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AbstractEnergy, a basic input to the economic system, plays a pivotal function in development; at the same time, it raises concerns and hurdles to global economies as a result of negative externalities associated with its usage. Economies set various measures to limit these negative externalities and encourage citizens toward renewable energy utilization. Considering a panel of high-income economies over the period of 1990–2020, we empirically examine whether energy-related tax policies (ENT) are helpful to tackle the issue of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions (ENGHGs). Furthermore, we also investigate the role of digitalization (DIG) and financial risk (FINR) for its possible impact on ENGHGs. The advanced econometric techniques include diagnostic tests, Method of Moment Quantile Regression (MMQR), for robustness validation quantile regression, and finally Dumitrescu and Hurlin panel causality check. The findings reveal that ENT policies of selected economies are not helpful to limit ENGHGs in 25th and 50th quantiles effectively. Nevertheless, due to the progressive rise in ENT in the 75th and 90th quantiles, ENT significantly helps to smoothen the path towards a sustainable future. Furthermore, GDP increases, while improvement in FINR decreases ENGHGs. As the selected economies are developed and high-income, it is suggested that a progressive rise in ENT may further limit the issue of ENGHGs.

Dear Editor, Among a plethora of widespread diseases in Pakistan, β-thalassemia is the commonest genetic order. According to report published by Bloomberg stated that, about 6,000 children in Pakistan are diagnosed with this genetic disorder every year, with 6-9% carrier rate.1 Consanguinity is considered to be the primary cause for higher prevalence in Pakistan. We have iron chelation and regular blood transfusions as the primary treatment alternatives for β-thalassemia patients, However, bone marrow transplantation is considered to be an only and effective cure.2 For Red blood cells maturation, Sotatercept and Luspatercept are certain Activin receptor fusion compounds which vanquishes the TGF-, β, pathway, for, negative, regulation. The conjoining of Activin receptor ligands suppresses the abnormal Smad 2/3 signaling and avert cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in erythroblasts, hence, encouraging late-stage differentiation. Scientists have reported that, Luspatercept bestows a new horizon to counter this disease which involves the differentiation of RBC's, thus, multiplying the number of crude erythroid precursors in the blood. It is worth mentioning that, in any way it cannot be considered a substitute of RBC's while treating acute anemic patients.3 The use of Luspatercept culminated the increased hemoglobin levels in Phase one study which involved normal postmenopausal-women and decreased the burden of transfusion by 22% in 13 weeks of Phase two study. FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) has approved this drug for use among adult patients who have β-thalassemia and regularly needs RBC's transfusions in 2019. The efficacy of Luspatercept was determined in a trial named 'BELIEVE' which was conducted at 66 different multicenter covering around 16 countries. In these trials 224 people were administered with Luspatercept and 112 participants were given placebo. It was disclosed that the Luspatercept group had a higher significance of reduced transfusion burden. While describing the major effects of this drug, the scientists recorded arthralgia, headache, hyperuricemia and hypertension, however, it was also reported that patients who underwent splenectomy noticed 3.6% thrombo-embolic events.4 Specifically mentioning the situation of Pakistan, the over-burden of massive transfusions negatively impacts individuals and drastically utilize the limited health care facilities resources. We are quite hopeful that with the use of this drug, we can counter the β-thalassemia cases in Pakistan.5 There is a positive hope that it could prove as stakeholder in making patients more independent in their lives. Big-wigs Pharmaceuticals and government of Pakistan must work in a joint-venture to open its doors for clinical trials in Pakistan as we did in COVID-19 vaccines, so that we can evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of Luspatercept for our people.6

Pakistan is planning to induce COVID-19 vaccine jabs to 70% of its population by the end of year 2021. Myths, conspiracy theories, disinformation, stigma among people are the major impediments in this social welfare drive. The government of Pakistan has initiated the vaccination process from February 2021 in different phases. In the first phase, front-line health workers were planned to be vaccinated.1 According to a report, 142,135 health workers in Sindh province registered for vaccination but only 33,356 health care workers vaccinated themselves.2 In the second phase government has started vaccination process of senior citizens aged 60 and older. The influx of people remained very low. The third phase mass inoculation drive included people aged from 40 to 59. The fourth phase is just launched by the government to inoculate young people aged from 19 to 39

