Different Regions Of Pakistan Research Articles

Effectiveness of English Teaching as a Foreign Language (ETFL) in Pakistani Educational Institutions: Exploring Methods and Strategies to Address Challenges

This study delves into the effectiveness of English Teaching as a Foreign Language (ETFL) in various educational institutions across Pakistan, with a focus on schools in Lahore, Punjab. The qualitative research method was employed, and interviews were conducted in three different schools. The teachers and students were selected by purposive sampling to gauge the current methods and strategies employed in English language instruction. The initial phase involved posing identical questions to both teachers and students to ensure a comprehensive understanding of perspectives. Subsequently, the inquiry narrowed its focus, repeating the questions for the students exclusively. The research revealed explanatory implications, shedding light on the beliefs and attitudes of language instructors towards the teaching and learning of English as a second language. Additionally, the study proposed practical strategies for students to overcome challenges encountered in their language learning journey. For future research, a comparative analysis of urban and rural educational institutions in different regions of Pakistan may be investigated. Further, potential variations in teaching methods, resources, and challenges faced in diverse educational settings may be explored.

Knowledge, attitude, and awareness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation among university enrolled medical and non-medical students of Pakistan: An online study.

To evaluate the awareness, attitude and knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) among university-enrolled medical and non-medical undergraduate students of Pakistan. Cross-sectional online survey-based study was conducted across institutes in Pakistan from December, 2022 to January, 2023. The study involved university-enrolled undergraduate students across the country. The structured questionnaire was disseminated via Google forms. For statistical analysis, SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the data by applying independent sample t-tests and ANOVA. A total of 249 responses were received. After the exclusion of two responses, the overall awareness score of participants was found to be 2.49 ± 1.33, attitude score of 4.09 ± 1.74, and knowledge score of 3.51 ± 2.13. Female respondents, medical students, unmarried (single), private institutes, and respondents with educated parents achieved relatively higher scores. The overall difference in awareness scores among different regions of Pakistan was also significant (p <0.05). Gender, region, and parental literacy rate also showed effects on participants' basic life support (BLS) and CPR knowledge (p <0.05). Overall knowledge and awareness were unsatisfactory and inadequate in university-enrolled undergraduate students, with no one getting a complete score on very basic knowledge questions. Significant differences in awareness, attitude, and knowledge among different regions, genders, and parental literacy rates were found.

Phylogenetic status and diet of red fox (Vulpes vulpes griffithii) inhabiting Ayubia National Park, Pakistan

Abstract The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a medium-sized carnivore that occurs in different regions of Pakistan, however, still lacks scientific data on its ecology and distribution. The current study investigated the phylogenetic status and diet of the red fox (V.v. griffithii) occurring in Ayubia National Park, Pakistan. Through camera trapping and molecular analysis, we confirmed the occurrence of red fox in the study area. Based on mitochondrial cytochrome B (304 bp) and limited sampling, nearly all red foxes of Ayubia National Park and surrounding Himalayan ranges fall within Holarctic maternal lineage, whereas red foxes found in plains of Pakistan are part of the basal Palearctic maternal lineage. Using 32 scats, we found that red fox diet comprises of 80% animal-based prey species (both wild and domestic) and 19% plant matter. The wild animal prey species included Cape hare (Lepus capensis) and flying squirrel (Pteromyini sp.), which constituted 17% and 15% of diet, respectively. Red foxes infrequently consumed House mouse (Mus musculus), Himalayan Palm civet (Paguma larvata) and sheep (Ovis aries), each comprising around 6% to 9% of red fox diet. The fox species also scavenged on domestic donkey opportunistically. Based on our sampling, our study suggests that the red fox (V.v. griffithii) that occurs in Ayubia National Park and across the lesser Himalayan ranges belongs to Holarctic maternal lineage. The study also highlights consumption of plant seeds by red foxes, indicating it may play an important ecological role in seed dispersal in Ayubia National Park.

