Punjab Government Research Articles

Linkage of cancer registration with cancer treatment in predominantly rural district: A model form Sangrur district, Punjab state, India

<br><b>Background:</b> The Punjab state health administration has approached to Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai, to tackle the cancer problem of the state and requested to provide the support in strengthening the cancer care services. To understand the magnitude of the cancer, population-based cancer registry at Sangrur was established in 2013.<br><b>Objective:</b> The objective of the study is to show that the population-based rural cancer registration is the way to develop the infrastructure for cancer treatment a model from Sangrur district, Punjab State, India.<br><b>Methods:</b> Population-based cancer registry staff has visited several hospitals and pathology laboratories, and also, they have interaction with the village leaders for cancer case registration. The cancer treatment facility was not available in the district. The registry has reported that for the cancer treatment, a patient from these areas travels to Patiala, Bhatinda, Faridkot, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, and New Delhi and to the neighboring state Rajasthan. It was felt that there is dire need of cancer treatment facility in the district. Based on the information provided by the rural cancer registry, the Government of Punjab and TMC have established Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital (HBCH), Sangrur. The hospital has started functioning since January 2015.<br><b>Results:</b> In the 2-year period (2013–2014), the cancer registry has registered 1735 cancer incidence cases (808 males and 927 females). The age-adjusted incidence rate for males was 46.7/100,000, and for females, it was 57.6/100,000. The rates of the rural area of Sangrur are in comparison with other rural registries. The cancer registry data were utilized in planning the cancer care services in the Sangrur district.<br><b>Conclusion:</b> Population-based cancer registry with cancer treatment facility and HBCH with mentoring at Sangrur district in Punjab state could be an ideal potential model for the establishing and augmenting of cancer care services in the rural population in India.<br>

Study of Rational and Irrational Prescribing in Different Government and Private Health Care Centres of Punjab

Introduction: Rational prescribing is the prescribing of drug by physician in the right way, right drug, right dose and right time to the right person through the right route of administration. On the other hand irrational prescribing is blanket term which is a combination of no drug need, drug abuse and misuse, use of polypharmacy and use of unsafe drugs. Methodology: This was cross sectional study and was conducted at District Head Quarters of Gujranwala, Hafiz Abad, Wazirabad and Okara from July-August 2017. The case histories of 400 patients were scrutinized thoroughly on the basis of questionnaire filling related to rational and irrational guidelines and compare our results with international standards. We used a Microsoft Excel 2013 for to evaluate our results. Results: A total of 400 patients were studied. Pharmacoeconomics analysis shows that in 177 patients’ drug therapy is rational while in 223 patients’ medications prescribed were irrational. Conclusion: It is the need of the hour that the mutual relationship among the medical health care professionals is necessary like doctors, pharmacists, nurses, nutritionist, physiotherapist and other technicians to provide optimum and rational drug therapy to the patients.

Outsourcing of Clinical Laboratory Services in Pakistan

Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department of Punjab Government, Pakistan owns 25 district headquarter hospitals, 100 tehsil headquarter hospitals and a number of rural health centres and basic health units. Currently, the department started process of revamping in hospitals and other healthcare delivery centres. In first phase, revamping of infrastructure and services of 25 district headquarter and 15 tehsil headquarter hospitals was started. For better care to patients and service delivery, services of janitorial and security were outsourced to private service providers. Now, the department plans to improve diagnostic services in these hospitals. For this purpose, laboratory and radiology services were planned to outsource. Islamabad Diagnostic Centre and Northshore Medical Labs are the two service providers who are to provide clinical laboratory services in selected hospitals. Islamabad Diagnostic Centre (Private Limited) is a leading diagnostic centre in Islamabad (Federal capital of Islamic Republic of Pakistan) which is ISO 151589:2012. While, Northshore Medical Labs is an American laboratory located and registered in New York State Department of Health and accredited by College of American Pathologist. It is expected to enhance clinical laboratory services standard by outsourcing of these laboratory services. First such laboratory became functional in District Headquarter Hospital Chakwal last month. Although the contract between outsourced laboratory and department describes upraising of services and quality standard by following MSDS and departmental proficiency testing.

