FWU Journal of Social Sciences

The The Role of Clan Elders and Local Justice in Building Resilience against Extremist Ideologies in Pakistan

Ayaz Khan — 2026-01-08

Terrorism studies for the past two decades have been reliant on an insistent Euro
centrism that consistently overlooks indigenous resilience capabilities and resilience
opportunities in the Global South. This article examines the role of traditional
governance and justice mechanisms (clan elders, jirga justice and community based
processes) in Pakistan in relation to how they shape responses to extremist ideologies.
It combines decolonial theory and primary data from North Waziristan, Dir Valley,
Khyber District and urban students to demonstrate key features of localized
mechanisms that allow for family and community resilience against extremist
ideologies. The results indicate that traditional authority, alongside youth
mobilization, religious authority and state-led P/CVE agendas can provide
communities with significant capacity to enact Preventing/Countering Violent
Extremism (P/CVE). Resilience mechanisms are simultaneously mobilizing resources
that create social cohesion and challenge extremists narratives to form a multi-layered
resilience model. There are some limitations to resilience mechanisms such as the
impacts of gendered biases, hierarchical abuses and elite capture that lessen
inclusiveness and sustainability. Unlike previous studies that primarily focus on state
led counterterrorism or Western theoretical models, this article introduces a decolonial
and community-centered framework that foregrounds indigenous justice systems—
such as jirgas and clan elders—as viable mechanisms of resilience against extremist
ideologies in Pakistan. It fills a major gap in terrorism studies by systematically
connecting decolonial theory with empirical insights from Pakistan’s tribal and urban
contexts.

FromLocalization to Globalization: Modern Cultural Hybridization of Centralized Sunni Islamic Indigenous Values

Hassam Ahmad Hashmi — 2026-01-08

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.

Quality Learning Management: Framework Design to Support and Understand in the Digital Era

Fitri Nurmahmudah — 2026-01-12

The development of technology is a challenge and at the same time provides benefits
for the element of education. The main factor that education can be part of
development is having the management ability. The purpose (1) to know the aspects
that modern teachers need to have in educating and (2) to create a conceptual
framework for student management. The research method is qualitative with a case
study design. Data collection using interviews. Data validity using source
triangulation. The research procedure uses the Yin model. Data analysis is done with
the help of Atlas.ti software. The result is that children's education according to their
time has important indicators. Research novelty that needs to be understood are aspects
of teachers and learning management. The integration of teacher skills aspects is to be
a learning partner, active-creative-and-innovative, to be a role model for students, and
to have broad insights, while novelty from the learning aspect is two components,
namely synergy and tool design. The conceptual framework of the results describes
the whole circle of learning management consisting of collaboration between parents
students-teachers in utilizing technology to improve the development of thinking
patterns, and learning models, and improve learning achievement.

Navigating the CSR Paradox in Extractive Industries: AMultivariate Study onCSR Performance and Social Acceptance of Local Communities

Yosef Hilarius Timu Pera — 2026-01-08

Extractive industry operations often face social challenges, particularly in gaining
acceptance from local communities. One common strategy employed by company to
secure Social License to Operate(SLO) is through implementation of Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) programs, which typically take the form of either charity-based
initiatives or empowerment-oriented interventions. CSR programs that are responsive
to the needs and expectations of the community have the potential to foster harmonious
relationships between companies and local stakeholders. In contrast, low levels of
social acceptance may escalate into community resistance and conflict. Building on
this context, the present study aims to examine the differential relationship between
CSR performance and social acceptance, based on the distinct characteristics of
charity-based and empowerment-oriented CSR programs. This study highlights a
paradox in the objectives of CSR practices within extractive industries: the pressure to
secure short-term social support through charitable programs often stands in contrast
to the long-term commitment to sustainable development through community
empowerment initiatives. Data were collected through a structured survey involving
449 respondents residing in proximity to geothermal operations in West Java,
Indonesia, utilizing a stratified sampling method. The findings indicate that CSR
performance has a moderately strong influence on social acceptance. Moreover,
multivariate analysis reveals that CSR performance significantly affects social
acceptance, with charity-based programs exerting a stronger influence than
empowerment-based ones. This disparity is largely attributed to the characteristics of
the local community, which tend to be pragmatic, possess limited formal education,
and prioritize immediate tangible benefits.

