The geopolitical significance of Pakistan in the Global War on Terror has led to multiple instances of the US acting in an extra-territorial manner. Repeated territorial intrusion by the US strains US-Pakistan relations because extra-territoriality is viewed as a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty. This study analyzes Pakistani-English political cartoons to examine the ways the US extra-territoriality is represented. Approximately 2940 political cartoons are collected from four Pakistani-English newspapers: Dawn, The Express Tribune, The Nation, and The News. Wallerstein’s world-system theory provides the theoretical backdrop to demonstrate the explicit (military) and implicit (economic, cultural, and political/diplomatic) means a hegemonic-core power can act extra-territorially towards a state in the periphery. A combination of content analysis and social semiotic analysis methodologies is used. Content analysis reveals a total of 323 US-related political cartoons that are classified into themes of economic, cultural, military, and political/diplomatic depictions in political cartoons. A visual social semiotic analysis deconstructs the visual rhetoric of extra-territoriality as expressed in the various themed political cartoons. The outcome of these two methodologies provides a holistic illustration of the ways US extra-territoriality in a sovereign but periphery state like Pakistan is viewed.

Introduction: In Pakistan there is dearth of research on deliberate self-harm (DSH) and its predictors among adolescents. While the lack of research in Pakistan can be partly attributed to the sacrilegious status, criminalization and stigmatization attached to DSH, it is also an attribute of paucity of Urdu versions of the standardized psychological instruments. Previous research in developed countries has indicated that attachment theory can be used as a useful framework to understand the development of austere psychopathologies like DSH, as well as for studying pathways of interaction of interpersonal and intrapersonal factors of psychopathologies. In this study, standardized psychological instruments are translated into Urdu language as a first step. These instruments are then used to study pathways of interaction of interpersonal and intrapersonal factors of DSH, conceptualized within attachment framework. Method: The study was conducted in two steps. In step 1, Youth Health Risk Behavior Survey (YHRB), Inventory of Interpersonal Problems-32 (IIP-32) and Significant Others Scale (SOS), were translated into Urdu language. Along with these scales, Urdu translated versions of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Adolescent Relationship Scales Questionnaire (ARSQ), Life Events scale (LES) from CASE questionnaire and Family Affluence Scale-II (FAS-II) were reviewed for accuracy of translation through expert judgement and psychometric evaluation. Secondly, a cross sectional survey was conducted with 1290 adolescents (10 - 19 years age) using the translated Urdu versions of the instruments and demographic pro forma. Structural equation modelling was used to study the pathways of associations between predictors of DSH. Results: The extensive process of translation resulted in establishment of semantic, content, technical and construct equivalence of the translated instruments with the original English versions. Multiple imputation was performed to account for missing values in SPSS 20. Important structural adaptations were made in the scales based on factor analyses conducted in M plus. After modifications, all scales showed satisfactory CFI (≥ 0.90) and RMSEA (≤ 0.06). Results of the survey indicated that the prevalence of DSH (with, without and ambivalent suicidal intentions) was 7%. Two SEM models were constructed involving both mediation and moderation pathways. Results of Model 1 showed association of attachment with DSH was double mediated by social support, depression and anxiety. Model 2 also confirmed association of attachment with DSH with double mediation through relationship style problems, depression and anxiety. In order to understand the contextual picture of the concepts studied in this research both SEM models were also constructed by controlling for demographic factors. This resulted in confirming age, gender and family affluence as significant contributors but with very small effects. Discussion and conclusion: In the present study translation of the instruments helped in building a reservoir for future research. The results of translation and validation of instruments indicated that cultural differences, language needs and age must be accounted for while using standardized psychological instruments. Taking into consideration specific cultural and demographic background of Pakistan, this study also confirms the key role of attachment in influencing interaction of predictors of DSH. It is suggested that intrapersonal and interpersonal factors are influential points of intervention for designing clinical, school and community based awareness and prevention programs for DSH. The thesis also discusses the implications for policy guidelines along with recommendations for future research and other applications of the study.

This PhD submission constitutes a novel and accompanying critical commentary. My novel Nobody Killed Her provides an alternative history of the assassination of Pakistan's only female Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto. The thesis questions the choices I made in order to develop the writing of this novel and the decisions I took in order for it to reach its readers. I discuss the issues of creative integrity and the role of the publisher as an enabler, and as a modern day censor. I examine the role of literary influences and publishing pressures on the multi-layered and shifting strains of the creative process and explore fiction as a powerful tool for communicating the paradoxical state of modern Pakistani women, which my novel draws upon. Accordingly, my research narrative is interspersed with personal vignettes that helped shape my writing. Reflecting upon the role of memory, history and politics, and literary influences that shape our writing, I try to interrogate the ‘flash-bulb’ moments of inspiration and argue that creative writing is actually a series of complex thought processes that shape our consciousness. I have also, during the compilation of this essay, looked critically at the role of the publisher in shaping an author’s creativity and the author’s desire for publication in influencing his or her creative choices. I have examined the role of the audience, by asking who the writer is writing for, concluding that the creative journey is more important than the destination i.e., the culmination of the writing into a published form. I conclude by contending that creative writing is above all communication, not just with the reader but also with one’s self. It is about self- expression and therefore must remain true to the self.

