FinTech, blockchain and Islamic finance : an extensive literature review

Purpose: The paper aims to review the academic research work done in the area of Islamic financial technology. The Islamic FinTech area has been classified into three broad categories of the Islamic FinTech, Islamic Financial technology opportunities and challenges, Cryptocurrency/Blockchain sharia compliance and law/regulation. Finally, the study identifies and highlights the opportunities and challenges that Islamic Financial institutions can learn from the conventional FinTech organization across the world. Approach/Methodology/Design: The study collected 133 research studies (50 from Social Science Research Network (SSRN), 30 from Research gate, 33 from Google Scholar and 20 from other sources) in the area of Islamic Financial Technology. The study presents the systematic review of the above studies. Findings: The study classifies the Islamic FinTech into three broad categories namely, Islamic FinTech opportunities and challenges, Cryptocurrency/Blockchain sharia compliance and law/regulation. The study identifies that the sharia compliance related to the cryptocurrency/Blockchain is the biggest challenge which Islamic FinTech organizations are facing. During our review we also find that Islamic FinTech organizations are to be considered as partners by the Islamic Financial Institutions (IFI’s) than the competitors. If Islamic Financial institutions want to increase efficiency, transparency and customer satisfaction they have to adopt FinTech and become partners with the FinTech companies. Practical Implications: The study will contribute positively to the understanding of Islamic Fintech for the academia, industry, regulators, investors and other FinTech users. Originality/Value: The study believes to contribute positively to understanding of Fintech based technology like cryptocurrency/Blockchain from sharia perspective.peer-reviewe

CSR, From Perception to Role in Performance: A Case Study of SMEs in Industrial Estate Peshawar, Pakistan

This paper explores the perception and role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of Industrial Estate Peshawar, Pakistan. Philosophically the study had a subjective ontology; and therefore, a subjective epistemological stance leading to interpretivism as its core theoretical position.  To inquire into the perception and role of CSR in SME’s, the study utilized Yin’s case study model thus collecting data through qualitative semi-structured interviews and observations. Further, the study used Miles and Huberman (1994) approach of thematic modelling for the analysis of the data. The findings reveal that SMEs are somehow practising CSR in an informal manner. Surprisingly, CSR at strategic Level is missing. CSR practices towards employees are missing except health and safety measures.  Most of the firms contribute in an irregular manner to the local community -  training the locals, hiring them as internees, giving charity and donations, and purchasing of local supplies when available and feasible. While, except for one firm, the production or manufacturing firms have no environmental implications.  The firms are ethical in dealing with customers and suppliers, they offer customers a quality product which is the reason behind their performance in terms of sales or reputation. The only ethical factor of CSR has a role in SMEs performance

Anaesthetic management of two patients with beta-thalassaemia intermedia

There is paucity of literature regarding the anaesthetic management of patients with thalassaemia intermedia. In this case study, the anaesthetic management and concerns in two children with thalassaemia intermedia aged eleven and nine years undergoing herniotomy and splenectomy respectively is reported. Both children had unanticipated difficulty in airway management and high intraoperative blood pressure trends. These cases are representative of the range of problems seen in children with thalassaemia intermedia

An artificial intelligence and NLP based Islamic FinTech model combining Zakat and Qardh-Al-Hasan for countering the adverse impact of COVID 19 on SMEs and individuals

