SWABI, Nov 19: Pakistan has made impressive headway in the field of nuclear and missile technology and scientists and engineers have enabled the country to achieve deterrence. This was stated by Dr Javed Arshad Mirza, chairman of the A.Q. Khan Research Laboratories, in his speech at the inaugural ceremony of a three-day All Pakistan Engineers Conference at the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering, Sciences and Technology on Saturday.

He said that KRL in collaboration with the industry was offering services in diverse fields and it had made significant contribution to the field of medical sciences and biogenetic engineering.

He said these efforts were meant to making Pakistan a self-reliant and respectable self-sustaining nation. He said there was dire need to channelize such efforts and “if we are able to do it, then nothing can stop us from achieving our goals”.

He said the engineering industry had considerably developed during the past five decades in Pakistan, fulfilling the country’s requirements in light engineering goods, chemical fertilizers, tyres, rubber and steel products.

Dr Mirza said these scientists and engineers had brought radical changes to thinking, lifestyle, working conditions and the very structure of society which were not even thinkable just a quarter of century ago. “We must remember that technology acquisition and development are not isolated phenomena. No nation can acquire technology without bringing basic change to its society.

“Technology can only be acquired if a vibrant industrial culture exists in a society.”

He asked the participants to learn more about the latest technological trends and hoped the conference would help boost ongoing efforts to link academia research at universities to its practical application.