Purpose This study aims to explain the effects of affective commitment as a mediator between task-level job demands (quantitative workload, qualitative workload, feedback and role conflict) and emotional exhaustion among service mangers. Design/methodology/approach Sub-scales of task-level demand and work group-level resources have been selected from job demands and resources indigenous scale. While emotional exhaustion was measured with the subscale of Maslach burnout inventory. For this purpose, data were obtained from 239 respondents to check the relationship between variables. Amos 21 was used to analyze the model fit among variables. Findings The results of the study show that there is a significant positive relationship between high task-level demands and emotional exhaustion. The results also signify that affective commitment partially mediates the relationship. Research limitations/implications The present study is cross-sectional in design, whereas longitudinal studies would be effective to explain causality relationship. Term of service managers is also not well defined. Data were collected as per the convenient sampling technique. Originality/value The research is based on PhD thesis by the author.

This trial aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with various hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) doses against a placebo among healthcare personnel (HCP) with high-risk exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19). MethodsA phase II, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted including 200 subjects with no active or past severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (antibody testing and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were taken at the time of enrollment). Subjects of experimental groups one to three received HCQ in various doses and the control group received a placebo. The study outcomes in terms of safety and efficacy were monitored. Participants exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms were tested for SARS-CoV-2 during the study and by the end of week 12 with RT-PCR or serology testing (COVID-19 IgM/IgG antibody testing). ResultsOut of the total participants, 146 reported exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 case in the first month, and 192 were exposed by week 12 of the study. Moreover, the precautionary use of personal protective equipment (PPE) significantly varied; initially more than 80% of the exposed HCPs were not ensuring PPE being used by the patients treated by them, which gradually developed over time. Mild treatment-related side effects were observed among the interventional and placebo arm patients. There was no significant clinical benefit of PrEP with HCQ as compared to placebo (p>0.05). ConclusionIt is concluded that the PrEP HCQ does not significantly prevent COVID-19 among high-risk HCPs.

A new wave of technology hit at the turn of millennium which inspired millions around the world to utilize information technology in their daily lives. Governments have also started taking technological initiatives, as it makes their processes cost and time efficient – but the question remains, does e-governance make the government activities transparent as well? What is the level of accountability in the e-governance mechanism? Innovations in the government processes are flowing easily after the advent of e-governance. Even though there is a huge digital divide between the rural and urban areas of Pakistan, which consequently translates into slower implementation of technological services, in backward areas, the Punjab Information and Technology boards is taking leaps in delivering the public service which spans but is not limited to the health, education and law and order sectors.

This study aims to asses the socioeconomic conditions of the beneficiaries who are associated with Pakistan Bait ul Mal and are receiving funds. The target population of this research were the beneficiaries affiliated with the Pakistan Baitul Mal regardless of the fat that whether they have received the programs and services in the given time frame or not. The quantitative data collected was on the bases of telephonic surveys which targeted a total of 155 beneficiaries. After a careful analysis of data, it was revealed that most of them agreed that these services have positively impacted on their socioeconomic conditions. The top three influencing factors in this study include the difficulty in application process, monthly household income and employment status. Briefly, this study has also provided some recommendations through which the scope and working of organization can be enhanced.

Poverty and Vagrancy are an interlinked phenomenon, and the boundaries are blur as to which one leads to the other. Among many social issues, Pakistan faces the challenge of homelessness to date. The ratio of vagrancy and beggars is higher in the poorer provinces, which leads to unavoidable and difficult circumstances. The terms Vagrancy and begging, often interchanged, are analyzed in the following study, in addition to the legal steps taken for curbing it – not through occasional police crackdowns, but rather through well-established mechanisms.

Police Brutality has become one of the most important highlight around the globe. This study qualitatively investigates the form of police violence existent in Pakistan and also how this violence is related with the reforms enunciated. Through investigation it has been seen that the police of Pakistan are more into bribery and misuse of power than it is there to serve the nation and provide national security. This study shall highlight important issues prevalent and will also provide recommendations through which issues can be resolved.

The second screen phenomenon is a hybrid media process referring to the complementary and simultaneous use of television and a second web-connected screen for media consumption. The present study examined the impact of demographic characteristics (i.e. gender, age, education, and income) on audience activity for second screen news consumption in Pakistan. An online survey based on snowball sampling was conducted from 400 respondents. The results showed that gender only plays a role in usage during post exposure. The age was comparatively a strong predictor of audience activity. It has a positive relationship with involvement during exposure and usage during post exposure phase of second screen news consumption. Our study contributes to the existing literature by identifying the predictors for changing news consumption patterns in the new media eco-system and helps in a better understanding of contemporary media audiences.

Pakistan being in the list of developing countries has shown tremendous response towards the control of pandemic COVID-19. This paper evaluates the pre and post COVID 19 lockdown situation of air quality and provides an evidence of the air quality amid the lockdown and how it started to improve. The air quality indexes of three major cities of Pakistan i.e. Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore are compared, taking into account the indexes before and after the imposition of lockdown.  The city wide presence of major pollutants like Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide also reduced. The results show how taking serious measures can help in reducing the air pollution and help the environment to restore.  Following analytical approach and situational analysis certain inferences have been drawn that the air quality index has worsen, and the atmospheric condition have turn out to be shoddier than the pre-pandemic situation. In the last section certain policy recommendations have been provided in order to maintain a healthy air quality.