Perceptions of adolescents\u2019 sexual and reproductive health and rights: a cross-sectional study in Lahore District, Pakistan

BackgroundSexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a significant aspect of adolescents’ growth, safeguarded by SRH rights (SRHR). Despite various global efforts to promote adolescents SRHR (ASRHR), the majority of adolescents still lack awareness and autonomy to access SRH related information and services. This research aimed to explore the knowledge and perceptions of adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health rights and highlights key constraints hindering adolescents from accessing and exercising SRHR in the district of Lahore, Pakistan.MethodsThe research uses a mixed methods approach including both quantitative and qualitative methods. For quantitative component, household survey was conducted with 600 respondents including adolescents (15–19 years) and their parents/caregivers. A multistage cluster random sampling technique was performed, based on the population proportion of administrative towns in Lahore district, Pakistan. A structured interview schedule was used to collect data. Quantitative data were collected by a standardized quantitative questionnaire; analysis was performed using SPSS version 21. For qualitative data collection, 12 in-depth interviews with teachers and doctors and four focus group discussions with adolescents were conducted, and analysed using thematic areas.ResultsThe research revealed a low level of perception of ASRHR amongst the respondents and identified socio-cultural and structural constraints as the major underlying issues. Although more than half of the respondents were found to be aware of ASRHR, agreed to their importance and were in favour for adolescents to have access to requisite information, nonetheless they believed that adolescents had limited ability to exercise these rights.ConclusionsThe research found a low level of perception amongst adolescents and their parents/caregivers about ASRHR in Lahore district emphasising the rights-based approach. There is an urgent need to design specific policies and educational programmes to promote healthy practices. Research is recommended to inform and advocate Punjab Government and communities, including partners, teachers, doctors, religious scholars and media groups, to empower adolescents through health education. This can be achieved through the inclusion of SRH topics in educational curricula, establishing a virtual knowledge centre, encouraging debate competitions, and organising orientation sessions for professionals/experts and community etc.

Assessing the role and effectiveness of kitchen gardening toward food security in Punjab, Pakistan: a case of district Bahawalpur

Food security is one of the leading issues of many governments globally. Kitchen gardening is the innovative project initiated by the Government of Punjab (Pakistan) to provide instant aid to dwellers by self-produced fresh vegetables. The present investigation was conducted in the district Bahawalpur. The objectives were to explore the main benefits of kitchen gardening, to identify the places used for this activity, to identify the growers’ perceptions and to give suggestions to improve the project. Two urban and one rural tehsils of district Bahawalpur were selected as study areas. Secondary data were collected from several sources while primary data gathered through a mobile phone survey and analyzed by applying descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS software. The findings have justified that dominant share of growers have sown the seed kits for vegetables production, mostly for home consumption and was satisfied with the quality and price of seed kit. Most of the growers certified the efficiency of the project in the regular provision of fresh and healthy vegetables. Hence, the project is a successful endeavor and still continuing in the province, benefiting the masses and encouraging urban agriculture. The outcome of the investigation is suggestions to further improve this project.

Human Capital Index for Punjab

The study formulates a Human Capital Index for Punjab province and districts. To assess the human capital endowment, the present study has bifurcated the conceptual framework across two dimensions 1) Learning Outcomes 2) Employment Outcomes. The learning outcomes have been further divided into knowledge and skill component. For knowledge component education indicators, have been used from primary through tertiary from Pakistan Education Statistics 2013-14, MICS 2014 and youth literacy from PSLM 2014-15. For assessing skill component technical and vocational training data from Pakistan Education Statistics 2013-14 has been included. For district, wise study data has been taken from ASER report 2015 for schooling and for Skill component the data has been taken from TEVTA 2016. For labor force indicators, the data has been taken from LFS 2014-15 and 2010. The present study has applied the data standardization method provided by the Human Capital Report 2016 by the World Economic Forum. After normalization of the indices across both dimensions, we take a weighted average of the dimension and sub-dimension indices. Sub-dimensions have been combined using different weighting method for accommodating aspects such as differences in quality of education and underemployment. The results show that the HCI value for Punjab is 56.79 which is below the average threshold value of 60 for optimization of human capital potential. This implies that the Punjab Government must aim at promoting policies and programmes targeting both learning and employment outcomes to fully nurture and utilize its human capital potential in the province. The study further highlights spatial dynamics of human capital across districts in Punjab and findings suggest that across most districts there is a need for further investment in high quality education and skill enhancement and developing linkages with labor market for decent employment opportunities.

