ISLAMABAD, July 27 : Federal Minister for Science and Technology Prof Atta-ur-Rahman left for Malaysia on Saturday with a message from President General Pervez Musharraf for Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Muhammad.

Prof Atta will deliver the president’s letter regarding the setting up of a Pan Islamic Fund for Scientific and Technological Development of Muslim countries.

Prof Atta’s visit is the fifth in the series of meetings undertaken by him for the purpose. He has also visited Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Syria.

The idea of developing a Fund came up during a presentation by the minister to President Musharraf early this year as Coordinator-General of Comstech, which is the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Research.

It was felt that if the Muslim countries wanted to get out of the shackles of poverty, illiteracy and backwardness they should cooperate and invest in research and development activities.

During the 10th General Assembly of Comstech held in Islamabad from Feb 16-18,

2002 it was decided that the federal minister visit relatively affluent countries for assistance in establishing Pan Islamic R&D Fund.

The minister will also meet the IT and Telecom professionals there and brief them about the initiatives being taken by the Pakistan government for the promotion of IT and Telecom sector, and the incentives offered to the private sector.