Determination of Suitable Probability Distribution of Rainfall in Pakistan Considering Multiplicity

Extreme rainfall events are occasional, and understanding their intensity and frequency is important for long-term planning and for public safety. The current study aims to investigate the stability of extreme precipitation events in different regions of Pakistan, their independence and the uniformity of their occurrence. A rainfall frequency analysis (RFA) was conducted based on information from 8 weather stations namely, the distribution and moments L of the annual maximum precipitation in Pakistan were investigated; Using goodness-of-fit criteria, the study determined the possible distribution of precipitation. Relatively Absolute Error (RAE) results are based on the most appropriate GUM distribution, revealed that the Sialkot, Multan, Faisalabad and DI Khan stations produce very low errors (0.266, 0.847, 0.075, 0.856, 1.671, 2.522, 3.659, 4.524). It was found that the most suitable distribution is LN distribution for Peshawar, Sibbi and Karachi Stations. The GEV distribution also performs well with small errors for various return periods (0.266, 0.847, 0.075, 0.856, 1.671, 2.522, 3.659, 4.524), corresponding to the return periods 2, 5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 years. In contrast, P3 has the advantage of a return period of 10 years for all stations, as they all produce similar results for this particular return period. The current research provides valuable insights into estimating extreme rainfall at stations where rainfall data are available

DNA barcoding of an endangered plant species, salvadora oleoides

Salvadora oleoides Decne is an endangered plant species. This species is important as the plant is used for multiple purposes. Natives use the plants for their medicinal needs in treating rheumatic pains and coughs, and many others. This species is threatened by over-exploitation and deforestation or illegal logging, as well as its very slow growth rate, so the accurate identification of this species is important. Knowledge about threats or even distribution is limited, making identifying species more difficult. Therefore, this research aimed at DNA barcoding of endangered species Salvadora oleoides to assess their potential at the meaningful taxonomic level. This study aims to amplify the rbcL and matK genes in Salvadora oleoides collected from the different regions of Pakistan. The plant DNA isolation was carried out by the CTAB method. PCR analysis was performed, which showed amplification of both rbcL and matK regions. The amplified products were purified and sent for sequencing. The results revealed a 100% sequencing rate for rbcL; however, the matK amplified product was not sequenced due to the high heterozygosity in this region, which might result in polymerase slippage during the Sanger sequencing method. The rbcL sequence was checked for homology by BLASTn and then submitted to NCBI for GenBank accession. The accession number assigned to Salvadora oleoides was OP046316 for rbcL. Keywords: DNA Barcoding, Medicinal Plants, matk, rbcl, BLAST, Species Identification.

ISSR-based DNA profiling of the Skimmia laureola population in Pakistan

This study aimed to analyze the genetic diversity of Skimmia laureola population in Pakistan and determine the population pattern of this endangered species. Skimmia laureola is a medicinal plant that has been utilized successfully for treatments. The essential oil present in their leaves is used in scenting soap. In Pakistan, it is widespread in Swat, Kashmir hills and Hazara region. Many plants are designated as endangered in IUCN red list. This plant is considered endangered because its population size has shrunk. Population size has shrunk up to 81 percent. The preservation and protection of biodiversity is a current study and conversation hot-button worldwide. Germplasm of Skimmia is taken from different regions of Pakistan. Different DNA markers have been used in agriculture, crop genetics and breeding. ISSR is a dominant marker used in genetic study and analysis. Ten ISSR primers were used and different bioinformatics tools were applied to check the diversity and analyze the phylogenetic analysis. The results showed that the total bands or alleles were identified as 1507 and that the number of bands per locus was 91.69. PIC ranges from 0.29435 (ISSR-8) to 0.34830 (ISSR-5). The PCoA showed the clustering of the genotypes with overlapping, indicating possible sisters. UPGMA-based dendrogram studied 15 genotypes into four clusters. The findings of this study contributed to the protection of this threatened plant and helped stop its future extinction. Keywords: IUCN, Phylogenetic Tree, genetic structure, genetic diversity, dendrogram

Whole-genome sequencing of extensively drug-resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi clinical isolates from the Peshawar region of Pakistan

