Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Policies to Curb the Menace of Terrorism

The National Internal Security Policy (NISP) initiated ten months before the Peshawar Army Public School (APS) assault in Dec 2014, when an all Parties meeting was directed and chaired by the PM Nawaz Sharif including the top army brass, pronounced an inclusion of twenty Points of National Action Plan (NAP) to impede the terroristic and extremist activities in the country. Recently, through a thought-process, the detailed NAP fundamentally redesigned and included two more points while setting the motives of the NISP: the establishment of Army courts to manage the postponed trials of “jet black” terrorists and death penalty reinforcement for the attackers of (APS) and other has terrorists’ activities to curb radicalism and militancy in the state. In view of this scenario, this paper attempts to propose some reflections on what are the policy management challenges in implementation of NISP and NAP? What are the deficiencies of state’s regulatory authorities which plague the effective implementation of NISP in Pakistan? What are the perils and prospects of NAP? And what are the achievements of NAP thus far? Keywords: National Internal Security Policy, National Action Plan, National Counter Terrorism Authority

Controllability Backbone in Networks

This paper studies the controllability backbone problem in dynamical networks defined over graphs. The main idea of the controllability backbone is to identify a small subset of edges in a given network such that any subnetwork containing those edges/links has at least the same network controllability as the original network while assuming the same set of input/leader vertices. We consider the strong structural controllability (SSC) in our work, which is useful but computationally challenging. Thus, we utilize two lower bounds on the network's SSC based on the zero forcing notion and graph distances. We provide algorithms to compute controllability backbones while preserving these lower bounds. We thoroughly analyze the proposed algorithms and compute the number of edges in the controllability backbones. Finally, we compare and numerically evaluate our methods on random graphs.Comment: Accepted in 62nd IEEE Conference on Decision and Control, Dec. 13-15, 2023, Singapor

A Trapezoid Attention Mechanism for Power Generation and Consumption Forecasting

Effective operation of smart grids relies on accurate forecasting models for renewable power generation (RPG) and power consumption. The intermittent and unpredictable nature of RPG, coupled with diverse consumption patterns, underscores the importance of robust forecasting approaches. Existing models often employ stacked layers, integrating direct features into fully connected layers, yielding suboptimal results with limited generalization capabilities. Addressing these limitations, we propose a novel two-stream architecture for RPG and power consumption forecasting. The first stream leverages dilated causal convolutional layers to capture intricate patterns, while the second stream focuses on temporal information extraction. Importantly, we fine-tune the hyperparameters of both streams using Bayesian algorithms to optimize the learning process. The outputs from these two streams are then intelligently combined and channeled into our innovative trapezoid attention module (TAM) for feature refinement, resulting in superior pattern representation. The TAM incorporates three distinct dimensions (spatial, temporal, and spatiotemporal) and enriches feature maps by integrating a skip connection from the pre-TAM features. The output post-TAM features are then employed for final forecasting. Our approach showcases remarkable performance in short-term forecasting across a spectrum of datasets, including RPG, regional, residential, and industrial power consumption. By addressing the shortcomings of existing forecasting models, our research contributes to the advancement of smart grid technologies, ensuring more reliable and efficient energy management.</p

Improving Graph Machine Learning Performance Through Feature Augmentation Based on Network Control Theory

Network control theory (NCT) offers a robust analytical framework for understanding the influence of network topology on dynamic behaviors, enabling researchers to decipher how certain patterns of external control measures can steer system dynamics towards desired states. Distinguished from other structure-function methodologies, NCT's predictive capabilities can be coupled with deploying Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), which have demonstrated exceptional utility in various network-based learning tasks. However, the performance of GNNs heavily relies on the expressiveness of node features, and the lack of node features can greatly degrade their performance. Furthermore, many real-world systems may lack node-level information, posing a challenge for GNNs.To tackle this challenge, we introduce a novel approach, NCT-based Enhanced Feature Augmentation (NCT-EFA), that assimilates average controllability, along with other centrality indices, into the feature augmentation pipeline to enhance GNNs performance. Our evaluation of NCT-EFA, on six benchmark GNN models across two experimental setting. solely employing average controllability and in combination with additional centrality metrics. showcases an improved performance reaching as high as 11%. Our results demonstrate that incorporating NCT into feature enrichment can substantively extend the applicability and heighten the performance of GNNs in scenarios where node-level information is unavailable.Comment: Conference pape

