Federal Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Tuesday emphasised the need for free and equal availability of vaccines and suggested that it must not be allowed to be monopolised by anyone in the world.

He was addressing a function to mark World Science Day at COMSTECH. Fawad said, “It is an occasion for renewing our commitment to the cause of science for peace and development across the world. It is an opportunity to renew our resolve for the noble purpose of advancing scientific knowledge and its practical application so that human beings everywhere can live their lives in complete peace and freedom in a dignified manner.”

Speaking on the occasion, COMSTECH Coordinator General Prof Dr M Iqbal Choudhary said that scientific and technological innovation would continue to drive massive global transformation and economic gains.

“We need a responsible science; where fruits of human ingenuity must reach to the one who needs them the most. Islamic concept of Ilm e Nafay (Knowledge which Benefit) should be the foundation of science.

“Science which was envisaged by great thinkers such as Ibn-e-Rushd, Ibn-e-Sina, Galileo and Newton, as common heritage of human intellect and an equalizer has unfortunately become a great divider, he added,” said Prof Iqbal.

He said that this year’s theme of “World Science Day” invites us to go back to the basics, start looking science from the perspective of a philosopher, embrace the characteristics of logic, reasoning, conceptual rigor, and most importantly argumentation.

Two young talented science students from Nawabshah and Sargodha addressed at the occasion and shared their success with the audience which was highly appreciated.

Dr Mirza Habib Ali from PSF proposed that Pakistan must hold a science week every year along with the world science day.