Media Standardization for Propagation of Caralluma (Caralluma Tuberculata)

To study the response of Caralluma (Caralluma tuberculata) growth to different media combination with an aim to identify suitable media combination for its propagation. An experiment was conducted at Barani Agricultural Research Station, Kohat during 2012 and 2013. The local wild Caralluma weighing 50g was planted in pots measuring 8”×10” arranged in complete randomized design (CRD) with four replications. Data were recorded on number of sticks plant-1, stick diameter, stick length and fresh yield pot-1 for two years. Pooled analysis of variance revealed significant differences among media types for all the traits studied, whereas, for year significant differences were only recorded for stick length and fresh yield pot-1.  Year x media interactions was found significant for number of stick plant-1.  Maximum values for fresh yield pot-1 (403 g), stick length (17.6 cm) and number of sticks plant-1 (25) were produced in pots containing media combination of  Sand + Silt + Saw Dust + FYM. Significant increase in fresh yield and other yield traits of Carraluma was noticed during the second year in comparison with first year. Furthermore, media type 4 (Sand + Silt + Saw Dust + FYM) showed remarkable results for yield and other traits and could be recommended for propagation of Caralluma. Keywords: Caralluma, Caralluma tuberculata, propagation, medi

Wheat growth and phytoavailability of copper and zinc as affected by soil texture in saline-sodic conditions

Nutrient disorders in saline-sodic soils can adversely affect crop growth. In order to evaluate the growth response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to Cu and Zn and the phytoavailability of these essential elements, a pot experiment was conducted in three different textured saline-sodic soils [sandy loam (SL), sandy clay loam (SCL) and clay (C)] having an ECe 8.63, 8.80, 8.98 dS m–1 and SAR 21.66, 23.48, 24.84 (mmol L–1)1/2 respectively. Seven treatments including levels of Cu (4, 6 and 8 mg kg–1) and levels of Zn (4, 6 and 8 mg kg–1) were separately applied together with a single control treatment. Dry matter yield (straw + grain) of wheat increased up to 35.2% with Cu and up to 31.2 % with Zn application relative to the control. As soil clay content increased, dry matter yield decreased up to 39.2% in SCL and up to 62.7% in C soil when compared to SL soil. Application of Cu increased the concentration in both wheat straw and grains up to 2.46 and 2.20 mg kg–1 DW respectively relative to the control. Zinc concentration in wheat straw and grains was also increased up to 29.97 and 29.40 mg kg–1 DW respectively relative to the controls. Copper application significantly increased Zn concentrations in wheat plants

REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN SOUTH ASIA: UTOPIA OR REALITY?

South Asia comprises almost one-quarter of the world’s population. It faces a host of disputes of varying natures, including armed conflicts, proxy wars, and religious and ethnic strife. Despite its deplorable state of human security and impoverished people, South Asia is considered the least integrated region globally. Approximately 1.99 billion people suffer in terms of energy, food, water and health security due to conflicts and hostile interstate relationships. This paper analyses the socio-political and security environment of the region and explores the impediments to regional integration. Focusing on the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, it highlights that the idea of regional integration cannot be realized without resolving core issues. Economic cooperation between regional countries can only be achieved if integration models like the European Union and Association of South East Asian Nations are considered with necessary deviations.   Bibliography Entry Niaz, Muhammad Tariq. 2022. "Regional Integration in South Asia: Utopia or Reality?" Margalla Papers 26 (1): 108-120

Socio-Economic development and sustainable development goals: a roadmap from vulnerability to sustainability through financial inclusion

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight the importance of poverty reduction, and call for policy implementation that leads to the socio-economic development of impoverished people. However, there is a lack of knowledge about assessing individual-level socio-economic development, and how financial inclusion through microfinance can contribute to it. Therefore, the role of commercially operated Microfinance Banks (MFBs) is also considered to be controversial in the literature. This study assesses the overall socio-economic development by considering different sustainable livelihoods, multidimensional poverty, living standards, and social development measures. Thus, the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), and Living Standard Index (LSI) have been estimated to gauge poverty and improvements in living standards. Data comprising 503 customers of MFBs, and 500 control respondents, has been gathered through a survey to signify this impact for two years. This paper substantiates that the microfinance obtained from MFBs contributes positively towards sustainable livelihoods, multidimensional poverty reduction, and living standards. However, microfinance does not contribute to social development. Impoverished people, mainly women living in urban areas, reap more benefits from microfinance, than their rural counterparts. Overall, financial inclusion shall be a gateway to achieve the SDGs in the long run through the socio-economic development of an impoverished segment of the society

A Study of the Key Roles of Teachers' Associations in Education System in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The purpose of this study was to investigate the key roles of Teachers' Associations in education system. The main objectives of the study were to find out the basic functions of teachers' associations, to highlight the importance of teachers' associations, to evaluate the responsibilities of teachers' associations and to investigate the effectiveness of teachers' associations. All High Schools of District Swat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan were the population of the study. Ten High Schools in urban area and 100 teachers were selected randomly as sample of the study. The data was collected through questionnaires. It was tabulated and result was shown in percentage, mean score and standard deviation. Findings of the study indicated that Teachers' Associations play very important roles in education system. They work for the protection of teachers' rights, keep them united, solve their problems, help in raising funds for the betterment of education and bring reforms in education system

