ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Prof Dr Atta-ur-Rahman was awarded Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Isesco) Prize 2001 in Chemistry on Saturday in Sharjah.

According to a press release issued here on Saturday, the prize was conferred on the minister by Prince Sheikh Dr Sultan Ibn Mohammad Al Qasimi, the ruler of Sharjah. The prize is awarded once every two years to the most eminent scientist in the Islamic world.

The prize has been awarded to Prof Atta in recognition of his research in the field of medicinal chemistry, which has led to the discovery of a large number of biologically active substances with pronounced activities against diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, leishmaniansus, epilepsy etc.

Besides, being the Minister for Science and Technology, Mr Rahman is also the director of H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, Karachi, Coordinator General of Comstech and edited 63 books.

He has also published more than 450 research papers in leading international scientific journals and at least 53 people have completed Ph.D degrees under his supervision.