Istisnā’- a Realistic Approach to the Concept in Islamic Finance and its Application to the Agricultural Sector in Pakistan

Farmers predominantly belong to lower class of the society, particularly in developing and under developing countries. This actuality really put them on back-foot in every sphere of life, including their various agricultural activities.  For instance, they always face problems to fulfil their agricultural requirement, both for crop and non crop activities, and hence, not in position to get utmost benefits from their efforts. Being citizens of a developing country, Pakistani farmers come across the identical situation. As they are Muslims, therefore, avoid securing interest based loan from the financial institutions. Islamic financial system provides an alternate to such interest based arrangement in the shape of various financing techniques. Among these, Istisnā’ (manufacturing) is the most important one which can be used effectively for the fulfilment of various agricultural requirements. However, its role is more dominant in the satisfaction of non crop agricultural activities that is for example, manufacturing of some heavy agricultural machinery and equipments, installation of tube-wells and channels for appropriate irrigation system, construction of small houses for farmers in their lands etc. The present work discusses the theoretical background of this mode, available in the scholarly work of classical and contemporary Muslim jurists’ work, followed by the description that how it can be used for financing various sectors of agriculture. Study reveals the transaction is equally viable for the development of all sectors of agriculture like local farming, fish farming, dairy farming, poultry farming, horticulture etc. The intended results can be achieved when the financial institutions apply the transaction in its true spirit and philosophies envisaged for it by Islamic commercial law, and not mere a source of earning profit.

Epidemiology, Molecular Diagnosis and Therapy of Paramphistomiasis in Sheep and Goats

Paramphistomiasis is one of the most pathogenic diseases of domestic animals causing heavy economic losses to the livestock industry accounting for several million rupees annually. Epidemiological study was undertaken at slaughter houses, in sheep and goats of four different districts of Punjab province. Infection rate in sheep was 20.7, 13.3, 30.2 and 25.2 per cent at Sargodha, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Sialkot, respectively, whereas, in goats it was 12.6, 7.6, 23.3 and 16.7 %, respectively. It was noted that in these entire four districts infection rate was the highest during the months of August – September, while the lowest in December. As regard the overall season-wise prevalence, it was the highest during autumn followed by summer, while the lowest during spring. As regard the age-wise prevalence, it was higher in younger animals than in adults. Infection was slightly higher in males than females. Area-wise prevalence indicated that it was the highest at Gujranwala district followed by Sialkot then Sargodha, whereas the lowest at Faisalabad district. Snails have been known to play an important role as intermediate hosts for helminth parasites of animals, birds, man and fishes. Geo-climatic conditions of Punjab and utilization of rivers as a source of irrigation play an important role in dissemination of these snails. For early detection of disease the PCR method was found to be useful. Snails belonging to Pulmonata and Prosobranchia classes were collected from Sargodha, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Sialkot districts. The prevalence of snails was the highest at Gujranwala followed by Sialkot then Sargodha while the lowest at Faisalabad. Seven genera of snails were identified i.e. Lymnaea, Indoplanorbis, Bulinus, Physa, Gyraulus, Bellamaya and Oncomelania. As regard the season wise prevalence of snails, it was the highest during summer followed by autumn then winter, whereas the lowest during spring. Meteorological factors like temperature, humidity, rainfall and pan evaporation played very important role on the causation and spread of disease and snails. Therapeutic trials by using Cannabis sativa, Centratherum anthelminiticum, Nicotiana tabacum and Oxyclozanide were conducted. For these trials eighty animals were used in eight controlled experiments to compare the efficacy of certain indigenous drugs, with an allopathic drug (Oxyclozanide) against Paramphistomiasis. Efficacy of the drugs was measured by determining the difference of eggs per gram faeces (EPG) before and after treatment. Cannabis sativa after administration of a single dose of 50 and 60 mg/kg body weight reduced EPG by 52.23 and 57.44 per cent, respectively. After the administration of second dose the reduction in EPG was 79.16 and 81.2 per cent, respectively. Efficacy of Centratherum anthelminiticum at rate of 50 and 60 mg/kg body weight was 48 and percent, respectively whereas efficacy at two dose level was 82.60 and 89.36 per cent, respectively. Nicotiana tabacum at 50 and 60 mg/kg body weight was 47.82 and 50 per cent effective respectively, whereas efficacy at two dose levels was 78.23 and 84.07 percent respectively. Oxyclozanide at one and two dose levels was 83.5 and 95.65 per cent effective, respectively. The efficacy order was Oxyclozanide Centratherum anthelminticum, Nicotiana tabacum and Cannabis sativa, No side effects were noted due to the use of any of these plant origin drug.