BackgroundTyphoid fever, caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, is a significant public health concern due to the escalating of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with limited treatment options for extensively drug-resistant (XDR) S. Typhi strains pose a serious threat to disease management and control. This study aimed to investigate the genomic characteristics, epidemiology and AMR genes of XDR S. Typhi strains from typhoid fever patients in Pakistan. MethodologyWe assessed 200 patients with enteric fever symptoms, confirming 65 S. Typhi cases through culturing and biochemical tests. Subsequent antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed 40 cases of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) and 25 cases of multi-drug resistance (MDR). Thirteen XDR strains were selected for whole-genome sequencing, to analyze their sequence type, phylogenetics, resistance genes, pathogenicity islands, and plasmid sequences using variety of data analysis resources. Pangenome analysis was conducted for 140 XDR strains, including thirteen in-house and 127 strains reported from other regions of Pakistan, to assess their genetic diversity and functional annotation. ResultsMLST analysis classified all isolates as sequence type 1 (ST-1) with 4.3.1.1. P1 genotype characterization. Prophage and Salmonella Pathogenicity Island (SPI) analysis identified intact prophages and eight SPIs involved in Salmonella's invasion and replication within host cells. Genome data analysis revealed numerous AMR genes including dfrA7, sul1, qnrS1, TEM-1, Cat1, and CTX-M-15, and SNPs associated with antibiotics resistance. IncY, IncQ1, pMAC, and pAbTS2 plasmids, conferring antimicrobial resistance, were detected in a few XDR S. Typhi strains. Phylogenetic analysis inferred a close epidemiological linkage among XDR strains from different regions of Pakistan. Pangenome was noted closed among these strains and functional annotation highlighted genes related to metabolism and pathogenesis. ConclusionThis study revealed a uniform genotypic background among XDR S. Typhi strains in Pakistan, signifying a persistence transmission of a single, highly antibiotic-resistant clone. The closed pan-genome observed underscores limited genetic diversity and highlights the importance of genomic surveillance for combating drug-resistant typhoid infections.

Autoregressive conditional duration modeling and forecasting the earthquakes temporal data of the different regions of Pakistan

Autoregressive conditional duration modeling and forecasting the earthquakes temporal data of the different regions of Pakistan

New species and new records of genus Buellia (lichenized Ascomycota, Caliciaceae) from Pakistan using electron microscopy and DNA barcoding techniques.

Three new species Buellia darelensis, B. densitheca, B. kashmirensis and two new records B. elegans and B. taishanensis are added to the lichen biota of Pakistan. Buellia darelensis and B. kashmirensis share the same habitats found on the rock while B. densitheca colonized on bark of Pinus hardwoods in the Himalayan forest, Pakistan. Morphological, chemical, and phylogenetic analyses were carried out to elucidate the placement of these species and to support the delimitation of the new taxa. Detailed descriptions and figures for the species are given, and a key to all known buellioid species from Pakistan is provided. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: During recent explorations of lichens from different regions of Pakistan, we observed specimens that could not be readily assigned to any known species. A phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer nrDNA region confirms their position within the genus Buellia, and morphological data showed distinctiveness of three species from other known species of the genus. We therefore describe these specimens as new species to science, and two species are as new records for the country. Pakistan exhibits a large altitudinal variation, with climatic conditions and a diverse vegetation that supports a diverse and conspicuous lichen biota. The nature reserves have abundant biological resources, and it is expected that more new species of lichen may be discovered in the future.

Molecular Survey of Rickettsia raoultii in Ticks Infesting Livestock from Pakistan with Notes on Pathogen Distribution in Palearctic and Oriental Regions.

Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites that transmit different pathogens such as Rickettsia spp. to domestic and wild animals as well as humans. Genetic characterizations of Rickettsia spp. from different regions of Pakistan are mostly based on one or two genetic markers and are confined to small sampling areas and limited host ranges. Therefore, this study aimed to molecularly screen and genetically characterize Rickettsia spp. in various tick species infesting camels, sheep, and goats. All the collected tick specimens were morphologically identified, and randomly selected tick species (148) were screened molecularly for the detection of Rickettsia spp. by amplifying three rickettsial DNA fragments, namely, the citrate-synthase gene (gltA), outer-membrane protein A (ompA), and outer-membrane protein B (ompB). After examining 261 hosts, 161 (61.7%) hosts were found infested by 564 ticks, including 287 (50.9%) nymphs, 171 (30.3%) females, and 106 (18.8%) males in five districts (Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Lower Dir, Bajaur, and Mansehra). The highest occurrence was noted for Hyalomma dromedarii (number = 72, 12.8%), followed by Haemaphysalis sulcata (n = 70, 12.4%), Rhipicephalus turanicus (n = 64, 11.3%), Rhipicephalus microplus (n = 55, 9.7%), Haemaphysalis cornupunctata (n = 49, 8.7%), Hyalomma turanicum (n = 48, 8.5%), Hyalomma isaaci (n = 45, 8.0%), Haemaphysalis montgomeryi (n = 44, 7.8%), Hyalomma anatolicum (n = 42, 7.5%), Haemaphysalis bispinosa (n = 38, 6.7%), and Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides (n = 37, 6.6%). A subset of 148 ticks were tested, in which eight (5.4%) ticks, including four Hy. turanicum, two Ha. cornupunctata, one Ha. montgomeryi, and one Ha. bispinosa, were found positive for Rickettsia sp. The gltA, ompA, and ompB sequences revealed 100% identity and were phylogenetically clustered with Rickettsia raoultii reported in China, Russia, USA, Turkey, Denmark, Austria, Italy, and France. Additionally, various reports on R. raoultii from Palearctic and Oriental regions were summarized in this study. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of R. raoultii from Pakistan. Further studies to investigate the association between Rickettsia spp. and ticks should be encouraged to apprise effective management of zoonotic consequences.

