KARACHI: Noted nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan said on Sunday that Pakistan was the only country where contamination in food items and medicines was higher than the poor countries of the world.
While addressing a ceremony at Karachi University (KU), Dr Qadeer lamented that he had seen a higher amount of contamination in Pakistani markets’ food items and medicines than he had seen in poorer countries like Mali, Nigeria, Sudan and other African countries. He said that it did not befit Muslims to have exploitative practices like food adulteration. He also highlighted the importance of eating home-cooked food.
He said that he felt proud to be a student of Karachi University, adding that the varsity was recognised globally for its academic and research credentials and for its graduates who were serving in distinguished posts both in Pakistan and abroad.
Dr Qadeer lauded the university for producing personalities who had excelled in many fields, adding that it gave him great pleasure to see that the university’s department Dr AQ Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering had proven its worth worldwide for its research output.
Speaking at the occasion KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Ajmal Khan said that a culture of dialogue and open debate is the key to a welfare society. He said that the country can’t progress without promoting open dialogue and debate among masses.
He said that universities required an open and conducive society to prosper while intolerance hindered their function. He said that nations which distanced themselves from education never progressed.
