Fatema Jawad  ( Editor-in-chief, JPMA. )

Let us welcome the New Year 2022 with great expectations of reverting back to a normal life style and talking of the COVID-19 pandemic as an unpleasant past experience. Work goes on despite all circumstances. In fact work has tremendously increased at the JPMA office. The number of submissions have risen to over 4000. The strict scrutiny and article triage has made the rejection rate accelerate to around 65 percent. This has definitely improved the standard of the publications. There has been a tremendous rise in articles from the Rehabilitation Sciences section from all over the country. This is a relatively new subject for the journal and is widely read.

We have published ten supplements in the year 2021. There are seven national and three from foreign countries. It is a matter of pride for us to cater for supplements. Thanks are extended to the foreign institutions specially for placing confidence in JPMA, as it makes the journal known and popular.

Due to the rise in submissions, we had to induct more peer reviewers. It was a pleasure to include some younger generation colleagues who were eager to acquire experience. Our pool has expanded and the work has eased out. It is an intense satisfaction to note how some junior colleagues are improving their reviewing skills. Gratitude is extended to all peer reviewers, national and international.

JPMA organized two virtual certificate workshops on Medical writing for undergraduate medical students in February and April 2021. It was a huge success with nearly thirty students participating in each. The main person behind these workshops was Dr.Ramsha Zaheer, our board member, who made the programme so attractive and meaningful that we had to refuse some applicants. Thanks Ramsha for your efforts.In the special section of JPMA, a new section on Barocrinology was started in 2021.These are efforts of Sanjay Kalra from Karnal, India. It was necessary to create awareness on Obesity which is rising fast in numbers all over the world, more so in the sub-continent. Highly appreciated, Sanjay.

I extend my thanks first to our office staff, the backbone of the journal, who have worked hard to keep the regularity and quality of the publication. The team comprises of Adil, Faizan, Muneeb, Talha and the team leader, Mr. Majid. Ramzan is behind all for his big help. Our core Board members who share the work load comprise of Dr. Sina Aziz, Dr. Anwar Siddiqui and Dr Mubeen, who meet twice a week for major decisions and other work on the articles. Our Managing Secretary, Dr. Anwar Khawja, is a call away for all assistance. The two student volunteers, Soima and Mahnoor work quietly and help out with any assistance needed.

The JPMA website has been improved and now gives a better view. Articles are easy to find and archives are present. Thanks to Mr. Jafri of PakCyber.

I take this opportunity to wish all authors, reviewers and friends affiliated with JPMA, A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022.

Dr. Fatema Jawad

Editor-in-Chief