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Global concern over socioeconomic activities' environmental impact is undeniable, given their implications for climate and human welfare. In our study, we analyze Pakistan's landscape, with emphasis on the effects of electricity generation and consumption (both symmetric and asymmetric), energy trade, and the role of information and communication technology (ICT). We harnessed data from 1993 to 2020, sourced from World Development Indicators, Climate Watch, and the USA EIA. Our analysis involved application of the Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributed Lag model and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag bounds testing methods. Our results reveal that electricity consumption, whether experiencing positive or negative shocks, exhibits a tendency to elevate emissions over the long term. Similarly, shocks in electricity generation from fossil fuels, whether positive or negative, have adverse environmental consequences both in the short and long run. A negative shock in electricity generation from renewable and alternative sources triggers environmental degradation. Remarkably, nuclear energy plays a pivotal role in bolstering environmental sustainability in Pakistan. Conversely, we identified factors contributing to ecological degradation, including imports of coal, crude oil, metallurgical coke, and ICT usage, in the long run. Equally, trade and natural resources rent emerge as mitigating factors over time. Ultimately, our study underscores the importance of diversifying the energy mix, with a particular emphasis on expanding the renewable sources for reducing emissions and fostering environmental sustainability in Pakistan. Additionally, our research suggests that leveraging natural resources rent and trade capabilities can pave the way for an eco-friendlier future in the country. This study assesses the environmental impact of electricity generation by source, electricity consumption, energy trade, and ICTs in Pakistan. The findings confirm that both positive and negative shocks in fossil fuel electricity generation and consumption detrimentally affect the environment. Coal, crude oil, metallurgical coke imports, and ICTs degrade the environment, while nuclear electricity generation, natural resources rent, and trade improve it. Integrating energy diversification with focus on promoting renewable energy sources has the potential to significantly reduce emissions and advance long-run environmental sustainability. Strategically utilizing natural resources rent and trade capabilities can aid in establishing an environmental sustainability in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although women's activism has existed in Pakistan since its inception, the country witnessed a new type of activism in the shape of the "Aurat March" in 2019 and 2020 onwards. This study investigates the history, aspirations, and outcomes of Western feminism. Using discourse analysis, this study investigates women's activism in Pakistan, the 'Aurat March, and the public hostility met by organizers and supporters as a result of the event's strange chants and comical signs. Pakistan is more than just a Muslim country; it is also a Third World country with a brief postcolonial history and this inquiry delves into the intricate web of Islamic culture and feminism at work there. This article examines the 'Aurat March' movement in Western civilization for social, cultural, and religious transformation, as well as its relationship to feminism. Instead of focusing on minor issues, the study also emphasizes the need of women's rights advocates raising a rational and effective public voice with widespread support if we are to finally abolish social evils. Women's rights in the context of western feminism have been compared with limits on women's emancipation in the Islamic context, and a framework has been proposed to clarify this distinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the trends of precipitation and temperature extremes for the historical observations (1961–1990) and future period (2061–2090) in the Jhelum River Basin. Future trends are estimated by using ensemble mean of three general circulation models under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. Therefore, statistical downscaling model has been used to downscale the future precipitation and temperature. A total of 15 precipitation and temperature indices were calculated using the RClimdex package. Man-Kendall and Sen's slope tests were used to detect the trends in climate extreme indices. Overall, the results of study indicate that there were significant changes in precipitation and temperature patterns as well as in the climate extremes in the basin for both observed as well as projected climate. Generally, more warming and increase in precipitation were observed, which increases from RCP4.5 to RCP8.5. For all the stations, increasing trends were found for both precipitation and temperature for twenty-first century at a 95% significance level. The frequency of warm days (TX90p), warm nights (TN90p), and summer days (SU25) showed significant increasing