March 29, 2006	Wednesday	Safar 28, 1427

ISLAMABAD, March 28: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday emphasized the need to create linkages between the industry and academia to expedite the industrialization process. Talking to a delegation of Nobel laureates, including Professor Charles Hard Townes, Professor Ivar Giaever and Professor G.’t Hooft here at the Prime Minister’s House, the prime minister said his government had been consistently increasing the budgetary allocations to science and technology and higher education.

He said the government had recognized the role played by science and technology in sustainable socio-economic development of the country. “Our young generation is our biggest asset and the government is investing more and more in education to provide better education facilities and unleash the creativity of our students.”

Mr Aziz said the government had also enhanced funding to R&D institutions. However, he emphasized that funds should be used on meaningful projects and research should aim at enhancing the indigenous capabilities of the country for more innovations in industrial products, export enhancement and import substitution.

“The world needs to be more open and the developing and developed world should work together for sharing of knowledge and experiences,” he said.

The prime minister said the visit of prominent people like Nobel laureates would also contribute to correcting the image of Pakistan. He said Pakistan was a progressive society with a majority of peace-loving and moderate people.

Emphasizing the need to work for building interfaith harmony, the prime minister said Islam propagated interfaith harmony, peace and moderation and taught tolerance.

He said the Muslims respected other religions and faiths. “In Pakistan, minorities enjoy equal rights, which are guaranteed by our constitution. The monitories have been given double rights of vote,” added the prime minister.