, and interdisciplinary approaches to safeguard physical health and enhance healthcare systems in the face of a changing climate.
Copyright (c) 2024 Wajiha Shahid (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Impact of Instructional Medium on University Students’ Learning Challenges and Quality of Learning in Pakistan
The quality of learning among university students in Pakistan is deeply influenced by the medium of instruction and the socio-economic context in which students learn. This study investigates how the use of English and Urdu as instructional medium affects students’ understanding of lectures, learning motivation, and overall academic performance. A quantitative research design was employed using a structured questionnaire administered to 496 university students selected through convenience sampling. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis. The findings reveal that students face significant comprehension difficulties when lectures are delivered in English, especially those from Urdu-medium or low socio-economic backgrounds. Although the medium of instruction showed limited direct correlation with learning quality, it strongly influenced students’ confidence and participation in class. The study concludes that aligning instructional language with students’ linguistic competence can enhance learning outcomes and motivation. It recommends teacher training programs, improved English language support, and inclusive pedagogical strategies to bridge the gap between instructional medium and effective learning quality in higher education.
Copyright (c) 2024 Shahbaz Ahmad, Syedah Hoor Fatima (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Impact of ETTE Training Project on English Language Skills of Secondary School Teachers in Punjab, Pakistan
The study sought to determine the influence of an ETTE training initiative on the English language abilities of secondary school teachers in Punjab, Pakistan. In Sargodha district, the population consisted only of SSTs/SSEs and their heads. The sample comprised of 204 secondary school teacher trainees and 102 head teachers. The Kirkpatrick model was chosen in conjunction with specialists, and all four levels were employed in this study to highlight all significant aspects of the training. For this reason, two questionnaires, one for teachers and one for heads, were developed using Kirkpatrick's levels and evaluation tools by the British Council, which they utilized to evaluate the ETTE training initiative. The reactions were mostly favorable and encouraging. The outcomes of the learning level results revealed that everyone who participated gained new knowledge and skills through the ETTE training project. Following this instruction, their attitudes improved, and their confidence and commitment levels climbed. According to the poll results, instructors used what they learned in the classroom. Conclusions of level four revealed that where this training initiative was executed or even attempted to be transmitted on the job, it had highly encouraging results. The level of instruction and learning was improved. Instructors and pupils both loved their classes, and rates of dropout were reduced. In a nutshell, all stakeholders may profit significantly from this training initiative, and public institutions can only produce positive outcomes if learners get assistance, reinforcement, and reward, as well as being closely assessed for training transfer.
Copyright (c) 2024 Muhammad Abu Bakr, Riffat-un-Nisa Awan, Shazia Noreen, Mateen Iqbal (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Factors Affecting Consumer Behavior Regarding Online Shopping: A Case Study of Faisalabad
The younger generation in underdeveloped countries is starting to shop online to buy and sell things after it worked well in more developed countries. It is also getting better because of new technology. It makes it easier for people to buy things from home by saving them time and energy. This study examined the determinants influencing customer behavior about online purchasing in developing nations such as Pakistan. There are a number of things that can affect how people shop online, such as financial risk, product risk, convenience, the risk of not getting the item, the return policy, damaged items, and the quality of the products. The influence of these and other factors on consumer behavior was evaluated through online shopping. This study utilized random sampling to choose about 230 respondents from Faisalabad, Pakistan's third largest city. A well-organized questionnaire was made to gather information. We used principal component analysis to figure out what characteristics affect how people in Faisalabad shop online. The results indicated that a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value exceeding 0.50 signifies the appropriateness of the sampling for principal component analysis, while the anticipated Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) statistic of 0.720 demonstrates the sufficiency of the factor analysis. We talked about a total of 9 components and 29 constraints of variables that described the main aspects that affected online shopping. But there were three main things that had an effect on online purchasing. The first part was browsing the internet, the second part was convenience, and the third part was saving time.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ayesha Rouf , Tahira Sadaf, Abdullah Hammad, Nazia Tabasam (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
An Exploration of Verbal-Linguistics Intelligence (VLI) Levels among Undergraduate English Students