trends, alternatively the number of cold nights (TN10p) and cold days (TX10p) exhibited opposite behaviors. In addition, an increasing trend of warmest day (TXx) and coldest day (TNn) was observed. Our analysis also reveals that the number of very wet days (R90p) and heavy precipitation days (R10 mm) will likely increase in the future. Meanwhile, the Max 1-day (RX1-day) and 5-day (RX5-day) precipitation indices showed increasing trends at most of the stations of basin. The results of the study is of potential benefit for decision-makers to develop basin wide appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures to combat climate change and its consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The variety identification assists the imperative goals such as alleviating legal claims and indorsing intellectual property rights and maintenance of genetic purity. The study was undertaken to appraise sugarcane clones for morphological physical characteristics for their use in breeding program, selection, identification and seed production. Experiment consisting of nine clones was sown at experimental area, Sugarcane Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad during 2017 and 2018. The trial was replicated thrice. Data were documented on morphological features at ten months’ age of crop. There were important differences among the clones for stalk height, cane diameter, leaf blade width and leaf length. The growth habit of S-2008-FD-25 was erect and others were semi erect. Maximum height of 455 cm was seen in S-2009-SA-8. Maximum number of leaves per plant was observed in S-2008-AUS-133. Leaf colour of all clones was green and semi erect attitude. Spines were present on sheath of S-2008-AUS-134 only. The shape of dewlap of all clones were deltoid. Splits were present in S-2005-US-54, S-2011-FD-18 and M-2238-89. Bud grooves on internodes were present on S-2011-SL-62 and PSR-97-41. The internodes were of cylindrical shape. Flowering was absent in all the clones. The morphological descriptors presented for identification of the nine sugarcane clones are twenty-eight, that are distinctive and can be used for proof of identity, variety selection breeding and commercial seed production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the antipyretic and cold sponging versus only antipyretic for treatment of fever. Material and Methods: This Randomize control trial was conducted at pediatrics department Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar - Pakistan, from August 2017 to December 2017.Total sample of 100 patients were selected randomly for study, written informed consent were taken from parents. Patients were divided into two groups. Group A was given only paracetamol while group B was given paracetamol and cold sponging was also applied, then temperature was checked at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes, discomfort was also noted at these intervals. Data was collected by predesigned questionnaire and processed by SPSS 17. Results: Out of total 100 patients 53(53%) were males while 47(47%) females. Mean age was 6.4±2.8 years with minimum of 2 and maximum of 13 years. We had noted that in group B i.e. those who were given antipyretics and applied cold sponging, the decrease of temperature was rapid than those who were given only antipyretics ie. Group A especially in first 30 minutes. Moreover after 2 hours the temperature reached to normal range in both groups but the decrease was more rapid in group B than group A. Conclusion: Fever treated with antipyretic and cold sponging fall faster in the first 30 mint and those treated with only antipyretic the temperature drop was a bit slower but at the end of two hours both reached the same level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan has received a total of 23 loan packages from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) between 1958 and 2023, and recurrent indebtedness has hindered structural transformation. Recent crises, such as the COVID‐19 pandemic, surging commodity prices, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and diplomatic tensions between the United States and China, have exacerbated Pakistan's indebtedness. This debt has geopolitical importance given the rivalry between the US and China. Multilateral support for restructuring has been complicated by Pakistan's unique alliance with China through the China‒Pakistan Economic Corridor, pivotal to the Belt and Road Initiative. This analysis of Pakistan's debt crisis explores this complexity by considering the Pakistani government's attempts to resist the IMF, particularly between 2018 and 2022, when the potential of China as an alternative source of financial support looked increasingly viable. Unlike less critical political analyses on debt, which tend to be preoccupied with endogenous governance failures and fiscal profligacy, this article focuses on the external drivers of debt. In doing so, it highlights the role of a hostile international legal system, standard‐setting arrangements, rating agencies and arbitrary charges that impose huge economic burdens and undermine financial stability, as well as the