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While socioeconomic gradients in regional health inequalities are firmly established, the synergistic interactions between socioeconomic deprivation and climate vulnerability within convenient proximity and neighbourhood locations with health disparities remain poorly explored and thus require deep understanding within a regional context. Furthermore, disregarding the importance of spatial spillover effects and nonlinear effects of covariates on childhood stunting are inevitable in dealing with an enduring issue of regional health inequalities. The present study aims to investigate the spatial inequalities in childhood stunting at the district level in Pakistan and validate the importance of spatial lag in predicting childhood stunting. Furthermore, it examines the presence of any nonlinear relationships among the selected independent features with childhood stunting. The study utilized data related to socioeconomic features from MICS 2017–2018 and climatic data from Integrated Contextual Analysis. A multi-model approach was employed to address the research questions, which included Ordinary Least Squares Regression (OLS), various Spatial Models, Machine Learning Algorithms and Explainable Artificial Intelligence methods. Firstly, OLS was used to analyse and test the linear relationships among selected variables. Secondly, Spatial Durbin Error Model (SDEM) was used to detect and capture the impact of spatial spillover on childhood stunting. Third, XGBoost and Random Forest machine learning algorithms were employed to examine and validate the importance of the spatial lag component. Finally, EXAI methods such as SHapley were utilized to identify potential nonlinear relationships. The study found a clear pattern of spatial clustering and geographical disparities in childhood stunting, with multidimensional poverty, high climate vulnerability and early marriage worsening childhood stunting. In contrast, low climate vulnerability, high exposure to mass media and high women's literacy were found to reduce childhood stunting. The use of machine learning algorithms, specifically XGBoost and Random Forest, highlighted the significant role played by the average value in the neighbourhood in predicting childhood stunting in nearby districts, confirming that the spatial spillover effect is not bounded by geographical boundaries. Furthermore, EXAI methods such as partial dependency plot reveal the existence of a nonlinear relationship between multidimensional poverty and childhood stunting. The study's findings provide valuable insights into the spatial distribution of childhood stunting in Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of considering spatial effects in predicting childhood stunting. Individual and household-level factors such as exposure to mass media and women's literacy have shown positive implications for childhood stunting. It further provides a justification for the usage of EXAI methods to draw better insights and propose customised intervention policies accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In current era of globalization, environmental sustainability has become a major concern in developing countries. This issue of sustainability also gained importance in Pakistan. Previous literature ignored the link of knowledge spillover along with energy efficiency and globalization on environmental sustainability in Pakistan. So, the motivation of current study is to explore the impact of energy efficiency, knowledge spillover, and globalization on environmental sustainability in Pakistan from 1980 to 2021. This study applied Phillip Perron (PP)unit test to determine the stationarity properties of study variables, and it was found that all variables are I(1). The study then applied the Johansen cointegration estimation technique, confirming a cointegration and long-run relationship between environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, knowledge spill over, and globalization. So, the vector error correction model is applied to determine the variables' long-run relationship. Results confirmed that knowledge spill over and energy efficiency negatively impact environmental sustainability by increasing the ecological footprint, while globalization positively affects environmental sustainability. Thus, for environmental sustainability policy formation, fostering circular economy practices that improve resource efficiency is essential, advocating a shift in the conventional production and utilization paradigm by recycling the natural environment and producing as little waste as possible. Further, governments should develop and stimulate the expansion of financial institutions and markets along with promoting a planned urbanization process are essential for ensuring that resources are handled sustainably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, addressing the issue of carbon emissions has gained significant attention in the field of environmental sustainability. This study aims to contribute to the existing literature by investigating the interplay between eco-innovation, international trade, energy productivity, and consumption-based carbon emissions in the context of the BRICS economies. Using data spanning the period from 1990 to 2020, we employ advanced methodological techniques to overcome challenges associated with cross-section dependency, non-stationarity, and heterogeneity. The results of our study provide compelling evidence of a long-term cointegrating association between eco-innovation, energy productivity, economic growth, imports, exports and consumption-based carbon emissions. The results reveal that eco-innovations, exports, and energy productivity are associated with reductions in CO2 emissions. Conversely, imports and GDP growth contribute to higher CO2 emissions. Our findings have significant implications for policymakers, businesses, and stakeholders involved in shaping environmental policies and sustainable development strategies. The observed negative correlations between eco-innovation, exports, energy productivity, and consumption-based carbon emissions offer a clear channel for mitigating environmental pollution. By prioritizing and promoting eco-innovation initiatives, encouraging sustainable exports, and enhancing energy productivity, policymakers can effectively reduce carbon emissions and foster sustainable economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intra-industry trade has a paramount value in the theory of international trade due to the reason that it establishes the base for exploiting economies of scale and product differentiation, which ultimately ensures the existence of comparative advantage. The current research is an endeavour to examine the determinants of intra-industry trade through Augmented Gravity Equation (AGE) and the potential of intra-industry trade through revealed comparative advantage (determined by the Balassa index); in the selective industries of Pakistan, with its top eleven trading partners. For this purpose, the top