Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an emerging threat to public health worldwide. A significant evidence has suggested that the knowledge and attitude trends among the community, pharmacists and physicians can play a critical role in managing the ever increasing threat of AMR. A cross-sectional survey was performed using three specific self-administered questionnaires for community members, pharmacists/pharmacy owners and physicians on a randomly selected sample population of 473, 424 and 308 respectively. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression and Pearson chi-square tests were performed during data analysis. A response rate of 81.2% (n = 385), 37.7% (n = 160) and 53.9% (n = 166) was achieved for general community, pharmacists/pharmacy owners and physicians respectively. More than half of the community participants (55.6%; n = 214) possess poor knowledge of AMR. Furthermore, knowledge and attitude of the community participants were also found to be significantly correlated (r2 = 0.02) with each other. In 90.6% (n = 145) of the pharmacies included in the survey, a qualified pharmacist was not present at the time of the operations. Only 36.9% physicians (n = 60) knew about the environmental route of dissemination of AMR. Majority of the physicians agreed that AMR is a global problem and also recognize the need for initiating AMR stewardship programs. Our study will provide effective assessment and potential insights in designing tri-faceted interventions for rationalizing antibiotics consumption thus controlling the development and dissemination of AMR.

Water treatment technologies are striving to retain their ecological and economic viability despite the rising demand, conventional infrastructure, financial constraints, fluctuating climatic patterns, and highly stringent regulations. This study evaluates the lifecycle environmental impact of urban water treatment systems within the two densely populated South Asian municipalities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The scope of this study includes a process-based Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the entire water treatment system, particularly the resources and materials consumed during the operation of the treatment plant. The individual and cumulative environmental impact was assessed based on the treatment system data and an in-depth lifecycle inventory analysis. Other than the direct emissions to the environment, the electricity used for service and distribution pumping, coagulant use for floc formation, chlorine gas used for disinfection, and caustic soda used for pH stabilization were the processes identified as the most significant sources of emissions to air and water. The water distribution consumed up to 98% of energy resources. The highest global warming impacts (from 0.3 to 0.6 kg CO₂ eq./m³) were assessed as being from the coagulation and distribution processes due to extensive electricity consumption. Direct discharge of the wash and wastewater to the open environment contributed approximately 0.08% of kg-N and 0.002% of kg-P to the eutrophication potential. The outcome of this study resulted in a thorough lifecycle inventory development, including possible alternatives to enhance system sustainability. A definite gap was identified in intermittent sampling at the treatment systems. However, more stringent sampling including the emissions to air can provide a better sustainability score for each unit process.

Construction is one of the primary drivers of development and economic activity in Pakistan. Many activities are performed at the construction site includi

The use of agricultural waste to produce value-added products has aided in managing waste management difficulties while somehow addressing cost-effectiveness concerns. The current research addresses environmental issues and helps to promote ecologically friendly agricultural practices in Punjab, Pakistan, by using banana and grapefruit peel biomass, converting them to biochar by pyrolysis, and further studying their efficacy as sustainable fertilizer. The return of biochar obtained from agricultural waste to the agricultural field is a sustainable approach for increasing the yield of crop output while reducing the environmental impact of traditional fertilizers. Furthermore, it improves soil condition by regulating pH, water holding capacity, soil organic carbon, and soil ion exchange potential. Zinc oxide loaded biochar was synthesized from banana and grapefruit peel biochar. Pyrolysis was done at 400-500ºC as part of the process. Co-precipitation method was used to impregnate ZnO nanoparticles in biochar and proved an efficient and dependable approach. In-situ loading was done. XRD, elemental analysis of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur (CHNS), FT-IR, and TGA methods were used to characterize synthesized materials. The adsorption ability of ZnO loaded biochar, soil, and raw biochar was investigated using several physical tests such as swelling ratio, water retention, absorbance, and equilibrium water content percentage. As a result, the adsorption capacity of ZnO loaded biochar was shown to be greater than that of raw biochar. Zinc loaded biochar was used as a fertilizer in Cicer arietinum (gram). Synthesized nano-fertilizers exhibit enhanced prolonged nutrient release, plant growth, and improved soil fertility, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fertilizers by reducing nutrient loss.