constraints embedded in the global investment and financial architecture that persistently limit Pakistan's policy space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient use of organic amendments and changing cropping pattern are important management strategies for restoring the degraded upland soils of Himalayan region. This study was conducted to determine the quantitative effect of poultry manure (PM) and wheat straw residues (WSR) repetitively applied alone or in combination with urea N (UN) on physical and chemical properties of soil under wheat–soybean cropping sequence over three years (2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11). Treatments included PM 100 , WSR 100 , PM 50 + WSR 50 , UN 100 , UN 50 + PM 50 , UN 50 + WSR 50 , UN 50 + PM 25 + WSR 25 and a control. Added amendments were applied on N equivalent basis at the rate of 100 kg N ha − 1 . Results indicated that organic amendments applied alone or in combination with UN significantly improved soil physical characteristics by lowering bulk density 7–12%, penetration resistance 3–4% and increasing hydraulic conductivity 15–32%, and aggregate stability 13–35%. Application of UN 100 alone was ineffective in improving any of these characteristics. Combination of organic–inorganic amendments increased soil organic matter content by 3–9%, total N 14–29%, available P 5–35% and extractable K 12–39%. Response of micronutrient to organic or organic–inorganic amendments was even higher than that recorded for macronutrients. Organic amendments increased soil pH while UN displayed acidifying effect. The C sequestration and nutrient pool of the soil amended with WSR remained rich over PM even though PM contains a lot more nutrients. The study clearly demonstrated that organic amendments applied alone or combined with UN improved the physical characteristic and fertility status of the soils and may be considered as a useful management strategy for restoration of degraded soils in the mountain ecosystem of the Himalayan region of Kashmir, Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted during 2005 to 2009 in District Muree, Pakistan. Rapid degradation of watersheds due to soil erosion, deforestation, urbanization is the critical issue in high hill areas. Housing and infrastructure development, being the top priority of government is also impacting the health of watersheds; resultantly our dams are losing their capacity due to increased sedimentation. The study aimed at assessing the current magnitude and distribution of development in two important watersheds of Punjab. The assessment was carried out by correlating infrastructure development with soil erosion and regime of water in the channels. Impervious land use in Simly watershed is increasing at a pace of 1.91 % per year and presently it is 13.23 % of the total area. It has also been determined that at current pace of development, 16.84 % of the area in Simly will be under impervious land use by 2020. Based on the land use of the area, different channels in Simly stream system were categorized into urbanizing, agriculture and forest and main channel. The study revealed that the soil erosion is more in areas under impervious land use or where the land is disturbed due to developmental activities. The sediment load in different categories of channels was studied. It was found that sediment load in the urbanizing water channel was highest (26.03 g/l) followed by agriculture (8.86 g/l), and forest was the least (1.73 g/l) contributor of sediment in the channels. Water quality of the stream system has also been deteriorated. Turbidity and hardness was more in urbanizing as compared to other land use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduction in herbicide usage without compromising yields can lead to less environmental harm and lower production costs. Field trials were conducted to appraise the efficacy of reduced doses (25, 50, and 75% of the label dose) of a post emergence sulfonylurea herbicide [Atlantis 3.6WG (iodo+mesosulfuron)] to control weeds in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fields of Punjab, Pakistan. Below-labeled-doses were quite effective in suppressing total weed density (72-95%) and biomass (83-94%), and wheat grain yield was increased by 22 to 48% over the weedy control, while label dose of iodo+mesosulfuron improved yield by 53%. Iodo+mesosulfuron at 25 and 50% of the label dose inhibited grass weeds by 43 to 64%, albeit their biomass was suppressed by > 80% over control. Wheat yields for reduced herbicide doses (50 and 75%) were not different with label dose. Economic analysis revealed that the maximum marginal rate of return was recorded for 50% of the label herbicide dose and was followed by that observed for 25% of the label dose. Reduced doses of herbicide can be an effective tool in minimizing herbicide inputs and lowering production costs in wheat production without compromising yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of different nitrogen levels and weed-crop competition durations on yield and yield components of maize was evaluated at Post Graduate Agricultural Research