English play significant role in every aspect of humans, in studies and practical verbal skills that managed the numerous aspects of daily life. Verbal Linguistic Intelligence (VLI) also matters for English students because it helps students succeed academically, communicate better, and prepare for the future. Understanding or improving VLI can lead to better results and a more rewarding educational experience for English students. This paper explored the Verbal linguistic intelligence (VLI) levels amongst undergraduate English students in the Faculty of English department enrolled in Pakistani universities and gender-based comparison was made. Students of English departments of University of Sargodha were selected conveniently. Data were obtained using a self-report checklist of 10 items based on the Armstrong, (1993) multiple intelligence checklists which was pilot tested and Cronbach alpha value was found 0.89. Findings indicated that majority of students were characterized by the tendency of possessing good Verbal linguistics Intelligence (VLI) but not developed an equal appeal toward all language-oriented tasks. Analysis of VLI scores on gender based showed significant difference between in gender-based comparison. Female students are better than male students in VLI. It was concluded that male students’ needs to receive more encouragement in their striving to have STEAM education.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mateen Iqbal, Usama Munawar, Masood Hussain Shah, Muhammad Abu Bakr (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Examine the Impact of Energy Cost on the Food Inflation: Fresh Evidence from Pakistan Economy
Food and fuel are essential components of human survival throughout the natural and economic cycles. Inflation and energy costs are major concerns among politicians and academics, particularly the global crude oil price shock after 1970 and the current surge in global oil prices. The growth in energy consumption has a variety of repercussions on the agri-industry, including increased agricultural output and food supply on the one hand, but also increased food prices. The main aim of the study is to investigate the effect of energy cost on food inflation in the case of Pakistan. To achieve the above objectives, this study used the data from 1973 to 2022 in the case of Pakistan, which was collected from World Development Indicators (WDI) and the economic survey of Pakistan, and employed the ARDL technique to estimate the model. This study found that in the long run, the agricultural land, machinery, petrol/oil consumption, and electricity in the agricultural sector, agricultural production, and water availability have a negative effect on food inflation. However, the energy inflation has a positive effect, while the gas consumption in the agricultural sector has no effect on food prices. This study concluded that energy cost has a harmful effect on food inflation. This study recommended that the government should have tight governance, subsidy reforms, farm sector changes, a shift from non-renewable to renewable energy, and a monetary policy free of political interference.
Copyright (c) 2025 Sajid Ali, Khalid Mahmood Mughal, Durdana Qaiser Gillani (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Impact of Economic Openness, Financial Inclusion, and Unemployment on Income Inequality in Asian Countries
Inequalities within the society demonstrated to be traditionally, main reasons for conflicts between social classes, leading most of the time to strikes, riots, or even chaos or civil wars, all of which hinder the society's development. So, lessening the inequalities or at least controlling them is a subject for each country. Highlighting this issue, our work considers the role of urban population, financial inclusion, financial development, industrialization, economic openness, and unemployment rate in Asian countries. OLS results point out that urban population, foreign direct investment, and trade openness lead to a decrease the income inequality. However, financial inclusion, financial development, and unemployment rate have increased the unequal distribution of income in these Asian countries. The study suggests for more stable political and economic system for attracting more employment and foreign investments. Furthermore, there was also a need for an improved financial system for more provision of finance. The government should provide more jobs to the segments of the population to achieve high growth and development, and to lessen poverty.
Copyright (c) 2025 Asima Gulistan, Ahmed Jan Essa, Ain ul Abidin, Durdana Qaiser Gillani (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Impact of Money Supply and External Debt on Inflation: A Panel ARDL Analysis from SAARC Countries
Inflation has appeared as a crucial and persistent challenge to sustainable development across many developing countries, making unemployment worse, increasing poverty, and deteriorating the financial stability of the economies. Inflation involves an increase in the cost of consumer commodities and erodes purchasing power, predominantly upsetting poor populations, and can intensify poverty levels due to the higher cost of goods. It has been observed a sustained rise in the overall prices of goods has been observed in diverse SAARC countries. Considering the significance of this emerging issue, our research has focused on the major factors causing inflation in the SAARC countries. We have used data from 1991 to 2021 for the analysis. ARDL results show that in the long run, money supply, imports, external debt, and urban population have caused high inflation in SARC countries. However, money supply, external debt, and urban population resulted in high inflationary pressure in the short run in these countries. Our study recommends the money supply management in these countries. Moreover, there should be control over external debt and imports of the products. The focus should be more on export promotion strategies rather than import substitution strategies. Finally, there is a dire need to control the urban population in SAARC countries.
