ISLAMABAD, March 27: The Science Education Group is launching a 13-episode television serial Asrar-i-Jahan based on the mysterious world of atoms and genes, colonization of Mars and the search for Black Holes in the universe, from March 30.

Speaking at the launching of the programme, the federal minister for science and technology, Dr Attaur Rehman, said the challenge faced by the government was how to create excitement for science by offering respectable package and conducive atmosphere to the scientists so that they would not opt for greener pastures and prefer to work in the country.

The minister also suggested to devote one hour to science on PTV daily and airing scientific programmes dubbed in Urdu, in which his ministry could assist by funding the project.

The information secretary and PTV chairman, Anwar Mahmood, promptly assigned the task to the newly-appointed deputy managing director of the PTV.

During the ceremony, a 30-minute introductory programme was aired after which audience were asked to give their views and suggestions.

The programme has jointly been prepared by the Science Education Group and the PTV, by using simple but fascinating demonstrations, graphics and interviews of experts.

The serials cover the wonders of magnets, space travelling, recent discoveries on genetics and DNAs, global warming, the world of microbes, gravity, the mystery of time, fundamentals of heart, humans and computers.

Prof Ata said he was really impressed with the quality and content of the programme but he was worried about the sustainability of the project especially after learning that the programme has been developed after 18 months of hard work and dedication.

He suggested to the producers to consider making programmes on molecular basis of thoughts, how they were stored in the brains and how the impulses carrying information transmitted through the brains.

Anwar Mahmood held out an assurance that the PTV and the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) would cooperate with anyone in scientific pursuits for which money was not a consideration. “It is the duty of the PTV and PBC to produce public service programmes that benefit the youth,” he said.