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Importance of Physics Highlighted in the International Seminar on 'Physics in Developing Countries: Past, Present and Future' 27-28 July, 2005, Islamabad - Pakistan “Physics today has permeated every strata of life. Be it environment, medicine, communication or space sciences, it has enormously proved its effectiveness for the benefit of mankind”. This was stated by Lt. Gen. Javed Ashraf, Minister for Education while addressing the concluding ceremony of the international seminar on ‘Physics in Developing Countries: Past Present and Future’ organized by the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) and the Islamic educational, scientific and cultural Organization (ISESCO).. The Chief Guest was critical of the pace at which developing countries in general and Muslim countries in particular are progressing in the field of Science and Technology especially in Physics. He emphasized the revitalization of the education system prevailing in Pakistan. He also mentioned that Government of Pakistan is fully committed to streamline the educational policies in the country for bringing them at par with the rest of the world. Experts from more than 6 countries covered a vast range of specific topics such as Laser Technology, Space Physics, Solid-State Physics, Atomic Spectrometry, Physics for Renewable Energy, and highlighted the role of these important fields of Physics for sustainable development. The relevance of these sciences in the study of the Earth and its natural resources, reducing harmful emissions, providing adequate energy and other challenges that face humanity today were discussed in detail. Some exciting research activities in this regard were discussed at length, which shed light on the dedicated efforts of Physicists in the developing world. Earlier, Dr. Hameed Ahmed Khan, the Executive Director – COMSATS, presented the summary and recommendations of the Seminar and explained that the COMSATS was making all-out efforts within its mandate and capacity to promote socio-economic development in the South through applications of science and technology. He also informed the gathering that the seminar had also served a very important purpose of bringing together national and international experience for the benefit of the developing countries. The Executive Director thanked the chief guest, speakers and participants for their active contribution to the discourse of the seminar. He vowed that the Commission shall continue to hold similar events in the future
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