Copyright (c) 2025 Abdullah, Maha Mubeen, Iram Batool (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Nexus between Digitalization and Economic Growth: Evidence from Developing Countries
Information, communication, and technology have played a tremendous role in fostering the economic growth of developing economies. To highlight the significant role of digitalization on growth, this research has focused on the contributing role of education, financial development, and urban population. We have used data from the time span of 2002 to 2020 of 12 developing economies to check the relationship between dependent and independent variables. GDP per capita was taken as the dependent variable. Independent variables were digitalization, education, financial development, and urban population. By using the random effect technique, it was found that digitalization has boosted the economic growth of developing countries. Moreover, education, financial development, and urban population also enhanced the economic growth of developing economies. The study suggested more education and usage of information and communication technology in these selected countries. Finally, more employment opportunities should be provided in urban areas to absorb more population in production processes for achieving high economic growth.
Copyright (c) 2025 Mudassar Yasin, Sana Rashid, Faisal Swati (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Determinants of Financial Inclusion in South Asia: Evidence from the Global Findex 2021
This study investigates the determinants of financial inclusion in South Asia using micro-level data from the Global Findex 2021, covering 8,009 individuals across six countries (excluding Bhutan and Maldives). It examines how socioeconomic, demographic, and individual characteristics influence three dimensions of financial inclusion: account ownership, formal savings, and formal borrowing. Logistic regression results show that age, education, and digital access significantly increase the likelihood of owning a bank account and holding formal savings. However, women, non-working individuals, and middle- to upper-income rural residents are less likely to be financially included. While formal savings are positively associated with education, formal borrowing appears more need-driven, showing limited association with education or resilience. Gender disparities persist across all dimensions, with women consistently less likely to engage with formal financial systems. The findings call for targeted financial inclusion strategies that address gender, employment status, and digital access gaps, particularly in rural areas.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Asim, Waqas Shair, Rizwan Ul Hassan, Rabea Iftikhar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Exploring the Causal Relationship between Time Use Behavior and Residential Electricity Consumption in Central Punjab, Pakistan
The current paper studies the causal relation between the time-use behavior, which is the daily allocation of time spent at work, at home, at leisure, and resting, and the residential energy consumption, in the cities of Lahore and Faisalabad, Pakistan. With an increase in energy use and urban populations, determining behavioral determinants of electricity use is vital to demand-side energy management approaches. Using 200 households that were sampled using structured recall time-use surveys, the study presents a combination of descriptive statistics and Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition to analyse the findings. As its title suggests, it investigates the influence of socioeconomic dimensions, time use, ownership of appliances, and energy consciousness on the pattern of electricity consumption. Stratified random sampling was applied to secure representation of levels of income and types of households. Results indicate that the majority of respondents consume more than 12 hours at home on working days, and energy consumption is directly connected to time use patterns, conservation habits, and awareness of appliance efficiency. More than half of the energy-conscious households implemented the energy-saving technologies: solar panels, knowledge of time-of-use tariffs, and change of inefficient appliances. The decomposition analysis indicates a forced consumption gap that appears between Lahore and Faisalabad. The one that is explained is associated with individualistic and observable aspects of ownership of appliances and family structure, whereas the not explained part is composed of contextual and behavioural factors reflective of informal economies, flexible lifelines, and social norms.