Pursose: The ongoing Corona virus (COVID 19) pandemic has already impacted almost everyone across the globe. The focus has now shifted from spread of the disease to the economic consequences it will bring to the society. The shortage of production will result into the shortage of supply and consequently will end as loss of jobs and employment for millions of people around the world. Two of the most important section of our society i.e., daily wage laborers and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will have to bear the major burnt of this crisis. The proposed integrated Artificial Intelligence and NLP based Islamic FinTech Model combining Zakat (Islamic tax) and Qardh-Al-Hasan (benevolent loan) can help the economy to minimize the adverse impact of COVID 19 on individuals and SMEs. Design/Methodology/Approach: The present study explores the possibility of Zakat and Qardh-Al-Hasan as a financing method to fight the adverse impact of Corona virus on poor individuls and SMEs. It provides the solution by proposing an Artificial Intelligence and NLP based Islamic FinTech Model combining Zakat and Qardh-Al-Hasan. Findings: The findings of the study reveals that Islamic finance has immense potential to fight any kind of situation/pandemic. Zakat and Qardh-Al-Hasan, if combined together can prove to be a deadly combination to fight the adverse effect of COVID 19. Practical Implications: To be used as an effective way to support individuals and SMEs in the period during and after the pandemic of COVID 19. Originality/value: There is no study combining Zakat and Qardh Al-Hasan to fight the adverse effect of poor individuals and SMEs. The study will contribute massively to the existing literature and will help the government and civil societies in fighting the economic impact of COVID 19 on individuals and SMEs.peer-reviewe

Causes of Time and Cost Overrun: A Case Study of Health Sector Projects in Peshawar, KP

Public sector projects in KP suffers time delays leading to years of delay and cost overrun of over Rs25 billion, surprisingly close to half of this amount i.e. 11.2 billion is reported in the health sector projects in KP. This paper therefore, explores factors leading to time and cost overrun in the construction and IT projects of Health Department Peshawar, Government of KPK, Pakistan. To explore the causes of cost and time overrun, the study utilized Yin’s case study model thus collecting data through qualitative semi-structured interviews. The study used Miles and Huberman (1994) approach of thematic modelling for data analysis. The finding reveals that factors leading to time and cost overrun are administrative issues, delays in fund release, political Issues, monitoring &control, work site issues, inflationary effects, poor cost estimation, issues from contractor’s side, stakeholders and IT issues. While, certain factors causing overrun in specific to IT projects are resistance by the stakeholders for change, lack of understanding on the part of consumer about the benefit of the project and rapid changes in technology

Diff erential genotypic response of two varieties of Hordeum vulgare L. in response to hydrazine hydrate alone and in combination with dimethyl sulfoxide

Induced mutation has been an important tool for a man in bringing desirable changes in plants since times immemorial. Cereals form an integral part of human diet along with pulses, especially in India. Cereals contain a high percentage of carbohydrates along with the considerable amount of proteins. The present experiment was carried out to induce the variability in Hordeum vulgare L. variety RD-2035 and BH-393. The mutagen used in this experiment was hydrazine hydrate (Hz). The mutagen was used singly and in combination with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Usually, the DMSO is considered as a carrier for a mutagen to enhance the mutagenic activity of that particular mutagen used in combination. The two varieties of seeds were treated with individual concentrations of Hz along with combination treatments with DMSO. The seeds were sown to raise the M1 generation. Cytology of both control and treated plants was observed in the M1 generation. The control plants showed normal meiosis, whereas the treated plants showed different chromosomal abnormalities. The different chromosomal abnormalities were laggard, bridge, micronucleus, and univalents. The meiotic abnormalities were low at lower concentrations of both individual and combination treatments while as the percentage abnormalities increased with increasing concentrations of both individual and combination treatments. M1 seeds were sown to raise the M2 generation. Quantitative characters of both control and treated plants were observed. The lower concentrations of both individual and combination treatments induced desirable changes in quantitative characters while as the higher ones induced negative effects

RAZMIN by Qureshi Enterprises: Competing with the Secret Sauce of Competitors

The case is comprised of the entrepreneurial venture of Mr. Fahim Qureshi, who visualized the opportunity for growth and marketability for food, beverages and various FMCG products in Pakistan by organizing the scattered demand. He established QURESHI ENTERPRISE (QE) in 1997.  Mr. Qureshi believe that his deep knowledge of the consumer market, compounded with financial strength and other capabilities provides ample opportunities and further scope for expansion and with this in mind he created his brand “ Razmin”. The brand is for numerous culinary products, like corns, curry pastes and wide range of sauces. All these items are manufactured, packed and branded in Thailand

Assessing Water Consumption of Major Crops in the Command Area of Malwah Distributary, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sindh.

