SADIQ Journal of Pakistan Studies

Designing a Framework for Peaceful Resolution of Transgender Violence in Pakistan

2025-02-06T15:52:12+00:00

Gender-based violence and transgender harassment are prevalent social issues in Pakistan, with the term "Hijras" being used to describe the transgender community. They are often stereotypically viewed as shameful and disgraced, and their lives are impacted by issues such as HIV-AIDS, sexual abuse, rape, drug abuse, beggary, suicidal thoughts, and psychological unrest. Although government recognition of the transgender community has been made, the implementation of these laws and ordinances is slow. This study aims to address these unreported and under-covered problems by interviewing transgender community, analyzing case studies, and conducting in-depth interviews with academic and civil society experts. Professionals from various institutions are also interviewed to gain their views on a possible peace framework for the transgender population. The study's findings aims to provide future prospects at social, legal, religious, and political levels.

Development of Postal System in Colonial Punjab and Evolution of Muslim Nationalism

2025-02-08T14:49:35+00:00

This study assesses the development of postal system in colonial Punjab and explores the role of modernized postal system in the spread of nationalist sentiments among Muslims of the province. The paper seeks what measures were taken to modernize communication network in the province? how had the same system served the interests of the British Empire? And then how, on later stage, it had been proved beneficial for the Muslims of Punjab to use it for their political objectives? The study explores that due to the control on communication networks and information-exchange, the British dominated the Indian subcontinent. The colonial masters had not only imported the scientifically developed system but also subordinated the local communication networks. While the British aimed to use the postal system to solidify their control, this system ultimately contributed to the rise of Muslim nationalism and encouraged sentiments of independence among the masses. This study shows the dual role of postal system in strengthening both the oppression and the sentiments of liberation. The paper has been produced on the basis of primary source material which includes the Punjab Administrative Reports, published by British government as well as the statements of officials and the Indian Post and Telegraphic Acts available in the Punjab Archive, Lahore. The newspapers, books and research articles are other important source material.

Unraveling the Psyche of Achilles and Historical Narrative: A Psychoanalysis of the Heroic Complex in Homer's Iliad

2025-02-10T00:30:22+00:00

This article presents a psychoanalytic exploration of Achilles' character in Homer's Iliad, departing from traditional heroic analyses. The study employs Freudian and Jungian frameworks to uncover the complex psychological nuances underlying Achilles' actions and motivations. The research combines textual and psychoanalytical to provide a comprehensive understanding of Achilles' psyche. It examines key relationships and events in the epic, including his conflicts with Agamemnon and Hector, his grief over Patroclus' death, and his interaction with Priam. The authors argue that Achilles' apparent pride and defiance mask deeper emotional and psychological afflictions. They explore the tension between his divine and mortal aspects, as well as the influence of unconscious motivations on his behavior. By unraveling the complexities of Achilles' character, this research aims to offer new insights into the themes of heroism, human nature, and the psychological impact of war as portrayed in this significant historical narrative.

History and Development of Religious Education in Multan

2025-02-10T00:32:09+00:00

Education is process of facilitating learning, acquisition of knowledge, skills, values and sometimes beliefs and habits as well. Education is one key determinant of social mobility. Educational learning is of various types and kinds including formal an informal learning and environments. The purpose of education is giving awareness to lay man for differentiating between good and bad. Education of all worldly disciplines and sciences started slowly and gradually as human beings and society evolved. Religion has played a vital role in the development of human character, state and even society. The object of this paper is to trace the development and progress of education in Punjab general and religious education in particular in Multan while looking into the structure and system of education under the British rule.

The Kalasha Pantheon: Unveiling the Spiritual Heritage of an Ancient People

2025-02-18T03:47:41+00:00

The Kalasha people are the small tribe of indigenous people living in the isolated valleys of Chitral, Pakistan, who have kept the ancient polytheistic faith in an overwhelmingly Islamic region. This article is my humble step forward to highlight the diverse and indeed colourful spiritual realm of the Kalasha people via their dominant gods, their ceremonies, and their shrines. Starting with the general information concerning the Kalasha community the article goes through the mountain spirits and prehistoric religious belief systems that formed the basis for the Kalasha’s beliefs and values. Some of the basic deities like Dezau – the Creator God, Sajigor of the Rumbur Valley, Mahandeo, the Kalasha guardian deity and other guardian deities like Dezalik and Jestak who are considered to be the protectors of women and families are also considered here. It goes on to do so by discussing the guest god Balumain and enigma like deities Praba and Warin to underline the sophistication of the Kalasha spiritual system. These should be seen as aspects and measures of a cosmology which is genuinely nature-based, community-oriented, and spiritual. Though the Kalasha religion gives the best accounts of the ancient beliefs and practicing culture, the faith is under severe pressure as it comes in contact with other cultures and civilizations. Due to this, in this article, I hope to give a clear explanation of the Kalasha pantheon and why this area of spirituality is important, as well as the reason that they should be saved before they disappear completely.

