LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has called for developing a knowledge based economy through improving research and firming grounds for technological advancement.
He was speaking at the National Biotechnology Exhibition 2010 organized by University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) institute of biochemistry and biotechnology in collaboration with Higher Education Commission (HEC), on Wednesday.
He said that it was only though developing technologies that Pakistan could have an edge over its neighboring countries. He said that Pakistan was facing tremendous challenges and farmers were worst hit in the history of Pakistan and it was high time that they should be helped to become contributors again in the national economy.
He said that the government was working to provide seeds in the flood affected areas. He said government of Punjab was well aware of the importance of biotechnology and its use in the areas of health, agriculture, environment, industry, vaccine production and genetic improvement of livestock for better production.
He appreciated the UVAS VC Prof Dr Muhammad Nawaz and said the government would fully support the expansion of research and development of the university in this regard. The VC said that the UVAS was playing a pivotal role for the development of research in the field of veterinary and animal sciences.
“UVAS have been ranked 12 out of 82 research universities of Pakistan. We have won maximum number of competitive research grants from the international agencies,” he said.
Punjab Agriculture Minister Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh, Livestock & Dairy Development Secretary Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, Pharm Evo Managing Director Muhammad Haroon Qassim, HEC member operation and planning Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, Pro Vice Chancellor Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) Syed Baber Ali, President Lahore Chamber of Commerce Shahzad Ali Malik, Pharmagen Limited CEO Pervaiz Sufi, member board of revenue Akhlaq Ahmad Tarar, Agriculture University Faisalabad VC Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, University of Health Sciences VC Prof Dr Mubashir Hussain, King Edward Medical University VC Prof Dr Asad Aslam Khan, CMH Principal Syed Afzal Ahmad and President GP Corporation South Korea Bae participated in the seminar.
