The impact of exchange rate volatility on the trade flows has been intensively studied by researchers after the adoption of flexible exchange rate system. Different studies have used data from different countries at different aggregation level. In this paper we consider the experiences of 57 Pakistan's exporting to and 52 importing industries from the US over the period 1980-2014. We find that almost 50 % of the industries are affected by exchange rate volatility in the short-run. However, short-run effects last into the long run only in 26 exporting industries and 18 importing industries. Due to such disaggregation we find that all four large exporting and importing industries are affected positively in the long run. The list includes industries coded 656 (made up articles with 32.45 % of exports share), 841 (clothing with 50.7 % exports share), 263 (cotton with 8.64 % import share) and 282 (iron and steel scrap with 2.10 % imports share).

Clean and green environment along with sustainable development is the prime objective of every state. We explore empirically the nexus between tourism, environmental pollution measured by carbon (CO2) emissions, population, trade, foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth in six countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States over 1995–2018. Traditional panel estimation technique is employed, where the Hausman test suggests fixed-effects over random effect estimator. We also employed the robust least squares (RLS) estimator to confirm the empirical estimates. Results show that a 1% increase in CO2 will attenuate the economic growth by 0.14% and that 1% raise in the tourism activities can boost growth by 0.04%. Both the fixed-effect and RLS estimates reveal that tourism, population growth and trade contribute significantly to economic growth, whereas CO2 adversely affect growth. The Granger causality test shows a two-way causality between economic growth and CO2 and between growth and trade. Empirical results also indicate a one-way causality between growth and FDI, population and FDI, population and CO2 along with population growth and tourism. These findings suggest that adopting effective policies that can expand trade, enhance FDI and promote the tourism sector with minimum environmental damage will ultimately accelerate sustainable economic development.

Background Sand flies are of considerable public health importance in Pakistan because these insects are vectors of leishmaniasis. The current study explores the bionomics of sand flies, their spatial distribution pattern and cutaneous leishmaniasis-associated risk factors in District Mohmand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Methods Sand flies were collected from indoor and outdoor habitats in 69 villages of five tehsils in Mohmand during July–October 2019. Risk factor data were recorded for 829 households in 94 villages. Results In total, 2065 sand flies were captured. Phlebotomus (Paraphlebotbmus) sergenti was the most abundant species. Relative density for P. sergenti and Phlebotomus papatasi was highest in Prang Ghar and lowest in Safi. Sand flies abundance peaked in August and September, corresponding to maximum relative humidity, temperature and rainfall. Relative density for P. sergenti and P. papatasi was highest in combined dwellings (indoor) and cattle corrals (outdoor). Phlebotomus sergenti and P. papatasi were abundant at an elevation of 283–1140 m on agricultural land and rangelands. Both species were recorded abundantly on Carbontites, Mesozoic and Indus suture Melange rock formations. Presence of domestic animals, ownership of pet dogs, presence of muddy dunes in the village, knowledge of sandflies and use of mosquitoes spray remained significant risk factors. Conclusions The study reports sand fly bionomics in District Mohmand. Risk identified for cutaneous leishmaniasis are significant in strategising control methods for Health authorities can allocate localized control means to high-risk areas using these findings.

This article, based on a study conducted in a tea plantation of Upper Assam, documents and analyses the struggle for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status by the Adivasis in Assam, which is linked to a larger demand for indigeneity and tribal recognition in the state and in the Northeast. It examines the nature of this struggle in recent times through both its contestations of indigeneity and claims upon citizenship by drawing on personal narratives and interviews with activists and workers of Adivasi students’ organisations and tea workers’ unions who have been in the forefront of this struggle.

Regionalism is a process of regional cooperation amongst the countries sharing a common border, common values, homogeneity of culture, and common vested interests. While the western world adopted this paradigm early after World War II in the form of the EU, South Asian Region is still deprived of such models. The establishment of SAARC in 1985 by the efforts of the late Bangladeshi President Zia-ur-Rahman although raised certain hopes of regional connectivity in South Asia still the fate of this region lingers in the sky. While using secondary sources of data collection, this paper tries to attempt the underlying challenges and the palpable prospects responsible for the better integration of this region. It further analyses the failed regional cooperation and the role of India under the assumption of the Neo-Realist Paradigm of Kenneth Waltz that emerged in late 1970.