National News

ISLAMABAD, (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain on Tuesday
emphasized on focusing on education and research related to space
sciences and devising solid plans to improve the skills of young
scientists to attain self-sufficiency.
The President expressed these views at the inauguration of
second International Conference on Space 2016 held here at the
headquarters of COMSTECH (Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s
Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation).
The President said development in scientific research would
bring further improvement in the fields of communications,
agriculture, infrastructure development, environmental monitoring,
early warning systems and education.
“Improving the capacity of Pakistani scientists in different
fields of science including space research would be a valuable asset
to improve the living standards of people,” he said.
The President said it was heartening to learn that help from
space sciences was also being taken in the planning and monitoring
of century’s great project – China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC).
“We will thus also be able to render valuable services for
international peace and stability by positively contributing in
space research,” he said.
The President congratulated Space and Upper Atmosphere
Research Commission (SUPARCO), Strategic Plans Division and related
institutions on organizing the international conference on the topic
of space research and development.
The President expressed confidence that the conference would
prove beneficial for Pakistan with regard to research on Space and
Upper Space and would be instrumental in promoting educational and
research culture.
He said the conference would be an opportunity for Pakistani
scientists to learn from the experience of visiting delegates from
other countries.
President Mamnoon mentioned that there had been great progress
in the field of Space Sciences during last few decades and expressed
satisfaction that Pakistani scientists and engineers despite limited
resources and unforeseen difficulties participated significantly,
resulting in progress of scientific, social and economic sectors.
He recalled that the first communication satellite of Pakistan
“PAK SAT 1R” had provided the basis for this progress and hoped that
the Remote Sensing Satellite to be launched in near future, would
also prove successful.
“This will quicken the pace of national development and
Pakistan will be able to progress further in the field of space
research,” he said.
The President said it was the time to compensate for the
disadvantages as a result of discrimination meted out to Muslim
world.
“It is regrettable that on certain occasions, by targeting
specific regions and nations, efforts are made to restrict the
benefits of research and development for them,” he said.
The only way to avoid such a situation is to achieve self-
sufficiency in all fields of education, he added.
President Mamnoon commended the services rendered by SUPARCO
and related institutions in this regard, however urged for a
proactive role, devising of such strategies beneficial for coming
generations and for the welfare of humanity.
He said such conferences and seminars played an important role
in training of students and young scientists, as well as raising
their intellectual level and making them aware of established trends
in the contemporary world.
He lauded that SUPARCO was an active member of many
international space research organizations and emphasized on
enhancing links of national institutions with these institutions and
initiate joint ventures.
Earlier, President Mamnoon took a tour of the International
Space Exhibition held at the premises of COMSTECH. He appreciated
the projects displayed by different countries. Director General
Strategic Plans Division, Lieutenant General Mazhar Jamil and
Chairman SUPARCO Qaiser Anis Khurram were also present.