Manuscript Withdrawal Policy

1. Introduction

The Manuscript Withdrawal Policy of the Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal (PAFMJ) outlines the guidelines and procedures for authors who wish to withdraw their submitted manuscripts. The withdrawal process is designed to be transparent, fair, and consistent with established ethical standards.

2. Grounds for Manuscript Withdrawal

2.1 Author-Requested Withdrawal:

Authors may request the withdrawal of their manuscript for various reasons, such as errors, changes in authorship, or unforeseen circumstances.

2.2 Ethical Concerns:

Manuscripts may be withdrawn if ethical concerns arise, such as issues related to research misconduct, plagiarism, or other ethical violations.

2.3 Editorial or Peer Review Concerns:

Manuscripts may be withdrawn if significant concerns emerge during the editorial or peer review process that warrant withdrawal.

3. Author Responsibility

3.1 Withdrawal Request:

Authors are required to submit a formal, written withdrawal request to the editorial office, clearly stating the reasons for withdrawal.

3.2 Ethical Considerations:

Authors are expected to adhere to ethical considerations and provide accurate information when requesting withdrawal, especially if ethical concerns are involved.

4. Editorial Consideration

4.1 Evaluation of Withdrawal Request:

The editorial team evaluates withdrawal requests to determine their validity and the grounds for withdrawal.

4.2 Ethical Concerns:

If ethical concerns are raised, the editorial team may involve appropriate committees or experts to investigate and make informed decisions.

5. Notification of Withdrawal

5.1 Notification to Authors:

Authors are promptly notified of the decision to withdraw their manuscript, along with the reasons for withdrawal.

5.2 Transparency:

If applicable, the journal may issue a public statement or notice to inform readers about the withdrawal and the reasons behind it.

6. Handling Withdrawals during Peer Review

6.1 Early-Stage Withdrawals:

If a withdrawal request is made early in the peer review process, the manuscript may be withdrawn without further review.

6.2 Post-Review Withdrawals:

If the manuscript has undergone peer review, the editorial team may consider reviewer comments and recommendations before making a withdrawal decision.

7. Handling Withdrawals Post-Publication

7.1 Correction or Retraction:

If the manuscript has been published and subsequent issues are identified, the journal may issue corrections or retractions as appropriate, following established guidelines.

7.2 Ethical Violations:

If withdrawal is related to ethical violations post-publication, appropriate actions will be taken, and relevant authorities may be notified.

8. Record-Keeping

8.1 Documentation:

Records of manuscript withdrawals, along with the reasons, will be maintained by the editorial office for documentation and transparency.

8.2 Confidentiality:

Withdrawal requests and related communications will be handled with confidentiality, respecting the privacy of the authors.

9. Review and Updates

This policy will be periodically reviewed to ensure its effectiveness. Updates will be made as necessary to enhance the handling of manuscript withdrawals in alignment with ethical standards.

The Manuscript Withdrawal Policy of PAFMJ provides a structured framework for authors and the editorial team to manage withdrawals transparently, ethically, and in accordance with established guidelines.