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This issue presents works in progress by students and professors at the University of Pennsylvania. Papers are generally based on research conducted for courses offered in the Language in Education Division of the Graduate School of Education. This issue contains the following papers: "Do Second Language Learners Need Negotiation?" (Teresa Pica); "Speech Act Variation in British and American English" (Angela Creese); "'School Ka Sabaq': Literacy in a Girls' Primary School in Rural Pakistan" (Iffat Farah); "Instruction vs. Interaction? A Study of the Acquisition of Modals by Beginning Non-Native Speakers" (Julian D. Linnell); and "An Examination of Consultant-Student Discourse in a Writing Center Conference" (Felicia Lincoln Porter). (LB)

Researchers at the University of Karachi in Pakistan have developed a highly stable and sensitive colorimetric sensor using silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for the detection of omeprazole at trace levels. The sensor combines AgNPs-based paper technology with smartphone technology for real-time analysis of omeprazole. The sensor demonstrated high stability, sensitivity, and versatility, making it suitable for on-site and point-of-care omeprazole detection in various samples. This research provides a promising solution for real-time omeprazole analysis with potential applications beyond pharmaceutical formulations. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the present difficulties faced by Pakistan's prime minister Nawaz Sharif and how he will likely survive it given the military's lack of interest to force a change in government. It notes however that his longer-term political prospects could be hampered by additional repercussions from investigations into his family shielding their money in offshore bank accounts, the trajectory of civil unrest and his inability to overcome political paralysis.

The article reports that the Punjab Board of Revenue is preparing to introduce e-stamp paper in Pakistan, that will enable citizens to purchase high value non-judicial stamp papers online, and will reduce fraud and bogus stamp papers.

The article focuses on issues concerning the Panama Papers, highlighting controversies facing Pakistan Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. During his televised speech addressing the nation on the issue of the Panama Papers, Sharif has disappointed his critics for failing to explain the existence of his family's offshore companies and accounts.

The article focuses the impact of the Panama Papers issue on the political arena in Pakistan. It discusses controversies facing Pakistan Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif following the Panama Leaks as well as issues concerning the secrecy of the Munir Commission findings and the inquiry into Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan's assassination. It also features Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

The article discusses Joint Investigation Team report on the alleged overseas black money accumulation of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif' family in Panama Gate case. It mentions reports highlighted gap and disparity amongst the known and declared sources of income and the wealth accumulated. It also mentions assets owned by Sharif overseas is more than he declared in Pakistan.

However, the PTI government has increased the debt of the country by Rs16 trillion in just three years, which is the biggest increase in debt piled up in the history of Pakistan. In the three years of the PTI government's rule, the country's economy has nosedived with indicators like trade deficit, double-digit inflation, interest rate and debt of the country reaching an unimaginable level, causing a huge surge in the economic miseries of 220 million countrymen, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, the author of the white paper on the current economic state of Pakistan, said on Sunday. He said the PPP government, during the period from 2008 to 2013, jacked up the debt of the country by Rs8 trillion to Rs14.292 trillion from Rs6.127 trillion, while the PMLN government increased the debt by Rs10 trillion to Rs24.953 trillion from Rs14.292 trillion during the period from 2013 to 2018. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports that the work of the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is still in progress due to political polemics of member nations, particularly India and Pakistan. Topics discussed includes 18th SAARC Summit to be held in Kathmandu on November 26 and 27, 2015, SAARC Convention on Terrorism and SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA).