Soil and water are vital natural resources on which agriculture sector growth and village livelihood depend and having the proper knowledge of the Soil, Plant, and water relationship are extremely important to achieve sustainable agricultural productivity. Pakistan has entered the 21st century with the rising challenge to meet food and fiber requirements for its population for domestic consumption and export. Without having appropriate knowledge about the intense water need of plants, most of the agricultural land in Pakistan is still being irrigated by conventional methods, which in turn produces so many problems and reduces the agricultural productivity putting extra stress on the country’s economy, so to avoid these issues, it is extremely necessary to provide the required quantity of water to plant, which will only be possible by consideration and accurate estimation of Evapotranspiration of plant so to enhance awareness and practice of water-saving agriculture in Pakistan to increase the agricultural commodities. In this study, estimation of Actual Evapotranspiration ( ETa ) of Malwah Distributary located in Shaheed Benazirbad, Sindh was selected from Command area of Rohri Canal, ET of four different crops; Cotton, Fallow, Rice and Sugarcane for the period of Rabi 2019-2020 and Kharif 2020 was estimated by using satellite-based evapotranspiration mapping tool namely METRIC REFLUX. The actual ET for each season was obtained using the Reference ET fraction (ETrf) of satellite data and reference ET(ETr) obtained from the literature. The classified crop mask was obtained using maximum likelihood classification on bands 8,4, and 3 of sentinel-2 images of the year 2020. The overall accuracy obtained is 93% with a kappa coefficient 0.921841. The average Actual Evapotranspiration of different crops namely, banana, cotton, rice, and sugarcane were found to be 1527.2 mm, 536.6 mm, 386.80 mm, and 814.02 m

TRICHOBEZOAR WITH GASTRIC PERFORATION IN A 30 YEARS OLD FEMALE IN PAKISTAN: A CASE STUDY

Trichobezoar is a Greek word trich, which means hair. Bezoars are collections of indigestible material that accumulate in the GI tract and are most often located in the stomach. Trichobezoars are often associated with psychiatric illness like trichotillomania and trichophagia usually occurs in young and adolescent females. In this case study, we present the 30 years old female who suffer from Trichobezoar with Gastric Perforation which is rare in nature. A 30-year-old woman resident of Dadu , presented in the emergency department of Liaquat University hospital Hyderabad/jamshoro in October 2018 , with the complain of pain in upper abdomen, constipation for last 10 days , vomiting for last 3 days and distention of abdomen. On examination patient look irritable abdomen was tense and tender on palpation, bowel sounds was absent. Ultrasound shows collection of free fluid in the peritoneal cavity and gas filled bowel loops no visceromegaly, and x-rays abdomen erect and supine shows gas under right dome of diaphragm. There was a past history of C-section and the socioeconomic status was average. On emergency exploratory laparotomy was performed and around two liters of pyoperitoneum was removed. And there was a 2×2 cm perforation was identified in the anterior wall of the prepyloric region of stomach. It is concluded that Gastric perforation is a rare complication of gastric trichobezoar formation. Without a history of trichotillomania or trichophagia, or findings on physical examination consistent with hair pulling behavior, one would not readily include this entity on their differential diagnosis of an acute abdomen. Key words: Trichophagia, Trichobezoar, Gastric, perforatio

Express TV: Competing In a Cluttered World of Media for Consumer Preferences and Viewership Patterns

Express News TV Channel found some reports that their TV channel viewership was declining. In Pakistan, however, the viewership data is managed, still the system is not properly managed and has many loopholes. This can be imagined through the information that one of the most populated area of Karachi, Gulshan Iqbal, TV viewing patterns are evaluated through less than ten people meters. Express news therefore decided to conduct a full survey that included the viewership patterns, the most preferred TV shows, and hosts, morning shows, and anchors. The study revealed interesting facts about the standing of Express News programs and TV viewers’ preferences of the same