Present status of monetary compensation to the victims of agricultural accidents in Punjab

The Government of Punjab is providing monetary compensation since 1984 to the victims of agricultural accidents through Punjab State Marketing Board. The compensation rate, fixed at 12, 000/-in case of loss of life, was revised regularly to 2, 00, 000 at present. Monetary compensation amounting to about Rupees 8.3 million is being provided to more than 1800 agricultural accidents victims per year of Punjab state. Chaff cutter (34.7 per cent), threshers and harvesters (21.2 per cent), snake bites (7.9 per cent), electrocutions at tube-well motors (6.8 per cent), poisoning due to pesticides (7.0 per cent), tractors (3.0 per cent are involved in agricultural accidents resulting to death (32.1 per cent) or permanent physical injury to the victims (67.9 per cent). All the recorded agricultural accidents related to snake bites, electric motors and pesticides were fatal in nature. All the chaff cutter and thresher related accidents were non-fatal in nature resulting into amputation injuries of fingers (67.5 per cent), hands (18.2 per cent) and arms (10.5 per cent). Interventions are needed for creating awareness and development of safety devices and gadgets so as to reduce agricultural accidents. Similar monetary compensation scheme may be adopted by other states, so that agricultural accidents victims may be rehabilitated.

The Effects of Anti-dengue Media Campaign of Government of Punjab: A Case Study of Gujranwala City

The study “The Effects of Anti-dengue Media Campaign of Government of Punjab: A Case Study of Gujranwala city” conducted to determine the level of awareness of the provincial government anti-dengue campaign on the citizens of the Gujranwala, central Punjab, Pakistan. The study also analyzed to find out the understanding of the residents of Gujranwala about the cause, preventions and identification of dengue disease as well as the effects of the medium on residents. For this study a questionnaire compressing eleven questions was distributed among 300 respondents in district Gujranwala to find out results. The study reveals that the anti-dengue media campaign of the government of Punjab successes due to the use of Television in the area. The finding also exposed that television is the effective source of information for such type of epidemic disease in the Gujranwala particularly and in the country generally. The study supports the theoretical framework of ‘Social learning Theory’ that emphasized on the importance of observing and modeling the behaviors attitudes and emotional reactions of others. Under the said assumption the citizen of the Gujranwala also get awareness and learn from the media about dengue disease, causes, prevention and identification.

Insufficient Effort of Punjab Government to Enforce Drug Rules and Improve the Pharmaceutical Care in Province.

Insufficient Effort of Punjab Government to Enforce Drug Rules and Improve the Pharmaceutical Care in Province.

An Evaluation of the Mentoral Support Programme of Directorate of Staff Development

It was an impact assessment study that was conducted to assess the impact of District Teacher Educators (DTE) mentoral support upon Primary School Teachers (PST) professional progress in Punjab. The Punjab Government’s Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Program had been initiated through Directorate of Staff Development (DSD). Five years have passed since the start of this program. High expenditure was expected to be consumed for this task. Its effectiveness or the impact of this program needed to be assessed. Thus, the objectives were to assess the PSTs professional progress in the eight areas of mentoral support program, in M.B.D in district. The Questionnaire and Structured-Interview were taken as instruments. Data was hereby analyzed through percentage measure and Chi-square test. The sample consisted of two types of population. It was based upon 120 PSTs and 40 Heads of Secondary / Higher Secondary Schools working as Cluster Training and Support Centre (CTSC) Heads. Conclusions indicated that PSTs were satisfied about their professional progress acquired through DTEs. However, CTSC Heads were not found satisfied about the impact of DSD’s mentoring program.

