I AM distressed to learn that Dr Abdus Salam, who led to the discovery of the subatomic ‘God particle’, is not well-regarded in his homeland.

He holds the distinction of being the only and the first Pakistani scientist to receive a Nobel Prize in physics. He tirelessly advocated for the development of science in the Third World countries.

Dr Salam shared the Nobel Prize in 1979 with Steven Weinberg. They independently predicted the existence of a subatomic particle now called the Higgs boson, named after a British physicist.

Dr Salam’s legacy has been scorned because of his religious affiliation. It is sad and very distasteful to say the least.

WARIS SHEREWinnipeg, Canada