Purpose: The paper aims to test the effect of liquidity creation on profitability and stability with the moderating role of political instability and its level of implication on the overall banking sector of Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses the panel data estimation technique, including fixed- and random-effect model, by taking sample data of 28 banks of Pakistan that are providing their services from 2006 to 2019. Moreover, this study uses the Genreralized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation technique to check the robustness of the results. Findings: The empirical outcomes of this study found a negative relationship of liquidity creation with profitability meanwhile positive relation with banking stability. However, this study shows a negative relation of political instability with liquidity creation, profitability and stability of overall banks of Pakistan. Practical implications: The findings of this paper recommended the vital role of liquidity creation in the profitability and stability of banks, especially in the decision-making process of the investors and bank managers, and how it is affected strongly in the presence of an unstable political situation. These findings may be helpful for policymakers to devise appropriate policies to maintain a fair field between state authority and financial institutions and also assist in formulating strategies to strengthen the banking sector of Pakistan to avoid financial turmoil in the future. Originality/value: As per the knowledge of the authors, this study is the first contribution to examine the moderating effect of political instability on liquidity creation, profitability and stability of the overall banking sector of Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of machine learning applications in ischemia research. The study is divided into three parts, examining articles and reviews related to ischemia, publications that focus on both ischemia and machine learning, and the top 50 most cited papers in the field. The analysis reveals an increase in publications over time and identifies trends and contributors in the field. The researchers conclude that this analysis offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of machine learning applications in ischemia research. [Extracted from the article]

A new research paper from Government College University Faisalabad examines the impact of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the economy of Pakistan from 2013 to 2022. The study analyzes IMF programs and their effects on Pakistan's economic policies, sectors like education and healthcare, and fiscal policies. The research aims to provide insights into the relationship between international economic organizations, particularly the IMF, and Pakistan's economy. The paper is available for free online and was published in the Global Economics Review. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: This paper draws on the affordance perspective, to explore the social media (SM) usage experiences that might render valuable for academic women professionals, for knowledge exchange, networking and success. Owing to the increased SM usage during COVID-19 pandemic, this paper tries to find out that in what ways do SM affordances facilitate the underprivileged group of women professionals to grow in their careers in a masculine, conservative society through knowledge exchange. Design/methodology/approach: By utilizing qualitative study design, the authors collected data from 31 women employed in Pakistani universities, through unstructured questionnaires. The responses were analyzed through Nvivo. Findings: The generated themes suggested that women in Pakistan are aware of SM's potential for knowledge exchange among fellow professionals. They use it to aid them in communication, collaboration and networking. Additionally, they utilize it to share knowledge and build networks that are vital for career progression and success. Research limitations/implications: The paper concludes with the implications for practitioners that would aid them in boosting career prospects for women academicians through SM usage in a developing country Pakistan; where women's career outlooks are not as promising as for men; or as bright as for women working in the developed economies. Originality/value: This a unique attempt to explore knowledge exchange dimensions with the help of SM in the context of working women by the deploying the phenomenological approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent report from researchers at Dow University of Health Sciences highlights the significant mental health risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth, particularly in low-income countries like Pakistan. The paper explores the unique challenges faced by women in these settings, including limited access to healthcare and social support, cultural norms, and stigma surrounding mental health. The lack of awareness and training among healthcare professionals in recognizing and treating postpartum PTSD is identified as a major barrier to adequate care. The paper proposes a comprehensive approach to address these challenges, including raising public awareness, providing mental health support and resources, and integrating postpartum mental health into medical education. The research emphasizes the need for more studies in low-income countries and the importance of understanding and supporting women with postpartum PTSD to improve their well-being and maternal and child health. [Extracted from the article]