Discursive Construction of Gendered Nationalism in Armed Conflict of Pakistan and India: A Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis

Dr. Humaira Riaz — 2026-01-12

Idealized masculine discourse is often used to define nationalism. ‘Rescue of
women’ and the motherland by the state and military legitimize the gendered
power within contemporary discourse. This study employed a feminist critical
discourse analysis perspective to reveal gendered ideologies in the discourse
surrounding the Pakistan-India armed conflict in May 2025. It examined four
special briefing documents released on May 8-9, 2025, bythe Ministry of External
Affairs, Government of India, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government
of Pakistan. Using the qualitative research method, the study applied Lazar’s
Feminist CDA to analyse power, ideology, representation, and silence in these
documents. Braun & Clark’s thematic analysis helped identify themes of
militarized masculinity and silencing, reinforcing gendered nationalism exercised
by both nations. The findings demonstrate that states strategically construct
national identity through gendered discourse. This research is significant for
highlighting the powerful feminist discourse embedded in the geopolitical context
of South Asia, which often propagates military conflicts through nationalist,
gendered, and strategic narratives. It adds to existing feminist scholarship by
showing how representational strategies influence public perceptions of war. The
study also offers new insight for rethinking national identity, especially in South
Asia, amid social, political, and military tensions.

Construct the Exemplary Chinese Police Image: Public Perceptions and Generational Differences

xueying mao — 2026-01-08

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.

Women’sStudiesin Turkish Academia: Exploring KnowledgeProduction through Doctoral Dissertations

Ahmet Elnur — 2026-01-08

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.

Self-reflection and Gender Dynamics: Mapping Perception and Reflective Levels of Prospective Teachers of B. Ed (Hons) program

Um-e-Farwa — 2026-01-08

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.

Framing Slant of Nepali Print Media about the US during MCC Saga

Dipak Devkota — 2026-01-08

This paper examines the United States’ image during Millennium challenge
Corporation (MCC) in Nepal reflected in three print media outlets in Nepal. News
framing of the USA plays the public opinion-making role to the people during mostly
debated US’s politics and strategy project conceal with economic and development
aspects. Explanatory sequential content analysis methods have been applied to
scrutinize the contents published from Dec 16, 2021 to March 29, 2022. This study
found that the accessibility of US and her initiative in media contents was slightly
more negative (35.6%) with a lower percentage of positive tone (34.8%) reflected in
news, editorials, opinions, interviews, and remarks related to it. The aspects like
sovereignty and politics, economic, and infrastructure & development aspect frames
dominated the positive tone where strategic and cultural aspects frames found with
negative tone. Based on Entman’s media framing theory, the result highlights the four
broad image of United States as confronting global power, geopolitical agendas with
faithful economic development, supersede national interests of small country, standing
as an instrument in divisive and disruptive politic, grappling with cultural identity.

A Comparative Analysis of Yemen,Saudi Arabia and Indonesian DeradicalizationProgram, Approaches and Best Practices

Qazi Jamil — 2026-01-08

Deradicalization has emerged as a pivotal soft-power strategy in response to the global
proliferation of violence perpetrated by non-state actors, extremist ideologies, and
terrorist networks. Designed to counter radical thought and enable the reintegration of
affected individuals into society, deradicalization initiatives have been implemented
in diverse forms across countries such as Yemen, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia. This
study adopts qualitative methodologies and comparative analysis to critically examine
the national programs, such as violent extremist measures (CVE) with efforts to gain
public support through the “hearts and minds” approach which were mainly framed
within the context of religious radicalization, explicitly focusing on tackling the rise
of Islamic extremism through what was called a “battle of ideas” with particular focus
on deradicalization efforts in Yemen, Indonesia, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
(KSA) and identifies best practices, essential components, and inherent limitations..
The findings demonstrate that no universal model of deradicalization exists; rather,
each program is firmly embedded within its distinct cultural, political, and social
milieu. Nonetheless, certain commonalities emerge across cases, including the use of
psychological counseling, vocational training, and constructive engagement by state
authorities. These shared elements highlight core principles that can inform the design
of tailored, context-sensitive deradicalization frameworks.

Mental Health and Somatic Symptoms of Residentsin Relation to Landfill Site Proximity

Ivana Vrselja — 2026-01-08

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.

China’s Realignment Policy in the Middle East after Iran-Israel Conflict

Azmat Wazir — 2026-01-08

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.

A Cross-Linguistic Study of Grammatical Nominalization in Pakistani Languages

Muhammad Nawaz — 2026-01-08

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

The Trilateral Impasse: The Strategic Rivalry and Complex Interplay of Pakistan, India and Iran

Hashmat Ullah Khan — 2026-01-12

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.

Vol. 19 No. 4 (2025): Winter

journal@sbbwu.edu.pk — 2026-01-08

Full ISSIE: Vol. 19 No. 4 (2025): Winter