five exporting industries of Pakistan are selected which include textile and clothing, agro-food, engineering goods and manufacturing goods, leather and minerals and metals. Data for the period from 2003 to 2016 is used for analysis. The random effects panel data model is used to estimate the independent factors of IIT such as the difference in market size, the difference in per capita income, common border, economic distance, and free trade agreement. The results calculated through AGE mainly showed that the difference in market size and per capita income significantly alter the course of IIT in Pakistan due to variations in the development stage between Pakistan and its trading partners. Further, the RCA showed the highest trend in the textile and clothing industry and the lowest in the transportation industry of Pakistan. Finally; it is suggested that in Pakistan, innovative and differentiated goods are required to be produced to attain economies of scale and capture international markets. In this way, its balance of payments can be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The changing population structure has raised serious concerns about future health care expenditures in Pakistan. Growing proportion of aged people could lead to a higher health care expenditure as occurrence of chronic-degenerative diseases increases and a large demand for health and social care is visualized with a subsequent effect on health expenditures. Considering the above research problem, the current study analyzed the effects of ageing population on health care expenditures in Pakistan using a time-series data from period 1995 to 2014. Bayesian VAR approach was applied to evaluate the impacts of population ageing on health care expenditures. From the results of the study it was clear that health expenditure of Pakistan showed more response towards aged population as compared to life expectancy and per capita GDP. Population aging brought about 2.6 percent increase in health care expenditures and are expected to rise to 17.2 percent in tenth year when compared to the base year. Life expectancy also brought an increase in healthcare expenditure; bringing about 3.6 percent increase in health care expenditures per capita and 14.2 percent increase in tenth year. Real GDP per capita explains 1.7 percent fluctuation in health care expenditures per capita in third year which increases to 3 percent in tenth year. A macro level dedicated health policy for elderly people could help to minimize the health care expenditures such as, training of primary care doctors in geriatrics and provision of domiciliary care. Ageing population illnesses that give hike to health care expenditure should be considered for further research to get more truthful outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent times agriculture sector has been considered as one of the most affected sectors by climate change. Climatic factors that have direct influence on agricultural productivity are: rise in temperature, heavy rainfall, precipitation, floods and drought etc. This paper has empirically examined the effect of climatic variations on cotton productivity in Pakistan. In order to evaluate the climate change, three climatic variables (rainfall, max. temp and min temp) and three non-climatic variables (technology, fertilizer and area) had been used for analysis. Historical climate data from 1981-2015, was collected from Pakistan Meteorological Department, while data of Technology, fertilizer and cotton area has been gathered from Pakistan Economic Survey. ARDL bound testing econometric approach was employed to gauge the empirical estimates. The outcomes of cointegration shows that all climate variables have statistically substantial effect on cotton productivity in Pakistan. Both rain-fall and maximum temperature have positive effects while minimum temperature has negative effects on cotton production. Furthermore, both fertilizer and area have positive impact on cotton production. long run cointegrating relationship holds among climate change variables and cotton productivity. mitigating negative impressions of climate change requires strategies focusing on the adaptation of climate resistant cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture in Pakistan is extremely vulnerable to climate change. Adaptation of the agriculture sector is imperative as it contributes 20 percent to the GDP and supports directly or indirectly about 68 percent of the population for their sustenance. Farmers' perception about climate change, current adaptation measures, and decision-making process is important for farmers' successful adaptation strategies. Using data of 205 conventional farmers from three district of Punjab province, this study provides insights into farmers' perceptions about climate change, on-going adaptation practices, and constraints to various adaption strategies. We found that majority of the farmers do not consider climate change as a potential threat to agriculture; therefore, they do not make any intentional efforts to change their farming practices. However, a few adaptation measures like use of different crop varieties, tree planting, and drip irrigation methods are prevalent in the research area. The major hurdles that farmers perceived in adaptation are limited access to credit, lack of access to information, and institutional support. As expected, no significant variations were found across districts in the characteristics of respondents (age and income) that can affect their perceptions, their adaptation strategies, and obstacles faced in adaptation. The results of the study need to be interpreted with caution, as we did not focus on other determinants like education, role of media, and government policies that can affect farmers' choices to adopt climate resilient farming practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture in Pakistan is extremely vulnerable to climate change. Adaptation of the agriculture sector is imperative as it contributes 20 percent to the GDP and supports directly or indirectly about 68 percent of the population for their sustenance. Farmers' perception about climate change, current adaptation measures, and decision-making process is important for farmers' successful adaptation strategies. Using data of 205 conventional farmers from three district of Punjab province, this study provides insights into farmers' perceptions about climate change, on-going adaptation practices, and constraints to various adaption strategies. We found that majority of the farmers do not consider climate change as a potential threat to agriculture; therefore, they do not make any intentional efforts to change their farming practices. However, a few adaptation measures like use of different crop varieties, tree planting, and drip irrigation methods are prevalent in the research area. The major hurdles that farmers perceived in adaptation are limited access to credit, lack of access to information, and institutional support. As expected, no significant variations were found across districts