Pakistan economy is on solid growth path and has potential to grow at much higher rate in next five years despite a challenging environment across the globe, Khaleej Times reported while quoting experts. The State Bank of Pakistan projects three per cent GDP growth in financial year 2020-21 and four per cent in 2021-22", Dr Reza Baqir, Governor, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), told the paper during an event in Dubai last week. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: Employees' personalities towards occupational outcomes have significantly gained academic attention. Personality traits (PTs) of employees as the determinant of corporate entrepreneurship (CE) outcomes research domain is emerging. This paper aims to assess extraversion PT activation for CE outcome under the problem-solving conflict handling style (CHS) situational cue. Design/methodology/approach: The survey was conducted in automotive manufacturing firms in Pakistan for cross-sectional data collection. Structural equation modelling was used to assess the hypothesised theoretical model from 376 employees. Findings: Results revealed a positive and significant impact of extraversion on CE. Also, employees with high extraversion traits were found to prefer the problem-solving style in managing workplace conflicts. The extraversion trait was also found to be activated under the situational cue of the problem-solving style. Practical implications: The present study draws implications on person-job fit conceptions at the workplace while hiring, promoting and appointing employees. Personality assessment at the workplace is still in infancy in developing countries. The benefits of employees' personalities can positively impact organisational performance measures like CE. Originality/value: The present study has proposed the theoretical model based on Trait Activation Theory (TAT) and contributed theoretically through empirically testing the theoretical model by investigating the employees' CHS role in activating their PTs towards the CE outcomes. Theoretically, using TAT conceptualisations in entrepreneurship and CE is novel as previous knowledge on PTs activation towards CE outcomes is non-existent. CHS as situational cues will attract social science researchers towards studying its role in various predictor outcome links across multiple work settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan and China have agreed to establish a Working Group (WG) on five new economic corridors as part of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The corridors align with the 5Es framework developed by the Planning Ministry and include the Corridor of Job Creation, Corridor of Innovation, Corridor of Green Energy, and Inclusive Regional Development. The Planning Ministry and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China will prepare separate concept papers for each corridor, which will be presented at an upcoming Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting in 2024. The implementation of the 5Es framework has already begun, focusing on export, energy, equity, e-Pakistan, and the environment. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: The identification of a successful mix of strategic orientations is a big challenge for corporate sustainability and management research. To this end, the purpose of this paper is to explore and analyze the interrelationships among multiple variants of strategic orientations (i.e. entrepreneurial orientation (EO), market orientation (MO), technology orientation (TO) and sustainability orientation (SO)) that lead to the superior performance of sustainability-oriented small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in a developing country context. Design/methodology/approach: This study utilized the case-study method to explore a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the interplay among multiple strategic orientations. The data were collected from the top management of SMEs working in Pakistan through semi-structured interviews, complemented with the data obtained through a structured survey and the firms' documentary evidence. Interviews were content analyzed to reveal more rigorous and comprehensive results. Findings: The findings of this study suggest that the strategic framework of successful firms utilizes the aspects from multiple orientations (EO, MO and SO) to create an appropriate alignment that ensures superior performance in a highly dynamic environment. Originality/value: The key finding of this study is the identification of a configurational framework, Entrepreneurial Responsible Orientation, if successfully implemented, it has the potential to drive sustainable performance of the small firms particularly, and sustainable development of the country, generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After months of countless bombastic headlines in the media, Pakistan has finally unveiled its first ever National Security Policy (NSP) 2022-2026. For many in Pakistan, the imbalance between the country's civil and military institutions is the biggest challenge to the NSP. Whether the NSP is a mere policy paper or a serious attempt on the part of the state to envision a new direction for Pakistan will become evident in the coming years. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: The fear of COVID-19, being an emerging research variable and a parcel of the ongoing pandemic, has not yet been fully studied with respect to leadership and employee family life. Based on the conservation of resources theory, the current study aims to investigate the relationship between despotic leadership and work-family conflict under the context of fear prevailing due to COVID-19. The paper also highlights the mediating role of emotional exhaustion between the two variables. Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected in two waves by using a time-lagged design from 225 nurses from hospitals in the Central Punjab region in Pakistan. Analysis was done through process macro in SPSS. Findings: Results showed that despotic leadership is positively related to work-family conflict directly and through emotional exhaustion indirectly. Furthermore, the moderation of fear of COVID-19 has also been noted such that its increase strengthened the direct as well as the indirect relationship between despotic leadership and work-family conflict. Originality/value: During the days of COVID-19, the pandemic posed a strong threat to employees' family lives, especially in the presence of despotic leaders at the workplace. Amidst the widespread fear and harmful effects of COVID-19 on economies and organizations, this study provides novel implications for policymakers, researchers and practitioners for mitigating the impact of despotic leadership on employees' family lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the research paper "Pakistan ke namwar sciencedano ki adabi khidmat", published by Imran Akhtar of Bahauddin Zakariya University, which discusses the contribution of Pakistani scientists in the field of literature.

