Dear readers,

It is with great pleasure that we present the latest issue of the Pakistan Journal of Nuclear Medicine (PJNM), Volume 14, Issue 1. This edition emphasizes our commitment to advancing nuclear medicine through the collective efforts of professionals in the field, including nuclear physicians, medical physicists, biochemists, and other specialists. As we continue to expand the scope of our content, incorporating other diagnostic imaging modalities alongside nuclear medicine, we remain dedicated to fostering an environment of innovation and collaboration.

However, we must acknowledge the challenges that have emerged in recent months. A reduction in article submissions, delayed responses from authors, and difficulty in securing timely reviews have all posed obstacles. These challenges are not unique to PJNM but are part of the broader pressures faced by scientific journals globally. To address these, we are actively working on streamlining submission and review processes, but the key to overcoming these hurdles lies in the active participation of all members of the nuclear medicine community. Whether as authors, reviewers, or readers, your timely involvement is essential to ensure the continued success of the journal.

To encourage greater engagement, PJNM is pleased to announce the introduction of the Best Paper PJNM Award and the Best Reviewer PJNM Award. These initiatives will recognize outstanding contributions to the journal and reward the tireless efforts of our reviewers. The Best Paper award will be given to the highest quality manuscript each year, while the Best Reviewer award will celebrate those who consistently provide valuable, timely feedback. We hope these awards will inspire all contributors to bring their best work forward, ensuring that PJNM remains a trusted platform for high-quality research.

In addition, we are excited to share that PJNM will soon be transitioning to a new platform, ScienceOpen, which will provide us with more freedom and flexibility in terms of content management. This new platform will make it easier for both editors and authors to navigate, with a more user-friendly interface that streamlines the submission and review process. The shift to ScienceOpen will also facilitate greater visibility and accessibility for PJNM, as it will enhance the indexation process, helping us move forward in meeting the requirements of major indexing databases. This change will not only improve the efficiency of our operations but also broaden the reach of our published content, positioning PJNM for greater success on a global scale.

It is important to recognize that our medical doctors and scientists often prefer to submit their research to international journals with indexing and impact factors. However, we must remember that indexation and impact factors do not come out of thin air. Achieving this level of recognition is a collective effort. Communities must work together to elevate their journals by citing their own journal papers in international publications and submitting high-quality research to their national journals in the early stages. This gradual process helps national journals improve their quality and ultimately achieve indexing and impact factors. If we study the history of prominent journals that now carry significant impact factors and recognition, we will find that they started with humble beginnings and gradually gained credibility through sustained effort and community participation. By committing to quality research and collaboration, PJNM can steadily improve its standing and eventually achieve the same level of recognition. Let us not underestimate the power of local contributions in raising the profile of our journal.

Looking ahead, we are determined to strengthen PJNM's position as a leading journal in the field of nuclear medicine, while making it a global forum for the exchange of ideas, innovations, and scientific progress. To achieve this, we need the continued collaboration of authors, reviewers, and readers alike. The insights shared through this journal have the potential to shape the future of nuclear medicine, and your active involvement in the process will help us meet our goal of providing timely, relevant content to the community.

We would like to express our sincere thanks for your ongoing support and dedication to advancing the field of nuclear medicine and medical imaging. Let us continue to work together to achieve greater milestones and make a lasting impact on patient care. The three dots symbolize our shared commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sacrifice. Innovation in the ideas we pursue, collaboration in the efforts we share, and sacrifice in the form of submitting your valuable research to this journal to make it a truly value-added resource for the entire nuclear medicine community.

As always, your feedback and suggestions are welcome. Please feel free to share your thoughts with us or the editorial board at muhammadbabarimran@yahoo.com.

Author details

Muhammad Babar Imran¹, Farkhanda Gillani²

1. Chief Editor, Pakistan Journal of Nuclear Medicine
2. Punjab Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Faisalabad, Pakistan

Warm regards,

Dr. M. Babar Imran (Tamgha e Imtiaz)

Chief Editor, Pakistan Journal of Nuclear Medicine

Dr. Farkhanda Gillani

Punjab Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Faisalabad.