Islamabad (TDI): The Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) reinforced international cooperation by strengthening its partnerships with China in science, technology, and health.
During the ceremony at the COMSTECH Secretariat in Islamabad, on Sunday, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of OIC-COMSTECH, highlighted the expanding scientific and technological collaboration between COMSTECH and China.
He also emphasized the critical role that COMSTECH plays in implementing OIC’s resolutions on science, technology, health, agriculture, higher education, and climate change.
Additionally, he highlighted Pakistan’s contribution to fortifying international research collaborations by appointing China as a special envoy to the OIC.
He praised Prof. Dr. Xinmin Liu, a renowned Chinese scientist, for his 25 years of contributions to Sino-Pakistan scientific cooperation.
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Dr. Liu has been instrumental in establishing the Pakistan Centre for Traditional Medicine and in educating Pakistani scholars. In appreciation of his contributions, he has received Tamgha-e-Quaid-e-Azam, one of Pakistan’s highest civilian distinctions for foreign nationals.
Highlighting the significance of the China-Pakistan Strategic Partnership, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary stated that the partnership between China and Pakistan has expanded significantly, covering the fields of space research, traditional medicine, and high-tech innovation.
The Seeds in Space Programme, which examines how space conditions affect medicinal plants, is another major project under this collaboration.
Furthermore, 100 research fellowships in areas such as infectious diseases, virology, and precision agriculture have been offered to Pakistani scientists under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
China is also working on introducing herbal remedies for local usage in Pakistan through a series of clinical trials in the fields of herbal medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Chinese universities have announced to annually train ten Pakistani physicians in TCM techniques.
Under the supervision of Provincial Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho, the Sindh Government has launched major TCM programs to benefit local patients.
Moreover, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence (AI) collaboration is advancing, especially through the partnership with Huawei. Research in nutritional medicine and biotechnology is also progressing, with an emphasis on developing supplements made from medicinal plants to treat chronic illnesses.
In the future, COMSTECH and China hope to strengthen their partnership in the fields of space medicine research, higher education, and innovation-driven economic growth.
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Additionally, Pakistani researchers at the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Hamdard University, and the University of Lahore are actively being trained by leading Chinese universities, such as Xinjiang Medical University, Ningbo University, and Hunan University of Chinese Medicine.
It is anticipated that the partnership will boost Pakistan’s capacity for research, draw in capital, and propel technical development.
During the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Xinmin Liu conveyed his gratitude and appreciation for being granted Pakistan’s esteemed civic award.
He highlighted the significance of collaboration in research and innovation and recognized COMSTECH’s critical role in bolstering scientific cooperation between Pakistan, China, and OIC member states.
