A case study from Pakistan: Improving medical publications in non-English speaking countries

Copyediting is crucial for enhancing the quality and credibility of medical manuscripts in Pakistan. Although English is an official language used in government and education, many researchers are not native speakers, leading to linguistic inaccuracies in publications that can cause misinterpretation and critical errors in medical understanding. Pakistan publishes ap - proximately 70 to 90 medical journals, with about 86 recognised by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. However, these journals often face challenges such as inadequate peer-review processes, limited editorial over - sight, and resource constraints, affecting their inter national recognition. Specialised copyeditors are seldom employed; editorial tasks are usually handled by board members who may lack proper training. Financial constraints hinder investment in professional editorial services and training. While there is a rise in freelance copyeditors offering cost-effective and scalable solutions, their expertise remains underutilised locally. Collaborating with these freelancers can help Pakistani medical journals meet global standards. Other strategies are also discussed to elevate the quality of medical publications in Pakistan.