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This paper addresses to evaluate and assess the students' competency in writing skills at Secondary school level in the English Language focusing five major content areas: word completion, sentence making/syntax, comprehension, tenses/grammar and handwriting. The target population was the male and female students of grade 10 of urban and rural Secondary schools from public and private sector. Forty (40) Secondary schools of District Bahawalnagar, Pakistan were taken using stratified sampling. A sample consisting of 440 students (11 students from each school) was randomly selected using a table of random numbers. An achievement test consisting of different items was developed to assess the students' competency and capability in sub-skills of writing such as word completion, sentence making/syntax, comprehension, tenses/grammar and handwriting. Mean score and standard deviation were used to analyze the students' proficiency in each sub-skill. The t-test was applied to make the comparison on the bases of gender, density and public and private sector. The overall performance of all the students was better in comprehension as compared to other sub-skills namely word completion, sentence making/syntax, tenses/grammar and handwriting. The analysis, based on t-value, revealed no significant difference between the performance of male and female students and the students of public and private schools, whereas there was a significant difference between the performance of urban and rural students.

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In this article, we apply Ruiz's language-as-resource orientation to three international settings: Taiwan, Pakistan, and mainland China. Our guiding question was how different languages (indigenous languages, Chinese, and English) were positioned differently as resources in these contexts. For our analysis, we used Lo Bianco's (2001) elaboration of the language-as-resource framework as our starting point for an examination of early childhood education (Taiwan), political events (Pakistan), and different types of bilingual education (mainland China). Through this analysis, we confirmed the multidimensionality and multiplicity of the language-as-resource orientation (i.e., different languages can be positioned as different types of resources by different groups in society). We also found that additional dimensions might be considered as part of the language-as-resource orientation, such as native-speaker status, time, and space. Finally, we argue for an emphasis on Ruiz's idea of cooperative language planning as an integral part of the language-as-resource orientation. The "multilingualism-as-a-resource" orientation is a step in this direction.

Agroforerstry (AF) in the farmlands of Punjab (Pakistan) is a tradition, but it was practiced without any proper methodology. From last few years, AF practices have become popular in Punjab. Especially in the rural areas woody biomass is being used as a major source of energy. The study was designed to examine the contributions of AF on the socioeconomic conditions of the farmers in the central Punjab of Pakistan. District Chiniot was selected as the universe of study and a detailed survey was conducted in the three tehsiles by interviewing 150 randomly selected farmers with the use of a wellstructured questionnaire. In addition, secondary data was also collected from district agriculture offices. Chi-Square test was used for quantitative data analysis. Results showed that farmer's annual income and household status was improved after practicing AF. Reasonably less poor farmers have more income increase than the poor farmers due to an extra investment, but income generation helped poor farmers to maintain the minimal living standards. Farmers perceived the advantage of trees immensely and the large scale farmers taking this as a genuine source of income. In adoption of AF, attitude of the farmers was independent of family size and settlement period, but was dependent on the occupation and number of livestock holding. The study suggested that, in the present financial scenario of the poor farmers, planting of suitable tree species with multiple benefits is an escape way to come out of the vicious circle of poverty. Along with that agroforestry can play a vital role in increasing the vegetation cover in forest deficient countries. Extension services and awareness programs should be arranged in the areas where people have negative attitude about AF practices, because the cultivated fields are the best places to grow the tree with crops. Moreover, subsidies and income generating project should be launched to motivate people towards AF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing demands for coastal and marine natural resources have led to an excessive degradation of marine habitats, nursery grounds, coastal erosion, and resources depletion, which threaten the marine environment. Currently, the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is attracting attention in coastal states worldwide; it is considered a management tool for conservation and rational utilization of marine resources. MSP generally refers to the Marine Functional Zoning (MFZ) in China, which is regarded as a strong management strategy to protect, conserve, manage, and maintain sustainable coastal and marine natural resources. This study analyzes the connotation, development, law enforcement, and management strategies of MFZ in China and guiding principles for Pakistan. Pakistan has a long coastline but still facing several problems due to a lack of strategic planning management. According to findings of this study, the guiding principles of the China's MFZ for Pakistan mainly include dividing the ocean into different functional units; involvement of the State and local agencies in the decision-making process; marine resource allocation based on natural carrying capacity; establishment of MFZ laws and legislation; promotion of marine science and technology development; and stakeholder participation in MFZ scheme. A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis was carried out based on 3D MSP approach to ascertain Pakistan's current and future coastal and marine management practices and issues. This study will provide a baseline to coastal planners