The study was carried out since 2025 in the rural area of the district of Peshawar. The primary objective of the study was to investigate the effects of BISP on small-scale business activities in the rural areas of District Peshawar. The total number of respondents was 227: Suleman Khel 47, Khazana Bala 45, Afithozai 63, and Ahozai 72. Through the interview schedule, data were collected from the respondents. Through SPSS, the data was analysed. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. The result shows that 14 respondents were only involved in small business activities out of 227. The main reason was that the allocated funds were insufficient, while most respondents spent them on food, children's education, clothes, and other daily necessities. The major hurdles and constraints were religious and cultural issues, less funding provision by BISP, illiteracy of the women, transport facilities, etc. These factors have negatively affected the growth of businesses in the study area. Based on the problems and constraints, the study recommends increasing the BISP fund to improve the education of women beneficiaries. The husband's cooperation is required, while the government should address cultural and religious issues to enhance the business activities of the women beneficiaries. Similarly, without business activities, sustainable development is impossible in the study area.

Health utilization largely depends on both demand and supply-side factors, where affordability is critical, especially for the poor segments. The Sehat Sahulat Program (SSP) is a breakthrough in Pakistan that aims to provide free indoor health services to the population. The present study has analyzed the factors that can adversely impact the utilization of indoor health services, including challenges related to enrolment, communication, awareness, and other supply-side factors. Besides conducting in-depth interviews with supply-side stakeholders, the study also conducts a household survey with the beneficiaries. The analysis reveals that the program still has a catch-up potential where a significant population is not enrolled in the program, and many of them are deprived of treatment. We consider that the program should opt for a co-payment formula to create a health insurance market in the country. To better utilize the program, a comprehensive consultative process among stakeholders is required to address design and operational inefficiencies.

The increasing prevalence of social media use has raised concerns about its potential effects on university students’ psychological experiences and academic outcomes. Although previous research has examined social media addiction, fear of missing out (FoMO), and academic performance, cross-cultural evidence comparing students from Pakistan and the United States of America remains limited. The present study aimed to investigate the relationships among social media addiction, FoMO, and academic performance and to examine cross-cultural differences between university students in the two countries. A cross-cultural, cross-sectional correlational design was employed, and data were collected from 200 university students (Pakistan = 100; United States = 100) aged 18–35 years using purposive sampling. Standardized measures of social media addiction, FoMO, and academic performance were administered. Correlation analyses indicated a strong positive association between social media addiction and FoMO, while both variables showed significant negative relationships with academic performance. Independent sample t-tests revealed no significant differences between Pakistani and U.S. students in social media addiction or FoMO. However, Pakistani students reported significantly higher academic performance than their U.S. counterparts. These results underscore the importance of culturally informed strategies to promote balanced social media use and academic success among students.

This study is an attempt to investigate the behaviour of CA towards different shocks by using the Post Bergin and Sheffrin present value model of current account (BS-PVMCA). The model has been tested in the context of Pakistan by using the VAR approach covering the time period from 1972 to 2020. The Post BS PVMCA allows the transmission of global shocks through the consumption-based interest rate, which is adjusted for the world interest rate, the exchange rate, and the terms of trade. Based on both formal and informal tests, we concluded that the post-BS PVMCA is consistent with Pakistan's data, as both results are significant. It implies that including the changes in the TOT variable in the BS-PVMCA improves the study's results. Contrary to the existing literature, this study also estimates the individual effects of external and country-specific net output shocks on the CA by decomposing the consumption-based interest rate into its components in the post-BS model. The findings of the study reveal that external shocks play a relatively significant role in determining the CA movements in the case of Pakistan.

The study examines how HRTech 4.0 is reshaping human resource management (HRM) processes, with particular emphasis on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), predictive analytics, and digital platforms. It focuses on essential HR activities such as recruitment, performance management, employee engagement, workforce optimization, training and development, wellness initiatives, data-driven decision-making, and change management. The research highlights notable improvements in organizational performance following the adoption of HRTech 4.0. Specifically, AI and predictive analytics have streamlined operations, reduced business costs, enhanced employee experience, and improved the accuracy of managerial decisions. At the same time, the study identifies key challenges that accompany this transformation, including algorithmic bias, concerns about data privacy, and the growing need for HR professionals to develop new digital competencies. Research shows leaders who bring spiritual awareness and character-based values are associated with higher employee engagement, better ethical decision-making, and greater organizational resilience. The quantitative findings reveal that spiritual leadership has a positive impact on engagement and ethical climate (β = .45, p < .01). In contrast, character development has a positive impact on innovation and performance outcomes (β = .38, p < .05). The paper concludes that developing internal values and external competencies ensures leadership effectiveness.

