LAHORE - Pakistan needs to develop indigenous technologies to become an economic power, said eminent nuclear scientist, Dr Samar Mubarakmand, delivering a special lecture on “Power generation through underground gasification of Thar coal and nuclear deterrence” at the Physics Department of Government College University, Lahore. The event, chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khaleeq-ur-Rahman, was also attended by Professor Rafi, Dr Zakria Butt and Centre for Advanced Studies in Physics (CASP) Director Prof Dr Riaz.
Delivering the lecture, Dr Samar said Pakistan itself developed its nuclear and missile technologies which were far better than those of India. “The world powers will never give their first-grade technology to us; rather they will exploit our resources through it,” he added.
He said universities throughout the world had a major role to play in research and developing technologies, so they were needed to be further strengthened.
The nuclear scientist applauded that it had been highly courageous on the part of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to give his team go-ahead for nuclear explosions in 1998. He shared the complete story of Pakistan becoming a nuclear power from 1970s till the last few hours of atomic explosions. He said there were 60 officers in the team which had carried out explosions and 40 of them were Ravians, including their team leader.
He said Pakistan’s missile system was also designed by a team of Ravians who were working at international organisations like NASA and sacrificed their jobs and millions of dollars salaries just to serve their motherland.
He said some critics tried to discourage Pakistan, saying nuclear bombs were not more important than education, food and basic facilities to the people, but they became silent after the Indian aggression in 1999 over the Kargil issue. Dr Samar said he personally liked mineral sector and Pakistan had huge reservoirs of minerals. He told the audience that there were massive reservoirs of coal in the country, but these were very deep in the earth and near water, so it was very difficult to dig it out.
He said Pakistan had huge reservoirs of mineral resources, but indigenous technology should be developed to dig out and use these resources in the industry.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof Rehman said Dr Samar was their national hero and pride of Pakistan. He said the university had established a society in the name of Dr Samar to pay tribute to him.