and developers in Pakistan for the allocation of coastal and marine resources on the basis of their natural carrying capacity and sustainable utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cu-Sb-Pb polymetallic vein deposit is hosted by metavolcanics rocks of the Gawuch Formation at the Kaldom Gol area of the northwest Kohistan arc terrain in northern Pakistan. The mineralization is closely associated with the dioritic to granodioritic rocks of the Lowari pluton, which was intruded into the Gawuch metavolcanics. Details of ore characterization and processes of ore genesis of this evidently hydrothermal mineralization are not well documented. Integrating petrographic, mineral-chemical and isotopic investigations, this study aims to comprehend the source of hydrothermal fluids, geochemical evolution, mineral inclusions and physicochemical conditions of the Cu-Sb-Pb polymetallic vein deposit in Gawuch metavolcanics in the Kohistan arc terrain in northern Pakistan. The mineralization is distinguished into three types of ore-gangue associations: Type Ia, Type Ib, and Type II. The textural study revealed two pyrite generations: (i) Py1 displaying euhedral to subhedral habits and containing scarce inclusions, and (ii) Py2 occurring as anhedral grains hosting abundant inclusions. Type Ia is characterized by Py1 associated with abundant quartz (Qz) showing comb texture, sericite (Ser), and minor chlorite (Chl). Type Ib comprises Qz + Ser + Chl and Py2, chalcopyrite (Ccp), and magnetite (Mag). Type II is represented by mosaic quartz, rhombic adularia, and bladed calcite, and the ore minerals fahlore and galena. Alteration zones composed of Qz-Ser ± Chl and Qz-Ser-Chl, surround Type I (a, b) and Type II veins, respectively. Fahlore and galena mostly replace pyrite of Type Ia and chalcopyrite of Type Ib. In addition, malachite, azurite, hematite and covellite occur as secondary (supergene) minerals. The Co/Ni ratios (>1) of Kaldom Gol pyrites suggest that the ore-forming fluids were hydrothermal in origin and Py1 and Py2 solidified at 221–304 °C and 225–261 °C, respectively. The LA-ICP-MS time-resolved depth profiles confirm the existence of sphalerite, and chalcopyrite inclusions in pyrite (Py1 and Py2) and millerite , bravoite , vaesite , Au-tellurides, native Au and galena inclusions in chalcopyrite and fahlore. Sulfur isotope compositions of pyrites (δ34S = Py1, −0.58 to +2 ‰; δ34S = Py2, −0.24 to +2.04 ‰) indicate that the ore-forming fluids were derived from magmatic source (s). The mineral assemblage, hydrothermal alterations, textures, temperature and δ34S of pyrites suggest that the Cu-Sb-Pb polymetallic mineralization at Kaldom Gol represents an intermediate-sulfidation type of epithermal deposit. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• mapping irrigation extent with irrigation performances under drought stress. • first global irrigation extent at 30 m with 23.4 % irrigated cropland in 2010 s. • dividing annually and intermittently irrigated regions with applicability of indices. Accurate global irrigation information is essential for managing water scarcity and improving food security. However, the mapping of high-resolution irrigation at the global scale is challenging due to the wide range of climate conditions, crop types and phenology, ambiguous and heterogeneous spectral features, and farming practices. Here, a robust method is proposed using irrigation performance under drought stress as a proxy for crop productivity stabilization and crop water consumption. For each irrigation mapping zone (IMZ), dry months in the 2017–2019 period and the driest months in the 2010–2019 period were identified over the growing season. The thresholds of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in the dry months from 2017 to 2019 and the NDVI deviation (NDVI dev) in the driest month were identified to separate irrigated and rainfed cropland with samples. The final threshold from either the NDVI or the NDVI dev of the IMZ was determined with a higher overall accuracy in separating irrigated and non-irrigated areas. The results show that the global maximum irrigation extent (GMIE) at a 30-m resolution was 23.38% of global cropland in 2010–2019, with an overall accuracy of 83.6% globally and significant regional differences in irrigation proportions ranging from 1.1% in western Africa to 100% in Old World deserts among the 110 IMZs and from 0.4% in Belarus to 80.2% in Pakistan and 100% in Egypt among 45 countries. The study quantitatively distinguished annually and intermittently irrigated regions, which had values of 42% and 58% of global cropland, respectively, by applying indicators. This method, using the NDVI and NDVI dev thresholds, is simple, concrete and reproducible and better for zones with homogeneous weather conditions. The study offers independent, consistent and comparable information for defining the baseline, tracking changes in irrigation infrastructure, and leading future changes in how stakeholders plan and design irrigation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clarify the global status and research hotspots of heavy metal pollution phytoremediation, we used Web of Science, Cite Space software, and VOS viewer to analyse 1123 publications from the period of 2000–2020. Literature categories, research hotpots, and the most prolific publications by country, institution, and author were analysed separately. Around 34% of the articles are contributed from five countries: China (29.37%), India (11.00%), Spain (6.29%), Italy (6.20%), and Pakistan (5.67%). The hot research topic keywords were "diversity", "translocation", and "enhanced phytoremediation". Cadmium was the most highly concerned heavy metal in the phytoremediation. Twenty-three articles were highly cited, and they mainly focused on 1) enhancing the remediation ability of plants in heavy metal contaminated soil by microbial and chemical additives; 2) the molecular effect and mechanism of heavy metals on plant growth and development; 3) discovering novel heavy metal hyper-enriched plants which can remediate mixed heavy metal pollution. From the above analysis, we concluded that the future research directions should be 1) strengthening the plant remediation ability by biochemical means; 2) studying the molecular mechanism underlying heavy metal damage to plants; 