Researchers at GC University Lahore conducted a study on the optimization of extracellular laccase production from Aspergillus niger ISL-09 using orange peel as a substrate. The study aimed to enhance laccase production for various industrial applications such as paper and pulp industry, textile applications, and bioremediation. The research found that utilizing orange peel as a substrate resulted in significant production of extracellular laccase, highlighting the potential of using agricultural waste for valuable enzyme production and waste reduction. The study provides insights into optimizing laccase production through solid-state fermentation, emphasizing the importance of utilizing agro-industrial waste for industrial applications and bioremediation. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report from Lahore, Pakistan, discusses the development of eco-friendly wearable capacitive sensors for physical activity monitoring and sign language recognition. The sensors are made from readily accessible materials and have a high gauge factor value, fast response, and recovery time. The research suggests integrating these sensors into wearable systems for various applications, including telemedicine, healthcare, and physical activity monitoring. The study highlights the potential for advanced sign language applications and was supported by King Saud University. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at Abdul Wali Khan University in Mardan, Pakistan, focused on Nocardia farcinica, a Gram-positive bacteria that causes opportunistic infections. The research utilized subtractive proteomics, deep learning, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation to identify potential drug targets and inhibitors against Nocardia farcinica. This study is significant as it provides valuable insights into the discovery of new drug targets to combat infections associated with Nocardia farcinica. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents the history of Pakistan and the aim of its government. It mentions that the country was created and is aimed to be developed as a progressive modern society and has become to be a country of 30 million people. It adds that in the early 2000s, the country introduced many economic reforms resulting to a higher economic growth during the 2003-04 and 2007-08 fiscal years.

Since entering into Pakistan in 1998, Huawei has maintained robust growth and contributed to Pakistan's overall ICT industry development. Bahum provides a complete range of products, services, warranty and service contact we represent in local market on behalf o f Huawei and other principals. Huawei together with leading testing and certification organization China General Certification Center (CGC) released the Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter for PV Systems Technical White Paper to enable the industry to better understand AFCI technology. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study conducted at the University of Engineering and Technology in Punjab, Pakistan, focused on improving the detection of Diabetic Retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness globally. The research highlighted the importance of early detection due to the increasing prevalence of diabetes worldwide. The study specifically examined the use of vision transformers in deep learning models to enhance efficiency and accuracy in detecting diabetic retinopathy, presenting a systematic review of 84 academic papers. The research also identified key challenges and proposed further avenues for investigation in this field. [Extracted from the article]

A study conducted by Government College University Faisalabad in Pakistan explores the relationship between sustainable food consumption (SFC) and the quality of life for consumers, as well as its impact on green food production. The study focuses on Chinese university students and finds that environmental emotions mediate the relationship between sustainability knowledge and SFC intentions. Additionally, green self-efficacy is identified as a moderating factor. This research contributes to the understanding of SFC intentions and sustainability knowledge. [Extracted from the article]

Researchers at the University of the Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan have conducted a study on the antiepileptic properties of the leaves extract of Terminalia bellirica Roxb. in a chronic PTZ-kindling epilepsy model. The study found that the methanolic extract of the leaves demonstrated reduced seizure frequency, mean seizure score, and cumulative duration, comparable to diazepam. Additionally, significant behavioral improvements were observed in mice treated with the extract. This research suggests that the methanolic extract of Terminalia bellirica leaves shows promise as a novel neuroprotective herbal treatment for epilepsy and its associated behavioral and cognitive impairments. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports on the order of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) for commercial banks to disburse only machine-authenticated and sorted cash from their Cash Payment Counters (CPC) in Pakistan starting January 2, 2017. It offers details of the SBP's currency management strategy aimed at ensuring the availability of quality banknotes to the general public. SBP Deputy Chief Manager Akmal Javaid Khokhar also reveals an improved supervision in commercial banks to combat counterfeiting.

