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May 28 symbolises national determination to protect its territorial integrity: Qadeer

ISLAMABAD, May 29 (APP): Prominent nuclear scientist Dr. A. Q. Khan on Sunday said May 28, 1998 nuclear detonations by Pakistan symbolised its determination to safeguard the territorial integrity and called for immediate efforts to solve the myriad of problems being faced by the nation. Addressing the second anniversary celebrations of ,"Yaum-e- Takbeer," here, he said Pakistani scientists proved to the world that they were competent to deliver for a national cause. The world famed nuclear scientist, however, called for soul searching and accepting the gauntlet of solving the immense problems. Despite natural resources and talent, Pakistan remains one of the poorest countries in the world. It is the most illiterate, the most malnourished and the least gender-sensitive country in the world and presents a bleak picture of human development. Khan said," research is the bedrock of change, science is the path to prosperity and technology is the key to success." He said there could not be any progress without educating the nation. Nearly two-third of Pakistan's adult population of 72 million and as much as three-fourths of the adult females of Pakistan can not read or write. Khan said science and technology are the leaders of the future. However, these subjects have been brushed under the carpet. He said for every dollar spent in social sector, Pakistan at least is spending 4.32 dollars on the defence and debt servicing. Education is only getting 2.4 per cent of Pakistan's annual GNP while the health sector share is squeezed to just 0.7 per cent of its GNP. He said the scientific research and development does not get even one per cent of the country's GNP, he added. Giving the breakdown of the national predicament, he said, about 38% of the children under 5 are malnourished, 37% boys and 55% girls born on the Pakistani soil have never been to school. The drop-out ratio at the primary level is more than half each year. He said 12% of our people live below the poverty line while another 30% are on the verge of it. He said 45% Pakistanis live in single-room houses while many have not even this much of facility and even worse, 53% of the population has no idea of sanitation, he added. Such a situation, he said invariably demands a serious approach towards putting our science and technology house in order as it is the first step towards acquiring technology. The twenty-first century and the coming millennium will be the age of the competent, the well-read and the well-equipped. "

We have to acquire these qualities in order to sustain the challenges of the coming years. A firm resolve on the part of our government requires the framing of National Science and Technology Policy, keeping in view the local needs and requirements," said Khan. In a similar way, we have to restructure our basic and higher educational system which needs to be revamped according to the changing trends. He said the nation must equip itself with the weapons of latest research and development as these are the vanguards of an advanced and powerful society. There is an urgent need to harness a science-friendly environment in our country and an all-out effort ought to be made to create and help creating centres of excellence to engage in active research that could benefit our industry and boost our trade. Public-private partnership must be promoted in setting-up such institutes of higher scientific studies since you cannot expect the government to do all in a demanding world of ours. " Let us strive for raising a whole army of scientists, engineers, technicians and skilled labour in such institutes in the earliest possible time so as to equip our industry with the most technically sound manpower," he said.