The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) is playing a pivotal role in combating cancer in Pakistan through its nationwide network of 21 cancer hospitals and diagnostic centres, which provide treatment to nearly 80% of the country’s cancer patients.
Dr. Shakeel Abbas Rofi, Member (Science), PAEC, made these remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the international symposium titled “Sustainable Agriculture Under a Climate Change Scenario: From Seeds to Biopesticides, Biostimulants and Biofertilizers,” held on Wednesday at the Prof. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui Auditorium of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi.
Appreciating ICCBS for organising the symposium, Dr. Rofi said the event addressed one of the most pressing challenges facing Pakistan’s economy-sustainable agriculture under changing climatic conditions. He noted that PAEC’s network of Atomic Energy Cancer Hospitals and diagnostic centres provides comprehensive cancer care to nearly 80% of Pakistan’s cancer patients.
He emphasised the need to strengthen scientific research in health, cancer, agriculture and chemical sciences to support national development. He added that PAEC’s agricultural research centres continue to develop improved crop varieties, strengthen pest management practices and promote climate-resilient farming to enhance national food security.
Dr. Rofi also highlighted PAEC’s contribution to Pakistan’s energy security, saying its nuclear power programme provides clean, reliable and affordable electricity to the national grid.
Former Federal Minister for Science and Technology Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman spoke about the emerging role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in chemical sciences. He said AI is opening new frontiers in chemical sciences, particularly in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, by transforming it from a labour-intensive analytical technique into a faster, more accurate and highly automated tool for chemical research.
He also briefed participants on the progress achieved in Pakistan’s science, technology and higher education sectors during his tenure. Welcoming the guest speakers and participants, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah, Director of ICCBS, said that organising international symposia, seminars and workshops has long been part of the institution’s scientific tradition. He presented an overview of ICCBS’s achievements and highlighted its status as the only Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Centre of Excellence of its kind with an internationally recognised reputation.
Renowned Pakistani microbiologist and biotechnologist Prof. Kauser A. Malik delivered an online lecture on sustainable agriculture.
Prof Dr Bina Siddiqui of ICCBS presented her research on neem and neem-based products. Dr. Shahid Mansoor highlighted the importance of organising the symposium, saying Pakistan’s food, nutritional and fibre security are increasingly threatened by climate change, making regenerative and organic agriculture promising alternatives.
Dr. Kashif Riaz Khan of the Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) delivered a presentation on cotton production, while Dr. Farooq A. Khan of ICCBS discussed his research on protecting cotton crops from pests and other harmful organisms. Dr. Nizamuddin Depar of PAEC also addressed the symposium.