Station, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan during 2005 and 2006 kharif seasons. The objective was to determine the critical period of weed-crop competition in maize crop under different fertility levels. In this study, naturally occurring population of weeds was allowed to compete with maize crop for 0 (weed free throughout growing season), 2, 3, 4, 5 and 15 weeks (weedy throughout growing season). Three nitrogen levels (150, 200 and 250 kg/ha) were used. The results revealed that weed free plots fertilized at 250 kg N produced higher grain yield (7.79 t/ha) against the significantly minimum grain yield (2.60 t/ha) from the plots fertilized at 150 kg N and remained weedy throughout crop growth period. Nitrogen levels and weed-crop competition durations significantly affected plant height, grains number per cob, time taken to 50 percent tasseling, time taken to 50 percent silking, number of rows per cob and number of cobs per plant. These parameters finally contributed towards grain yield. It was concluded that under low nitrogen levels, intensive weed control efforts are required to minimize weed-crop competition compared with higher nitrogen applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The farmer's practice of buring the crop residues to clear the land before sowing is seen in various crop zones in Pakistan. In rice-wheat cropping system in Punjab, rice stubble is considered as a big problem for farmers. The crop stubbles damage the implements like cultivator rotavator that is why farmers prefers to burn these stubbles before preparation. The burning of rice stubble ease the field operations for wheat sowing but deteriorate the air and soil quality. To solve this problem of farmers, a research experiment was conducted during 2017-18 and 2018-19 at Agronomic Research Station Farooqabad to evaluate the effect of various sowing techniques on yields parameter and economics of wheat crop under rice wheat cropping system. The experiment was laid down with randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments included viz.T1: sowing with happy seeder (Zero tillage), T2: sowing of wheat without burning of rice stubble (Conventional Technique), T3: sowing of wheat by field preparation with Rotavator (two times), T4: sowing of wheat after burning stubbles of rice crop. The results of all treatments were significantly differed with each other. Maximum plant height (95 cm and 97 cm), numbers of productive tillers/m² (325 tillers/m² and 328 tillers/m2), thousand grain weight (39 g and 42 g), grain yield (3880 and 3700 kg/ha) and benefit-cost ratio (2.36 and 2.25) were recorded from the treatment where wheat crop was sown with happy seeder (zero tillage) during study years 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively than other techniques. It was concluded that farmers mayfetch higher yield and economics in wheat by sowing with happy seeder in rice wheat cropping system [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inequity of water allocation in the Indus Basin by the rotational method has created conflicts of interest leading to water scarcity for irrigated agricultural land. The arid region of the basin is affected the most, which demands a new inventive way of managing water resources. Geo-informatics maps of the Bahawalnagar canal circle were prepared which show groundwater quality and depth to water table (DWT) for 2006 and 2016, crop evapotranspiration (ETc) by using product MOD16A2 for Kharif (April to September) 2017 and Rabi (October to March) 2017–18 cropping season. Results showed that groundwater quality is deteriorating and DWT is rising over 72% of the study area which leads to waterlogging and salinization. Surface water deficit filled through groundwater contribution is 53.66% and 39%, while ETc varies from 0.0 to 931 and 0.0 to 1979 mm/season for the Rabi and Kharif cropping seasons respectively. This paper presents the status of water balance and groundwater characteristics of the arid region of the Indus basin and recommends re-evaluation of the current water allocation system both within and between canal command areas, recommending that water allocation should be allocated as per crop water requirement and groundwater quality. A re-allocation of water-based on groundwater characteristics will not only mitigate waterlogging and soil salinity, which is a threat to the sustainability of agricultural land but also reduces the stress of inequities within the current rotational system. Implementation of this water allocation strategy will require long-lasting monitoring of groundwater quality at a different depth, a variation of depth to the water table, and estimation of crop evapotranspiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture production can be enhanced by considering all the farm operations especially the harvesting of crops is the more sensitive operation. The selection of appropriate farm machinery for harvesting not only save the harvesting time but also enhance the farm profitability. The agro-climatic and economic factors are the major hindrance on the way to adopt the harvesting machinery and latest movers in Pakistan. The objective of this