Drivers of Nutritional Change in Pakistan: A Decomposition Analysis.

The global reduction in child undernutrition highlights the international and national commitment to prioritizing future generations' health. This study aims to find out the previous trends in nutrition and the key drivers of these changes in different regions of Pakistan. For empirical investigation, we employed a regression-based decomposition model by using two distinct rounds of demographic and health surveys: 2012-13 and 2017-18. Results showed children with stunted growth reduced substantially in Balochistan, while Punjab exhibited the highest progress for underweight children. Regression estimates showed that maternal nutritional status and household wealth were more pronounced in reducing all measures of child malnutrition. Some determinants, including mother age at marriage and prenatal visits to the hospital, are significant only for long-term nutritional status-stunting, while mother education contributed to reducing wasted and underweight children. The rest of the factors, like father education and household environment, appear to play a humble role in explaining nutritional improvements. From disaggregated analysis based on different regions, we found that modeled factors used in this study explained changes disproportionately. Thus, it is recommended to use multidimensional nutrition policies incorporating a broader range of sectors, and region-specific programs should be designed for more effective outcomes.

ADDRESSING GENDER DISPARITIES IN EDUCATION: EMPOWERING GIRLS THROUGH EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN

This abstract aims to address gender disparities in education and explore the role of empowering girls through education in Pakistan. The study focuses on examining the impact of educational interventions on girls' empowerment and the potential for reducing gender inequalities in the Pakistani education system. The quantitative research methodology involved analysis techniques. A sample of 200 school teachers, 200 students, and 50 parents were selected from different regions of Pakistan to ensure representation. The surveys assess the perceptions, attitudes, and challenges related to girls' education, The collected data were analyzed using statistical methods, and content analysis. This research methodology provided a comprehensive understanding of the issues and potential solutions, contributing to the development of evidence-based policies and interventions to promote gender equality in education. A structured questionnaire was administered to assess the girls' educational experiences, aspirations, and perceptions of gender equality. The findings reveal the existence of significant gender disparities in education within the selected schools. Factors such as limited access to educational resources, societal norms, and discriminatory practices were identified as barriers hindering girls' educational advancement. However, the research highlights the transformative power of education in empowering girls and promoting gender equality. It was observed that educational interventions contributed to increased self-confidence, improved academic performance, and enhanced decision-making skills among the girls.&#x0D; The study concludes by emphasizing the need for comprehensive policy measures to address gender disparities in education. It recommends implementing targeted interventions, including providing safe and inclusive learning environments, teacher training on gender-sensitive pedagogy, and community engagement programs. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of sensitizing parents, communities, and policymakers about the value of girls' education and the positive social impact it can have.

Investigating the impact of power outages on sustainable community development: exploring the local community’s perception in Pakistan

PurposeThe purpose of the present study is to investigate the community’s view of power outages and their effect on sustainable community development. This research has three aims. This project will first investigate how a blackout affects a community’s ability to live sustainably.Design/methodology/approachA survey questionnaire was developed that included 22 factors from the literature. The questionnaire was distributed to diversified segments of society from different regions of Pakistan and examined critical factors affecting sustainable community development. A total of 349 (77%) responses were received.FindingsThe study results confirm that power failure negatively affects the sustainable life of a community. This study found that the reduced production of large manufacturing, decrease leisure and comfort, reduced public administrative efficiency, loss of educational opportunities and increased use of traditional energy sources are the most important factors for sustainable community development. Findings also suggest that policymakers and practitioners in public organizations need to ensure that projects are completed in a timely manner to meet growing community needs.Originality/valueThe purpose of this research is to address knowledge gaps related to power outages and sustainable community development. The major impact of power disruptions on communities was previously disregarded in development discourse. Participants in these discussions recognize communities as genuine stakeholders and acknowledge that power outages can have a substantial impact on their economic and social development. However, previous studies have neglected to address this phenomenon.