Innovative Mindset in School Education: A global issue or trend in Pakistan

Education and training are emerging now key drivers of competitiveness for any country on the globe. To cope with the globalization a country has to elevate her education system. In Pakistan, HEC upgraded the Teacher Education (TE) by replacing the one-year B.Ed. with the 4 years B.Ed. (Honors). The upgraded TE and the global challenges are well connected with the real implementation of vision 2030 agenda in the School Education (SE). And very crucial to address the advancements in TE for the production of teachers with the innovative mindset to grip the global reach in the future. The Punjab government is planning to stop the upgraded 4-year program offered since 2009 in the 33 Government Elementary Colleges for Teachers Training (GCETs) instead of making them self-sustain. The study with main objectives: i) to collect, need assessment data for the global advancements adaptation from the GCETs. ii) To analyze critically educational documents along with the budget allocation for globalization. iii) To propose a conceived factual framework for transforming teacher education in Punjab was conducted by utilizing mixed research methods, visualized the advanced professional training needs and essential global interventions. Then it strived to propose a transformation mechanism for the elevation of TE. The data analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively through percentages, triangulation and content analysis. The study resolved the globalization issue, by bridging the gaps through a transformation framework outlines for modification in TE. The conceived factual framework is a dynamic revolutionary route to improving the quality of school education via contemporary TE. The suggested framework if implemented in future after validation it would save the scarce resources and provide maximum outputs through quality education.

Authorized and Unauthorized Private Sector Development in Punjab: an Overview

Objective: Present paper is an attempt to analyse the level of planned and unplanned development with suggestive measures in the State of Punjab. Methods/Analysis: The research work is based on primary as well as secondary data. Primary data is collected through the some site visits i.e. Palm Enclave. And, the secondary data is collected in the form of interviews with Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority Officials. Existing scenario of residential projects is analysed with the comparison of norms and standards given by competent authorities. Findings: The beautiful slogan of Indian Government, “Sustainable Urban Development” has become a distant reality at grass-root level, which is far from satisfaction. Increasing urbanization and growth of the urban areas are major causes for deterioration of sustainability in urban areas. So Punjab Government has promoted the private as well as public agencies to promote the planned development in the cities, at spatial level. But it has been found that number of unauthorised and unplanned colonies have mushroomed up. Overall, the unplanned development makes the mockery of standard planning practices. Novelty/ Improvement: The External Development Charges (EDCs), License Fee and other charges charged under PAPR Act, 1995 must be reduced especially in High Potential Zones and the private developers are required to make minimum 5% housing for the LIG/EWS people.

Impact of Economic Condition on Obesity

Prevalence of obesity has increased with alarming rate in the last two or three decades worldwide. The prevalence statistics shows that obesity pandemic is all-pervading even in the developing nations like India. In the present study an attempt has been made to report the prevalence of obesity on the basis of body mass index among school girls of Punjab, total 6000 students were selected with stratified random sampling technique, ranging in age from 10-17 years. The data was obtained from various government and private schools of Punjab based on economic status (1009 from high economic status, 2228 from middle economic status & 2763 from low economic status group). Height of each individual is measured with anthropometric rode and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated by the bio electrical impedance machine with scale HBF-361. Further analysis of variance (Anova) and Scheffe’s post hoc test was employed for testing the hypothesis; the level of significance was set at 0.05 levels. The results show that overweight & obesity was more prevalent among those girls who are associated from high economic status families & vice versa.

Impact of Preservation of Subsoil Water Act on Groundwater Depletion: The Case of Punjab, India.

Indian states like Punjab and Haryana, epicenters of the Green Revolution, are facing severe groundwater shortages and falling water tables. Recognizing it as a serious concern, the Government of Punjab enacted the Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act in 2009 (or the 2009 act) to slow groundwater depletion. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of this policy on groundwater depletion, using panel data from 1985 to 2011. Results from this study find a robust effect of the 2009 act on reducing groundwater depletion. Our models for pre-monsoon, post-monsoon, and overall periods of analysis find that since implementation of the 2009 act, groundwater tables have improved significantly. Second, our study reveals that higher shares of tube wells per total cropped area and increased population density have led to a significant decline in the groundwater tables. On the other hand, rainfall and the share of area irrigated by surface water have had an augmenting effect on groundwater resources. In the two models, pre-monsoon and post-monsoon, this study shows that seasonality plays a key role in determining the groundwater table in Punjab. Specifically, monsoon rainfall has a very prominent impact on groundwater.

