4th Meeting of SAARC Technical Committee on Science and Technology

• Honourable Parliamentary Secretary for Science & Technology
• Distinguished Guests & Delegates from SAARC countries
• Ladies & Gentlemen

It is a great honour for me to express that your presence here is a living testimony of your boundless love, untiring commitment and great affections for your profession, for your country, SAARC region and humanity as a whole for which I salute on behalf of people of Pakistan that most of the SAARC countries have sent their delegations to attend this meeting to discuss the programme of mutual cooperation in the field of science and technology. While acknowledging your presence I am sure that you will make best use of this event and you will find ways and means through mutual trust and understanding to alleviate the pain and suffering of the people of this region by using the platform of science and technology.
The SAARC region comprises of almost 1.50 billion people, the largest of any regional organization. More than half of this 1/4th of world population is living below the poverty line and do not have access to basic needs/ facilities such as health, education, clean drinking water, sanitation, energy, etc., inspite of abundance of natural resources and reasonably good S&T infrastructure and scientific manpower. The role of science & technology, academia and industries in SAARC countries cannot be undermined to address these issues.
In this era of rapid growth, the emergence of knowledge based economy is evident. To keep ourselves abreast; there is a great need to transfer Science and Technology Innovation into industrial development which presently does not exist in SAARC countries. We also require full participation of our nations in the process of globalization to realize the productivity gains. Our countries will have to move from traditional to knowledge-based economies that add value to our resources. Rather than sending raw material we need to send value added products. It is now our choice whether to send $______ per kilo corn or $3 – per kilo cereal. It is our choice to export $______ per kilo rice or $ 3.50 per kilo rice Krispy.
Scientists, Engineers and Technologists have to play a vital role in the development of SAARC Region. They should struggle for the commercialization of scientific and technological innovation and products. This could be possible through coordinated effort, sharing of scientific knowledge and resources besides free access to our own markets in the SAARC member countries.
Ladies and Gentlemen;
It is not a myth or fiction but it is reality that power means economic power is shifting from west to east. Future belongs to you all. As some one put it “we are entering a new era of world history, the end of western domination and the arrival of Asian century” which to me is only possible if we create a mutual trust, understanding and practically prove among ourselves that diversity of our culture, heritage, universal values and languages are not signs of our weaknesses but source of our strength. Therefore, Asia rise should present more opportunities than threats. The region’s growth has already lifted hundred of millions out of poverty and will continue to do so if we avail this opportunity and do not lag behind. Again choice is our and I hope we all will make a best choice for ourselves, our nation, our religion and our coming generations.
Therefore, I am confident that the Technical Committee during the course of the two days would have meaningful and fruitful deliberations and would be able to finalize its activities and recommendations as for implementations during next year.