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has subjected a considerable strain on the healthcare (HC) systems around the world. The most affected countries are developing countries because of their weak HC infrastructure and meagre resources. Hence, building the resilience of the HC system of such countries becomes essential. Therefore, this study aims to build a resilience-based model on the HC sector of Pakistan to combat the COVID-19 and future pandemics in the country. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses a novel hybrid approach to formulate a model based on resilient attributes (RAs) and resilient strategies (RSs). In the first step, the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) technique, i.e. full consistency method (FUCOM) is used to prioritize the RAs. Whereas, the fuzzy quality function deployment (QFD) is used to rank the RSs. Findings: The findings suggest "leadership and governance capacity" to be the topmost RA. Whereas "building the operational capacity of the management", "resilience education" and "Strengthening laboratories and diagnostic systems" are ranked to be the top three RSs, respectively. Practical implications: The model developed in this study and the prioritization RAs and RSs will help build resilience in the HC sector of Pakistan. The policymakers and the government can take help from the prioritized RAs and RSs developed in this study to help make the current HC system more resilient towards the current COVID-19 and future pandemics in the country. Originality/value: A new model has been developed to present a sound mathematical model for building resilience in the HC sector consisting of FUCOM and fuzzy QFD methods. The main contribution of the paper is the presentation of a comprehensive and more robust model that will help to make the current HC system of Pakistan more resilient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan's political party, Tehreek-e-Insaf, has been allowed to participate in Pakistan's upcoming national elections under the symbol of a cricket bat. This decision comes as a relief for Khan, who is attempting to regain power for his party. The Election Commission of Pakistan had previously dismissed the party's election symbol after an intra-party election, but the Peshawar High Court has now ordered the symbol to be reinstated. Election symbols are crucial in Pakistan's elections, as many voters are illiterate and rely on symbols to identify candidates on the ballot paper. Despite facing a five-year disqualification from holding public office or contesting elections, Khan's supporters remain committed to participating in the elections. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report from the Indus Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, analyzed the characteristics of research published in Pakistan on pediatric critical care medicine. The study found that there was a positive linear growth in publications related to pediatric critical care medicine in Pakistan. However, there was a lack of multicenter studies, randomized controlled trials, and high-impact publications. The research suggests that further research in these areas is needed. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the policies of several industries including steel, paper, and textiles in Pakistan to use and produce alternative energy in order to cope with poor availability of energy, electricity and natural gas as of April 2014. Topics discussed include use of solar thermal boilers to generate steam, captive power generation from bagasse, and use natural gas as raw material by the fertilizer industry of the country.

