February 21, 2003	Friday	Zul Hijjah 19, 1423

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SWABI, Feb 20: Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari has said that the IT sector needs huge investment and research to catch up with the rapid technological development.

Speaking to professors and students of Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology on Wednesday he admitted that red tapism was creating various problems but vowed to remove the hurdles.

He said that as various barriers had been erected internationally for Muslims pursuing higher studies and research in key subjects, the role of engineering and technology institutions became extremely important, not only for Pakistan but also for the students of the whole Muslim world. “We must make our own efforts and continue research without any interval,” he added.

The sense of insecurity prevailing among Pakistani professionals in the western world could be a useful source to get competent, motivated and qualified faculty, he said and added: “We can build our institutions and extend offers to other Muslim countries.”

He lamented that despite earning $1 billion a year the Pakistan Telecommunication Limited (PTCL) had not initiated research. “Now such tactics would no longer work and the research activities will be encouraged,” he added.

Mr Leghari said: “Engineers must work to solve local problems and lead Pakistan to overcome despair.”

Paying tributes to the professors, he said that in a short span the institute gained a good repute and was ranked by Asiaweek as one of the top universities in Asia.

Eulogizing the efforts of the teaching faculty, the minister said that the institute should extend help to the information ministry.