By focusing on women’s lived experiences of family abuse, this thesis argues that state policy shows a lack of understanding of the nature of family abuse in one of Scotland’s largest minority communities: South Asian Muslims. Through a combination of a critical exploration of mainstream conceptualisations of domestic abuse, empirical research and policy analysis, I argue that by focusing on one-dimensional explanations such as gender and culture, state policy and some research evade the more practical and structural issues that operate against women. By adopting an intersectional approach, I focus on the complex interplay between factors such as socio-economic status and structural inequalities at the micro- and macro-levels bound up with experiences of family abuse. Through in-depth interviews with South Asian Muslim women, this thesis highlights the specificity and complexity of South Asian Muslim women’s experiences of family abuse within the home, framed through the impact of kinship structures and immigration status. Furthermore, my focus on the macro- as well as the micro-level brings to light structural inequalities and harmful policies, such as immigration rules, that act as additional constraints on women in abusive relationships. This thesis then examines women’s strategies and choices within abusive relationships by exploring the relationship between agency and oppression. I identify a crucial point: access to resources, such as economic support, ultimately shapes women’s strategies, including if, when and how to exit. I do not posit an overarching theory to explain family abuse, nor do I offer one key solution to the problem. I do, however, argue for nuanced and sensitive policymaking not only for South Asian women, but for all marginalised women, By underlining the specific experiences of one group of women I emphasis that needs are likely to differ in other groups of women.

Very few empirical studies in migration and citizenship focus on immigrants' perceptions of the concept of citizenship and its prominent features. Based on the semi-structured interviews of 8 Pakistani immigrants (Swedish citizenship holders and non-citizenship holders) in Sweden, this study aimed to understand how these immigrants perceive and define Swedish citizenship, and how do they value it in material, symbolic, and emotional terms. Through conceptual framework and literature review of citizenship in its symbolic, materialistic, and emotional term, three central approaches mobility, sense of security, and sense of belonging were derived and analyzed. The findings of this research suggest that immigrants who participated in this study tend to value Swedish citizenship. They are very concerned about their security and protection which is provided by the state to a citizen in every sphere of life; economically, socially, politically; protection against the deportation; and while traveling anywhere in the world. These immigrants perceived that passport makes a difference, and during travel, it enables and constrains inequalities, restrictions, and uncertainties in the mobility arena. Furthermore, when it comes to belongings: the interviewee relate it to work, spending time in the country, and participation in the society. Finally, this study recommends further research with different migrants groups in Sweden to understand the true essence of Swedish citizenship in immigrants' worldview.

Airpower theorists through history have by one or another reason chosen not to use wars or conflicts between India and Pakistan. Both the war 1965 and 1971 had the use of airpower, especially the war 1971 where India was victorious. This study examines India’s use of airpower against Pakistan in the war of 1971. The theories that are chosen for the examination is coming from the airpower theorist Robert Pape. Pape presents four different coercion air strategies, by them ‘coercion by denial’ and ‘coercion by decapitation’ are chosen for this study.    The purpose of this study was to give more explanation and understanding of the war between India and Pakistan in 1971 and more closely India’s use of airpower. Because of the lack of airpower studies between the countries mentioned above, this study will also give some insight into why previous airpower theorists may have chosen to look past wars between India and Pakistan.    The results show that Pape’s different theories gave a good overall explanation of India’s use of airpower in the war of 1971. This study also indicates and points a direction to which airpower theory is most likely to explain India’s use of airpower. It also gives some possible alternatives to why previous airpower theorists chose not to study the Indo-Pakistani war in 1971.

This essay explores Pakistani English teachers’ attitudes towards non-standard article use in Pakistani English. It uses the theories of Kachru (1985), Modiano (1999a, 1999b, 2020) and Schneider (2003, 2007) on World Englishes as well as previous research on Pakistani English. Nine university teachers were interviewed for the study, and the data was analysed with a qualitative approach. The analysis showed that effective communication was a key focus for the teachers when discussing and relating to non-standard article use. In line with Modiano’s model of World Englishes, the teachers had a dual approach to the feature; in conversation they generally accepted or tolerated it while in writing and more formal contexts, they found it less acceptable. This attitude was reflected in their teaching as they generally let it pass in students’ speech but corrected it in writing. The teachers had a predominantly exonormative stance on non-standard article use; however, they described the rate of the feature as dependent on social class and showed understanding and empathy for those who do not have the opportunity to master standard English. Non-standard article use was found to be at the stage of nativisation in Schneider’s PCE theory.

