Islamabad: Federal Minister for Human Rights Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar on Wednesday called for strengthening education, scientific research and innovation across the Muslim world, describing them as fundamental pillars of human rights, sustainable development and shared prosperity.
He was addressing the Inter-Islamic Forum for the Advancement of Education, Scientific Research and Innovation organized by OIC-COMSTECH at its Secretariat in Islamabad.
The forum brought together representatives of OIC institutions, diplomats, vice chancellors, eminent scientists, scholars and delegates from OIC member states to discuss enhanced cooperation in higher education, scientific research, technological innovation and knowledge-sharing.
Welcoming the participants, OIC-COMSTECH Coordinator General Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary congratulated Pakistan on successfully hosting the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women and assuming its chairmanship for the next two years. He highlighted Islam's rich intellectual heritage and emphasized the concept of Ilm-un-Nafi (beneficial knowledge), reaffirming COMSTECH's commitment to expanding research collaboration, innovation and capacity-building across OIC member states.
In his keynote address, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar commended COMSTECH for promoting scientific cooperation through scholarships, research collaborations, academic exchanges, capacity-building programmes and support for young scientists. He also appreciated COMSTECH's educational initiatives for students and scholars from Palestine, Yemen, Bangladesh, Africa and other countries facing exceptional challenges.
The minister stressed that education is not merely a development priority but a fundamental human right. He said quality education empowers individuals, especially women and youth, strengthens institutions and prepares future generations of innovators and leaders.
Highlighting Pakistan's commitment to multilateral cooperation within the OIC, Senator Tarar noted that Pakistan had recently assumed the chairmanship of the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women and reaffirmed the country's commitment to advancing human rights, women's empowerment, education, scientific cooperation and inclusive development in collaboration with fellow OIC member states.
The forum was also addressed by Governor of Mandera County, Kenya, H.E. Mohamed Adan Khalif; Malaysian Senator and Chairman of MyProdigy Foundation H.E. Tuan Jaziri Alkaf; Prof. Dr. Shahid Mahmud, Honorary Adviser OIC-COMSTECH; Dr. Salma Noor, Founder and Patron of Dream Team CBO; and Vice Admiral (R) Abid Hameed, Rector Bahria University. Speakers emphasized strengthening academic partnerships, innovation, institutional collaboration and youth empowerment across the Muslim world.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Murtaza Noor, Focal Person Outreach, CCoE and Media, OIC-COMSTECH, followed by the presentation of a commemorative shield to the chief guest.