Pakistan Academy of Sciences has criticised the state of science and technology in the country and stressed that investing up to 3.5 per cent of the GDP in science, technology and innovation can be “the game changer” to help alleviate poverty, reduce inequalities, increase income and improve health.
The meeting of the top scientists of the country at the Academy’s headquarters here expressed its regrets that recommendation of the meeting of eminent scientists in Swat in 1965 under former President Ayub Khan for allocating 2 per cent of GDP for S&T has not been implemented despite the passage of 50 years.
The top scientists of the country observed with serious concern that a meagre allocation of 0.2 per cent of GDP for S&T in the federal budget has resulted in the deplorable state of S&T. To improve upon this situation, it was unanimously urged that the budget allocation for S&T must be enhanced to one per cent of the GDP immediately.
The top scientists also resolved to launch an effective media campaign to educate the public and decision makers about salient achievements of scientific organizations and thus about the crucial need and benefits for allocating two per cent of GDP for S&T in the federal budget. The Meeting also urged the Government to always appoint an eminent scientist as Federal Secretary of Ministry of Science & Technology, instead of a bureaucrat; to appoint an eminent scientist as Advisor Science to Prime Minister, with the status of Minister, for easy access to the decision makers; and reviving the National Science Council which has got redundant since the past 50 years.
A resolution was adopted unanimously to save NARC Islamabad from the land mafia. The PM was asked to turn down the CDA summary for conversion of NARC’s 1400 Acres research farm in to a housing scheme at the cost of national food security; rather CDA must be directed to immediately extend the NARC land lease for 90 years.
The meeting was participated by President of Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS), Dr. Anwar Nasim; Secretary General of PAS, Prof. Dr. Zabta K. Shinwari; Vice President of Islamic World Academy of Sciences, Prof. Dr. M.D. Shami; Coordinator General of COMSTECH, Dr. Shaukat Hameed Khan; Advisor (Science) COMSTECH, Prof. Dr. Qasim Jan; Executive Director of COMSATS, Dr. Imtinan Qureshi; Chairman of Pakistan Science Foundation, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf; Chairman of Pakistan Council for Science & Technology, Prof. Dr. Anwar-ul-Hassan Gilani; Chairman of PARC, Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad; and President of ECO Science Foundation, Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro.
The top scientists resolved to work tirelessly under the umbrella of National Science Complex. It was decided to meet once every three months to review the situation and formulate future line of action.
These top scientists thin upon several times what they actually did practically to seed for sound base for such purposes while they hold such key positions. The absence of the Chairman PCSIR (one of three premier research organizations in the country) is itself a big question. In my opinion the struggle should be seen rather than put into discussions. The should hold meetings with intelligentsia and ask the President of Pakistan to play his due role; other the situation is very deplorable pushing us behind several years; we are already late by 68 years.
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