Diluting the patriarchal dominance: Review of Developing Feminist Discourse in Pakistani Context

The present study is aimed to review of the development of feminist critical discourse in Pakistani context. It is considered that Pakistan is an Islamic country and there is a misperception in the Western world that women are oppressed in Pakistan on the name of Islam. This article provides a review of the dual version of female oppression in Pakistani context i.e. religious and cultural. The very first perception of women oppression in Pakistan by the western world is wrong as Pakistan as an Islamic ideological state does not oppress women rather guarantees their equal rights. In this regards there is a long list of legal development for the protection of the rights of women. The second kind of oppression is the cultural oppression against women. There are a lot of cultural practices in different regions of Pakistan which are oppressive towards women like Wata Sata, dowry death and forced marriages. The data for the present study has been reviewed as per available academic resources and research journals. The significance of the study is to counter western misunderstanding about the female oppression in Pakistani context. While at the same time the study is significant as it raises voice against the prevalent cultural practices of oppression against women in Pakistan. The findings of the present study reveal that there is a development of feminist critical discourse which is diluting the patriarchal dominance that is maintained through cultural practices in Pakistan.

A Cross-Sectional Study Elucidating Associated Predictors in Postpartum Depression among Pakistani Women

Postpartum depression is a psychological condition that deteriorates a mother’s cognitive health and overall family functioning. This survey-based cross-sectional study was done on postpartum mothers between 15-40 years of age to determine the epidemiology of postpartum depression in Pakistan. Edinburg postnatal depression scale (EPDS) and an adapted relationship assessment tool were used to determine the prevalence of postpartum depression. A total of n=103 responses were collected from different regions of Pakistan. Univariate and Bivariate analyses, Pearson Correlation Tests, and Binary Logistic Regression Analyses were applied to investigate the predictors. Postpartum depression was found in 67.96 % of the participating women and EPDS was found to be the most reliable tool to evaluate postpartum depression.

Prevalence Of Human Adenovirus In Paediatric Patients Presenting With Acute Respiratory Symptoms At Different Hospitals Of Pakistan.

Human Adenovirus (HAdV) is one of the most common causes of infection in children. HAdV commonly affects respiratory system, however can also involve other parts of the body like nervous system, eyes and urinary tract. The virus usually causes a mild infection of the lower and upper respiratory tract. Objective of the study was to find the prevalence of HAdV in paediatric patients presenting with Influenza like symptoms and severe acute respiratory illness across Pakistan. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Institute of Health, Islamabad. Respiratory swabs were collected from 389 children with age less than five years from 14 hospitals in different regions of Pakistan from October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018. Patients' demographics, signs and symptoms were recorded through a predesigned proforma while Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed for respiratory samples. Out of all 389 samples, HAdV was found in 25 (6.4%) cases. The proportion of HAdV obtained was greater in females 18 (4.6%) than male 7 (1.8%). The influenza-like illness in children attending outpatient department had a higher prevalence of HAdV 13 (3.3%) compared to admitted children 12 (3.1%). Similarly, patients from one to 6 months of age had higher positive outcome than older children. Majority of positive patients were from Islamabad (2.0%) followed by Gilgit (1.8%), Azad Jammu Kashmir (1.0%), Multan (0.5%), and Karachi (0.5%). The most frequent signs and symptoms were cough, fever, sore throat, nasal congestion and shortness of breath. The present study concludes that HAdV infection is common in Pakistan especially in female patients aged 1-6 months. It's crucial to improve the diagnosis of HAdV infections in our country to prevent complications associated with the virus. Furthermore, genetic analysis may help find different genotypes of HAdV circulating in Pakistan.

Characterization and Biological Activities of Essential Oil from Flowers of Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) Selected from Different Regions of Pakistan

The current research work focuses on the characterization and biological activities (antibacterial, antioxidant and hemolytic) of essential oils isolated from the flowers of Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) from three different regions of Punjab, Pakistan. The yield of hydro distilled sweet basil flower essential oil (SBFEO) ranged from 0.40 to 0.54 % (w/w) across the regions. The SBFEOs showed considerable antibacterial activity against S. aureus, E. coli and K. oxytoca. The results of DPPH (59.33-71.31%), TPC (13.46 to 57.75 GAE mg/100g) and TFC assays (3.99 to 21.72 CE mg/100g) also showed that SBFEOs have good antioxidant activity. Similarly, lower cytotoxic/ hemolytic effect (1.85 to 3.90%) of the tested SBFEOs also supported their safer nature as ingredient in food/medicinal products. GC/MS analyses of the oils reveal that estragole (56.57%), α-linalool (46.25%) and τ-cadinol (52.54%) are present as major components. The findings of this research work depicted significant variations in the yield, composition and biological activities of SBFEOs that can be linked to varying morphological features of the plants harvested from different agro-climatic regions.

