Pakistan Languages and Humanities Review

Gul Bangulzai: Author of the first Novel “Dreehav” in Brahui Literature

Muhammad Imran, Dr. Zia ur Rehman Baloch — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0500

This research seeks to explore Gul Bangulzai's contribution to the emergence of Brahui literature, particularly his socio-cultural representation in Dreehav (1989) as being the first Brahui novel and its critical portrayal of Baloch tribal society. Brahui is an old language that has a solid oral tradition but only tardily, it began to deal with the post-modern fiction. The journey from folk literature, through short stories in the 1950s and ultimately to the novel is part of a wider societal and literary evolution. Gul Bangulzai was a prominent figure at this time that forms the modern Brahui prose. The method followed by this inquiry is a qualitative literary analysis of the primary texts and their critical reception in an attempt to offer interpretations of themes, characters and socio-historical references. The research claims that Dreehav powerfully articulates nomadic lifestyle, tribal hierarchies, class exploitation and gender discrimination in Baloch society. Bangulzai articulates rural marginality and feudal exploitation with vivid characters and narratives. His writings span oral tradition and contemporary fiction contributing to the canon of pacesetter genre in modern Brahui literature. More studies on the comparative analysis of Brahui novels and translations should be conducted. Universities need to consider Brahui literature so that this infant literary tradition is preserved and enhanced.

Youth Political Disengagement in Pakistan: Causes and Consequences

Zainab Asif — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0500

The study examines the Pakistan’s increasing youth political disengagement problem which poses a threat to stability of Pakistan. Finding the root cause of this disengagement and understanding its long term effects on the country’s democracy and governance are the main goal. Since youth have historically been important in political initiatives, historical studies show that after the ban on student union and the emergence of dynastic politics, there was a trend toward disengagement. The study looks at the causes of disengagement using a descriptive and exploratory approach and gathers information from focused discussion with individuals aged 18 to 35.The results shows that disengagement is caused by political mistrust, elite power, unstable governance, lack of civic education and socio-economic issues. The study also highlights the way in which youth civic engagement is essential to support the stability of Pakistan’s democratic system and understanding the strategies of youth political disengagement. The study recommendations demands for the restoration of student union, setting up the youth quotas in parliament and the addition of meaningful civic education in order to restore the political engagement of youth.

Bridging the Divide: A Comparative Analysis of Matriculation and O-Level English Curricula in Pakistan

Shazia Nasreen, Dr. Zahra Rabab — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0500

This paper investigates the differences between national Matriculation curriculum and the Cambridge O-Level curriculum to determine the differences in teaching English at the secondary education level. Using analysis of curriculum documents, semi structured teacher interviews and extensive student surveys, the analysis measures the breadth of content coverage, methods used in instruction and the modes used in assessment by the two systems. The outcomes demonstrate that, unlike the Matriculation curriculum, including mostly rote memorization and grammatical correctness, the O-Level structure prefigures communicative competence, higher-level critical thinking, and creative articulation. However, structural inequalities and socio-economic inequalities still mediate access to high-quality education as well as the results of education. In light of these results, the article presents evidence-based policy suggestions that can support curriculum change, strategic alignment, and redesigning of assessment and narrow the divide between the two systems to promote national English proficiency.

Blended Learning for the Teaching of Story Writing: An Experimental Study

Irum Batool, Muhammad Matloob Ur Rasool — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0500

The study investigates the effectiveness of blended learning and online collaborative learning tools for teaching story writing. Theoretical framework is based on Constructivism (Jonassen, 2000; Seimen, 2004), and Cognitivism (Mayer, 2002) for this experimental study. The experimental research has a quantitative paradigm and conducted on purposively selected 50 undergraduate learners distributed into control and experimental groups, with 25 participants in each group. The experimental group was taught through blended learning, and the control group was taught face-to-face. The treatment for the experimental group was given in the form of both face-to-face classroom sessions and online sessions including Wattpad, Wikispacesclassroom, Storybird, and Penzu. The study's findings revealed that interactivity, variety in the ways of teaching, collaboration among students for writing stories, exposure and interaction with the communities of practice, and feedback from instructors and peers were the factors responsible for the high scores and performance of learners in the experimental group. The study recommends using a blended learning approach to teach story-writing skills. Furthermore, modern trends in AI and innovations should be incorporated in blended learning, as technology has a major role in every field of life.

Formal and Informal Language Dialects Use in Kashmiri and Urdu: A Comparative Linguistic Analysis

Maryam Sikandar, Sidra Aqeel — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0500

This study aims to compare the formal and informal registers of Kashmiri and Urdu by specifying differences in vocabulary, grammar, and patterns of use across every day and literary-academic contexts. The sociolinguistic setting of Jammu and Kashmir provides a distinctive background in which Kashmiri operates as the indigenous language while Urdu holds official status, resulting in stratified language use. Previous scholarship has acknowledged diglossia in the region, but detailed register-based contrasts remain limited. Adopting a qualitative approach, the study analyzes data from spoken interactions, literary texts, academic materials, and policy documents to examine syntax, lexical choice, address forms, and code-switching practices. The findings show that informal Kashmiri relies on a largely Sanskrit-derived lexicon and flexible V2 syntax, supporting intimacy and local identity, whereas formal Urdu is marked by Persian–Arabic vocabulary, standardized SOV grammar, and high codification. A functional distribution persists, though increasing code-switching reflects shifting identities. It is recommended that language policy and education systems promote Kashmiri alongside Urdu to support linguistic balance and cultural preservat

Working Hours Patterns in Pakistan and Japan: A Policy-Oriented Comparative Study

Ayesha Dilawar, Amina Manzoor, Muqadas Rasheed — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0500

This research aims to explore the working hour regulations in Japan and Pakistan. The study compares both countries in order to find why labor policies failed in practice and how it can be improved. The study is conducted by using an analytical approach and qualitative methodology. Secondary sources are consulted to provide a thorough grasp of the laws governing working hours in both nations. The results find that both countries are facing a similar problem of excessive working hours, but the underlying causes are different. In Japan, the reasons behind extended working hours are cultural factors and social norms while in the Pakistan unemployment and weak enforcement are the main causes. The study suggests that strong enforcement of working hour regulations requires not only strong legal framework but also encouraging cultural, social, and economic conditions. Recommendations include strong enforcement and harmonizing culture with legislation.