ISLAMABAD, Feb 11: There was dire need to organize and develop scientific and technological research and pool resources of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) member states for using science and technology as an engine of economic growth and national development.

The Minister for Science and Technology, Prof Attaur Rehman informed reporters on Monday that Pakistan was holding 10th Comstech general assembly, expected to be attended by 50 delegates representing the OIC member states and international organizations. The assembly will be held in Islamabad from February 16 to 18.

The minister will deliver President Musharraf’s letter to the heads of Islamic states in April to form a multi-billion dollar research and development fund by pooling resources of rich Islamic countries.

“It has become all the more important in the present geo- strategic scenario after September 11 to cooperate with each other instead of looking towards the West. West will never encourage another Japan or Korea to emerge,” Prof said.

About 20 S&T ministers are expected to lead their respective delegations. So far Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Gambia, Turkey, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Palestine, Iraq, Yemen and Mozambique have confirmed their participation.

Dr Atta said Comstech was the OIC ministerial standing committee on scientific and technological cooperation that was set up by the Third Islamic Summit Conference held in Saudi Arabia in January 1981, its headquarters are in Islamabad with the president of Pakistan being its chairman. Dr Attaur Rehman has been working as coordinator general Comstech since 1996.

The agenda of the meeting which the president will preside, will discuss status of S&T in the OIC member states to formulate a strategy for a unified plan of development of S&T in the OIC region.

In an effort to extend its institution building programme, Comstech is likely to propose setting up of two new Inter-Islamic networks on Inter-Islamic Network on Biosaline Agriculture (INBA) in Dubai and Inter-Islamic Network on Information Technology (INIT) in Islamabad.

During the last few years Comstech has been transformed from a symbolic forum into a vibrant organization due to change of strategy and raising funds for specific projects.

The new strategy has resulted in a substantial increase in funding from different sources. In 1994-95, Comstech received $75,000 and $108,333, in 1996-97, it received $1.3 million in 000-2001.

By involving donor organizations and Islamic development bank in funding Comstech programmes a fund of $7.3 million was raised through external sources.