Combatting Religious Extremism in Pakistan from the Youth Perspective

The rise of Islam, which emerged as a panacea for the world problems is seen as a problem itself by the west today. The reason for this blame is the rise of extremism and Islam phobia in the western societies. This has serious implicat-ions for personal, communal, national and international security. The involve-ment of youth in extremist exertions is very high. They are being more action-oriented, easy to be influenced by radical ideologies and as an agent for thrus-ting social change.  Keeping in consideration the role of youth in adopting to or combatting extremism, it is imperative to find the perception of this important population about the problem under investigation. The research study was conducted in six universities in the federal capital Islamabad to reach to the youth’s population. The research was guided by research questions that aimed at exploring students’ perception about extremism and its various dimensions. The researcher collected data through an open-ended questionnaire from 1840 students to seek an in-depth understanding of the problem. In order to increase credibility in the findings, the researcher conducted focused group interview with 12 young faculty members. The data from the questionnaires were conver-ted into percentages based on common themes. The interview data set were thematically analyzed to understand the causes of extremism and its suggested solutions. Recommendations were suggested to tackle the menace of extremism in Pakistan.  

Genetic Analysis of Local Wheat Genotypes for Higher Grain Protein Contents Through Biochemical and Morphological Studies

Twenty six indigenous wheat varieties (genotypes) were tested for higher yield and quality traits under the rainfed conditions of NARC, Islamabad and irrigated conditions of AARI, Faisalabad. The major goal was important to select promising genotypes for making genetic improvement in local wheat genotypes. The maximum grains per spike were found in the genotype GA 2002 (87.93) than Fakhr e Sarhad (84.20), Daman 98 (79.20) and Tatara (72.40). The best stable variety for 1000 grain weight was NARC 2009 i.e., 42.26 g than the varieties Fareed 2006 (38.96 g), Shafaq 2006 (38.18 g), Manthar 2003 (38.10 g), Miraj 2000 (37.45 g) and Tatara (37.15 g). Similarly Shafaq 2006, Fareed 2006, Miraj 2000, Manthar 2003 and NARC 2009 gave the highest yield i.e., 116.48, 115.48, 114.49, 106.31 and 105.45 kg respectively. The protein and gluten contents were best in Bahawalpur 2000 (16.40 %) and BARS 2009 (16.10 %) respectively. The cluster analyses of eight selected wheat parents for diallel (8x8) indicated that the Pirsabak-05 showed the genetic index of 0.81 in cluster 1. In second cluster Wafaq 2001, Bahawalpur 2000, GA 2002, Chakwal 50, and Lasani 2008 showed the genetic index of 0.75 (75%) and BARS 2009 predicted the genetic distance of 0.79 (79%) in third cluster. Forth cluster indicated Faisalabad 2008 with the genetic index i.e., 0.80. The gene action studied for tillers per plant, days flowering, days to maturity, spikes per plant, spikes length (cm), spikelets per spike, grains per spike, 1000 grains weight (g), grain yield (kg plot-1), protein (%), wet gluten(%), dry gluten(%), moisture(%), flour yield(%) showed partial dominance with both additive and non-additive behavior in Wr-Vr graphs (Hayman, 1954). While examining the 26 wheat genotypes, the most prevalent allele was 5x+10y at Glu- xxix D1d found in 14 genotypes, 2*x in 10 genotypes and Null in 11 genotypes at GluA1b and GluA1c respectively and 20x+20y at GluB1e in 10 genotypes. The lowest frequency of 6x+8y in 1 genotype and 13x+16y in 3 genotypes was witnessed at GluB1d and GluB1f alleles of GluB1 respectively. In the molecular analyses a total number of seventeen allele-specific STS markers were used for Glu-A3 and Glu-B3 to identify the alleles in the genotypes under study. At Glu-A3 locus, nine genotypes possessed Glu-A3b allele, two genotypes possessed Glu-A3d and six genotypes indicated GluA3g allele. At Glu-B3 locus four genotypes had GluB3d allele and two genotypes possessed GluB3b allele. Allelic frequency (relative) for Glu1 loci of 70 wheat genotypes including 8 parents, and their 56 crosses along with 6 standards was studied for high molecular weight glutenin subunits. The most prevalent allele was 5x+10y at Glu-D1d found in 44 genotypes, 2*x in 38 genotypes at Glu-A1b, 17x+18y in 31 genotypes at Glu-B1i, 2x+12y in 26 genotypes at Glu-D1a, Null in 25 genotypes at Glu-A1c. The lowest frequency of 7x in 4 genotypes at Glu-B1a followed by 7x+9y in 5 genotypes at Glu-B1c and 6x+8y at Glu-B1d was found respectively. The correlation study in 8x8 diallel study of eight parents and their F2 population at both locations (NARC, Islamabad & AARI, Faisalabad) indicated that the days to flowering, days to maturity had significant but negative correlation with grain yield (kg plot-1), spikes per plant, spike length (cm) and 1000 grain weight (g) had significant positive correlation with grain yield (kg plot-1). Dry gluten % had significant and positive correlation with 1000 grain weight (g) and significant with grain yield (kg plot-1).