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This policy review presents an overall overview of COVID-19 pandemic impact on health and economy in developed and developing countries. Besides, it highlights the key responses and measures taken so far to control the spread of the diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic seems to impact economy so hard that the global growth could be as low as 2%, along with drop in trade from 13% to 32%. In the US only, 22 million people applied for unemployment benefits. In Europe, services sector has crashed as lockdowns caused businesses closures. Similarly, Spain, France, and Germany have all recorded the lowest readings in their business surveys. In Pakistan, more than 25% of the population lives below the poverty line; it is estimated that poverty shall increase from 75 million to around 130 million in case of protracted lockdown. Moreover, the absence of universal health coverage may also force people to sell their possessions or get loans from informal moneylenders at manipulative rates. In this chaotic situation, the government should allocate more money for its health budget. Pakistan should take steps towards practical policies to tackle the further impact of COVID-19. Pakistan should keep digital database of all sorts of labourers (formal and informal) as it will help the government reach the poor and needy segments of the communities on time.

Coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic, which broke out in late 2019 in the Wuhan city of China has directly and indirectly affected each and every sphere of life across the world. Till date it has affected more than 3.9 million people with a death toll of 270,740 the world over. Coping with a pandemic medically is hard, but more difficult is to come out of the fear and panic it has causes and can cause to the victims. However, the fear caused by potentially falling victims to the disease can itself be an overwhelming experience as it stirs up people's emotions and sensitivities. Women are mostly the victims of such sensitivities. According to the Lancet report (2020), there has not been any gender analysis of the pandemic by any government of health organization or any estimates of potential victims in preparedness phases. Plan International (2020) highlights that the COVID-19 has interrupted our way of life and has further disrupted individuals, families and communities putting them under stress of health and economic burdens. However, there are other reasons of stress caused by the COVID-19. In times when social isolation and distancing practices are being applied, there are increased risks of violence against women, their abuse, exploitation and neglect. Past evidences inform us that diseases outbreak affected men and women differently in their day-to-day activities.

The rapid growth in population, accompanied by theunplanned expansion of the built environment of the town,is shattering the spiritual and historical essence of the town's urban fabricsimultaneously. As a result, prominent historical monuments like the Tomband Garden of Lalarukh, Maqbara Hakeeman have decayed and are in direneed of attention. The research aims to generate an appropriate tourism planthat could, on the one hand, preserve these monuments and, on the other,could be helpful for the authorities to enhance the tourism potential of thetown. This research paper highlights the significance of historical andcultural heritage, which need to be conserved. The research was initiallyundertaken by identifying the significant historical monuments throughreconnaissance surveys, interviews and literature review by takingHassanabdal as a case study area which is an old historic town located inNorthern Punjab, exhibits diverse remnants from the times of Buddhist,Mughal, Sikh and British invaders. The recommendations were given in thelight of ICOMOS and UNESCO guidelines, keeping in view the currentconservation practices and legislation in Pakistan

Poverty is a risk to harmony, which results in the dismissal of human rights. Microfinance is a tool that is famous across the world as a solution to alleviate poverty. Through this tool, lowincome households can have permanent access to a range of high-quality and affordable financial services that are offered by a range of retail providers. Community-based organizations, commonly known as "CBO", play a vital role in providing microfinance to the needy group of people, which determined the relationship between microfinance and poverty alleviation. This research presents a comparative study between Akhuwat Foundation and Kashf Foundation microfinance models for providing housing finance to low-income groups. A qualitative approach has been applied to determine the relationship between microfinance and poverty alleviation. In-depth interviews are conducted with working staff and borrowers of Akhuwat Foundation and Kashf Foundation (microfinance organizations). The research concludes that both organizations strive to alleviate poverty and to enhance the living standard of low-income people through mutual support in the system. The study also suggests that these organizations should need to emphasize more on the diversified needs of the poor people and must aim to serve the most extremely poor strata of the population.

Although technology evolves over the year, people take it longer to accept it. The invention of touch screen mobiles or smart phones has now become a need of the hour, simultaneously lowering the demand for keypad mobiles. Our research investigates these switching intentions among people due to the adoption of the new technology. Customer defection is happens when people give up one service provider for another in order to get equipped with the latest gadgets. Survey research method was employed. Questionnaires were distributed among cellular phone users in Bahawalpur. Valid questionnaires (n=170) were filled and returned. Regression analysis was used to analyze the data. PEOU and PU are directly related which has a positive relationship with switching intentions. Also, switching costs and customer loyalty are positively associated. Overall, this research explains that perceived usefulness play a major role in determining customer's switching intentions and that the companies should increase their switching costs to enhance customer loyalty.

AbstractThe continuing violence in Iraq has led to further damage to the health sector in a country already affected by sanctions, war and harsh rule. As a consequence some doctors have been killed and others have migrated, both within Iraq and from Iraq to neighbouring countries. In this article we report patterns of migration of Iraqi physicians, identify perceived future plans, and assess factors behind physicians' decisions. Respondent driven sampling in 2007 was used to interview 401 Iraqi medical doctors who migrated to Jordan after the 2003 invasion of Iraq The main outcome measure for this study was the future plans of physicians, which included permanently residing outside Iraq or returning to Iraq. Physicians who planned to return to Iraq differed from those who planned to reside permanently outside Iraq in the following factors: age categories (relative odds comparing age 50 plus to those under 30 = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.21–0.97), years spent outside of Iraq (RO = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.28–3.21), no difficulties in Jordan (RO = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.31–0.93), and household members residing in Iraq (RO = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.05 – 1.31). Many doctors who fled Iraq after the 2003 invasion do not plan to return, which must be considered in future training strategies for the Iraqi health sector.

The article focuses on the influence of the Freudian psychoanalytic theories and the in the riveting writings of William Somerset Maugham. This article has narrowed down its focus on the only one enthralling short story by Maugham, namely ''The Kite''. Somerset Maugham and Sigmund Freud's lives intersected in the early years of the twenty-first century. They were both fascinated by human relationships and the building blocks of human bonds. This study was qualitative descriptive. The theory adopted for analyzing the selected text was the Freud approach to the issue as a psychoanalyst and clinician. Simultaneously, Maugham delved deep into the psyche and behavior of human beings he met, watched, and interacted with. This article aims to critically evaluate the compelling themes and motives of Maugham's short stories and to establish the ascendancy of the theories of psychoanalysis as propounded by Freud in them.

Squatters have now become integral part of urban centers in most developing countries like Pakistan, with Lahore experiencing growth of such informal settlements at its peak. A myriad of issues and challenges associated with economic, social, spatial, environmental and political contexts within squatters has become a great hindrance towards home improvement and better life style. Tenure security brings a sense of homeownership to socioeconomically disadvantaged households. Recently, promotion of increased security of tenure of all whether living in formal or informal settlements has been affirmed by New Urban Agenda of Habitat III. Therefore, it is need of the time to look into present tenure types of squatters being offered by the city to solve problem of housing backlog and to provide promote inclusivity ensuring healthy, affordable and sustainable environment for all inhabitants.Proposed argument has got stronger foundation due to comparative analysis of squatter having secured land tenure with squatter of unsecure tenure. In this paper we explore that tenure security is one of the key factors which leads to resident's stability, through case study approach by investigating two squatters based on their tenure types. The data collected through questionnaire will help us to identify other key factors associated with resident stability in squatters. Study reveals that limited secured tenure options and poor governance in present urban scenario projects as major obstacles in coping with urban sprawl and squatter settlements. Findings help us to understand the phenomena of inter-connection of land tenure security and residential stability of squatters in Lahore, suffering from housing shortage and informal settlements.