Going full throttle

Science and technology play a significant role in the development of a country. Pakistan has been blessed with professionals and talented minds that have excelled in their respective fields, contributing to the scientific and technological development of the country.
Its scientists do not lag behind their counterparts in other countries whether it is physics, material science, metallurgy (engineering), biology, chemistry (organic), mathematics, or other areas.
Since the creation of Pakistan, the nation has witnessed massive development, which is attributed to its scientific approach, pursued by a large number of scientists, engineers, doctors and technicians.
The presence of a vast number of scientists in the country itself indicates that the nation is keen to use science as a tool of development. Nobel Prize laureate in Physics, Abdul Salam, who was conferred the prize in 1979 for his electroweak theory that combines weak nuclear force and electromagnetic forces, was one of the most renowned scientists in the world. Other scientists include Ashfaq Ahmad, winner of Nishan-e-Imtiaz (1998) for his contribution in nuclear physics; Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, honoured twice (1996 and 1999) for developing the gas-centrifuge programme; Atta-ur-Rahman,  honoured in 2002 for his edge leading research in natural product chemistry; and
Samar Mubarakmand, honoured in 2003 for the contribution in space programme and accelerator physics.
It will be unfair if we do not mention Munir Ahmad Khan, who was honoured in 1989 for building Pakistan's nuclear fuel cycle programme. These are a few names among the dozens of other prominent scientists.
Though the country isn't usually considered one of the world's information technology powerhouses, its share of global information technology sales is $2.8 billion, of which $1.6 billion represents tech and IT services and software exported abroad in the year 2015.
There are more than 1,600 registered information technology companies in Pakistan, and over 10,000 IT graduates enter the market every year.
Pakistan has made great strides in the field of space and missile technology. The country conducted a successful flight test of Shaheen-III, a surface ballistic missile with a maximum range of 2,750 km, on  March 9, 2015.
Pakistan's spectacular JF-17 Thunder showcased its cutting edge capabilities in the Paris Air Show, a result of the Pak-China friendship. The fresh batch of 16 upgraded JF-17 Thunder aircraft, jointly developed by Pakistan and China, were inducted into the Pakistan Air Force in April this year, bolstering its tactical and surveillance capabilities.
One of the major achievements of Pakistan was its atomic technology. It was in this context that Pakistan surprised the world by conducting five atomic explosions on May 18, 1998.
Keeping in view the technological development of the country, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, known as CERN, has formally conferred its associate membership to Pakistan, following completion of required internal ratification process.
The present government of Mian Nawaz Sharif places science and technology, including information technology (IT), amongst its highest priorities. A comprehensive programme has been launched for building a knowledge-based economy by integrating science and technology with economic development programmes.
Since June 2000, the country has launched over 260 development projects worth more than Rs18 billion in various fields of IT, telecommunications, and science and technology sectors. The government has allocated Rs7.5 billion for the science and technology ministry for the financial year 2016-17.
As a result of the multidimensional strategy adopted by the government, a large number of short-, medium-, and long-term training programmes have been launched. Six new IT universities have been established, and 34 IT and computer science departments have been set up or upgraded in public-sector universities. Through an educational Intranet programme, about 56 universities have been interconnected.
Internships and scholarships have been offered in various fields of IT to encourage thousands of bright students that will go a long way in preparing future generations to meet IT challenges.
The government has also set up a chain of well-equipped technology parks in major cities to facilitate software development.  A project has also been launched for industrial automation of small- and medium-sized industries and ISO certification for IT companies. These measures represent a turning point in the development of science and technology in Pakistan.
The rapid advances in science and technology have given a big impetus to Pakistan's development in every sphere. Notwithstanding the achievements, the nation needs some important steps like the allocation of more funds for research and development in the field of science, setting up of more scientific research institutions and raising awareness among the youth to pursue scientific studies.

- imtiaz@khaleejtimes.com