Withdrawal Policy

The Pakistan Journal of Clinical Research (PJCR) follows a strict withdrawal policy to ensure the integrity, transparency, and ethical standards of the publication process. Authors are strongly encouraged to carefully consider their decision before submitting a withdrawal request, which must be sent in writing by the corresponding author from their registered email and include the article title, full list of authors, manuscript ID (if applicable), and a detailed reason for withdrawal. Each request is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the stage of publication, justification, and potential impact on the journal and academic record. Manuscripts may be withdrawn without penalty before acceptance, although repeated unjustified withdrawals may result in restrictions on future submissions. After acceptance but before publication, withdrawal is permitted only under exceptional circumstances, such as ethical concerns or critical errors, and a formal notice of withdrawal may be issued. Once published, articles cannot generally be withdrawn, though retraction may occur in cases of ethical violations, research misconduct, or major errors, with a formal retraction notice issued following COPE guidelines. Articles that have already been cited cannot be withdrawn except in cases of misconduct, and authors withdrawing without valid justification may be blacklisted from future submissions. Withdrawal requests due to institutional or funding conflicts must be supported with appropriate documentation. PJCR strictly adheres to COPE guidelines for all withdrawal-related decisions, and authors are advised to assess the implications carefully and consult their research supervisors or institutional authorities prior to requesting withdrawal.