Pakistan should utilise its natural resources and reserves of coal, natural gas, gold and copper to overcome the current energy crisis, said renowned nuclear scientist Dr Samar Mubarakmand while addressing the 4th International Wheat Conference organised by the University of Sargodha on Monday.
The government should provide assistance for exploration of these reserves, he said, adding that the Pakistani scientists had succeeded in converting coal into gas, after experiments in December 2011. He said that a heavy amount of coal gas was being produced in Thar that could be used to produce cheap electricity, diesel and petrol.
Saying that South Africa strengthened its economy from its mineral reserves, Mand said likewise, Pakistan could also follow this example to be self-dependent. He insinuated that there was a balance of power in this part of the world, with both Pakistan and India becoming atomic powers. “Therefore, the danger of traditional weaponry and battles has been reduced.” Mand said that “we should not only increase our agricultural yields, but develop the agriculture sector as an industry”. He said the UoS had emerged as an exemplary educational institution in the country. He was of the view that the UoS management should sign agreements with the world’s largest universities and that campuses of international varsities should be established in Pakistan so that local students could have access to education of international standards.
Earlier, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Akram Chaudhry, in his introductory address, claimed that UoS teachers were following in the footsteps of Dr Samar Mubarik Mand by making inventions and conducing researches in the field of agriculture. “Scientists at the UoS have introduced such a type of sugarcane that can be preserved or stored for up to 18 years.” He said that this sugarcane seed would soon be provided to local agriculturists.
The UoS has also produced about 4,500 plants of stevea through tissue culture and lab experiments that would also be distributed for general cultivation. “These plants will be used for providing sugar-free substance for diabetic patients that in itself was a huge revolution.
All developmental activities and education programmes were being planned, keeping in view the available economic resources, added the vice-chancellor. Chaudhry further said that it was an obligation on UoS students to build Quaid-e-Azam’s Pakistan and at least eliminate any of the problems facing the country. Lt General (r) Faiz Jillani Malik, Maj Gen Imtiaz Hussain Sherazi, Dean Faculty of Agriculture Prof Dr Muhammad Afzal and Dr Ejaz Rasool Noorka also addressed the conference.
Earlier, Dr Samar Mubarik Mand inaugurated a hi-tech laboratory and an agricultural exhibition at the varsity. UoS Registrar Prof Dr Shokat Ali, RO Ch Muhammad Iqbal, different departmental heads, teachers and thousands of students attended the moot.