With the propagation of COVID-19 worldwide, its new strains are also emanating. Consequently, the healthcare workers are persistently monitoring these mutations with grave concern.1 Epsilon variant also called as CAL.20C which is new strain of SARs-COV-2 virus originated and was first detected in California, United States of America (USA) in July 2020 .2,3 Originated from California, this variant is currently in approximately more than 35 countries and was prevalent in the United States.4,5 After processing 23 samples in a reference lab of the Provincial Government, Punjab, it was corroborated by the Health Authority about the existence of the novel variant. Out of 23 samples, five were validated as positive with California Epsilon strain reported in Lahore. According to the medical experts, the patient takes several weeks to recuperate from Epsilon strain in contrast with the other types of infections. Medical pantheons opine that this Epsilon variant found in Lahore is highly contagious and communicable as the Delta variant and this variant is said to be 20 per cent more transmissible. Epsilon strain identified in Lahore, --- city of Pakistan --- was highly contagious and highly communicable as the its counterpart, the Delta variant. Sarah Aslam serving as Secretary Punjab Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department admonished about the menacing situation of the novel California Epsilon strain unearthed in Lahore. Adding her stance, she stated that her department accumulated 23 suspicious samples of which five of them were detected positive for Epsilon. She commended to abide by the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) to avert from this strain.6 Though Epsilon is new to South Asia, it is considered to be the second-most dominant variant in New York.5 According to the researchers at the University of Washington it was discovered that this variant is more resistant to vaccines.3 According to peer-reviewed journal Science, Epsilon strain can entirely disappear synthetic antibodies and minimize the potency ...

AbstractAgriculture is one of the primary contributors to Pakistan's economy. However, over the last few decades, the atmospheric carbon dioxide emission has been amplified to a great extent in Pakistan. This amplification may cause climate change, global warming, and environmental mitigation in Pakistan. This paper empirically investigates the impact of CO2 emissions on the agricultural export trade of Pakistan over the period 1975–2017. Evidence suggests that climate change could be a primary cause for the decline in Pakistan's agriculture export trade; no studies have been carried out for this specific issue, particularly over time. In this paper, the empirical analysis suggests the negative coefficient of agriculture export trade with CO2 emissions subsequently decreases agriculture export trade, which leads to direct impact on Pakistan's economy. Both theoretical and empirical outcomes suggest that the adaptation of clean and green energies and technologies are the key to reduce pollution in Pakistan. Overall, the effects of carbon dioxide emissions on agriculture export trade are stronger in the long‐run dynamics, thus making the finding heterogeneous. Possible initiatives should be taken by the government of Pakistan to improve the agriculture sector and it should also introduce new policies to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide.

This research work aims to find out social, cognitive and moral effects of facebook on adolescents in Pakistan, because about 65% of the country comprises on adolescents. The researcher applied quantitative research methods, while survey was conducted for the collection of data. Structured questionnaires were used for collection of data. Data was collected through purposive sampling method. Data was analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The findings revealed that social media, particularly Facebook has cognitive, social and moral effects, which improve their skills to in-touch with relatives, peers and friends to improve social circle, cognitive effects to enhance creativity and mental level during the studies and moral effects where, they bear to respond the slang and abusive language as well as abusive comments on other posts related to their political and religious beliefs. This study also tests the cultivation theory with regard to social media and generated user categories according to their usage of facebook for future researchers. The results of the study justified the objectives and hypotheses of the study, where it has been recommended to parents, teachers and government to regulate the social media in the country to overcome the abuses.

Economic instability and higher unemployment significantly increased the number of students migration from all over the world, particularly South Asian countries in the last decade. Growing number of international student migration to abroad for higher education and search for better economic opportunity. This study will determine the economic impact of students' emigration from South Asian countries particularly Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. A comparative analysis of the three border sharing countries have shown the long-term economic and political instability and a result of an economic and financial collapse in 2008, and also discuss how such an environment has affected student emigration from South Asia. This study is quantitative research using questioners as a tool to collect primary data, from the large sample size of 300 South Asian students studying in Chinses universities in China. This research work is based on two factors, 1) the deterioration of economic factors in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh have changed the students' perception to migrate abroad; 2) the study also reflected that majority of Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi students want to stay in the host country. The findings indicated that all the related variables have significantly positive, economic instability, higher unemployment, lower salary, political instability, and lower quality education system. The logit-probit regression models with these variables could predict the higher value of the variance in the overall student migration to abroad. Findings are relevant for academic institutions and government agencies interested in international education, student migration behavior, comparative data as well as strategic policies.

Economic instability and higher unemployment significantly increased the number of students migration from all over the world, particularly South Asian countries in the last decade. Growing number of international student migration to abroad for higher education and search for better economic opportunity. This study will determine the economic impact of students' emigration from South Asian countries particularly Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. A comparative analysis of the three border sharing countries have shown the long-term economic and political instability and a result of an economic and financial collapse in 2008, and also discuss how such an environment has affected student emigration from South Asia. This study is quantitative research using questioners as a tool to collect primary data, from the large sample size of 300 South Asian students studying in Chinses universities in China. This research work is based on two factors, 1) the deterioration of economic factors in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh have changed the students' perception to migrate abroad; 2) the study also reflected that majority of Pakistani, Indian and Bangladeshi students want to stay in the host country. The findings indicated that all the related variables have significantly positive, economic instability, higher unemployment, lower salary, political instability, and lower quality education system. The logit-probit regression models with these variables could predict the higher value of the variance in the overall student migration to abroad. Findings are relevant for academic institutions and government agencies interested in international education, student migration behavior, comparative data as well as strategic policies.