Field experiment was conducted on fodder maize to explore the potential of integrated use of chemical, organic and biofertilizers for improving maize growth, beneficial microflora in the rhizosphere and the economic returns. The treatments were designed to make comparison of NPK fertilizer with different combinations of half dose of NP with organic and biofertilizers viz. biological potassium fertilizer (BPF), Biopower, effective microorganisms (EM) and green force compost (GFC). Data reflected maximum crop growth in terms of plant height, leaf area and fresh biomass with the treatment of full NPK; and it was followed by BPF+full NP. The highest uptake of NPK nutrients by crop was recorded as: N under half NP+Biopower; P in BPF+full NP; and K from full NPK. The rhizosphere microflora enumeration revealed that Biopower+EM applied along with half dose of GFC soil conditioner (SC) or NP fertilizer gave the highest count of N-fixing bacteria (Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Azoarcus and Zoogloea). Regarding the P-solubilizing bacteria, Bacillus was having maximum population with Biopower+BPF+half NP, and Pseudomonas under Biopower+EM+half NP treatment. It was concluded that integration of half dose of NP fertilizer with Biopower+BPF / EM can give similar crop yield as with full rate of NP fertilizer; and through reduced use of fertilizers the production cost is minimized and the net return maximized. However, the integration of half dose of NP fertilizer with biofertilizers and compost did not give maize fodder growth and yield comparable to that from full dose of NPK fertilizers.

Socialization in the post-migration phase has a key role in shaping the behavior of the people towards a new place, culture and phenomenon. The socialization of children after the migration has potential impacts on the diminishing lingual heritage. Migration has radically exposed the younger generation to this challenge threatening the lingual heritage. They, most probably, lose their mother tongue and get socialized in other languages. This study explores the latent hazards faced by migrants from a rural setting and their impacts on the diminishing languages. The methodology of the study was descriptive. In-depth questionnaires were conducted along with a focused group discussion of sample 95 out-migrant families, living in Rawalpindi and Islamabad through a convenient sampling technique. The results from the cross-comparison of three generations show that the majority of the grandparents and parents proudly speak their native languages whereas their children are rapidly getting alienated from the language of their forefather

Amid COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan, the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan announced the closure of all public and private universities and Higher Education Institutes from mid of March 2020. The paper highlights the issues faced by the university faculty in terms of techno-stress due to a lack of pandemic preparedness. The data gathered for this research is qualitative using the exploratory methodology. The methods of the study are In-depth interviews and FGDs. Interview guide and FGD Checklist are tools employed to gather data from the faculty of sixteen Pakistani universities which is sorted thematically and illustrated through descriptive statistics. The findings of the study suggest that the global pandemic has seriously affected the higher education sector in Pakistan. The private universities and the heavily funded public universities have taken off in a bullish mode. However, the public sector universities are coping up in a bearish trend. The faculty's response also corresponds with the transition to online teaching. Besides the university's efforts to ease out learning through an online interface, the majority of the faculty is feeling overburdened with additional responsibilities about online teaching. The study highlights the gap between policymaking and the on-ground situation of the universities in terms of online readiness.

Pakistan is eighth among countries with high burden of tuberculosis (TB). InPakistan free-of-charge TB diagnosis and treatment services are available. The objectiveof qualitative exploratory study was to understand how TB patients and their families copewith the lost earnings and increased expenditures (other than diagnosis and treatmentcost) related with disease and its treatment. The research methods included literaturereview, focus group discussion using vignettes and in-depth interviews with TB patients.The study was done in the rural areas of Lahore District with the support of district andlocal health facility staff. The study revealed that, Results like in many other developingcountries, TB patients rely mainly on financial and physical support of family membersand friends. Conclusion The study also highlighted the need for developing institutionalmechanisms to help patients cope with economic consequences of tuberculosis.

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