Conclusion of year 2011 on pathetic note
By Technology Times at December 31, 2011 | 4:47 pm | PrintA- Reset A+
THE YEAR 2011 has gone with multiple crises inPakistan. Among other critical issues was the pathetic contribution of science and technology towards maximizing socio-economic benefits for the masses. It was a point of high concern that the successive government had totally ignored this sector. But the formation of Science, Technology & Innovation Policy – 2010, which is waiting for the final approval of Federal Cabinet, is a laudable effort in the year 2011. The role of Pakistan Science Foundation among rest of the science organization is highly appreciated as under the chairmanship of Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro, PSF performed outstanding in year 2011. Food security, climate change, water scarcity, pests and diseases, and the effects of flooding were among the top scientific challenges that agriculture sector faced during 2011. Lack of knowledge amongst farmers about quality seed production, crop management, handling crops post-harvest and packaging for market remained unresolved. The existing extension services are very stretched, with extension workers not having the time to keep their training up to date and usually they are not being facilitated by the authorities to frequent visit in farm areas and to educate the farmers. The acute energy crisis was another threat to the whole nation round the year 2011. This energy crisis solution lies in hydro and coal where it has potential of over 100,000 MW each. With 185 billion tons of coal reserves,Pakistanis the fourth largest in the world, is under utilizing this resource. Hydro and coal are the main sources for producing cheaper electricity, but 2011 didn’t see any significant move to harness this energy potential. The growth of the service sector in national economies has brought telecommunications into the spotlight. The importance of telecommunications as a service industry is now the subject of high level policy formulation in practically every country in the world, so as inPakistan. But 2011 remained awaiting year for auction of third generation (3G) licences.Pakistancan transform into a knowledge based economy by promoting efficient, sustainable and effective ICT initiatives through synergic development of industrial and academic resources. Based on this hypothesis the Pakistani ICT companies have made history when they were declared winner for seven categories with securing two gold and five silver awards at the recently held Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA 2011) Awards ceremony. USF is another area in whichPakistanhas excelled and served as a role model and can continue to do so for other regional countries. Environmentalists blamed climate change for the unprecedented massive monsoon rains inPakistan. In order to tackle the damaging effects of climate change immediate steps are direly needed. The government lacks the approach of long-term planning which subsequently pushing the country back.Pakistanis no doubt rich in manpower potential but also resources, but the shortsightedness of planners has emerged as the main negative factor in slow or negative progress. Until and unless we show some maturity, the country would continue back-pedaling.
