Makhz (Research Journal)

An Overview of the Importance of Writers, Teachers, and Curriculum in Children's Literature

Zulfiqar Ali Jalbani — 2026-01-16

In children's literature, writers, teachers, and curriculum are interconnected elements that play a vital role in shaping young minds. Writers create imaginative worlds, crafting engaging stories, poems, and novels that foster creativity and moral understanding. Teachers facilitate learning, interpreting curriculum and nurturing young minds. Curriculum provides structure, imparting knowledge and promoting critical thinking. Together, these elements shape children's intellectual and emotional development, equipping them with values and skills for lifelong growth. Writers spark imagination, teachers guide learning, and curriculum offers a framework for success. By working together, they help children develop into compassionate, knowledgeable, and critically thinking individuals. The synergy between writers, teachers, and curriculum is essential for creating a well-rounded education that prepares children for future success.

A critique of the negative values in the Pashtun society in the short stories of Noor ul Amin Yousafzai

Nagina Bibi — 2026-01-21

This study offers a scholarly analysis of negative values embedded in Pashtunwali, the unwritten Pashtun code of life, as depicted in the short stories of renowned Pashtun writer Noorul Amin Yousafzai. Pashtunwali is defined as a comprehensive, enduring system of social, cultural, and moral norms that regulate Pashtun communal life, encompassing both positive ideals (e.g., hospitality, honor, justice) and negative elements that often lead to societal harm. The study highlight several key negative values like Badal, (Revenge or retribution, perpetuating cycles of violence and feuds), Swarah (offering girl as compensation to end enmity), Peghor (the demand for revenge, often generational), Barmata (capturing other resources to obtain benefits) and Gondi ao Para (partisanship in conflicts). These values are contrasted with positive principles but critiqued for causing social discord, violence, generational trauma, and stagnation, often conflicting with modern ethics and Islamic values. Through detailed examination of Noor ul Amin Yousafzai's short stories, the study illustrates how these narratives portray destructive behaviors, internal human struggles, exploitation, and the need for societal reform. It is concluded that his short stories served as a mirror to Pashtun society, advocating peaceful evolution of Pashtunwali to prioritize harmony, justice, and progress while preserving cultural essence.

An Overview of Time and Space

Amjad Ali Khaksar — 2026-02-04

This article presents an introductory and conceptual study of time and space, focusing on their meanings, definitions, and evolving interpretations across different intellectual traditions. Time and space are among the most fundamental categories of human thought, shaping not only physical reality but also cultural, religious, philosophical, and literary worldviews. The study begins by clarifying the basic concepts of time and space and tracing their semantic and conceptual foundations. It then examines the mythological understanding of time and space, where they are perceived through symbolic, cyclical, and sacred frameworks. Furthermore, the article explores the social conception of time and space as culturally constructed realities that organize human life and collective experience. The theological and religious perspectives are discussed to highlight how divine order, eternity, creation, and sacred space influence human perceptions of temporality and spatiality. The paper also addresses the philosophical interpretations of time and space, drawing attention to their metaphysical and epistemological dimensions. In addition, the literary perspective is analyzed to show how time and space function as aesthetic and narrative elements in literary expression. Finally, a brief discussion of the scientific conception of time and space is presented, emphasizing modern scientific thought and its impact on contemporary understanding. By offering a comparative and interdisciplinary overview, this article aims to provide a comprehensive conceptual framework for understanding time and space as dynamic and multifaceted constructs across mythological, social, religious, philosophical, literary, and scientific discourses.

Literature, Politics and the People: Echoes of Political Exploitation in Urdu Novels

Zeenat Aman — 2026-02-10

This article presents the concept of political exploitation of the masses in the context of Urdu novels and analyzes the problems that the common man, especially the poor and weak classes, is facing at the political level. The article points out that literature, society and politics are closely related to each other and many novelists in Urdu literature have presented the political and social realities of their era in an artistic manner. The relationship of literature with politics is not limited to the mere narration of political events, but a writer gives more importance to the impact of these events on human life. Before and after the establishment of Pakistan, political consciousness has been prominent in Urdu literature and this tradition has been maintained in some form or another in every era. The article also makes it clear that influential classes, whether political or social, exploit the weak to maintain their superiority, which has become a serious social problem. In the present era, political and social exploitation has become so common that it has been considered a normal part of life and society does not react sensitively to it. This article clarifies the social role of literature by highlighting various forms of political exploitation through the Urdu novel.

