Ethical Guidelines for Authors

1. Originality and Authenticity
Authors must ensure that their submitted work is:
•    Entirely original
•    Free from plagiarism, duplication, or uncredited borrowing
•    Not previously published in any form (print, online, or conference proceedings)
•    Not under consideration by any other journal simultaneously
Any violation may result in immediate rejection, retraction, or institutional notification.
2. Plagiarism and Similarity
•    All manuscripts are screened through plagiarism detection software.
•    Authors must maintain similarity within acceptable limits defined by HEC and international standards.
•    Paraphrasing without proper citation, self-plagiarism, and patch writing are strictly prohibited.
Manuscripts with unethical similarity will not proceed to review.
3. Multiple or Redundant Submission
Authors must not:
•    Submit the same manuscript to more than one journal at the same time
•    Divide one study into multiple papers (“salami slicing”)
•    Reuse previously published data without disclosure
Such practices violate global publishing ethics.
4. Authorship Criteria
Authorship must reflect a genuine scholarly contribution. Each listed author must have:
•    Contributed significantly to the conception, design, analysis, or interpretation
•    Participated in drafting or revising the manuscript
•    Approved the final version
•    Agreed to be accountable for the integrity of the work
Gift, honorary, or ghost authorship is strictly prohibited.
5. Accuracy of Data and Citations
Authors are responsible for:
•    Ensuring accuracy and reliability of data, references, and quotations
•    Providing verifiable sources
•    Avoiding fabricated, falsified, or manipulated data
Misrepresentation of data is considered a serious ethical breach.
6. Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
Authors must disclose any potential conflicts, including:
•    Financial support
•    Institutional affiliations
•    Personal or professional relationships
•    Any factor that may influence the interpretation of results
Transparency is essential for maintaining academic integrity.
7. Ethical Use of Sources and Permissions
Authors must:
•    Properly acknowledge all sources
•    Obtain permission for copyrighted material, images, or translations
•    Ensure accurate citation of primary and secondary texts
Failure to secure permissions may delay or prevent publication.
8. Research Ethics Compliance
If the research involves:
•    Human participants
•    Archival materials
•    Sensitive cultural or religious content
Authors must ensure compliance with ethical standards and institutional review requirements. Any ethical concerns must be disclosed at submission.
9. Manuscript Revision Responsibilities
During the review process, authors must:
•    Respond to reviewer comments respectfully and comprehensively
•    Submit a point-by-point response document
•    Revise the manuscript within the given timeline
•    Avoid introducing new data without justification
Failure to revise adequately may result in rejection.
10. Post Publication Responsibilities
If authors discover an error or inaccuracy after publication, they must:
•    Notify the Editorial Office immediately
•    Cooperate in issuing corrections, clarifications, or retractions
Integrity extends beyond publication.
11. Confidentiality
Authors must not:
•    Share reviewer comments publicly
•    Use unpublished data from the review process
•    Contact reviewers directly
All communication must occur through the journal.
12. Ethical Conduct in Iqbal Studies
Given the journal’s focus, authors must:
•    Respect the intellectual, philosophical, and cultural significance of Iqbal’s works
•    Avoid misrepresentation or selective distortion of primary texts
•    Ensure academic rigour in translations, interpretations, and comparative analyses