Copyright (c) 2025 Zahra Zafar, Tahira Sadaf, Ayesha Rouf, Nazia Tabasam, Wisha Raza (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Financial Inclusion, Foreign Direct Investment and Human Development: An Analysis from Middle-Income Countries
Human development is vital for human welfare and for the overall development of a country. Current work highlights the role of important variables affecting human development in middle-income countries. We have used a panel data set and the OLS technique for the analysis. Human development was used as a dependent variable, and financial inclusion, ICT, economic growth, urban population, and foreign direct investment were taken as independent variables. OLS regression results show that financial inclusion, information communication, and technology seem to be enhancing human development in the economies. Moreover, economic growth, urban population, and foreign direct investment also contributed positively to human development. The study recommends more ICT opportunities in countries to achieve more human development. Much focus should be made on investments and growth to boost human development. Finally, there should be a more stable financial and political system to attract investments.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ahmad Jan Essa, Sana Ullah, Kiran Bibi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Economic Growth and Welfare with Education, Financial Development and Gross Fixed Capital Formation in Asian Countries
Economic growth would not be achievable without the support of education, ICT, and financial development in Asian economies. Human welfare is an integral part of sustainable economic development. Before achieving sustainable development, it is very crucial to work for the development of human beings. The research highlights the significance of education in financial development and gross fixed capital formation in Asian countries. We have used data from 2009 to 2021 from 8 Asian economies for the analysis. OLS regression result shows that education and ICT contribute much towards economic growth. However, unemployment seems to affecting negatively the growth. Finally, financial development and gross fixed capital formation also affect positively the growth of Asian nations. The study suggests more education and ICT facilities for the people. More employment opportunities and credit facilities should be provided to needy people. It will increase the economic growth and welfare of the concerned nations.
Copyright (c) 2025 Khalid Mahmood Mughal, Bushra Khanum, Anila Issa Khan, Hafiza Nadia Bashir (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Impact of Economic Growth and Energy Consumption on Environmental Degradation: An Evidence from Selected Asian countries
Environmental degradation has become an emerging issue that has been debated by researchers and policymakers around the globe. This environmental pollution may have adversarial influences on the living standard and life quality of humans. In keeping this issue in view, this research identified the major determinants of environmental degradation in 13 selected Asian economies by using data from 2009 and 2020 by using the GMM technique. Findings reveal that the increase in gross domestic product and industrialization increases environmental degradation. Results also show an environmental Kuznets curve. Moreover, gross domestic product square, energy consumption, and gross fixed capital formation are the major causes of environmental degradation in these selected Asian countries. The study suggested for better role of institutions in controlling emissions, ecological reductions, and improving green growth. There was also a need for better energy policies to control emissions and increase growth and development in the concerned economies. Finally, the focus should be made on the growth of the industrial sector.
Copyright (c) 2025 Qudsia Arshad, Zeeshan Muhammad Yasir, Iram Batool (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Impact of IMF Policies on Economic Growth of Developing Countries
IMF was created in the light of the Bretton Woods agreement in nineteen hundred and forty-six. The initial mandate of the fund was to manage international trading through the correction of the balance of payment problems of member countries. Later on, the fund diversified its mandate and included economic growth also as one of its targets. Recently the fund has been actively engaged in developing countries through its programmes of structural enhancement and enhanced structural adjustment programmes. It was realized that funds policies had failed most of developing countries. In order to highlight this issue, we have used data from nine developing economies and checked the effect of IMF policies on the growth of their economies. OLS results showed that trade openness, interest rate, and education affected positively the growth of these economies during this time period. The study suggested more free trade among economies for having high economic growth. IMF should avoid making rigid tax policies for recipient countries Finally, funds’ allocation and proper utilization should be ensured among these countries.
