In just five years, Pakistan can be transformed into Turkey, Malaysia: Dr AQ Khan

The nuclear scientist says the govt, apart from dams, should weigh up alternatives to resolve the water crisis

Nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan on Monday said the country can be transformed into Turkey and Malaysia within a time span of five years.

Khan was speaking at the the chief guest at the inaugural session of four-day long biennial conference organised at the University of Karachi.

The event was organised by the Pakistan Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PSBMB) and Dr AQ Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE).

PHOTO: EXPRESS

The scientist said there is a dire need to build news dams, but the government must also look into other alternatives for the cause. He reiterated that Pakistan has no shortage of natural resources, or talent. This talent, however, has not been utilised because merit is ignored.

"We can get the best people who are experts in their respective fields; we just need to utilise their abilities properly," he added.

"As we have learnt from history, mega construction projects were never completed on time, due to which their cost keeps on increasing," Dr Abdul Qadeer said. "As a nation, we have to carefully use water at homes, industries and agricultural lands to reduce the shortage of the natural resource."