KARACHI, Aug 18: The Karachi University, within the next two months period, will have a well-equipped biotechnology and genetics institute, offering PhD and M Phil-level programmes.

Eminent nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, speaking at the foundation laying ceremony of Haji Abdul Karim Dhedhi Emergency Cardiac Centre at the Al-Mustafa Trust Hospital, on Monday said the institute at the KU would be the first of its kind in the country.

The project, undertaken by him with the support of local philanthropists and concerned authority, was further said to be a tribute, on his part, to the city, where he grew up and got educated.

Dr Qadeer Khan said that he had been serving the country for the last 25 to 30 years, and added he wanted to serve it, “This time as a social worker committed to educate the people and support the ailing humanity.”

He said several clinics, health centres and institutes were being run by him successfully and absolutely free of charge.

Appreciating the Trust for providing quality health care at nominal charges, he also appreciated the resourceful people of Karachi for their contribution.

Mentioning that the defence of the country was in safe and responsible hands, the scientist appealed to the wealthy segment of the society to make efforts for strengthening the economy of the country, besides improving the social conditions in the country, in close coordination with the government.

“You ought to realise that without Pakistan you may not have been in the position you are,” he said reminding of the plight of those Muslims who were denied independence and autonomy.

Patron of the Trust, Haji Hanif Tayyab, lauded Dr Qadeer’s services for defence of the country and also his social service.

Mr Tayyab said the Trust was committed to the cause of public welfare and its network had extended up to remote parts of the country.

With regard to emergency cardiac centre at the Trust’s hospital in Gulshan-i-Iqbal, he said the city needed more cardiac centres and for the very purpose the first phase of this emergency centre had been initiated against a cost of Rs3.5 million.

The centre was to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs17 million, for which the local philanthropists had committed, he informed.

President of the Al-Mustafa Welfare Society, Ahmed Abdul Shakoor, also spoke on the occasion and mentioned different services provided by the hospital.—APP