Punjab Healthcare Commission’s Regulation of General Practitioners of Allopathic Medicine

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Abstract&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Ever since inception, allopathic medicine has increasingly been practiced all over the world including Pakistan. However, a significant proportion of practitioners are unqualified quacks. In order to curb quackery and assure the provision of quality healthcare by clinics and other healthcare establishments the Punjab Government established Punjab Healthcare Commission. How far this body has achieved its objectives?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;A qualitative study was conducted for responding to the research question. Participants were drawn purposefully representing stakeholders, including general practitioners of allopathic medicine, association of general practitioners, academy of family physicians, and Punjab Healthcare Commission. Inter-views held were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, followed by coding and generation of themes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;The study yielded themes: protection of the rights of patients and practitioners; vague registration process; stakeholders’ (mis) understanding that PHC was using registration and licensing as a mean for revenue generation; regulating general practitioners of allopathic medicine was promoting quackery; and that under the circumstances achieving quality in health-care was a farfetched idea.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;It is early to gauge the impact of PHC, which has a gigantic agenda. Yet, while there are signs it is achieving objectives, there is a need for PHC to improve its communication strategy and broaden stakeholders’ base. Furthermore, while defining regulatory strategies, socioeconomic inequalities should be factored in. Since, without this being considered, no systemic level reform will be sustainable, yielding optimum results and paying dividends for a longer timeframe.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Key Words: &lt;/strong&gt;General Practitioners, Regulation, Litigation, Quality of Care. Health Service Delivery.&lt;/p&gt;

Crop Residue Generation and Management in Punjab State

In our study the total production of the crop residues (CR) in Punjab state estimated by crop-to-residue ratio (CRR) method came out to be about 50.67 million tonnes (Mt) during 2013–14. Sangrur district had maximum contribution oj 9.52 per cent to the CR while it was the lowest being 0.92 per cent jor Pathankot. On an average, the CR produced was estimated to be 22.98 Mt, 2.5 Mt, l. HMt, 0.72 Mt in respect of paddy, cotton, maize, and sugarcane while it was 23.08 Mt, 7.4 thousand tonnes(tt), 44.9 tt, 2.6 tt and about one ttfor wheat, sarson, sunflower, gram and masoor respectively. Of the CR, about 71 per cent is mostly used for domestic purposes. Power generation potential from surplus crop residue came out to be about 1194 MWper year in the state and main crop residue potential districts were Sangrur (9.69 per cent), Ludhiana (8.19per cent), Bathinda (7.73per cent), Patiala (7.07%) and Ferozpur (6.04%). Among various efforts made by Punjab government to protect environment from pollution, one of the major steps is to stop crop residue burning as still Punjab is not free from this menace. If the residue from the crops is managed scientifically and used as a conventional source of energy it will go a long way to save the fossil fuel, coal, wood, precious foreign exchange, create additional employment, Besides, this will also add to the income of farmers from the by-product generated. Thus, for efficient management of the crop residues, there is a need to create awareness among the farming communities about the importance and efficient utilisation of this valuable natural resource.

Influence of combined use of organic, inorganic and biological sources of nutrients on fruit quality in lemon

The use of high analysis chemical fertilizers results in the deficiency of nutrients other than the applied. Chemical fertilizers besides being costly are also injurious to plants, ground water and environment. However, in recent years organic sources have emerged as promising components of nutrient supply system. These organic sources when used along with inorganic sources under the concept of integrated nutrient management are known to improve nutrient status of plants either by way of fixation or by making fixed nutrients available to plants. To obtain superior quality of fruit, thus it is a pre-requisite to study the integrated nutrient management in lemon. An experiment was conducted at “Punjab Government Progeny Orchard & Nursery, Attari, Amritsar” during the fruiting years 2005 and 2006 with a view to harvest good quality lemon fruit. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with five treatments replicated four times. Different treatments involved application of FYM, inorganic fertilizer and biofertilizer (Azotobacter) in various combinations. The present experiment shows that the substantial improvement in fruit quality could be achieved with the combined application of these three classes of nutrient sources.