work was to redesign an engine operated reaper at affordable price and performance evaluation of this reaper for harvesting three different crops (wheat, rice and brassica). Three levels of reaper ground speed (S) (1.94, 2.54 and 3.18 kmh-1) and three different levels of moisture contents (MC) for each crop were considered as factors. A (3 x 3) factorial analysis was conducted to see the impact of "MC" and "S" on percent slippage, field efficiency and shatter losses. The main effects of S and MC were significant for all the crops for each factor (p<0.05), except MC which was non-significant for shatter losses in wheat and rice (p= 0.0667) and (p=0.847), respectively. Statistical Analysis showed that selected levels of MC and S had significant effect on % slippage, field efficiency and shatter losses. The cost analysis indicated that the breakeven point of the modified reaper can be achieved after 19 days of purchase. Study demonstrated that grain losses can be minimized, and farm profitability can be maximized by selecting suitable combination of M and S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathogenic variants in vacuolar protein sorting 13 homolog B (VPS13B) cause Cohen syndrome (CS), a clinically diverse neurodevelopmental disorder. We used whole exome and Sanger sequencing to identify disease-causing variants in a Pakistani family with intellectual disability, microcephaly, facial dysmorphism, neutropenia, truncal obesity, speech delay, motor delay, and insomnia. We identified a novel homozygous nonsense variant c.8841G > A: p.(W2947 ∗ ) in VPS13B (NM_017890.5) which segregated with the disease. Sleep disturbances are commonly seen in neurodevelopmental disorders and can exacerbate medical issues if left untreated. We demonstrate that individuals with Cohen syndrome may also be affected by sleep disturbances. In conclusion, we expand the genetic and phenotypic features of Cohen syndrome in the Pakistani population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current study was conducted to check the genetic exploration for quality aspect of brassica at Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during 2017- 18. The parents and the crosses were evaluated following Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Highly significant differences were noted among all the genotypes for seed oil, seedcake protein, glucosinolate, oleic acid and erucic acid contents showing high genetic potential for improvement. Analysis for the general combining ability showed almost significant differences except for protein that showed maximum non-significant difference among the lines. Significant difference were also noted among testers except for protein and erucic acid. Specific combining ability showed both significant and non-significant differences in positive and negative directions. Analysis for the components of genetic variance indicated that non-additive gene action played a significant role for the inheritance of the traits. This was further continued by GCA/SCA ratio values (0.040, 0.023, 0.0174, -0.0026, 0.178) which were less than 1 that depicted non-additive variance involved in these traits so as to achieve homozygous line. On basis of oil, erucic acid, oleic acid and glucosinolate these combinations viz. UAF12 × Torch, Toria × Candle, UAF11 × Torch and Span × Candle, were selected for SCA effects relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and GCA estimates. These combinations can be used as source of quality traits in further breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of poultry manure (PM) and four inorganic phosphorus (P) fertilizers sources, i.e., diammonium phosphate (DAP), single super phosphate (SSP), nitrophos (NP) and triple super phosphate (TSP) on crop production and P utilization efficiency (PUE) of maize was studied. Both inorganic P fertilizers and PM applied alone or combined in 50:50 proportions at equivalent rate of 90 kg P2O5ha−1. Results indicated that inorganic P sources with PM significantly increased plant height, leaf area and chlorophyll content. Average values showed that combined application of inorganic P with PM increased grain yield by 19 and 41% over inorganic P and PM alone, respectively. Similarly, increase in P-uptake due to the combined application of inorganic P + PM was 17% compared to sole inorganic P. Phosphorus utilization efficiency of inorganic P was increased with PM and the highest PUE was recorded in DAP + PM. Generally, combination of DAP + PM proved superior over the remaining P fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Methyle eugenol and cue-lure were evaluated for monitoring the population of melon fruit fly in bitter gourd fields during 2007 in district Faisalabad and Sahiwal. Cue-lure appeared as more effective and resulted in higher male catches of fruit flies (171.82/trap/week) as compared to methyl eugenol (81.69/trap/week). At ecological conditions of Faisalabad, maximum temperature played maximum role i.e. 33.80 percent while average temperature and wind speed had the impact of 12.70 percent each on the population fluctuation. At ecological conditions of Sahiwal, maximum temperature