Petrographic and Physiomechanical Investigation of Late Cretaceous Kawagarh Formation Kahi Section, Nizampur Basin

The late Cretaceous Kawagarh Formation has been investigated in terms of field observation, and petrographic analysis, to understand the petrography and its impact on the geotechnical properties. The Kawagarh Formation is well exposed among the upper Indus Basin, and has been studied by various workers in different aspects. Kawagarh Formationexposed in Kahi section of Nizampur Basin has been selected in this study to know the behavior of carbonate rocks for engineering purposes. Lithologically, this formation is composed of thick to medium bedded, highly fractured limestone, marls, and dolomitic limestone which has undertaken diagenetic alteration including dolomite, calcite veins, and stylolites. Followed by petrographic analysis which reveals that the Kawagarh limestone is mostly fossiliferouscomprised of a large number of planktonic foraminifera fossils like Globotruncana Hilli and Globotruncana Linneana fossils. Furthermore, to know the impact of petrographic minerals on engineering behavior, mechanical properties in terms of uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) and uniaxial tensile strength (UTS) were also computed by using a universal testing machine (UTM). The resultant mechanical values lie in the strong compressive strength and suggest their usage for various construction purposes. Aggregate degradation tests including water absorption, specific gravity, aggregate impact value, Los angles abrasion, and soundness was also computed according to the International standard organization, ASTM (American Society for testing materials) and British standard. The aggregate values of the Cretaceous Kawagarh Formation are within the defined standard limits and can be used as an aggregate source for different construction engineering projects

Economics of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Production and Its Development in District Kech, Balochistan Province of Pakistan

Economics of date palm production and its constraints in District Kech, (Balochistan) was analyzed during 2012-13 using 60 date palm producers; while a good number of market agents/middlemen were also included to analyze date palm marketing. The data indicated that Turbat and Panjgoor are the districts of excellence for their high quality and remarkable date palm production; and Begum Jangi dominates in area and production, followed by Halini, Hussaini, Goknah, Dishtri, Konzenabad, Muzwati, Pashpag, Shakri and Washakar. The total estimated costs on date palm production were Rs. 225271.31/hectare which included Rs. 50903 land inputs, Rs. 66468 initial development of orchard, Rs. 76111 operational costs and Rs. 31789.31 marketing costs. Among initial orchard development costs, purchase of date palm suckers was the item of highest cost, followed by the farmyard manure and ploughing charges. The total land inputs including land rent and land tax accumulated to Rs. 50903/hectare. Among marketing costs the transportation charges were the highest amount of costs. The overall average date palm fruit yield was estimated at 77.29 maunds per hectare. The date palm yield was higher in trees aging 10-20 years; while Washakar variety fetched highest sale price, followed by Begum Jangi, Konzenabad and Goknah, while hydrated form of dates (Chhuhara) is mostly prepared from Halini variety. The income from date palm per hectare was estimated at Rs. 286745.90 against total costs Rs. 225271.31 resulting net returns of 61474.59 per hectare, resulting cost: benefit ratio of 1:1.27. The marketing analysis indicated that total price spread was Rs. 3500.00 per maund while the product reached in the hands of ultimate consumer. The middlemen (Wholesalers and commission agents) and retailer earned marketing margins of 31.68 and 24.69%, net margin 75.23 and 85.34 %, markup 46.36 and 32.78 %. The retailer shared 42.10 paisa of the consumer’s rupee, middlemen (wholesaler and commission agents) 35.86 paisa; while the producer shared the lowest (22.04 paisa) of the consumer’s rupee. The retailer earned 5.82 rupees (CBR=1:5.82), middlemen (wholesaler and commission agents) 3.03 rupees (CBR=1:3.03) and date palm grower earned 0.27 rupee (CBR= 1:0.27) on payment of one rupee cost. Among constraints, farm to market infrastructure and high transportation costs were the problems of rank-1 faced by 100 percent of the growers. Market facility to growers, quality seed and irrigation water, lack of date processing unit and cold storage were rank-2, rank-3 and rank-4 problems, respectively. The quality pesticides and high fertilizer and FYM price and timely availability were the problems at rank-5, while training of date palm growers for production and post-harvest handling and non-existence of soil testing facilities were the problems of low ranking. Keywords: Date Palm, Production and Developmen