PREVALENCE OF HUMAN ADENOVIRUS IN PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS AT DIFFERENT HOSPITALS OF PAKISTAN

Background: Human Adenovirus (HAdV) is one of the most common causes of infection in children. HAdV commonly affects respiratory system, however can also involve other parts of the body like nervous system, eyes and urinary tract. The virus usually causes a mild infection of the lower and upper respiratory tract. Objective of the study was to find the prevalence of HAdV in paediatric patients presenting with Influenza like symptoms and severe acute respiratory illness across Pakistan. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Institute of Health, Islamabad. Respiratory swabs were collected from 389 children with age less than five years from 14 hospitals in different regions of Pakistan from October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018. Patients’ demographics, signs and symptoms were recorded through a predesigned proforma while Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed for respiratory samples. Results: Out of all 389 samples, HAdV was found in 25 (6.4%) cases. The proportion of HAdV obtained was greater in females 18 (4.6%) than male 7 (1.8%). The influenza-like illness in children attending outpatient department had a higher prevalence of HAdV 13(3.3%) compared to admitted children 12 (3.1%). Similarly, patients from one to 6 months of age had higher positive outcome than older children. Majority of positive patients were from Islamabad (2.0%) followed by Gilgit (1.8%), Azad Jammu Kashmir (1.0%), Multan (0.5%), and Karachi (0.5%). The most frequent signs and symptoms were cough, fever, sore throat, nasal congestion and shortness of breath. Conclusion: The present study concludes that HAdV infection is common in Pakistan especially in female patients aged 1–6 months. It’s crucial to improve the diagnosis of HAdV infections in our country to prevent complications associated with the virus. Furthermore, genetic analysis may help find different genotypes of HAdV circulating in Pakistan.

The Morphological Representation of /i:/ in Pashto

Pashto is widely spoken in different regions of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other countries. Many researchers have studied the Pashto and revealed various interesting aspects of it. However, the purpose of the study is to investigate the use of the morpheme /i:/ as a suffix in Pashto grammar, particularly in nouns (masculine, feminine, singular and plural) and verb. For this purpose, the researchers adopted a qualitative approach and collected data from the native speakers of Pashto. The results of the study showed that the morpheme /i:/ is a very productive process in Pashto in the formation of noun and its plural, and past tense (verb). The results showed that /i:/ cause a morphological change in the root of masculine nouns (e.g., 'zalme' means 'young boy' and 'zalmi:' means 'young boys'), feminine nouns (e.g., 'wana' means 'tree' and 'wani:' means 'trees') and verbs in the past tense (e.g., 'kat̪ ali:’ means ‘saw’). The results revealed that this morpheme brings morphological change to the root of the nouns as well because it adds to the category of the noun ‘χa:n’ meaning ‘king/authoritative person’, and the category remains same (noun) ‘χa:ni:’ means 'wealthy/powerful' and the noun ‘É£ari:b’ means ‘poor’ into the noun ‘É£ari:bi:’ means ‘poverty’.

Dirty versus clean fuel for cooking in Pakistan: regional mapping and correlates.

Based on the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) 2017-18 data, the study intends to present the relative status of a particular fuel (type) in terms of its level of use in different regions of Pakistan. At the same time, the study investigates the determinants of the household type of fuel used for cooking in Pakistan. Socioeconomic characteristics of the households and household heads are taken as determinants of the main type of fuel (clean or dirty) used for cooking by the households. Binary logistic regression is applied as an estimation technique. Over the country, wood stands first as the most widely used type of fuel followed by natural gas followed by LPG. Animal dung and charcoal are respectively ranked as the fourth and fifth most commonly used types of fuel for cooking by households in Pakistan. In comparison amongst the four provinces of Pakistan, the use of wood as well as charcoal as the fuel type for cooking (in relative terms) is the most common in Balochistan province. Likewise, Punjab province is the most frequent user of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), crop residues, and animal dung, while Sindh province is the most frequent user of natural gas. Households possessing agricultural land and livestock and with large household sizes had more probability to use dirty sources of fuel for cooking. Households with better wealth status and residing in urban areas were more likely to use clean sources of fuel for cooking. Household head's higher educational status and male-gender had more likelihood to use clean sources of fuel for cooking.