This research seeks to address the issue of media consumption and the formation of diaspora identity within second and third generation British-born residents of Pakistani origin. In recent years there has been much debate centred on this group within the context of domestic and wider international geopolitics of winning hearts and minds, the ‘war on terror’ and the rise of the internet and social media as unrestricted spaces of self-expression. This has had a profound impact on the sense of belonging that transcends national boundaries and becomes a more transnational experience creating new communities of interest. The role of the media and other forms of communication may be a key or important determinant in how these groups, represented by the Pukhtoon and Punjabi in this study, not only see themselves but view representation of their identify and sense of self to a wider public arena. The perceived relationship between Islam and the ‘war on terror’ as formed by the media has had a profound impact on perceptions and mindsets of many of the diaspora. New technology has created a new smartphone generation able to reassess and reaffirm their emerging hybridity set within a new discourse of equal rights and respect for cultural and religious values within a transnational context.

Background: Obesity disproportionately affects Pakistani women and rates of obesity related conditions are high in Bradford. Research priority setting can guide the development of policy and practice, resulting in more relevant research. There are no research prioritisation exercises targeted at obesity in Pakistani women. Aim: To develop an obesity research agenda with Pakistani women living in deprived inner-city areas of Bradford. Methods: Using a feminist participatory action research design, a five stage process was adopted involving the following: (i) A systematic review to identify the gaps in knowledge (ii) face-to-face interviews with 21 Pakistani women to generate their health concerns (iii) focus groups to explore the obesity concerns of 23 Pakistani women (iv) survey to identify unmet obesity needs of Pakistani women according to 160 local, multisectoral stakeholders (v) adapted consensus method involving 32 Pakistani women to rank their identified concerns and unmet needs in order of importance. Results: The study identified needs related to cultural and language constraints, including barriers in obtaining health promotion information and the social isolation of women. Education needs and misconceptions surrounding diet and physical activity were also identified. Highest rankings were given to concerns and needs surrounding the mental health of Pakistani women, education needs for a healthy diet, and the benefits of physical activity. Conclusion: Pakistani women’s unmet obesity needs highlight the existence of wider determinants of health that are structural in nature. Considering these barriers, a research agenda was developed from the findings and reflect the obesity health needs of this population. / Funding through Born in Bradford / The full text will be available at the end of the embargo: 21st Sept 2022

An important field of research now is how smartwatches are being adopted and used in variouscultural situations. The adoption of smartwatches among Pakistani consumers is the subject ofthis study, with an emphasis on understanding the behavioral intents and usage patternsinfluenced by cultural customs and lifestyle preferences. Semi-structured interviews and qualitative questionnaires were employed in the study's qualitative research approach to extract insights from a diverse group of individuals. The research utilized qualitative methods, gathering in-depth and nuanced information from Pakistani users through semi-structured interviews and qualitative questionnaires. The data was subjected to thematic analysis, which revealed recurrent themes that provide insights into the variables impacting the adoption and sustained use ofsmartwatches.Five main themes emerged from the participants after thematic analysis. It was revealed that smartwatches were helpful in encouraging better lifestyles because they could beused as health-monitoring devices to actively control their fitness-impacting lifestyles. Users were able to smoothly incorporate technology into their fashion choices thanks to smartwatches, which wereseen as extensions of personal style. Participants praised the ease of managing tasks and notifications straight from the wrist, which facilitated effective time management. Withfeatureslike stresstracking and relaxation activities, smartwatches act as instruments for reducingstress.Participants praised smartwatches for helping them stay connected and organized whileretaining a professional demeanor. The findings were interpreted using a comprehensiveframework basedon the Affordance theory. The themes that were found reflected the perceived benefits that smartwatches are thought to provide, directing users towards activities based on thefunctionality they perceive. By illuminating the complex relationships between perceived affordances and behavioral intentions, this framework improved our knowledge of how cultural practices and lifestyle preferences interact with the adoption of technology. The results highlightthe mutually beneficial interaction between technology, culture, and personal goals whilehighlighting the roleof perceived affordances in influencing users' intents and actions. These observations offer invaluable advice for designers, academics, and stakeholders looking toimprove user experiences across various cultural contexts as smartwatches continue to reshape personal interactions with technology.