Contemporary Issues in Current Account Operations in Pakistani IBs - Sharia Compliant Solution

Contemporary Sharia scholars have three stances about the Current Account Operations in Pakistani Islamic Banks (IBs) i.e., (i) Ijarah based contract (ii) Wadi'ah based contract, and (iii) Qard based contract. This paper is an attempt to delve into the root causes of the differences of scholars and to find the Sharia-compliant solution acceptable for all. Descriptive as well as applied approaches are used in this paper. Clearing of ambiguity on this issue may result in twofold benefits: from the public point of view, it would satisfy practising Muslims which may result in form of huge deposits in this account (ii) from IBs viewpoint the Current Account is a bonus deposit

The transformative effect of training in counselling and its application, on the community counsellors themselves

Objective: To identify the changes in community counsellors\u27 own level of anxiety and depression as a result of learning counselling skills and to explore their subjective experiences after learning and providing counselling.Design: Quantitative: Repeated Measures. / Qualitative: Focus Group Discussions.SETTING: A lower middle class semi urban community of Karachi, Pakistan.PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-one self selected women from the community.Results: Reduction was seen in the post training scores of anxiety and/or depression in the trainees. As a result of learning and then providing counselling the community counsellors\u27 self esteem, self confidence and sense of competence were enhanced and they developed a more positive attitude towards life.CONCLUSION: A minimal level of training in counselling skills and their application led to significant positive changes in the community counsellors themselves, though self-selection and information bias cannot be ruled out

Spontaneous recovery from depression in women: a qualitative study of vulnerabilities, strengths and resources

Objective: To gain insight into the perceived vulnerability and restitution factors for anxiety/or depression.Methods: Focus group discussion of seven married women recovered spontaneously from anxiety and/or depression, belonging to a lower middle class semi-urban community of Karachi.Results: Poverty, unemployment, abuse and on going difficulties were perceived as risk factors for depression. A reliable social support system, positive thinking approach, faith, prayers, and experiencing a turning point event were reported as factors that promoted recovery from anxiety and/or depression.CONCLUSION: Individual vulnerabilities, strengths and resources can have an important role in recovery from anxiety and/or depression in women

Laparoscopic appraisal of infertility and pelvic pain in Pakistani women: a 5 years audit

Five hundred and nine Laparoscopic examinations performed between 1987-91, (147 procedures for evaluation of gynaecologic pelvic pain and 313 for infertility) revealed ectopic pregnancy (27%), twisted ovarian cyst (18%) and acute pelvic inflammatory disease (14%) in cases of acute gynaecologic pain, and endometriosis (17%) and chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (16%) in chronic pelvic pain. Adhesions (20%), tubal block (15%), endometriosis (9%) and polycystic ovary (7%) were common findings in cases of infertility. These data support the usefulness of this minimally invasive procedure in accurate diagnosis of gynaecological disorders and provides insight into the spectra of diseases seen in Pakistani women with pelvic pain and infertility

Comparative study to evaluate efficacy and safety of azilsartan and telmisartan in patients with grade I-II essential hypertension

Background: Objectives of the study was to study the effect of Azilsartan 40mg once daily versus Telmisartan 40mg once daily in patients with Grade I-II essential hypertension.Methods: A prospective study was conducted at MGM Medical college and Hospital which included 80 patients in each group with Grade I–II essential hypertension. The sex, age, presenting illness, and family history of the patients were recorded. Investigations such as blood sugar, urine analysis, kidney function test, lipid profile, and ECG were performed before starting the treatment. Any adverse effects during the treatment were noted. Blood pressure was recorded at baseline and during follow-up. One group received Azilsartan 40mg once daily and another group Telmisartan 40mg once daily. Patients were followed-up every week for 5 weeks.Results: Patients receiving Azilsartan 40mg and Telmisartan 40mg showed a significant fall (P 0.05). Adverse effects such as Nasopharyngitis, Upper respiratory tract inflammation, Gastroenteritis, headache, dizziness, and fatigue were reported with both drugs.Conclusions: Reduction of blood pressure with Azilsartan and Telmisartan was similar, but fall in blood pressure from baseline was highly significant in both groups