The problem in modern legal regimes is access to justice, which is often hindered by excessive expenses, excessive bureaucracy, and inefficiency within the entire system. Although new technologies in court automation have made it easier to obtain judicial access, increasingly gauged by convenient case law and ease of document handling, much remains unexplored, especially for marginalised groups. In turn, in the 21st century, solutions to digital justice emerged, and one such prospect is Digital Twin Technology. DTT was initially designed as an industrial tool to support the creation of a real-time, dynamic virtual model of a physical system, which can support simulation, monitoring, and predictive analysis. The given research examines the next generation use of DTT in courts. It involves two main novelties: (1) Virtual Reality (VR) Trials, allowing participation remotely with the use of fully immersive digital courts, and (2) Immersive Evidence Presentation, where 3D models are applied to bring maximum clarity and objectivity in the processing of a complicated case. Such tools hold the potential to address long-standing issues related to access, fairness, and efficiency within the judicial system. Nevertheless, the issue of implementation barriers, including algorithmic bias, data security, and infrastructural requirements, should be handled by implementing effective regulatory policies, transparent algorithms, and interdisciplinary collaboration. In methodological terms, the study is qualitative, based on a systematic analysis of secondary sources that involve examining primary documents in the context of peer-reviewed literature and reports presented by institutions. The paper critically analyses the current state of DTT applications in judicial systems, examining both the opportunities and limitations.

The given research is a quantitative study that focuses on the role of return migration in supporting socio-economic and environmental sustainability in Pakistan, utilising an in-depth analysis of 250 return migrants from various regions and institutional affiliations. The study examines the nexus between the sustainability of migration flows, re-entry programmes, and sustainable development achievements at the individual and community levels. A mixed methods approach was employed to collect data across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan, including participants from various organisations and members of the International Migration Organisation (IMO). Statistical correlation analysis revealed strong positive relationships between the indicators of sustainability and return migration, as return migrants demonstrated higher preferences for environmental consciousness (M = 4.2, SD = 0.8), entrepreneurship (73.2%), and community development (68.4%) compared to those who did not migrate. The results indicate that return migrants are considered agents of sustainable development with their knowledge, capital, and innovative practices. Among the policies recommended are the creation of comprehensive reintegration programs, the establishment of migrant-oriented sustainability programs, and the development of institutional mechanisms that maximise the benefits of the sustainable development goal of Pakistan generated by return migration.

The Philippines has made considerable progress in reducing poverty; however, inequality remains a pressing challenge. Despite sustained economic growth in the early 2000s, inequality has persisted. Although it began to decline in 2012, it remains among the highest in Southeast Asia. This paper examines how changes in education levels and occupational structure have influenced wage patterns over the past two decades, focusing on how the supply of skills and the composition of employment have shaped wage gaps. Using Labour Force Survey data from 2002 to 2024, the analysis reveals that the slow expansion in the supply of college-educated workers has maintained a high wage premium for skilled labour, thereby sustaining inequality. Returns to both college education and high-skill occupations are found to increase monotonically over the wage distribution, further contributing to the persistence of disparities. Changes in occupational structure have also influenced income distribution. Between 2002 and 2012, low- and middle skilled jobs experienced relative wage gains. Between 2012 and 2016, middle-skilled occupations saw the fastest growth, contributing to a narrowing of wage inequality. Employment trends mirrored this pattern, with middle-skilled job growth peaking between 2012 and 2016. More recent trends point to a decline in middle-skilled employment; however, it remains unclear whether this shift reflects structural transformations in the labour market or is driven by temporary disruptions.

Behavioural economics combines psychology with economics, demonstrating how cognitive biases influence decision-making beyond the realm of rational choice theory. One of the most robust is the Endowment Effect, where individuals value owned items more than identical non-owned items. This study examines the influence of decision confidence on ownership, valuation, and exchange behaviour among undergraduate students in Pakistan. A quasi-experimental design was employed, with 112 students randomly assigned to receive either a book or a ceramic mug. Data on willingness-to-accept (WTA), willingness-to-pay (WTP), exchange decisions, and decision confidence were collected through structured questionnaires. Results revealed that a large majority (81%) reported high confidence in their decisions (p = .001), supporting Hypothesis 1. Confidence was also linked to greater reluctance to exchange items, indicating that it reinforced decisiveness in ownership choices. However, Hypothesis 2 was not supported, as confidence did not significantly influence monetary valuations (r < .12, p > .39). These findings suggest that while confidence drives rigidity in ownership decisions, it does not inflate economic value. The study contributes to behavioural economics by highlighting confidence as a factor that strengthens decisiveness rather than valuation, and by providing evidence from a non-Western context, offering insights relevant for educators, policymakers, and marketers.

This study examines the impact of cross-border factors and trade agreements on bilateral exports among major trading partners of Pakistan by using panel data analysis. The research investigates how GDP, population and Distance influence the bilateral export flows. This study also measures the role of trade agreements, which enhance trade volumes by reducing barriers and promoting economic integration. The research evaluates the role of regional trade agreements and free trade agreements in improving market access by reducing trade costs. The finding highlights the significance of quality, infrastructure and regulatory frameworks, which shape export competitiveness. These findings suggest the efficient trade policies, improved relationship and reduced trade restrictions, which contribute significantly to bilateral exports. The results provide valuable understandings for policymakers who are aiming to optimise the trade policies and support economic relations between trading nations to optimise trade policies, enhance potential export and improve economic relations between the trading partners.