An Analytical Study of the Portrayal of Personalities in Muhammad Tufail’s Sketches in the Context of Social Norms

Sajeed Khan — 2026-02-12

Representations of Drought in Brahui Literary Narratives: An Ecocritical Study

Muhammad Iqbal Sumalani — 2026-02-21

This paper examines the representation of drought in Brahui literary narratives through an ecocritical lens, with particular emphasis on Brahui folk poetry. In the ecological context of Balochistan’s arid landscape, drought—known in Brahui as Dukkaal—has historically influenced patterns of nomadic movement, pastoral livelihood, and collective memory. Brahui folk poetry serves as an important cultural medium through which environmental crises and human vulnerability are expressed and preserved. Drawing on selected poetic examples from compiled collections of Brahui folk poetry, this study analyzes how drought is represented as both an environmental phenomenon and a socio-cultural experience. The poetic narratives reflect the lived realities of nomadic communities and shepherds whose survival depends on seasonal rainfall, grazing land, and livestock sustainability. Recurring literary images of barren fields, water scarcity, dying animals, displacement, and emotional suffering demonstrate a deep ecological awareness embedded in oral tradition. Using ecocriticism as a theoretical framework, the study argues that Brahui folk poetry functions as an archive of environmental memory and indigenous ecological knowledge. These narratives articulate the interdependence between human life and the natural environment while documenting local responses to climatic uncertainty. The analysis highlights how environmental sensitivity is expressed through metaphor, symbolism, and collective storytelling. By situating Brahui folk poetry within contemporary ecocritical discourse, this research contributes to the understanding of indigenous literary traditions as sources of environmental knowledge and cultural resilience. The study underscores the significance of oral literature in preserving ecological consciousness and documenting historical experiences of drought in the region.

Creative Elements in Science Fiction

Maryam Naseem — 2026-02-28

This research paper explores the distinctive position of Allama Iqbal in the tradition of Urdu Tazmeen-nigari (the art of poetic intercalation). While the roots of Tazmeen lie in Persian literature, Iqbal elevated this craft from a mere formal exercise to a powerful medium of creative and philosophical expression. The study highlights how Iqbal engaged with the works of classical Persian masters such as Maulana Rumi, Hafiz Shirazi, Ghani Kashmiri, Urfi, and Bedil, integrating their verses into his Urdu poetry to address contemporary socio-political and spiritual challenges. The paper argues that Iqbal’s uniqueness lies in his creative appropriation and structural innovation. Unlike traditional poets, Iqbal often modified the Radif (refrain) or Qafiya (rhyme) of the original verses, shifted the context from lyrical romanticism to collective reform, and employed a dialogic style to enhance the impact of his message. Through an analysis of landmark poems such as "Tasveer-e-Dard," "Khitab ba Jawan-an-e-Islam," "Shama-o-Shaire," and "Khizr-e-Rah," the research demonstrates how Iqbal’s mastery of Tazmeen-nigari bridge the gap between classical Persian heritage and modern Urdu thought, creating a unique synthesis of musicality, intellect, and reformative vision.

Iqbal's Position in Urdu Tazmeen-Nigari

Lubna Bibi — 2026-02-28

This research paper explores the creative and artistic elements within the genre of Science Fiction (SF), primarily through the critical lens of Abid Ali Abid’s seminal work, "Asloob". The study posits that science fiction is not merely a collection of dry empirical facts but a sophisticated literary form that relies heavily on fundamental creative pillars such as imagination (Takhyul), metaphors (Istia’ra), and symbolism (Majaz). By analyzing the triad of God, Nature, and Man, the author discusses how SF bridges the gap between scientific inquiry and literary aestheticism. To substantiate this argument, the paper examines three distinct narrative forms: the classical dastan "Abnoos ka Ghora" (The Ebony Horse) from Arabian Nights, Tufail Dhana’s modern novel "Clone", and Qurratulain Hyder’s short story "Roshni ki Raftar" (Speed of Light). The analysis demonstrates how these works utilize fictional tools like plot, characterization, and dialogue to transform scientific concepts—such as mechanical flight, cloning, and time travel—into compelling human experiences. The paper concludes that the presence of "Takhyul" (Imagination) is the essential catalyst that turns scientific possibilities into high-quality literature, and emphasizes the need for more academic focus on Urdu Science Fiction as a vital creative domain.