Measurement of Living Standards Deprivation in Punjab Using AF Method (Periodical Comparison Approach)

In spite of taking and implementing various special measures by the government of Punjab and the Pakistan to alleviate poverty in Punjab, poverty is still there and has become a constraint in the way of economic progress and prosperity of the people of the Punjab-Pakistan. Poverty is pronounced deprivation in well-being. The conventional view links well-being primarily to command over commodities, so the poor are those who do not have enough income or consumption to put them above some adequate minimum threshold. The broadest approach to well-being and hence poverty focuses on the capability of the individual to properly function in the society. The poor lack key capabilities, and may have inadequate income or education, and last but not the least living standards. How we measure poverty can importantly influence how we come to understand it, how we analyse it, and how we create policies to influence it. In recent years, the literature on multidimensional poverty measurement has blossomed in a number of different directions. The 1997 Human Development Report vividly introduced poverty as a multidimensional phenomenon, and the Millennium Declaration and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have highlighted multiple dimensions of poverty since 2000.

Biofortification: High zinc wheat programme – The potential agricultural options for alleviating malnutrition in Pakistan

&lt;p&gt;The deficiency of micronutrients (zinc, iron, iodine and vitamin A) is persistently afflicting millions of people living across Africa, Southern Americas, Asia and Pakistan. Among these, the zinc deficiency syndrome is occurring by 47.6, 41.3, and 39.2% in pregnant, non-pregnant and children under 5 years, respectively in Pakistan. The reason being that majority of the people subsists on cereal-based diets, i.e., wheat. The commercially grown wheat varieties contain zinc about 25 mg/g, whereas about 40 mg/g zinc is required in daily diet.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The potential risk of zinc deficiency could be mitigated through certain interventions i.e., mineral drugs, food supplements, diversity in diets, production of fortified foods, and genetic biofortification of staple food crops. Among these, quantum increase in zinc content in wheat grains through genetic manipulation would be basics to alleviate zinc deficiency in the malnourished communities. The objective of the programme is to enhance the concentration of zinc nutrient from 25 to 40 mg/g in wheat grains through conventional plant breeding techniques.&lt;/p&gt;Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad in collaboration with Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and International Maize &amp;amp; Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and HarvestPlus, Pakistan started R&amp;amp;D works to develop biofortified high zinc wheat varieties containing around 40 mg/g in the year 2009. The biofortified wheat crop is developed through conventional plant breeding techniques. The germplasm inherited with high zinc nutrient are crossed with high yielding and adopted to ecological conditions. The varieties are high yielding, and inheriting zinc around 40 mg/g in the grains under both irrigated and rainfed production environments. The Government of Punjab has also given high priority to develop and consume biofortified high zinc wheat in its multi-sectoral Nutrition Strategy Plan 2015, as potential agricultural option to address malnutrition in the Punjab province.

Biofortification: High zinc wheat programme – The potential agricultural options for alleviating malnutrition in Pakistan

&lt;p&gt;The deficiency of micronutrients (zinc, iron, iodine and vitamin A) is persistently afflicting millions of people living across Africa, Southern Americas, Asia and Pakistan. Among these, the zinc deficiency syndrome is occurring by 47.6, 41.3, and 39.2% in pregnant, non-pregnant and children under 5 years, respectively in Pakistan. The reason being that majority of the people subsists on cereal-based diets, i.e., wheat. The commercially grown wheat varieties contain zinc about 25 mg/g, whereas about 40 mg/g zinc is required in daily diet.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The potential risk of zinc deficiency could be mitigated through certain interventions i.e., mineral drugs, food supplements, diversity in diets, production of fortified foods, and genetic biofortification of staple food crops. Among these, quantum increase in zinc content in wheat grains through genetic manipulation would be basics to alleviate zinc deficiency in the malnourished communities. The objective of the programme is to enhance the concentration of zinc nutrient from 25 to 40 mg/g in wheat grains through conventional plant breeding techniques.&lt;/p&gt;Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad in collaboration with Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and International Maize &amp;amp; Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and HarvestPlus, Pakistan started R&amp;amp;D works to develop biofortified high zinc wheat varieties containing around 40 mg/g in the year 2009. The biofortified wheat crop is developed through conventional plant breeding techniques. The germplasm inherited with high zinc nutrient are crossed with high yielding and adopted to ecological conditions. The varieties are high yielding, and inheriting zinc around 40 mg/g in the grains under both irrigated and rainfed production environments. The Government of Punjab has also given high priority to develop and consume biofortified high zinc wheat in its multi-sectoral Nutrition Strategy Plan 2015, as potential agricultural option to address malnutrition in the Punjab province.