A Study of the Key Roles of Teachers' Associations in Education System in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The purpose of this study was to investigate the key roles of Teachers' Associations in education system. The main objectives of the study were to ï¬nd out the basic functions of teachers' associations, to highlight the importance of teachers' associations, to evaluate the responsibilities of teachers' associations and to investigate the effectiveness of teachers' associations. All High Schools of District Swat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan were the population of the study. Ten High Schools in urban area and 100 teachers were selected randomly as sample of the study. The data was collected through questionnaires. It was tabulated and result was shown in percentage, mean score and standard deviation. Findings of the study indicated that Teachers' Associations play very important roles in education system. They work for the protection of teachers' rights, keep them united, solve their problems, help in raising funds for the betterment of education and bring reforms in education system

DYNAMICS OF REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN SOUTH ASIA: LESSONS FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION

Regional integration is aimed at promoting socioeconomic growth and development in a region through economic cooperation among the member states. The European Union (EU) was established to promote economic and political cooperation among member countries. EU’s unprecedented success in regional integration offers lessons for other regions. Unlike the EU, SAARC has not been successful in achieving significant economic integration among member states. Despite its potential, SAARC has been plagued by political and economic differences among member states, especially between Pakistan and India. South Asian countries are unable to boost regional integration not only because of their political differences but also due to other sub-regional and trans-regional initiatives that run anti to the spirit of regional integration under the umbrella of SAARC. India’s role towards regional integration in South Asia is considered significant being the leading nation in the region. This paper first identifies the economic and political factors that hinder regional integration in South Asia. Then, it focuses on the dynamics of successful regional integration in Europe intending to underline the lessons to be learned by the South Asian countries to boost their regional cooperation.   Bibliography Entry Niaz, Muhammad Tariq and Muhammad Riaz Shad. 2023. "Dynamics of Regional Integration in South Asia: Lessons from the European Union." Margalla Papers 27 (2): 85-101

Land Record Computerization brings more Trouble for Farmers in Punjab, Pakistan

The research in hand focused on the issue of land record computerization that brings more troubles to the farmer instead of more ease in Punjab, Pakistan. This research was conducted in three major agricultural districts of Punjab, namely Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Multan selected by using purposive sampling strategy. A sample of 450 respondents was drawn from three selected districts through a proportionate sampling technique. It was found that a major part of the respondents knew the internet/digitalization of land records. It was perceived that a significant proportion of the respondents was dissatisfied with the current land records system and faced large difficulty in contacting with department officials for getting these services. It is clear from the results that digitalization of land record service is expensive, in accessibility of relevant officials when needed, no service with unofficial payment and time-consuming. It was found that some factors behind the problems with the digitalization of land record such as lack of monitoring system, out of range, incompetent staff, lack of proper information about service, and distance. It was observed that the awareness level of people was low about the procedure of getting land records (fard, mutation, Fard Badar, etc.). Therefore, it was recommended in the research awareness campaigns should be launched at the village level by the concerned authorities and regular monitoring of the staff is expected to improve the current system

Mass transfer efficiency of a tall and low plate free area liquid pulsed sieve-plate extraction column

Acknowledgements The authors would like to acknowledge Chakwal group of industries for funding the project. Ms. Madiha, Ms. Zona, Mr. Sohaib, Mr. Abdullah, Mr. Mudassar, and Mr. Salahuddin also deserve our acknowledgements for their assistance in different ways.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Study on Desiccant and Evaporative Cooling Systems for Livestock Thermal Comfort: Theory and Experiments

The present study considers evaporative cooling and desiccant unit-based air-conditioning (AC) options for livestock AC application. In this regard, proposed systems are investigated by means of experiments and thermodynamic investigations. Air-conditioning requirements for animals are theoretically investigated and temperature-humidity index (THI) is estimated. A lab-scale heat mass exchanger based on the Maisotsenko-cycle evaporative cooling conception (MEC) is set up and its performance is evaluated at different ambient air conditions. In addition, a desiccant-based air-conditioning (DAC) unit is thermodynamically evaluated using a steady-state model available in the literature. The study focuses on the ambient conditions of Multan which is the 5th largest city of Pakistan and is assumed to be a typical hot city of southern Punjab. The study proposed three kinds of AC combination i.e., (i) stand-alone MEC, (ii) stand-alone desiccant AC, and (iii) M-cycle based desiccant AC systems. Wet bulb effectiveness of the stand-alone MEC unit resulted in being from 64% to 78% whereas the coefficient of performance for stand-alone desiccant AC and M-cycle based desiccant AC system was found to be 0.51 and 0.62, respectively. Results showed that the stand-alone MEC and M-cycle based desiccant AC systems can achieve the animals’ thermal comfort for the months of March to June and March to September, respectively, whereas, stand-alone desiccant AC is not found to be feasible in any month. In addition, the ambient situations of winter months (October to February) are already within the range of animal thermal comfort