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Over the years, there have been several discussions on the mainstreaming of Madrassas in Pakistan with their main focus to provide career opportunities to their students by reforming curriculum, removing hate speeches and adding some additional subjects such as Mathematics, IT and English. The issue of Madrassa reforms particularly came to lime light in the backdrop of post-9/11 developments especially the global war on terror. The terrorist attack on Army Public School in Peshawar in December 2014 provided further impetus for a 20-Points National Action Plan (NAP) for countering terrorism and extremism of which one the important points was that Madrassas would be regularized and reformed. The present study is aimed to highlight the importance of Madrassa reforms by discussing the challenges and sensitivities involved in this process. It also discusses the perceptions and ground realities about the role of the Madrassas in the society by highlighting its various dimensions. The discussion begins with an analytical overview of the history and background of these institutions. It also analysis the prevailing administrative structures controlling the working of various Madrassas. The analysis concludes on presenting various options and strategies for introducing reforms in the Madrassa system in Pakistan by offering some policy recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a careful survey was conducted at twenty-nine different car-wash stations in Peshawar city to collect wastewater samples and evaluate the usage of fresh water in those stations. Experiments were carried out on a prototype treatment unit comprising sedimentation and filtration. After treatment, the TSS reduced from 1000 to 200 mg/L, hardness 321.60 to 120 mg/L and turbidity 253 to 3.70 NTU, TDS 591 to 400 mg/L and oil contents 27 to 14 mg/L. The quality of treated water was found suitable for car washing again. Furthermore, a design and cost estimation of a commercial scale low-cost wastewater treatment unit has been provided. It was found that the installation of low-cost wastewater treatment units can save 12 m3/day offresh water in a carwash station. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate extended spectrum betalactamase (ESBL) in E.coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in bacterial cultures and its frequency at LRH. Study Design: Cross sectional analytical study. Setting: Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. Period: June 2013 to December 2013. Methodology: Total of 1037 bacterial isolates including 614 E.coli and 423 of Klebsiellapneumoniae were evaluated. All cases were subjected to double disc diffusion method for ESBL detection using amoxacilln-clavulanic acid and a third generation cephalosporin as all ESBLs are hydrolysed by clavulanic acid. The data were analysed using SPSS-16. Results: Out of 1037 cases five ninety two (55%) were males and four fourty five (45%) were females. Of these, E. Coli were 614 (59.2%) and K. Pneumoniae were four twenty three (40.8%). Of these 1037 isolates, four hundred & ninety five(47.7%) tested positive for ESBL enzyme. Frequency of ESBL positivity in E.coli isolates was 264 (43%) and in Klebsiellapneumoniae isolates was 231 (54.6%).Frequency of ESBL in pus was 34.3%(152/395),in urine, it was 31.8%(141/368), in blood it was 28.6%(127/233) and in sputum it was 5.1% (23/41). Unit wise frequency of ESBL was surgical & allied 24.6% (109/283), medical and allied 21.4%( 95/241), paediatrics 18.5% (82/203), obstetrics & gynaecology 23.2%( 103/178) and outpatients 12.1 %(54/132). No significant correlation between ESBL positivity, gender, unit or specimen was found. Conclusion: ESBL positive isolates of E.coli and K.pneumoniaeshould be properly detected in routine laboratory workflow to avoid unnecessary use of otherwise effective antibiotics.These results indicate that such organisms are highly prevalent in our Hospital and need immediate infection control measures to reduce their further spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]