3) studying the enrichment principle of plants for heavy metals. The present study provides a further understanding of the trends in phytoremediation of heavy metal pollution, and the data analysed can be used as a guide for future research directions. • Trends and research hotspots of heavy metal phytoremediation were investigated. • China, India, Spain, Italy, and Pakistan contributed to 34% of all analysed articles. • Cadmium was the most highly concerned heavy metal in phytoremediation. • Research should focus on strengthening phytoremediation ability by biochemical means. • Studies on heavy metal damage to plants and enrichment principle of plants are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extremely large quantity of problems; including insufficient financial support, dearth of competent teachers, out dated curriculum, lack of facilities and inadequate programs for teacher training are impediments in the quality of school education in Pakistan. An organized and well-managed system of Teacher Training is required to impart the innovative, pedagogical, andragogical and profession skills & strategies for the improvement of teaching methodologies. The Directorate of Staff Development (DSD) Training Program is an initiative for in-service teacher training for public sector schoolteachers in Pakistan. It is rendering meritorious services in the field of teacher training since last 50 years. Teacher Training through DSD programs has its pivotal role in improving quality education, pedagogy, and professional skills of in-service teachers. Drawing upon the basic concepts, procedure and philosophy of teacher training, this paper describes the role and achievements of the Directorate of Staff Development regarding teacher training in the Punjab. Through documentary analysis, the parameters and mechanism adopted by DSD regarding teacher training has been examined. Thousand of schoolteachers and head teachers have been imparted training up till now through the Directorate of Staff Development. Some recommendations like; to reevaluate and reorganize the attitude of trainees, lengthen the duration of teacher training, stimulate the learning, enhance critical thinking, develop personality, develop for self expression, facilitate self actualization and extend human potentialities for the enhancement and development of teachers' professional competencies through teacher training have also been given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many maritime countries have implemented the Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) approach in their respective regions to rationally exploit and conserve their biological and non-biological resources. Australia was the first to implement the MSP approach to govern its territorial waters (e.g., the Great Barrier Reef). Following the Australian example, various maritime countries have adopted the MSP approach to ensure safety, healthy and productive marine environment. Therefore, this study outlines the considerations of the MSP approach to purse its progress in developed and developing countries that would help to establish a planning framework for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) coastal and marine areas of Pakistan. The newly launched CPEC project is expected to greatly contribute to the industrialization and urbanization of the coastal and marine areas of Pakistan. Therefore, various special economic zones have been established along the CPEC coastal and marine areas. However, marine environmental safety policies that govern the protection of these coastal and marine areas are either limited or completely missing. Therefore, this study evaluates the MSP approach through SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis in order to determine the extent to which its implementation supports the sustainable development along CPEC coastal and marine areas of Pakistan. The implementation of the MSP approach along the CPEC coastal and marine areas is also expected to induce a sustainable socio-economic development, and simultaneously improve available ecosystem services in the study areas. This study also provides a baseline for CPEC policy makers, planners and developers in the country to follow the MSP (social, economic and ecological) framework in order to minimize the conflicts amongst users and between users and the environment. [Display omitted] • MSP divides coastal and marine areas into different functional units based on their social, economic and ecological perspectives. • China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is part of China's "Belt & Road Initiative". • Existing maritime laws do not support sustainable socio-economic development in Pakistan. • Adoption of MSP approach will help to reduce the user conflicts along CPEC coastal & marine areas of Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study proposed a new model for hotels' business performance based on open innovation. • This study identified the relationships between firms' open innovation performance, service innovation and business performance. • A simple random sample of 285 managerial staff in the Pearl-Continental Hotels & Resorts was analyzed using partial least square. • The results of this paper revealed that firms' open innovation performance had significant contributions to promoting service innovation and business performance. • The results of this study helped hotel management promote service innovation and business performance. The purpose of this study is to test the relationships between external knowledge, internal innovation, firms' open innovation performance, service innovation and business performance in the Pakistani hotel industry. A simple random sample of 285 managerial staff in the Pearl-Continental Hotels & Resorts of Pakistan was surveyed. The findings show that firms' open innovation performance has a positive influence on service innovation and business performance. They also reveal that external knowledge and internal innovation positively influence firms' open innovation performance and that further leads to service innovation and business performance respectively. This study provides practitioners with firms' open innovation performance as a tool to enhance business performance while adopting the strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]