Print Culture and Radical Activism in Punjab: A Case Study of Proscribed Pamphlets and Tracts in the 1920s and 1930s

2025-02-18T03:44:54+00:00

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the proscribed revolutionary literature published in Urdu in the early twentieth century. The literature, primarily in the form of pamphlets and tracts, became the chief means of disseminating revolutionary ideas among the Indian masses. On the one hand, these pamphlets and tracts exposed British injustices and authoritarian attitudes, and on the other, they created a sense of national awakening and political consciousness among the people of India. To make communication more effective and influential, revolutionaries used a genre of poetry that was more appealing and soothing to the public taste and resonated with the cultural tradition of oral communication, memorisation, and self-expression in Punjab. The verses urged masses, especially youth, to break the shackles of slavery and sacrifice their lives to liberate India from the clutches of foreign rule. To achieve this goal, the pamphlets emphasised that the people should bear oppression temporarily to eradicate it forever. This literature further stressed the need for Hindu-Muslim unity and advised on resolving all communal tensions. Likewise, they exposed the British legal and justice system, which had always been partial when dispensing justice to the natives. In addition, they glorified the deeds of the accused in the Kakori and Lahore Conspiracy Cases and offered them a tribute. They projected the 'afterlives' of martyrs as a source of inspiration and motivation for the living to continue their legacy. However, in the colonial discourse on sedition, these pamphlets and tracts were considered seditious and a potential threat to the ‘public safety’ and ‘maintenance of public order’. The British Government banned this literature under section 124-A (sedition act) of the Indian Penal Code; nonetheless, the revolutionary ideas preached in these pamphlets continued to influence people for a long time.

Impacts of external linkages on economic development of Khaplu (Gilgit-Baltistan)

2025-03-14T00:20:05+00:00

Gilgit-Baltistan, which is well-known for its fascinating past, possesses a geographical composition that is one of a kind. The breathtaking beauty of Gilgit-Baltistan is a result of the convergence of three well-known mountain ranges that are located at high altitudes: the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush, the Karakorum. Gilgit-Baltistan, a region of strategic importance in northern Pakistan, has witnessed significant socioeconomic transformations due to external linkages. The convergence of multiple geopolitical, economic, and infrastructural developments has reshaped the region's traditional socio-political structures. This study aims to analyze the impacts of external linkages on the region, particularly in Khaplu in terms of economic opportunities, cultural shifts, and infrastructural development. By examining the historical and contemporary dynamics of external influences, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of how external connectivity has played a role in shaping the economic and social landscape of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Religious Conviction or Pragmatic Strategy? Analyzing Iranian Foreign Policy from 2005 to 2020

2025-03-14T00:21:36+00:00

This paper analyzes Iranian foreign policy from 2005 to 2020, examining the interplay between religious ideology and pragmatic strategy. It argues that while religion plays a significant role in shaping Iran's worldview and justifying its actions, pragmatism is the dominant driver of its foreign policy decisions. Through case studies of Iran's relations with Syria, Azerbaijan, and various non-state actors, and its policy towards Chechnya and Xinjiang, the paper demonstrates how Iran prioritizes national interests and strategic goals, even when they conflict with its foundational principles. The analysis covers the presidencies of Ahmadinejad and Rouhani, highlighting the continuity of pragmatic approaches despite differing political styles. The paper concludes that understanding Iranian foreign policy requires acknowledging the complex interaction of religious rhetoric and strategic calculation, with pragmatism ultimately guiding Iran's pursuit of regional influence and its engagement with the international community.

Political History of Pakistan: An Outlook of Corruption Mantra 2008-2013

2025-03-19T03:50:47+00:00

This article tries to make a synoptic view of the mishandling of the financial resources and corrupt practices in the Landscape of the Federal Government from 2008-2013. There are many studies that have been made on the corruption crises in Pakistan but this specific period from 2008 to 2013 is overlooked by the political historians. This paper attempts to fill up the research gap in the literature of the political History of Pakistan. Since its independence in 1947, the virus of financial corruption in the governmental affairs is troubling the political and economic development of the country. The Period of 2008-2013 is highly debatable and crucial, the remains of dictatorship were still active and political forces were struggling to make their way in the operates of rule. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and its allies were the ruling alliance. There was a general opinion that top officials of government were gaining in abundance the personal motives and were making money by corrupt means. Therefore, the underlying hypothesis of this study is: Was the government (Ruling Federal Party) was involved in money making, corrupt practises and financial manipulations? Consequently, parliamentary opposition and the national press (Print & Electronic) were exposing them for their wrongdoing. The study is an effort to explore the nature of the federal government’s corruption scandals, their history, the Parliamentary debates and the judicial cases following the above-mentioned corruption mantra in the period of PPP rule from 2008-13.

Federalism and Provincial Autonomy in Pakistan: Challenges and Prospects

2025-04-12T14:19:20+00:00

Living in a Federal society means that you have the right to run your own affairs, control your recourses, shape your own society and government and the most important is to maintain your own identity. In 1947 when Pakistan came into being it was obvious that it would be a federal country with two wings far away from each other’s, secondly it has a diverse population even now. Throughout Pakistan’s history there was a struggle between various groups for provincial autonomy. In this paper an attempt is made to highlight this politics and to analyze that how different actors struggled over the issue of provincial autonomy.