PM seems upbeat about growth prospects

Expressing his optimism about country's economic growth prospects, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that as economy is now stabilizing, the government's priority would be to increase allocation and spending on education and higher education.

Speaking at the inauguration of Science and Technology (IT) Park at National University of Science and Technology (NUST), the Prime Minister said now the economy is stabilizing and the wealth creation is done, the government's full emphasis would be on education and higher education.

The Prime Minister said that it is unfortunate that the country has declined in literacy and quality of education. He said that meritocracy and accountability are pre-requisites of democracy whereas those societies eventually face destruction where dynasty is prevalent because meritocracy and dynasty are opposite. The Prime Minister said that he would keep reminding everyone for the next five years as to what kind of Pakistan's economy was left by his predecessors.

The Prime Minister said that S&T Park would be replicated in other universities of Pakistan and stated that everything in the life is achievable and all that is needed is vision for achieving something bigger. The Prime Minister said that the world remembers only those who have done something great in their life.

He also criticized recent sit-in staged in Islamabad indirectly, saying, "Recently there was a plan 'B' which would end up in Z." The Prime Minister said when one compromises once; there is no end to compromises.

He also advised the students to remember one thing that role model is part of life and role model of Muslims is Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as no one in human history has achieved what is achieved by him (PBUH).

The Premier also informed the audience that he has constituted a task force headed by Dr Atta-ur-Rahman, which would principally help enhance Pakistan's technological competence in the 21st century through capacity building and integration of the innovation systems. He highlighted the incumbent government's "Startup Pakistan Program," which is aimed at generating 10,000 startups and engaging 100,000 students in learning new technologies by 2023.

Meanwhile a statement issued by NUST said that taking a giant leap forward by leveraging its competitive edge in Engineering and Technology in Pakistani academia, the National University of Sciences & Technology has set in motion its flagship project National Science & Technology Park (NSTP), which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan at an auspicious ceremony held at NUST main campus here on Monday.

Prominent dignitaries at the event included Federal Minister for Science & Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Chief of Army Staff & Chairman NUST Board of Governors, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, NI(M), ambassadors of friendly countries, senior government and renowned industry representatives from across the country, and the Park's local and international tenants comprising tech giants, high-tech SMEs and startups. Academicians, researchers and NUST students were also present at the event.

The NSTP, a platform to catalyze the knowledge economy, has been launched under the overarching theme of "Innovate Pakistan" - a platform designed to synergize researchers, creators, investors, implementers and end users of technologies to transform innovative ideas into successful products and services, while promulgating a culture of entrepreneurship in Pakistan. The program would augment the government's recent launch of "Kamyab Pakistan" program aimed at development of national youth.

The NSTP had received a great deal of media attention since the Public Private Partnership Authority (PPPA) gave approval to the university to initiate the process. An impressive number of national and international companies, including Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc, Hytera Communications Co Ltd from China, ABB from Switzerland, APIMatic from New Zealand, Rapidev from UAE, AlphaSquad, Jhpiego and Chemonics from US, NLC Smart Solutions, Graana Innovation Lab, Pharmatech Pakistan, and many others, have already joined the innovation ecosystem as tenants, while others are aspiring to. The tenants belong to 8 different thematic sectors namely Agri Tech, Auto Tech, Def Tech, Ed Tech, Energy Tech, Fin Tech, Health Tech and Smart Tech, all geared up to create and innovate in collaboration with their counterparts from different sectors, and benefit from the vast research infrastructure and expertise of NUST.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister commended the vision of NUST leadership for having planned and accomplished this much needed initiative. He, however, maintained that Pakistan currently ranks 105th on the Global Innovation Index, which is way behind immediate neighbors like China, India and Iran, adding, it is about time to do something about it by taking initiatives on the pattern of NSTP - a project that is fully integrated with the government's vision of revolutionizing the education and industrial sectors from the grass-root to the highest level. He further said that all antiquated systems of economic progress have been upstaged by the new and enormously improved "Knowledge Economies" wherein any country's economic substance and outlook are the sum of its intellectual capital, research and innovation prowess and edge in technological advancements.

In his address, Federal Minister for Science & Technology commended NUST management on the inauguration of NSTP. The minister said that technology-based initiatives are inevitable for the development of Pakistan's economy. Highlighting some of the initiatives taken or being considered by the Ministry of Science & Technology (MoST), the Minister made special mention of the programme "Think Future," which will initially focus on 7 key emerging technologies. He maintained that the government had also directed its focus on innovative technologies in biotechnology to ensure their tangible contribution to GDP. He further stated that the government was also making serious efforts to ameliorate the energy sector of Pakistan, adding Pakistan would soon be able to manufacture solar panels and lithium batteries. He also apprised the audience that government was looking forward to indigenously developing various vaccines, adding Herbal Medicine Park of international standard is under development in Jhelum.

Earlier in his welcome address, Rector NUST Lt Gen Naweed Zaman (retd), HI (M), extended his gratitude to the Prime Minister for gracing the occasion with his presence. He also spoke at length as to why STPs are indispensable in this era of knowledge and innovation-driven economies. He particularly acknowledged the vision of COAS & Chairman NUST BoG, who approved this project and supported NUST through all stages from its conception to fruition. He also thanked the federal minister for his keen interest and support in this national project.