President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday said Pakistan being an agricultural country needs a scientific approach to address its agriculture-related problems and stressed the need to develop research culture in the country. Addressing at the inauguration of bioremediation project here, the President said non-scientific approach had resulted in reduced agricultural produce and spread of diseases, which had also put a negative impact on the national economy.
The bioremediation plant set up at the capital's Rose and Jasmine Garden is a joint effort of the scientists of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) and Capital Development Authority (CDA). Under the project, microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi will be used to remove or neutralize pollutants from the sewerage water of Rose and Jasmine Garden, to be reused for plantation.
The President hailed the launch of bioremediation project and appreciated the scientists for their efforts to bring improvement to the environment. He expressed satisfaction that similar projects in other Muslim countries including Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh and Afghanistan were being carried out with the help of Pakistan.
He also mentioned that the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) states had also shown interest to benefit from the experience of Pakistani scientists. The President said it is the responsibility of governments and societies to support the work of their scientists besides maximum benefiting from their research. He mentioned a report of UNICEF according to which forty percent of the Pakistan's population is affected by polluted water, directly or indirectly, due to use of contaminated food produce.
He lauded the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the businessmen of Islamabad and welfare groups for patronizing the bio-remediation project and called for same spirit to address another issue of water shortage for cultivation. President Mamnoon said the government was taking steps to improve economy and the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project was significant in this regard, which he said would usher in a new era of prosperity in the country.
He said CPEC would generate massive economic activity with setting up of industries and added that bioremediation project would be much relevant in addressing the challenge of environmental impact. The President said it was welcoming that the supplementary research of bioremediation project was being focused on preservation of herbs at Potohar region, for which a repository had been established. He mentioned that a theme park had also been set up to educate the young generation about the concept of biodiversity.
President Mamnoon said he was waging a war against corruption and urged upon the nation to support him in this cause. He said there was no dearth of scientists and learned professional in all fields, however stressed the need to encourage the culture of their appointment on merit by shunning practices of nepotism and corruption.
He said it was a general notion to blame politicians or bureaucracy for corruption, however, in reality no area was devoid of this menace. He called for correcting the perceptions in this regard and emphasized the need for reforms against corruption. Minister for National Food Security Sikandar Hayat Bosan said the bioremediation project, which took one year to complete, would make the contaminated water reusable for plantation and would bear no additional cost. He said PARC and CDA were jointly working on several joint projects including Margalla Hills Honey project and preservation of perishable fruits.
Secretary National Food Security and Research Seerat Asghar said under the master-plan of CDA, the Rose and Jasmine Garden was to be made a camping ground for tourists, which could not be materialized due to shortage of funds to fix the issue of sewerage water passing through the garden. He said the bioremediation project would revive the beauty of Rose and Jasmine Garden. Chairman PARC Nadeem Amjad and Chariman CDA Maroof Afzal were also present.