APC Policy

  • Standard APC: PKR 15,000 (payable only after acceptance).
    No charges are taken at submission or during peer review.
  • Fast Track Option:
    • A limited number of manuscripts per issue may be considered under the Fast Track Review route.
    • The Fast Track fee is PKR 30,000 (payable only after acceptance).
    • Under Fast Track, the peer review and editorial decision are typically completed within 4–6 weeks, compared to the standard timeline of approximately 10–12 weeks.
    • Important: Fast Track only accelerates the review process. It does not influence editorial decisions, guarantee acceptance, or compromise peer review standards.
    • Selection for Fast Track is on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to editorial approval.
  • Printed Copy: Authors who wish to receive a printed copy of the published issue may request it at PKR 5,000 per copy (exclusive of shipping charges).
  • Payment Procedure: A challan can be generated from the website (https://proceedings-szmc.org.pk). Proof of payment must be uploaded via OJS before the manuscript can proceed to the proofreading stage.
  • Refund Policy:
    • Since APCs are charged only after acceptance, payments are generally non-refundable.
    • Refunds are only considered in exceptional cases such as payment errors (e.g., duplicate transaction).