ABSTRACT

This study explores the intricate relationship between urbanization and environmental sustainability in Pakistan, with a specific focus on how key urban development indicators—electricity consumption, urban population growth, waste management, and green space availability—influence carbon emissions. Drawing on annual time series data spanning 2004 to 2023, the analysis employs a log-linear specification of the STIRPAT model to flexibly capture the environmental impact of socioeconomic drivers. To ensure robustness against heteroskedasticity and potential outliers, the study applies the Robust Least Squares (RLS) estimation technique. Stationarity diagnostics via the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test reveal a mix of I(0) and I(1) variables, while Johansen's cointegration test confirms the existence of long-run equilibrium relationships among the variables. Empirical findings indicate that electricity consumption and green space availability significantly exacerbate carbon emissions, underscoring the environmental cost of fossil fuel dependence and poorly managed urban expansion. Conversely, urban population growth and waste management practices exhibit a mitigating effect on emissions, suggesting that effective urban governance and sustainable waste strategies can contribute to environmental resilience. Diagnostic checks and model stability tests affirm the reliability of the results. The study highlights the urgent need for integrated urban policy frameworks that promote renewable energy adoption, environmentally sensitive urban planning, and advanced waste management systems to support Pakistan’s transition toward a low-carbon, sustainable urban future.

Keywords: Urbanization; Carbon Emissions; Energy Consumption; Waste Management; Green Space Availability; Environmental Sustainability; Pakistan.

    ABSTRACT

This study examines the dynamic interplay between climate risk, AI-driven innovation, financial inclusion, renewable energy adoption, and digital infrastructure in shaping sustainable industrial growth across 2000–2024. Utilizing quantile and threshold regression techniques, the analysis captures distributional heterogeneity and non-linear effects across varying levels of innovation intensity. Results indicate that climate risk, proxied by CO₂ emissions per capita, consistently undermines industrial sustainability, with its adverse impact amplifying at higher innovation levels. In contrast, ICT service exports (as a proxy for AI innovation), domestic credit to the private sector, renewable energy consumption, and internet usage exert significant positive effects, especially in upper quantiles of the growth distribution. These findings suggest that the gains from technological and financial modernization are contingent on a Pakistan’s innovation capacity. Threshold regression reveals structural shifts, highlighting that the influence of policy variables varies across stages of digital and technological advancement. The study contributes to the literature on industrial sustainability by demonstrating the conditional and stage-specific nature of key growth drivers. Policy recommendations emphasize tailored strategies—particularly for emerging economies—to promote industrial resilience through innovation, inclusive finance, clean energy, and digital connectivity, while addressing climate vulnerabilities.

Keywords: Sustainable Industrial Growth; AI-Driven Innovation; Climate Risk; Financial Inclusion; Renewable Energy Transition; Digital Infrastructure; Pakistan.

ABSTRACT

This study explores the concept of good governance from an Islamic perspective and its relevance to addressing Pakistan’s governance challenges. Drawing on the ethical and institutional teachings of the Qur’an, Hadith, and the Prophetic model, it identifies justice (‘Adalah), trust (Amanah), consultation (Shura), and accountability as the key pillars of Islamic governance. Governance in Pakistan and the divergence between Islamic ideals and the realities of contemporary politics were examined using textual analysis of Islamic sources and historical case studies. The findings reveal that although the Pakistani Constitution incorporates certain guiding principles of Islam, effective governance has failed to materialize due to political corruption, instability, weak rule of law, and the absence of moral leadership. The study calls for restoring public trust, enhancing institutional efficiency, and strengthening national integrity through the adoption of Prophetic leadership virtues—transparency, humility, ethical justice, and consultative decision-making. Ultimately, the research proposes a comprehensive framework for rethinking governance in Pakistan, not through a theocratic model, but through a governance system that harmonizes timeless Islamic values with democracy, accountability, and people-centered governance. This study contributes both to Islamic political thought and to practical policymaking for sustainable reform in Muslim-majority societies.

Keywords: Islamic Governance; Good Governance; Pakistan Politics; Accountability; Prophetic Leadership; Political Reform.