Occurrence of HCV genotypes in different age groups of patients from Lahore, Pakistan

Background: Hepatitis C virus is a small, enveloped single stranded, positive sense RNA virus. Different genotypes are distributed in different geographical areas of the world. Determination of HCV genotype is a powerful tool for the treatment of chronic and acute liver disease.Method: The present study was carried out to find the occurrence of different HCV genotypes in the city of Lahore, a populous city of Pakistan from January 2010 to December 2010. Blood sample of patients positive for anti HCV by ELISA as well as HCV by PCR were collected and plasma was separated. HCV viral RNA load was analyzed in these samples using Real Time PCR. Qiagen HCV mini kit for RNA extraction and Qiagen HCV amplification kit for PCR amplification were used. Amplicons were subjected to HCV genotyping using Third Wave Technology.Results: Among 489 patients, 211 (43.1%) patients were males and 278 (56.9%) were females. Occurrence of HCV in the age group of 36-45 years was 32.5 %. Occurrence of HCV genotype 1 was 9.6% (47), genotype 3a was 80.77% (395), genotype 3h was 1.0% (5) , genotype 4 was 4.9% (24), co-infection of genotypes 1 & 2 was 0.2% (01), co-infection of genotypes 1 & 3 was 0.6% (03) and co-infection genotypes 1 & 4 was 0.4% (02).Conclusion: HCV genotype 3a is most prevalent HCV genotype in subjected population during said duration with most infected people from 26 to 35 years of age. Female population is having more of HCV infection as compared to males

Optimizing Conservation of Nili Ravi Buffaloes in Southern Region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Phenotypic, Morphometric, and Productive Traits

In Pakistan, Nili Ravi buffalo is highly valued breed due to its high milk yield. Native to Punjab province, the breed is now extensively distributed throughout the country. To assess and optimize the conservation strategies for Nili Ravi buffaloes in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by evaluating their phenotypic, morphometric, productive, and reproductive characteristics. Buffaloes were maintained at Livestock Research and Development Station in Paharpur, Dera Ismail Khan from 2010-2023, under breed conservation program. A sum of 298 records Nili Ravi buffaloes were used for the investigation. The research examined physical attributes such as coat color, horn morphology, and other qualitative characteristics. In addition to body weight, body length, withers height, chest circumference, and hip breadth, morphometric measurements were recorded. Mean body weight of Nili Ravi buffaloes was recorded was 677 + 213 Kg, produced 1387.12 + 32.87 liters milk during their lactation period of 292.87 + 32.40 days that was substantially impacted by year (p \u3c 0.05) and calving season. Calving interval was 480.18 + 22.09 days, whereas parity year and calving season bear considerable (p \u3c 0.05) impact on their characteristic. Dry period was 181.2 + 18.01 days. This research aided in the development of conservation and enhancement strategies for Nili Ravi buffalo in the region. Nili Ravi buffaloes in the region have excellent milk yield but the study disclosed morphometric variations within the breed, demonstrating the need for targeted breeding and management practices

Effect of Job Environment on Pulmonary Functions of Railway Employees

Background: To seek relationship between job related exposure of Pakistan Railways workers and the development of respiratory diseases. Methods: One hundred (100) exposed railway workers and a reference group of 100 office workers were recruited in the study. Respiratory symptoms, smoking habits, physical examination findings, chest x-ray and spirometry results were recorded on standard proforma. Results: The FEV1/FVC ratio was significantly lower in the Railway workers than in the reference group (p&lt;0.001). Exposed Railway employees had significantly high (p&lt;0.001) incidence of pulmonary diseases as compared to the reference group. Disproportionately higher incidence of chronic obstructive airway disease was observed in the exposed Railway employees who smoked as compared to the non-smokers in the same group (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: In exposed Railway workers there is an increased risk of respiratory symptoms, decline in lung functions and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as compared to referents. There is disproportionately higher incidence of COPD among the smokers in the Railway workers as compared to the non-smokers in the same group