Pakistan’s CERN associate membership accord soon

Analysts say admission into research body will open opportunities .

ISLAMABAD: The government is expected to soon ratify the agreement for Pakistan’s associate membership of European Organization for Nuclear Research (also known by its French acronym CERN), which would complete the process for country’s admission into world’s top particle physics laboratory.

A seminar on “Pakistan and CERN: Collaboration in Advanced Scientific Research” organised by Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) on Thursday was told that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had already approved the case for ratification by the federal cabinet.

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry inaugurated the seminar that examined Pakistan’s contribution to the world’s leading scientific research facility and the benefits likely to accrue from the formal admission.

Pakistan and CERN had signed the associate membership agreement last December after completing the formalities. Pakistan’s cooperation with CERN dates back to 1994. The formal request for associate membership was made in February 2013.

“With the status of an associate member, Pakistan would profit from the increasingly innovative and challenging initiatives in science and technology. Deeper involvement in science and technology will open up avenues for the education and training for our students. CERN has already started cooperation with COMSATS and NUST in this regard,” Foreign Secretary Chaudhry said.

Mr Chaudhry further said that entry into CERN would contribute to the country’s socio-economic development, besides enhancing its capability to use nuclear technology for peaceful and developmental purposes.

Associate membership of the 21 member research organization would strengthen Pakistan’s long-term partnership with CERN. Associate Membership further allows the country to attend meetings of the CERN Council, in addition to opening up job, training and career development opportunities at CERN facilities and projects. Pakistani industry would also become eligible for bidding for CERN contracts.

Later while talking to media persons about the Karachi terrorist attack, the foreign secretary said while the threat of IS existed everywhere in the world, the IS link to the attack needed to be investigated instead of jumping to the conclusion.

He said Pakistan has taken up Indian intelligence agency RAW’s involvement in terrorists activities in Pakistan with the Indian government many a time. “We have asked Afghanistan not to allow its land to be used against Pakistan and Pakistan will not allow use of its territory against Afghanistan,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15^th, 2015.