World Science Day convention: 'meagre' government spending on S&T promotion draws criticism

The increasing gap in technological advancement between developed and developing nations is alarming for the third world, as it poses serious challenges to international peace and security. Speaking at a convention here on Wednesday, the nuclear scientists opined that the inequalities in scientific developments had put the future of the coming generations at stake.
Ministry of Science and Technology, Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) jointly organised the convention in connection with the World Science Day.
Being specific about Pakistan, the scientists from country's top nuclear facilities resented the government for what they termed 'meagre' spending on the promotion of science and technology and demanded an increase in the budgetary allocations for the purpose.
Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Chaudhry Nouraiz Shakoor, who was in the chair, said the government had made a substantial increase in the allocations for science and technology during the last four years.
"The government has embarked upon a number of socio-economic reforms including efforts for accelerated human resources and physical infrastructure development in science and technology to achieve self-reliance in this vital area," he claimed.
Prominent among those who painted black picture of 'nominal' government spending' on the development of science and technology was Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Atta-ur-Rehman.
Dr Atta, who is thought to be a sole figure behind recent development in IT infrastructure in the country, said rapid technological progress depended upon adequate provision of funds.
But, he revealed that the government's spending on science and technology was less then 0.4 percent of Gross National Product (GNP), which according to him, was not enough in any case.
"It is the bottom line. We are spending a meagre amount on higher learning. If you want to compete globally, you have to spend in the same way as the developed ones do. Unfortunately, it is not the case in Pakistan," HEC chief said.
Earlier, Chairman Kahuta Research laboratory, Dr J A Mirza said that the world powers had used their technological development to invade the smaller nations.
"We have the fresh examples of United States invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq in this regard. Big powers never bother about the ethical aspects of technological development," he said.
Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, Dr Pervez Butt observed that there had never been trickle down of scientific and technological advancement from developed to developing nations.