Role of Applied Sciences & Industrial Chemistry in economic revolution....

  No one can deny the importance of applied sciences but the other face of coin may be dark & etched with abominable ambitions, regrettably notorious global masses are entailing in misuse of chemical technology for their self motives rather than noble causes. As they are producing hazardous microorganisms, chemical & biological weapons to destruct the economy & progress rate of contestants by means of epidemical-infectious diseases and environmental violence. Applied Chemists are not only accountable but also responsible to overcome such exploitation of technology to harmonize the conformable circumstances for global harmony & peace on the basis of humanitarian sympathetic grounds.

                                                                                                                  

Pakistan is an agriculture based under-developing country, but affluent in underground deposits. Geological survey reports reveal that our cultivating land is not only fertile with minerals but also contain a gigantic amount of underground raw deposits. By utilizing these sources, we can generate our own possessions. We can fulfill the necessities of next 100 years only by utilizing the mines of gold, copper, salt & coal. Correspondingly, we have the deposits of fossil fuel enough for the usage of next 40 years. Pakistan is 4^th largest cotton producer, 6^th largest wheat producer, we are stable in dairy, poultry & fish farming, our cottage industry, sports goods & surgical items are eminent in world but without inscribing brand name, trade mark, specification & standard our products considered inferior in International market, nature gifted us a long coastal area to generate surplus electricity by air/water turbines and to thrive marine merchandising. Pakistan is situated at a region of high geographical importance; despite we are facing edible commodities crises yet. In a nut shell, methinks our natural resources are sufficient for us, to lead an autonomous life but owing to the lack of literacy rate and scarcity of mega projects, still begging from IMF & World Bank. We are paying the penalty of withdrawing applied & material sciences,

                                                                                                                                                                       

              Right from the beginning, the main tragedy of our country is Brain Drain, our industrial crisis and unemployment is bounded in the gratitude of this brain drain. To overcome this crisis and to avail the opportunities government should introduce adequate industrial projects to acquire the hidden treasures of nature and to bring back overseas national talent. Although we are very rich in raw material but unfortunately we are compelled to export this raw material at very cheap cost, as we’re not capable to produce finished product, we import these items at very high cost, however they are made up of our own raw material. This leads to economic crises, poverty, inflation and unemployment.

Applied sciences are the backbone of industrial revolution, we should confess our cumulative lacking in applied sciences and there is a dire need of reawakening of collective wisdom in this respect. Another national tragedy is ignorance (sorry for imprudence, you can say “abysmal ignorance & negligence”) which is a root cause of industrial adversity. However, we have naturally occurring magnificent assets. But merely owing to be deficient in technical awareness, we are not recovering these assets for subsequent processing to produce in useable form, hence overall industrial growth & evolution rate is very slow, which is an alarming situation and threatening message for trade survival, as we are leaving the track of economic stability.

Think, if we process all the raw materials in our own industries, then the rate of unemployment can be reduced. Similarly, the huge deficit on import can be abolish which is added owing to the processes involved, fare & shipment charges, taxes & duties and all other additional expenses excluding manufacturing cost, that we are paying to get a finished product. Consequently, more than 50% population is reluctantly compelled to stay alive below the line of poverty, even though we have both cheap labors and qualified workforce. Industrial enlargement will reinforce our superficial & gewgaw “Bubble Economy” simultaneously & spontaneously with a rise in foreign reserves, liquid money and overseas investment. No doubt our engineers, technologists and Industrial chemists are able to overcome all crisis & fluctuations. But without resources, govt’s support & supervision Dr. A.Q. Khan alone couldn’t make nuclear bomb, although he had designed nuclear bomb in his mind, but some permissible, moral & financial support was required to implement his ideas practically.

                                                                                                                         

According to an article of our national hero Dr. A.Q. Khan,                                                                          

“Govt. should emphasize to inaugurate technical institutes and universities of applied sciences where credit hours of practical work must be equal to the theory hours in order to enhance professionalism & skill development. Provision of full fledge equipped laboratories should be a part of this program, Govt. should remove all barriers and obstacles which thwarten the academic carrier of researchers & students of applied sciences.” (Daily Jang)                        

University of Karachi deserves for acclamation tribute where departments of Applied Sciences & Technologies are providing skilled appliedians to the society, under the supervision of qualified and experienced governess. I urge and recommend Govt. of Pakistan by using the channel of my department (Applied chemistry & chemical Technology. University of Karachi) Govt. should introduce some industrial reforms forth with, so as to increase & maximize the job opportunities with handsome salary packages to facilitate and improve the living of engineers, researchers & scientists, with the intention that all brilliant brains which have drained abroad in search of jobs & glitter privileges, could return back to their homeland, with new ideas and experiences. In fact, a massive capital is required, but only once. Although it would be a tough job but this milestone can be a beginning of new era and herald of economic renaissance & industrial revolution in Pakistan. As we are not able to sustain more crises, we should learn from Malaysia, Japan, China and our traditional rival India, else there is a blind abyss of crises after crises; status-quo can send us back to the Stone Age. So Govt. will have to take such measures, to be an uncaptivable competent in the race of Sciences & Technology. Being a patriotic Pakistani and Applied Chemist, I am very optimistic regarding potentials of Pakistan. May Almighty Allah bestow us the apex of glory, so that no one could cast evil eye on our sovereignty. But remember, God helps those, who help themselves. It’s a moment to look forward & to dig up salvation from the self imposed vicissitudes of fortune. --- (so be it)