SEARCH ARTICLE

21 Pages : 264-279

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2025(X-II).21      10.31703/gssr.2025(X-II).21      Published : Jun 2025

Climate-Sensitive Diseases: Public Health Preparedness in the Face of Environmental Change

    This study investigates the readiness of public health systems to address CSDs in the context of accelerating environmental change. Specifically, it evaluates current preparedness strategies, identifies regional and systemic vulnerabilities, and assesses the statistical relationships between climatic variables and disease incidence. The central hypothesis is that climate-sensitive diseases are not only rising in incidence but are also geographically shifting due to changing environmental patterns, and current public health strategies are insufficiently adaptive or anticipatory. Using a mixed-methods approach with a primary emphasis on quantitative analysis, this study employs statistical modeling to examine longitudinal health and climate data across diverse geographic regions.

    Climate-Sensitive Diseases, Public Health Preparedness, Environmental Change, Epidemiological Modeling, Health Systems Resilience
    (1) Rehan Shakeel
    MPhil Public Health, Department of Public Health, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (2) Mehwish Sarfaraz
    MPhil Public Health, Department of Public Health, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (3) Hafiz Waqas Ahmed
    Registrar, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Mayo Hospital Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

23 Pages : 290-306

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2025(X-II).23      10.31703/gssr.2025(X-II).23      Published : Jun 2025

Towards Greener Commutes: Urban Green Spaces in Lahore’s Transportation Corridors

    The integration of Urban Green Spaces (UGS) into transportation infrastructure is gaining attention as a pathway to sustainable urban development. This study investigates the potential of embedding UGS within Lahore’s transportation corridors to improve environmental quality, public health, and urban livability. Despite rapid urbanization and challenges like air pollution and rising temperatures, green infrastructure remains under-prioritized in the city’s transport planning. Using a qualitative approach combining literature review, policy analysis, and field assessments this research examines existing practices and identifies opportunities for UGS integration, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It highlights benefits such as improved air quality, noise reduction, and psychological well-being, while also addressing barriers like limited space, fragmented governance, and maintenance issues. Findings reveal a disconnect between infrastructure development and ecological planning in Lahore. It contributes to the discourse on sustainable mobility, offering insights for cities in the Global South facing similar urban and environmental challenges.

    Sustainable Development Goals, Green Spaces, Mobility, Public Participation
    (1) Samirah Pervaiz
    PhD Scholar, Department of Architecture, School of Architecture and Planning, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (2) Fariha Tariq
    Professor, Department of City and Regional Planning, School of Architecture and Planning, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (3) Amjad Ali
    Lecturer, Department of City and Regional Planning, School of Architecture and Planning, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

24 Pages : 307-314

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2025(X-II).24      10.31703/gssr.2025(X-II).24      Published : Jun 2025

Intersectional Challenges and Support Systems: Understanding Marginalized Student’s Experiences in Public Sector Universities in Islamabad, Pakistan

    In the current world, the experiences within campus environments play a pivotal role in shaping the learner’s cognitive and developmental experiences.  Much research is already being conducted regarding the challenges faced by students in public universities, such as academic difficulties, mental health issues, and campus safety concerns; however, it does not delve into how these challenges manifest differently for various marginalized groups, including those from rural areas, minority ethnicities, and low-income backgrounds. This research proposal aims to investigate the experiences of marginalized student groups within the campus environment of a public sector university located in the Federal Capital of Pakistan. The research, thereby using a qualitative method in which interviews will analyze the experiences faced by marginalized students in depth using Interactional Narrative Analysis. By synthesizing findings, the research will offer actionable recommendations for policy, practice, and future research aimed at fostering inclusivity, equity, and student success within the public sector university.

    Marginalized Student Groups, Campus Environment, Public Sector University, Federal Capital of Pakistan, Qualitative Approach
    (1) Iqra Ajmal
    M.Phil Scholar, Department of English Language and Literature, COMSATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

04 Pages : 44-57

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2025(X-IV).04      10.31703/gssr.2025(X-IV).04      Published : Dec 2025

Grok and Public Trust: A Study of Algorithmic Authority in the 2025 Pakistan-India Crisis

    This study explores public trust in Grok, an AI fact-checking tool on X (Twitter), during the 2025 Pakistan-India war. Using Media Dependency Theory, it examines how Grok shaped trust, fact-checking behavior, and perceptions of journalistic authority. A mixed-methods survey of 380 respondents measured trust, dependency, and views on AI’s role in crisis reporting. Findings show moderately high trust in Grok, moderate trust in journalists, and a perception that Grok was more reliable during the conflict. However, most participants favored human-AI collaboration over replacing reporters. Dependency on Grok was moderate and positively linked to trust. While respondents feared misinformation, they still valued AI for verification. Overall, the study suggests AI will not replace journalism but is becoming a parallel authority, influencing how audiences navigate uncertainty in conflict situations.

    Artificial Intelligence, Grok, Public Trust in AI, Journalism, Crisis Communication, Media Dependency Theory, Fact-Checking, Misinformation.
    (1) Tayyaba Paracha
    MS Scholar, Department of Media Studies, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (2) Waqas Amjad
    MS, Information Security, National University of Sciences & Techonology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.
    (3) Qasim Ali Shah
    PhD, Department of Developmental Sciences, COMSATS University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

07 Pages : 72-80

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2026(XI-I).07      10.31703/gssr.2026(XI-I).07      Published : Mar 2026

Good Governance in Pakistan’s Public Service: Assessing Transparency, Accountability, and Bureaucratic Challenges

    Good governance has become a focal point of good administration of the populace, and sustainable development, especially in developing nations, where institutional weaknesses tend to discredit the state's capacity. This paper analyses the concept and reality of good governance in the Pakistani public service with special reference to transparency, accountability, and bureaucratic corruption. Regardless of the numerous governance reforms and introduction of accountability mechanisms, Pakistan has been grappling with poor service delivery, poor institutional control, and deteriorating trust in the institutions of the state. Qualitative research design was used in the collection of data, which was conducted based on semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and secondary governance indicators. The results indicate that policy systems that promote good governance are formally present, but there is inconsistency in their execution because of political interventions, poor accountability systems, and the presence of bureaucratic cultures.

    Good Governance, Public Service, Transparency, Accountability, Bureaucratic Corruption, Pakistan
    (1) Zermina Tasleem
    Assistant Professor, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (2) Sohail Ayaz Muhammad
    Assistant Professor, Hasan Murad School of Management, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (3) Muqarrab Akbar
    Professor, Department of Political Science, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan.