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President: Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, FRS, N.I., H.I., S.I., T.I.Secretary General:Prof. Dr. Khalid Mahmood Khan, S.I. Treasurer: Prof. Dr. M. D. Shami, S.I. Editor-in-Chief:Prof. Dr. M. A. Hafeez

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

I am pleased to present Vol. 3(5) of the Newsletter of the Academy and hope that the readers would find its contents informative. Since the Newsletter of the Academy covers ongoing and planned activities of various scientific establishments on country wide basis, we keenly look forward to receiving inputs promptly and on regular basis. The Academy has established an electronic facility, newsletter@paspk.org, for rapid communication of news for inclusion in the Newsletter. In case the required information is sent by post, a soft copy (3.5 inch floppy, MS-Word) is necessary to facilitate editorial process. The readers are reminded that the schedule of publication of the Newsletter is January, April, July and October. We also look forward to receiving suggestions for improvement in the Newsletter.
 

PAKISTAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (PAS) NEWS

Dr. M.I.D. Chughtai, Fellow, PAS, and eminent Pakistani Scientist passes away

Pakistan Academy of Sciences announces with deep regret the sad demise of Prof. Dr. M.I.D. Chughtai, Ph.D., D.Sc. (Manchester) who breathed his last at the age of 87 at his Residence: H.No.5, Abu Baker Block, Garden Town, Lahore, on 16th December 2006. He was Professor Emeritus of the Punjab University, Lahore.

In Prof. M.I.D. Chughtai’s death the Academy has lost an eminent scientist and one of its senior Fellows, who made outstanding contributions in the field of Biochemistry. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace. (Aameen).

Meetings of the Council and the General Body of PAS

The Meetings of the Council and the General Body of PAS were held on December 11, 2006. Besides consideration of routine business, the elections of the Council for the biennium 2007-2008 and Fellows of the Academy for the year 2006 were declared and approved by the General Body.

 
 


        Meeting of the General Body in Session                                     Guests at the General Body Session

Election of Council for the biennium 2007-2008

The following is the composition of the Council elected for the biennium 2007-2008:

  1. Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad, N.I., H.I., S.I. President
  2. Prof. Dr. Syed Irtifaq Ali, S.I. Vice President
  3. Dr. Manzur-ul-Haque Hashmi Vice President
  4. Maj. Gen. (R) Prof. Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad Malik, H.I.(M), S.I., Secretary General
  5. Prof. Dr. M.D. Shami, S.I. Treasurer
  6. Prof. Dr. M. Qasim Jan, S.I. Associate Secretary General
  7. Dr. Hameed Ahmed Khan, H.I., S.I.
  8. Prof. Dr. Viqar uddin Ahmad, H.I., S.I.
  9. Prof. Dr. Nasir-ud-Din, S.I.
  10. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf
  11. Prof. Dr. M.A. Hafeez,  Editor-in-Chief & Secretary for Islamabad/Rawalpindi Chapter
  12. Prof. Dr. M. Ajmal Khan Secretary for Karachi Chapter
  13. Prof. Dr. M. Salim Akhter, SI,  Secretary for Lahore Chapter
  14. Prof. Dr. G.A. Miana, S.I. Secretary for Peshawar Chapter
  15. Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, FRS, N.I., H.I., S.I., T.I. Past President
  16. One nominee of MoE
  17. One nominee of MoST

The new Council takes charge on January 1, 2007

PAS elects Fellows for the year 2006

The General Body of PAS elected the following scientists as Fellows of the Academy:

  1. Prof. Dr. Rabia Hussain,
    Department of Pathology & Microbiology,
    The Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, Karachi.
     

  2. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq,
    Dean, Faculty of Agriculture,
    University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.
     

  3. Dr. Tasawar Hayat,
    Associate Professor,
    Department of Mathematics,
    Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.
     

  4. Prof. Dr. Ikram-ul-Haq,
    1-B, GOR-III, Shadman Colony, Lahore.

Fellows Elected in the Year 2005 formally inducted

The following scientists were formally inducted as PAS Fellows


Prof. Dr. M. Nawaz Chaudhry                 Prof. Dr. Azra Khanum            Prof. Dr. Mustafa Shameel           Dr. Ahmad Mukhtar Khalid

HEC enhances its financial support to PAS

Following the request of the Council, the Chairman HEC, Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman (Federal Minister), very kindly agreed to allocate Rs. 40 million to the Academy for the year 2006-2007. The amount has been approved by the HEC and out of which 20 million have been released. The Council thanked the Chairman HEC for this generosity.

The President, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf, announces a Grant of Rs. 30 million to the Academy

The Pakistan Academy of Sciences arranged a function in honour of its President, Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, to felicitate him on his election as Fellow of the Royal Societyof London, UK., on 5thAugust 2006 at Marriott Hotel, Islamabad. The honourable President, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf was the Chief Guest. While addressing the gathering, the honourable President of Pakistan announced a grant of Rs. 30 million for the Pakistan Academy of Sciences to be paid out of HEC funds. The said amount has been transferred to the Academy.

Election of PAS Member

On the recommendation of the Council of PAS, Dr. Bilquees Gul, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Karachi University, was elected as Member of the Academy at the General Body Meeting held on December 11, 2006.

PAS awards Medals, Cash Prizes and Certificates to Scientists (2006)

The President of PAS, Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, FRS, gave prizes and Medals to the following scientists for the year 2006:

Name Prize Field
1. Prof. Dr. Arshad Ali, Director General, Institute of Information Technology (NIIT), NUST, Rawalpindi. Distinguished Scientist of the year 2006 Information Technology


Prof. Dr. Arshad Ali receiving the award from the Chairman HEC

2.

Prof. Dr. Wasim Ahmad,
Department of Biochemistry,
Faculty of Biological Sciences,
Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.
 

 PAS Gold Medal Biochemistry
3.

Dr. M. Zakaullah,
Professor of Physics,
Department of Physics,
Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad
 

 “ Physics
4.

Dr. Tasawar Hayat,
Associate Professor,
Department of Mathematics,
Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad
 

 “   Mathematics
5.

Dr. Muhammad Yasin Ashraf
Principal Scientist,
Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), Faisalabad.
 

 “ Botany
6.

Dr. Azhar Mubarik,
Professor of Pathology,
Army Medical College, Rawalpindi.
 

 “ Medical Sciences
7.

Dr. Muhammad Abid,
Associate Professor,
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering,
GIK Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Topi-23460,
Swabi, NWFP
 

 “ Engg. & Technology
8. Dr. Muhammad Sarwar,
Director, Institute of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology,
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. 		“ Agriculture
9. Dr. Muhammad Kaleem Abbasi,
Professor & Chairman, Department of Agronomy & Soil Science,
University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Faculty of Agriculture,
Rawalakot, Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
 		 “ Earth Sciences
10 Dr. Muhammad Raza Shah, 
Assistant Professor,
International Center for Chemical Sciences,
HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry,
University of Karachi, Karachi.
 		 Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman Prize Chemistry
11. Dr. Farzana Shaheen,
Assistant Professor,
HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry,
University of Karachi, Karachi.
 		 Dr. M. Raziuddin Siddiqi Prize Chemistry
12. Dr. Zubair M. Ahmad,
Assistant Professor,
Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology,
University of the Punjab, Lahore . 		TWAS Prize Biology

Monthly Seminar Series, Islamabad Chapter of PAS

The Islamabad/Rawalpindi Chapter of PAS organized the following lecture:

Dr. Kausar Abdulla Malik
Associate Secretary General,
PAS, and Member (Food & Agr.)
Planning Commission,
Govt. of Pakistan, Islamabad.

Nov. 2006

 Saline Wasteland as a Source of Bioenergy
     
Prof. Dr. M.A. Hafeez presents Progress Report on NASIC at the IAP General Assembly held in Alexandria, Egypt, December 1-6, 2006

The InterAcademy Panel (IAP) held its General Assembly at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Alexandria, Egypt, from December 1-6, 2006 when a series of lectures were also delivered by eminent Scientists on selected topics pertaining to the running theme “The Unity of Science”. Representatives of 75 Academies of Science of the world attended the Meeting.

Prof. Dr. M.A. Hafeez represented the Pakistan Academy of Sciences and the Network of Academies of Science of the Organization of Islamic Conference (NASIC) (of which PAS is the Secretariat). He presented the Progress Report on activities of NASIC during 2004-2006. A Poster on NASIC and PAS was placed on display. The Pakistan Academy of Sciences and other member Academies of IAP accorded approval of the IAP strategic plan-1 (SP-1) for 2007-2009. The constitution of IAP was placed before the house for approval, wherein the statutes were unanimously approved but the Rules of Procedure were approved with the only negative vote on clause 3.2 of the Rules by the Pakistan Academy of Sciences –– an action that was hailed only later by several Academies. The Chair pointed out that any objection on clause 3.2 can be communicated in writing to the IAP EC for consideration in future.


President of the Institute of Egypt, Dr. M. Hafez, addressing the delegates

The election of Co-Chairs and Executive Committee of IAP was also held on the last day of the meeting. Prof. Chen Zhu, Vice-President, Chinese Academy of Sciences (incumbent Co-Chair) and Prof. Dr. Howard Alper, Vice-President Research, University of Ottawa, Canada, were elected as Co-Chairs for 2007-2009. Prof. Alper replaced the outgoing Co-Chair, Prof. Y. Quere. The following Academies were elected on the Executive Committee of IAP for 2007-2009:

Developing Countries: Industrialized Countries:
  1. Academy des Sciences et Techniques du Senegal (2nd term)
  2. Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (2nd term)
  3. Brazilian Academy of Sciences (2nd term)
  4. Academy of Sciences of Cuba (2nd term)
  5. Academy of Sciences of Malaysia
  6. Academy of Scientific Research & Technology, Egypt
  1. The Royal Society, UK
  2. Science Council of Japan (2nd term)
  3. Australian Academy of Sciences
  4. Union of German Academies of Sciences
  5. Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts & Sciences (2nd term)

 
Prof. Hafeez presenting Progress Report on NASIC (2004-2006), Egypt
December 5, 2006


Pakistan Academy of Sciences hosts NASIC’s General Assembly and an International Seminar in Islamabad from December 11-13, 2006.

The Pakistan Academy of Sciences hosted the 4th General Assembly of the Network of Academies of Science of Organization of Islamic Conference (NASIC) at the premises of the Academy on December 11-13, 2006. At this time, NASIC organized, in collaboration with PAS, an International Seminar on “Intellectual Property and Innovation: Value Creation in the Knowledge Economy” on December 12-13, 2006.

The meeting of the Executive Committee (EC) of NASIC was held on the evening of December 11 to review the progress of NASIC’s activities during the past 3 years (2004-2006) and to define a future program of activities. The meeting was attended by Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman (President of NASIC), Prof. Dr. Khalid Mahmood Khan (Secretary General of NASIC), Prof. Dr. M.H.A. Hassan (Executive Director TWAS), Prof. Dr. M.D. Shami (Vice-President, Islamic Academy of Sciences), Prof. Dr. Naiyyum Choudhury (Bangladesh), Prof. Ousmane Kane (Senegal), Prof. Dr. M.B.E. Fayez (Egypt), Dr. D.J. Bakibinga (Uganda), and Dr. P. Rutimbanzigu Rubaihayo (Uganda).


Executive Committee of NASIC in session


Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, FRS, speaking at the Inaugural Session of the Seminar on Intellectual Property and Innovation


Guests at the Seminar on Intellectual Property Innovation

The International Seminar was inaugurated by President of NASIC, Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, FRS, N.I., H.I., S.I. T.I., as Chief Guest. Prof. Dr. Khalid Mahmood Khan welcomed the delegates, participants and guests. The Seminar was attended by Fellows of the Academy, eminent scientists of local universities and R&D organizations, representatives of Federal Ministries and students. The following speakers from the Member Academies of NASIC and local Universities/R&D organizations/Federal Ministries, presented papers:

  1. Prof. Mohamed B.E. Fayez, Egyptian Academy of Sciences

  2. Dr. Ousmane Kane, Senegalese Academy of Sciences & Techniques

  3. Prof. Dr. N. Choudhury and Shamima K. Choudhury, Bangladesh Academy of Sciences

  4. Prof. Dr. Asma Ismail, Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), representing Malaysian Academy of Sciences

  5. Dr. D.J. Bakibinga, Professor of Commercial Law & Deputy Vice Chancellor, MakerereUniversity, Uganda

  6. Dr. Kausar Abdulla Malik, Associate Secretary General, PAS, and Member (Food & Agriculture), Planning Commission, Govt. of Pakistan
  7. Dr. Sarfaraz K. Niazi, Foreign Professor, HEJ Research Institute and Consultant to Ministry of Health and Higher Education Commission, Pakistan

  8. Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Bhanger, National Centre of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, Jamshoro, Pakistan

  9. Dr. Akhlaq Hussain, Director General, Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department, Govt. of Pakistan; Co-Speaker: Mr. S. Iqbal

  10. Air Cdre. Mansoor Malik, DG, Technology Incubation Center, National University of Science & Technology (NUST), Pakistan

  11. Prof. Dr. Munir Ahmad & Mr. Salman Aziz Lodhi, National College of Business Administration & Economics, Lahore, Pakistan

  12. Ms. Mumtaz S. Memon, Librarian, Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro, Pakistan

  13. Mr. T.J. Grubisha & Mr. M. Umar Farooq, Information Resource Center (IRC), U.S. Embassy, Islamabad, Pakistan

  14. Mr. Yasin Tahir & Mr. M. Arshad Khan, IPO, Pakistan

  15. Dr. N.M. Butt, Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation, Islamabad, Pakistan

  16. Prof. Khursandkul Ibadinov, Director Institute of Astrophysics, Academy of Sciences of Republic of Tajiskistan

  17. Ms. Bushra A. Jaswal, UN Digital Librarian, UN Digital Library

At the Concluding Session of the Seminar, Prof. Atta-ur-Rahman, lauded the valuable contributions by the delegates and stressed the need to formulate further guidelines for effective implementation of IPR in the developing countries under the leadership of Air Cdre Mansoor Malik (NUST), Dr. S. K. Niazi (HEJ) and Dr. Asma Ismail (INFORMM, Malaysia). Prof. Khalid M. Khan thanked the foreign delegates, participants and guests for making the Seminar a success.


Prof. Dr. Khalid M. Khan, Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman and Dr. Kausar Abdulla Malik
at the Concluding Session of the Seminar on Intellectual Property Innovation

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB NEWS

The School of Biological Sciences organizes an International Symposium on “Nanochemistry: Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Bioinformatics of Enzymes”

A two day international symposium on “Nanochemistry: Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Bioinformatics of Enzymes” was held at the School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, on September 20-21, 2006. The Symposium, sponsored by Pakistan Academy of Sciences and National Commission for Biotechnology and National Core Group in Life Sciences, was organized by Prof. Dr. A.R. Shakoori of School of Biological Sciences and Prof. Dr. Nasir-ud-Din, Secretary, Lahore Chapter of Pakistan Academy of Sciences, in the newly constructed block of School of Biological Sciences.

The Symposium, attended by six foreign participants, 22 invited speakers from within the country and the students and faculty members of Faculties of Life Sciences, Science, and Pharmacy, was inaugurated by the Punjab University Vice-Chancellor, Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Arshad Mahmood. The Vice-Chancellor welcomed the participants, particularly those from the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Denmark, Iran, Abu Dhabi and those coming from different parts of Pakistan. He introduced the University’s setup and highlighted the phenomenal progress in terms of infrastructure development and academic expansion that has taken place in the University during the past 7 years. The Vice-Chancellor appreciated the moral, financial and logistic support to the University by the Higher Education Commission. He also appreciated the efforts of the faculty and the students of School of Biological Sciences for helping to raise the newly established School of Biological Sciences to a first rate institution of its kind in Pakistan, and the role of School of Biological Sciences in extending technical and material help to researchers of other Departments of the University. Earlier, Prof. Dr. Javed Iqbal, Director, School of Biological Sciences, welcomed the participants and introduced the School of Biological Sciences to the audience. Prof. Nasir-ud-Din, Secretary Lahore Chapter, Pakistan Academy of Sciences and co-organizer of the Symposium, introduced the objectives of the Symposium. Dr. Anwar Nasim, Chairman, National Commission on Biotechnology, as well as Convener, National Core Group on Life Sciences, highlighted the significance of such international symposia, which provide opportunities for intellectual uplift and exchange of ideas with the local participants. In all, five sessions were held in two days, which were chaired by eminent scientists of the country: Prof. Dr. Khairat M. Ibne Rasa, Prof. Dr. M. Arslan, Dr. Anwar Nasim, Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Prof. Dr. Iftikhar A. Malik, and Dr. S. Qasim Mehdi.


Lt. Gen. (R) Arshad Mahmood, V. C., University of the Punjab
speaking at the Inaugural session


Guests at the Inaugural Session

Four plenary lectures were delivered by eminent scientists from abroad and Pakistan. Prof. Dr. Daniel C. Hoessli of the Department of Pathology and Immunology, Centre Medical University, Geneva, Switzerland, spoke on “Membrane bound tyrosine kinases as oncogenic proteins.” Prof. Dr. Abdul Rauf Shakoori, Distinguished National Professor & Director, School of Biological Sciences, delivered a lecture on “Regulatory control of Runx protein in osteoblast growth and differentiation”. Prof. Dr. Mustak A. Kadirbhai of the Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, U.K., delivered a lecture on “ARDS engineered topogenesis of Cytochrome b5 and P450 for in vivo transformation of Xenobiotics”. Prof. M. Akhtar, FRS, Distinguished National Professor and Director General of School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, delivered a very interesting lecture on the mechanism of fast and slow chemical reactions. He demonstrated the various aspects of his talk with actual experiments using chemicals and test tubes.

Dr. S. Salman Ashraf of UAE University, Al-Ain, UAE, spoke on “Peptide phage-Display: A valuable approach to probe proteins form genomics studies”. Prof. Dr. Zara Zamani of Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran, spoke on “Induction of enzymes in response to various xenobiotics in mammalian systems.” Prof. Dr. M. Anwar Waqar of Dr. Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research, University of Karachi, spoke on “Urilithiasis: Efficiency of herbal medicines in treating renal stones”. Prof. Dr. M. Perwaiz Iqbal of Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, delivered a lecture on “Paraoxonase gene cluster and coronary heart disease in Pakistan”. Prof. Dr. Masoom Yasin Zai of University of Baluchistan, Quetta, spoke on “Leishmania & Leishmaniasis: Parasite surface molecules in search for chemotherapy targets and vaccine candidates”. Dr. Ahsana Dar of HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, spoke on “Monoamine Oxidase inhibition by Areca catecha nut extracts: A natural product having antidepressant potential”. Dr. Irshad Hussain of NIBGE, Faisalabad, gave a talk on “Applications of nanotechnology in industry and biological research.” Dr. Amtul Jamil Sami of Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology of the University of the Punjab, delivered a talk on “Impact of disulphlide bridges on cellulase activity in beetles.”

Three interesting lectures were delivered in the session on Bioinformatics. Dr. M. Kamran Azim of HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, spoke on “Prediction models of various bacterial proteins based upon various bioinformatics tools.” Mr. Ishtiaq Ahmad and Wajahat M. Qazi, both of Institute of Molecular Sciences and Bioinformatics, Lahore, spoke on “Possible functional modifications ensuing specific phosphorylation and glycosylation of vital mammalian proteins.”

The closing ceremony was held on September 22, 2006, which was chaired by Prof. Dr. M. Akhtar, FRS, who appreciated the efforts of the organizers, the faculty and the staff of the School for helping organize this international event. He also distributed souvenirs and certificates of participation to the Chairpersons of the various sessions, foreign and local speakers. Prof. Akhtar also distributed appreciation certificates to the members of the Organizing Committee. Prof. Dr. Nasir-ud-Din presented the report of the proceedings of the symposium.

Prof. Dr. M.A. Hafeez spoke on behalf of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, which was the main sponsor of the symposium. Prof. Hafeez briefly highlighted the activities of the Academy and also congratulated the organizers, on behalf of the President, Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman FRS, and the Secretary General, Prof. Dr. Khalid M. Khan, for organizing such a successful symposium. Speaking about the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, he noted that the Academy has undergone visible transformation over the past decade into an academically vibrant organization. The credit for this change goes singularly to Dr. A.Q. Khan and Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Presidents of the Academy. He encouraged the Fellows of the Academy and their research associates to submit joint research projects for funding by the Academy.

Prof. Dr. A.R. Shakoori presented the following recommendations, which were approved by the participants.

  1. Such academic events as the current symposium should be held more frequently.
     

  2. The SBS should continue, more effectively in future, as umbrella organization, presenting technical help, intellectual guidance and scientific leadership to various Departments in the University , as well as to other Institutions in the country.

Closing session of the seminar, Chaired by Prof. Dr. M. Akhtar, FRS, Director General, School of Biological Sciences
 

Prof. Dr. Nasir-ud-Din presenting the report on the
Proceedings of the Symposium

Prof. Dr. D. C. Hoessli receiving a souvenier from Prof. M. Akhter

Prof. Dr. M. A. Hafeez speaking on behalf of
Pakistan Academy of Sciences
 


Organizers, Delegates and participants at the Conclusion of the Symposium