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the perceptions of young entrepreneurial aspirants towards sustainable entrepreneurship in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach: The study is based on descriptive and cross-sectional data collected using a survey questionnaire. The study's respondents were students, all of whom were studying for their Master's degree of Business Administration (MBA) at several Pakistani universities (both public and private sectors). A total of 412 usable cases were used to obtain the outcomes. Findings: By using the structural equation modeling, the findings suggest a positive and significant impact of eco-friendly people, green marketing factors, changing consumer behaviour and favourable market conditions on sustainable entrepreneurship. Practical implications: The study's findings are beneficial in understanding the concept of sustainable entrepreneurship and the significant factors that may affect sustainable entrepreneurship along with the main components in social and business systems. Organizations can reinforce these factors to stimulate sustainable entrepreneurship in future studies. Thus, the study contributes to filling the research gap in the area of sustainable entrepreneurship. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to investigate and reveal young entrepreneurial aspirants' perceptions on sustainable entrepreneurship. The findings help in understanding the sustainable entrepreneurship concept, particularly in a developing country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Textile industry has preeminent position in economic structure of Pakistan. Textile industry is capable of making yarn to garment products. In Pakistan, the fabric manufacturing sector mainly divided into two main categories: one is weaving and the second is knitting goods. During September 2016 the 9 selected commodities of textile manufactures contributed 59.55% of total exports in which the shares of knitwear, bed-wear, cotton fabrics, articles of apparel and clothing accessories (excl. knitwear), cotton yarn, and towels were 11.95%, 11.27%, 10.96%, 10.56% and 5.71% respectively. These values indicate that knitwear industry in flourishing day by day and putting its major role in export performance. Major type of knitted goods accounted as t-shirts, socks, and other apparel goods. For such industry which accounted important role in economy of economy needs more improvement and attention in terms of product development and also needed to be produced more fashion and design goods. Weft knitting technique is dominant in Pakistani textile industry over warp knitting technique, various small to large companies are operating in this sector. But mostly focused on export orders, very few companies are developing their own product and attracting European, American and other customers in the world. In the technique of weft knitting by using hand flatbed machine which is easy to operate and has ability to develop fabrics from 2 to 14 gauge fabrics with also many easy possibilities in product development. Various small to medium size factories of Pakistan can produce such products by consuming less cost in terms of technology investment. One of technique that can be used is tubular knit fabric on hand flatbed machine. Through developing tubular knit fabrics and by adding or stuffing digital print deigns in it can give aesthetically good product which is cost effective as well. This paper will explain various possibilities of tubular knit fabric in design development which will be suitable for coarser to finer fabric of various end uses such as tops, lowers, knitted jackets, etc. By producing such value added products, Pakistani Textile Industry, specifically areas relevant to knitted goods can increase overall competitiveness in terms of design developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent research report from the University of the Punjab in Pakistan discusses the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018, which grants rights to transgender individuals based on their self-perceived gender identity. However, the Federal Shariat Court has struck down some sections of the act, deeming them unIslamic. The research emphasizes that gender is a social construct and different from biological sex, and that transgender identity is not a mental disorder but distinct from gender dysphoria. The paper aims to bridge the gap between stakeholders' understanding of transgender rights in Pakistan and insights from the field of mental health. [Extracted from the article]

When a state ratifies a human rights treaty, she undertakes the responsibility to take legislative, executive and other measures for ensuring the implementation of treaty provisions at domestic level. The state is also, inter se, required to conform its laws in accordance with the treaty provisions it accedes to. However, Pakistan adopted a dualist method when it acceded to CEDAW.Pakistan is party to covenant, however, she shuns the obligations under the treaty; the reason is Pakistan's ambiguous and wide reservation it putted while acceding to CEDAW. Consequently, disregarding its treaty obligations, Pakistan maintains its laws which are gender discriminatory in nature and conflicting with the provisions of CEDAW. The paper after briefly discussing the nature of obligations incurred under human rights treaties sheds some light on the reservation under international law and the then examines Pakistan's reservation to CEDAW. For the purpose of enquiring into raison d'être of Pakistan's Declaration the paper also examines her Travauxpreparatoires. It concludes that Pakistan putted such an ambiguous reservation due its constitutional commitment to Islamization. Through such a wide reservation Pakistan wanted to protect its domestic gender discriminatory legislation which proves detrimental to the women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While addressing a seminar, Dr Bengali lamented the continued gas supply to fertilizer plants at a price as low as 13 per cent of the economic value of the precious energy commodity. Renowned economist, Dr Kaiser Bengali, has decried the decision of the government to ensure the supply of natural gas to the fertilizer sector at a much-reduced price when domestic consumers and other industries in the country have been facing a grave energy crisis. [Extracted from the article]

A report by Ghazanfar Hussain and colleagues from Punjab, Pakistan, discusses the use of sustainable nanomaterials in food safety. The research focuses on the detection and removal of organic contaminants, such as antibiotics, from food samples using eco-friendly nanomaterial-based sensor platforms. The study emphasizes the benefits of sustainable synthesis and the ecological impact of these materials, highlighting their potential in ensuring the quality and safety of food products. The research has been peer-reviewed and offers insights into future perspectives in this field. [Extracted from the article]