again showed maximum contribution (40%) towards population fluctuation of melon fruit fly. Rainfall and wind speed positively correlated with the population of trapped melon fruit fly. Farmers can monitor the population of fruit fly with the trap and can control it efficiently and economically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Majority of Pakistani soils are deficient in phosphorus. Phosphorus is usually applied in form of synthetic fertilizer. However integrated use of P from synthetic and organic sources can be more profitable and beneficial on sustainable basis. Field trials were conducted at research farm University of Poonch, Rawalakot, AJK, Pakistan for two consecutive years to check the comparative effects of synthetic fertilizer and organic manures applied alone and in combinations on the phosphorus use efficiency (PUE), wheat yield and yield components. Shafaq-06 cultivar of wheat was used as test cultivar. Ten treatments were included: (I) Control (P0) without application of fertilizer; (II) SSP @ 60 kg/ha (P60SSP); (III) SSP @ 90 kg/ha (P90SSP); (IV) SSP @ 120 kg/ha (P120SSP); (V) PM @60 kg/ha (P60PM); (VI) PM @90 kg/ha (P90PM); (VII) PM @120 kg/ha (P120PM); (VIII) SSP @30 kg/ha + PM @30 kg/ha (P30SSP+30PM); (IX) SSP @45 kg/ha + PM @45 kg/ha (P45SSP+45PM); (X) SSP @60 kg/ha + PM @60 kg/ha (P60SSP+60PM) which were laid out under the Randomized Complete Block Design. Significantly higher values for yield of grain (2397 kg/ha) was recorded with PM + SSP @ 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 each. Likewise, FPUE, PIR of wheat and AFPUE was quite higher with combined use of PM and SSP i.e. P60SSP+60PM treatment. Additionally, increase in PUE, wheat yield and yield components associated with combined treated plot would help to minimize the use of high cost synthetic mineral fertilizers and represents an environmentally and agronomically sound management strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study was conducted at Surgarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan during 2018-19 to evaluate twelve (12) exotic sugarcane clones imported from Philippines for biometric traits and diseases resistance in local climatic conditions. These clones were put in preliminary yield trials (4th stage) of varietal development program to evaluate their performance in comparison with local check varieties HSF 240 and CPF 249. The exotic genotypes along with local checks were subjected to randomized complete block design (RCBD) by keeping three replications during crop season 2018-19. Six biometric traits like germination%, tillers per plant, no. of canes, cane weight, cane yield and sugar contents along with resistance to two major diseases viz. red rot and smut of sugarcane were studied. Two-sided Dunnett’s multiple test was used for comprehensive comparison among bimetric traits. The results of this study indicated that all the clones differed significantly for their agronomic traits. Although some varieties of Philippines showed better performance for cane yield (PSR 01-46, 184.7 t/ha) as compared to check varieties but they could not surpass them for sugar contents (11.54%) and also found susceptible to red rot and smut diseases. Only three exotic clones viz. PSR 01-28, PSR 98-11 and PSR 99-182 were promoted to next selection stage of varietal development program on the basis of higher or comparable cane yield (120.7, 141.7 and 105.3 t/ha, respectively) than check varieties and diseases reaction. However, the sugar contents of these exotic clones were found at par with check varieties and thus further testing and evaluation is required to improve adaptability and stability for consistent performance under local agro-ecological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane is one of the most important cash crops grown in Pakistan which accounts for 3.4% share in agriculture value addition and 0.7% in gross domestic products (GDP). It is a tropical and perennial grass sensitive to the soil type, climate change, irrigation, insects, fertilizers, varieties and the harvest period. Pakistan annually produces 81.1 million metric tons (MMT) of sugarcane but unfortunately, about 30% sugarcane crop is lost at harvesting stage particularly due to deficiency of mechanized harvesting approaches. This study has been carried out to fabricate and performance evaluate a tractor propelled sugarcane harvester to reduce sugarcane losses during harvesting in Pakistan. The major components of indigenously developed sugarcane harvester include hydraulically operated bottom cutter, top cutter, blower and conveyor and all of them are fixed on a movable iron frame. For optimization, the sugarcane harvester was operated at three different gears (G1, G2 and G3) and engine speeds (N1=1800, N2=1900 and N3=2000 rpm) of tractor and working widths (Kw1=0.85, Kw1=0.92 and Kw3=1.02 m) of harvester for sugarcane variety CP-77400 to determine the maximum field efficiency and material capacity. The results showed that maximum field efficiency was found to be 75.10% and material capacity was 12.87 ton/hr at G3, N3 and Kw3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]