INTRODUCTION: Addiction refers to the irresistible urge to engage in certain actions or dependence on a particular substance despite knowing negative consequences. The current study evaluated the severity of Smartphone addiction and the factors associated with cell phone-like activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2019 among medical and dental students in Karachi, Pakistan. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used among 400 students. The mobile phone addiction was assessed using a 20-item, Mobile Phone Addiction Scale. A two-stage cluster analysis was used to assess mobile phone addiction-like behaviours. Chi-square test was used to find associations between categorical variables. Kolmogorov–Smirnov to test normality of data were also used. A P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant for all tests. RESULTS: Out of the total 400 students, the majority 316 (79%) comprise female students. The mean age was 20.54 ± 1.59 years. In 184 (48%) students, there was evidence of mobile phone addiction-like behavior. The prevalence was higher in female than male students and among older compared to adolescent students; the differences were statistically nonsignificant. A higher median score ≥ of 4 is found in questions related to components reflected intense desire, impaired control, and tolerance and harmful mobile use. CONCLUSION: This study highlights that a large number of students are addicted to their smartphones. Smartphone addiction continues to be the most problematic addiction aided by the presence of intense desire, impaired control tolerance, and harmful mobile use. The phenomenon must be fully understood to draw deeper and richer inferences about the origins of this addictive behavior, which is becoming more prevalent in our Pakistani society on a daily basis.

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) since December 2019 has created an unprecedented state. As it is a new variant of a virus treatment options are not only limited but require painstaking trials to confirm their effectiveness. Due to the lack of awareness in many developing countries people have started using herbal medications, used for various other diseases, to combat COVID-19. Misleading information on social media regarding “Senna Makki” has gone viral in Pakistan. However, consumption of Senna Makki is not advised as a treatment option for COVID-19 due to its many harmful associated side-effects. Although its use in other diseases is evident, trials to confirm its effectiveness against COVID-19 need to be prioritized as the public has started consuming Senna Makki in high doses and without monitored prescription.

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The virus that triggered a localised shock in China is now delivering a significant global tremor of which Pakistan has also become a victim. This study simulates the potential impact of COVID-19 on tourism and the economic condition of Pakistan. COVID-19 spread rapidly at the end of February 2020 in Pakistan and brought all economic activities on pause. Pakistan is the ideal destination for both local and foreign tourists. The partial lockdown is being imposed to avoid the spread of COVID-19; consequently all businesses, tours, domestic activities and supply chain disrupted and have the notable effect on retail and wholesale trade, transport section and communication the part of the service industry. The outbreak of pandemic COVID-19 in Pakistan can cause a decline in GDP by 1.57% on account of agriculture, travel and tourism, health and business and trade. This exercise is illustrative because it is still too early to make an informed assessment of the full impact of the pandemic. But it does convey the likely extent of impending global economic pain, especially for developing countries and their potential need for assistance.