Copyright (c) 2025 Khalid Mahmood Mughal, Kinza Iqbal (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Improving Conceptual Understanding of Science and Math through Game-based Learning among 2nd Grade Students
This study investigated the impact of game-based teaching on the academic performance of 2nd-grade students in Science and Math at a private school in Lahore. Employing a quantitative, experimental design within the positivism paradigm, it utilized a non-equivalent pretest- posttest control group design. The independent variable was game-based teaching, while the dependent variable was students' academic achievement in the subjects. Two sections of students (30 each) were randomly assigned as a control group (traditional teaching) and an experimental group (game-based teaching). The intervention lasted three months, during which the curriculum content for Math and Science was delivered differently to each group. Pre- tests and post-tests were developed and validated to assess students’ performance before and after the intervention. Statistical analyses, including paired-sample t-tests and independent sample t-tests, were conducted to evaluate the hypotheses. Results indicated that the experimental group demonstrated significant improvement in academic performance compared to the control group. The study concludes that incorporating games into education enriches the learning experience and fosters essential life skills alongside academic knowledge.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hina Amin, Sana Amin, Iftikhar Ahmed Baig (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Analyzing the Effects of Socio-economic Factors on Access to Higher Education in Pakistan
This study investigates how socio-economic factors influence access to higher education in Pakistan, employing a mixed-methods approach with 1,200 participants aged 18-25 from five provinces. Quantitative data was analyzed through multiple regression analysis while qualitative insights were gathered from interviews with university administrators and education policy experts. Findings reveal that family income, parental education, geographical location, and gender significantly impact higher education enrollment, with parental education emerging as the strongest predictor (β = 0.392). The study documents stark disparities: enrollment rates of 12.3% in the lowest income bracket versus 78.0% in the highest; 9.3% enrollment for children of parents with no formal education versus 90.0% for those with higher education; and considerable urban-rural divide (56.7% versus 29.2%). These factors interact to create compounded disadvantages for marginalized groups, particularly females from low-income rural households. The research underscores the need for multi-dimensional interventions addressing economic, geographical, and gender-specific barriers to create a more equitable educational landscape in Pakistan.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ali Imran Nasir, Sajid Khan, Yaqub Arshad Abdullah, Nisar Ahmed Solungi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Impact of Inflation, Information, Communication and Technology on Unemployment: An Analysis from Developing Countries
Unemployment has been observed as a major issue among the developing and developed economies. Economists and policymakers have provided several choices to deal with this major problem, but economies are still experiencing this problem. Labor force participation rate, industrialization, and information and communication technology seem to be affecting the unemployment rate among the developing economies. Considering the significance, the existing work has focused on the role of these factors affecting the unemployment rate. We have used the unemployment rate as the dependent variable. However, exports, inflation, labor force participation rate, industrialization, and information and communication technology have been used as independent variables. The random effect result showed that labor force participation rate affected the unemployment rate significantly. Moreover, exports, industrialization, and information, communication, and technology seemed to be decreasing the unemployment rate in developing economies. The study findings recommend more technical education and skills for labor to be absorbed in jobs and industries. Moreover, the Government should focus on the provision of information, communication, and technology to achieve high economic growth and lower unemployment.
Copyright (c) 2025 Iram Batool, Ayesha Rehan, Qudsia Arshad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
How do University Education, Health Expenditures and Gross Fixed Capital Formation Affect Economic Growth: An Evidence from SAARC Countries
Human capital plays a leading role in advancing social well-being by enhancing labor output and productivity to create long-term market success. Considering this, our research makes an effort to highlight the role of university education and health care expenditures along with other factors in SAARC countries. We have used data from 1972 to 2022 for the analysis. The ARDL result showed that trade openness, university education, labor force participation, and gross fixed capital formation have significant effects on the growth of SAARC countries in the short run. However, trade openness, university education, and gross fixed capital formation seemed to affect the growth of the concerned economies in the long run. On the basis of findings, it is recommended that Governments of these economies must focus more on the education and health care of their people for their better welfare. There is also a need to eliminate trade barriers for better regional market access for these countries. Countries must focus on more capital formation to achieve high growth.
Copyright (c) 2025 Sumra Khalid, Khalid Mahmood Mughal (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Determinants of Under Five Mortality Rate: An Empirical Evidence from Selected Developing Economies
Under-five mortality is a key indicator of child health and overall national development. This study investigates the major factors influencing under-five mortality rates in developing countries. Using panel data and treating the under-five mortality rate as the dependent variable, the authors applied a random effects model to assess the impact of immunization coverage, access to safe drinking water, urban population size, and economic growth. The findings reveal that higher immunization rates, improved access to safe drinking water, and increased urbanization are associated with reductions in under-five mortality. Additionally, economic growth appears to contribute to further declines in child mortality. Based on these results, the study recommends that governments in developing countries enhance healthcare services and invest in public health infrastructure. Furthermore, policies promoting economic growth and improved living standards are essential for better health outcomes among children.
Copyright (c) 2025 Sana Rashid, Muhammad Bilal Rafaqat, Iqbal Javed, Sameer Awan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0