in the characteristics of respondents (age and income) that can affect their perceptions, their adaptation strategies, and obstacles faced in adaptation. The results of the study need to be interpreted with caution, as we did not focus on other determinants like education, role of media, and government policies that can affect farmers' choices to adopt climate resilient farming practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The indifference and dereliction of Pakistan's legislators in formalizing an agricultural tax regime has unequivocally induced critical structural weaknesses in the fiscal machinery. Addressing the concern, the study has analysed the impact of agriculture taxes on the share of agriculture GDP of Pakistan and empirically investigated the long run relationship between the variables using time series data for last 23 years. It was empirically evaluated that increase in agriculture taxes led to a decrease in agriculture share of GDP. 1% increase in in the level of agricultural income tax decreased share of GDP by 0.073%. Whereas increase in land tax revenue had a significant positive effect on the agriculture share of GDP. Exempting agriculture income tax would give respite to agriculture community as done in china, where zero agriculture income tax was applied in practical. However, if income tax must be made functional then that tax rates should be revised in accordance with the income potential of agriculture lands; large land holdings be taxed, shares of the collected tax at district level should be spent on provision of local services which, in return, would help farmers increase income leading to higher income tax revenue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The indifference and dereliction of Pakistan's legislators in formalizing an agricultural tax regime has unequivocally induced critical structural weaknesses in the fiscal machinery. Addressing the concern, the study has analysed the impact of agriculture taxes on the share of agriculture GDP of Pakistan and empirically investigated the long run relationship between the variables using time series data for last 23 years. It was empirically evaluated that increase in agriculture taxes led to a decrease in agriculture share of GDP. 1% increase in in the level of agricultural income tax decreased share of GDP by 0.073%. Whereas increase in land tax revenue had a significant positive effect on the agriculture share of GDP. Exempting agriculture income tax would give respite to agriculture community as done in china, where zero agriculture income tax was applied in practical. However, if income tax must be made functional then that tax rates should be revised in accordance with the income potential of agriculture lands; large land holdings be taxed, shares of the collected tax at district level should be spent on provision of local services which, in return, would help farmers increase income leading to higher income tax revenue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increment in atmospheric CO2, variations in temperature and precipitation are helping tools to forecast scenarios for the climate in an area. Changes in these tools from the past due to any unavoidable circumstances for today and in the future is refers to climate change (CC). Besides other living being, crops are either benefited or adversely affected by these changes in the climate of an area. Maize is one of the widely grown crops in the world and even in Pakistan has also influenced in either way. Current study employed vector auto regression models (VAR) along with times series data from 1980 to 2013 for Pakistan to estimate the potential effects of climate change on Maize production. Result professed that average temperature will affect Maize crop negatively bringing about 6% reduction in maize production till the year 2030. Average minimum temperature brought about 9% increases in maize production till 2021. Increase in overall rainfall will also benefits Maize crop production. Maize production will increase by 2% by the year 2030 from the base year i.e. 1980. Water availability in the crop growth periods and fertilizer application (today or in the future) will certainly increase production. This scenario demands devising adaptation strategies for farmers to be made available, this should be the key policy intervention of the government to cater with the climate change on agriculture and particularly on maize. Fertilizer management and crop variety choices according to the changing climate will address this serious concern expected in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pakistan ranks 149th in the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and has failed to keep pace with other countries in the region, except Afghanistan, with respect to health indicators. Home deliveries are linked to a higher risk of maternal death; therefore, discouraging home deliveries is imperative to improve maternal health. This study provides a holistic view and analyses factors affecting home birth decisions within the context of maternal socio-demographic characteristics in Pakistan.Methods: The study exploits the latest data from the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (2012-2013), which includes a nationally representative sample of 13,558 women aged 15-49 years. However, the sample was reduced to 6977 women who had given birth in the 5 years preceding the survey. Statistical techniques, including bi-variate and multivariate logistic regression, were used to analyse the data. The dependent variable was dichotomous and coded as 0 for home deliveries and 1 for deliveries at a health facility. The dependent variable was constructed based on information regarding the most recent birth in the 5 years preceding the survey.Results: The study reveals that giving birth at home is highly prevalent among mothers in Pakistan (Baluchistan, 74%; Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 53%; Gilgit Baltistan, 46%; Punjab, 45% and Sindh, 34%) because of their difficulty obtaining permission to visit a health facility, financial barriers, the distance to health facilities and transportation. Substantial variation is observed when geo-demographic characteristics are considered. Higher home childbirth rates have been recorded in rural areas compared with those in urban areas (OR 1.32; p ≤ 0.000). The likelihood of home birth is highest (OR 2.67; p = 0.000) among women in Baluchistan province and lowest (OR 0.48; p = 0.000) among mothers in Punjab province. After controlling for all odds ratios and demographic characteristics, the parents' education levels remain a significant factor (p = 0.000) that affects women's decisions to deliver at home rather than at a health facility.Conclusion: The study findings provide a better understanding of why women prefer to give birth at home. These results can help policymakers to introduce appropriate interventions to increase the number of deliveries at health facilities. These findings are expected to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]