A recent study from the University of Lahore in Pakistan explores the toxicity spectrum and detrimental effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles as an emerging pollutant. The research highlights the wide industrial applications of titanium dioxide nanoparticles due to their unique properties, but also emphasizes the hazardous effects they can have on ecosystems and living organisms. The study provides comprehensive information on how these nanoparticles can accumulate in various parts of the body and induce genotoxic effects, shedding light on the importance of understanding the potential risks associated with their use. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses administrative reforms implemented by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, and its implications on the social and political atmosphere of the nation. Topics discussed include ambitious social and economic policies of Bhutto challenging the authority of the Civil Service of Pakistan (CSP), policies introduced by him in 1973 and government discrimination imposed by Bhutto.

The Pakistan Election Commission has rejected former Prime Minister Imran Khan's applications to compete in the 2024 elections in two constituencies, Lahore and Mianwali. The Election Commission cited reasons such as Khan not being a registered voter in Lahore and his previous conviction and disqualification from running for office. The upcoming elections will bring in a new government tasked with reviving Pakistan's economy and ending the political uncertainty that has persisted since Khan's removal from office. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report from the University of Karachi in Pakistan discusses the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of different species of Nepeta, commonly known as catmints or catnips. The study used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify 42 compounds in the species, and found that all of them exhibited high antioxidant activity. The researchers suggest that further investigation is needed to explore the potential therapeutic applications of these natural products. The report provides valuable insights into the medicinal properties of Nepeta species and their potential as a source of novel drugs. [Extracted from the article]

A recent report from Bahauddin Zakariya University in Pakistan highlights the growing concern of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the country. The researchers conducted a comprehensive scoping review of the literature on antimicrobial use, prescribing, and dispensing in primary care settings in Pakistan. The findings revealed limited understanding of AMR among healthcare professionals, inappropriate practices in prescribing and dispensing antibiotics, and a notable prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics among the general population. The researchers emphasize the need for healthcare professionals to prioritize appropriate antibiotic use, improve their understanding of AMR, and implement antimicrobial stewardship activities. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports on the decline in the civil-military relations in Pakistan, following the move by the Supreme Court of Pakistan which assumed the role of a prosecutorial authority in the investigation against Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after the Panama Papers leak. It discusses the challenging of military officers in the corruption investigation, the importance of institutionalization of civilian decision-making process, and strengthening the rule of law.

This article focuses on the smuggling of United States-made products through ports with little or no export controls to avoid United States trade embargoes. On paper the shipment was harmless enough. Sixty-six American-made spark gaps--high-speed electrical switches used in medical devices to break up kidney stones--traveled from the manufacturer in Salem, Mass. late last summer to a buyer in Secaucus, N.J. From there, according to the export declaration, they were to be shipped to their ultimate destination in Cape Town, South Africa. But these spark gaps can also be used to detonate nuclear bombs--and it turned out that the goods were aimed at an end user in Pakistan, with a stopover in Dubai. The commercial capital of the United Arab Emirates, where trading activity accounts for the biggest single chunk (16.5%) of a $20 billion economy, has become a favorite diversion point on the Persian Gulf for shady cargo. With no export controls and hardly any bureaucracy at ports, airports and free zones, this entrepôt provides stellar cover for smugglers hoping to bypass U.S. embargoes. Smuggling isn't exactly new to the Persian Gulf. But the system really took off around 1987, when the U.S. imposed its first trade embargo on Iranian goods and services in response to Tehran's sponsoring of terrorism in the Middle East. Today American companies are downright brazen about dodging the sanctions.

The article offers the author's opinion on transparency and government accountability in Pakistan. The author says that the two have been regarded as synonymous with politically motivated anti-corruption efforts. She adds that developing the two builds confidence in government and presents avenues in businesses for sustainable growth. She mentions that transparency of decision making is a way of regulating conflict of interest. She also reflects on the five handover papers she drafted.