HYDERABAD, June 27: Speakers at a workshop have stressed the need for adopting proper biotechnology techniques for increasing food production and nutrition to meet the needs of growing population. The Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering of the University of Sindh has organized the five-day training workshop on “Biotechnology and techniques” in collaboration with the National Commission on Biotechnology, Islamabad.

The inaugural session of the workshop was presided over by University of Sindh vice-chancellor Mazharul Haq Siddiqui. Sindh Agriculture University vice-chancellor Dr Bashir Ahmad Shaikh was the chief guest.

Dr Shaikh underlined the importance of the subject in modern times and said Pakistan had not taken necessary steps on time to address important issues. “The world has already done enough in the field of biotechnology but we have awakened to its importance very late,” he said.

Mr Siddiqui stressed upon scientists to work for fulfilment of human needs through fruitful research in the field of biochemistry.

“We must keep our population growth within manageable limits,” he observed. He said training was an area which had direct relationship with the quality of life and added that scholars of biotechnology through training courses would be able to work harder for the benefit of mankind.

The dean of the faculty of natural sciences, Prof Asif Ali Kazi, highlighted the importance of biotechnology in the field of agriculture, food and nutrition.

The director of the biotechnology institute, Dr Mohammad Umer Dahote, said biotechnology was being used in many areas, including agriculture, bioremediation, food processing, production of many daily use items and energy production. Forty-five scholars from universities, colleges and research organizations from all over the country are attending the workshop.

JSM: Activists of the Jeay Sindh Mahaz (Junejo group) and the Shehri Ittehad held a protest demonstration and observed a token hunger strike outside the press club here on Monday in support of demands of employees of the income tax department, Hyderabad zone.

Speaking on the occasion, JSM leader Abdul Wahid, Sindhi Porhiyat Sangat leader, Saleem Rahimoon and Shehri Ittehad leader Dr Shams said 24 posts of income tax inspectors were lying vacant in the zone for five years but the zonal administration had failed to hold departmental examinations.

They demanded removal of the income tax commissioner and an inspector.