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 Dr. Anwar Nasim is a world-renowned scientist, the Chairman of National Commission on Biotechnology and a great believer in
action. In his personal capacity, he is working with various organizations and individuals, both in Pakistan and abroad, for
the uplift of people in his hometown Dina and to bring home the benefits of emerging technologies to the common folks. He is
also actively involved with arrangements for holding an international seminar on Digital Divide in November in Islamabad. In
an exclusive interview, he shares his vision with TelecomPlus.
 You are very enthusiastically involved in the forthcoming international
seminar on Digital Divide. What is the rationale behind holding an event of this magnitude on the subject?
 My basic belief is that scientific research must lead
to economic development and society must benefit from it. There is a need to make people science conscious. That the society
must become more sensitive to the usefulness of science. As you look at scientific developments, you must always remain
conscious of their possible impact on society. It is in that context that the concept of Digital Divide has come up, both at
global level between nations and local level within a country, society and community, especially between the rural and urban
populations. I was thus naturally excited when I learnt that his Excellency Dr. Ahmed Mohammad Alam, President Islamic
Development Bank has discussed this idea with Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman that Comstech should organize an international seminar on
Digital Divide. We want to do that in November. The emphasis would be on how could we develop effective strategies that will
make the benefits of science & technology reach the largest number of people. That how the poor can benefit from IT,
computers and Internet. The message there is to initiate a campaign, a crusade, whereby the emerging technologies bring
economic prosperity for the well being of the common folks.
As far as Comstech is concerned, obviously whatever we do on a small scale in any member country, we immediately want to look
at the possibilities of extending it to other Islamic countries. Poverty is not a problem confined only to Pakistan. It is a
global problem. About 18 Muslim countries are among the least developed countries. We would extend these efforts to other
Muslim countries but we would like to start it here in Pakistan.
What expectations do you have from this seminar?
We would be able to invite a number of people from
OIC member countries and some experts from other countries. We should be able to define issues related to Digital Divide.
But more importantly, we should come up with effective strategies and mechanisms to help reduce this gap. This is not an
effort in isolation. A lot is going on in different areas of the world and in this age of info-communication, we have access
to all sort of information and don't have to reinvent the wheel.
"I always believe that it is really the action that matters. That words are no substitute for action. As Abdul Sattar Edhi
said, 'Things get done by doing them, not by talking about them'"
Would the strategies also involve flow of funds from the
resourceful countries to the poorer ones?
There are several programs. The Islamic Development
Bank has several projects aimed at least developed countries. Yes I do hope that those discussions would lead to plans and
programs, which should involve wealthier countries helping the poorer ones.
As a bio-scientist don't you think that Digital Divide is
rather a far off stuff?
As I said, I am interested in the economic aspect of
scientific developments, especially there impact on common people. Swaminathan of India for instance is using IT for the
betterment of fishermen. This is one example. Looking at the present scenario, two major technologies come to the mind. One
of course is Information Technology (IT) and the other is Biotechnology (BT). One of the most effective ways of using all
this is the combination of IT and BT in the hybrid discipline of Bioinformatics. Here, the data generated say through human
genome is converted into information and knowledge. Similarly, our farmers can greatly benefit from a greater degree of
access to information, whether it is prices of commodities, pesticides, weather, farming methodologies, etc. Nobody can deny
that having information is a blessing. Similarly, there is this concept of tele-medicine for far off areas without good
dispensaries and hospitals. Access to information is empowering and enriching communities. As a geneticist or a biologist,
one can focus more on related areas like agriculture, health, etc.
You are working for the uplift of people in Dina, Mirpur
with the cooperation of ex-pats. How do you plan to integrate the resources of the ex-pats and local community to make the
uplift plans a viable proposition?
The linkages between the government and the ex-pats
are not very strong. There are people living in Copenhagen originally from Dina. They are prepared to get involved, invest
money and other resources. Which means that the stronger the links between the government and ex-pats, the more likely we
are to benefit from the desires of ex-pats to uplift their communities back home. In this connection, I have talked to
various organizations including two NGOs, Action aid and SDPI to take this issue and develop a strategy. There is a gentleman
Haji Iqbal from Dina, my hometown. He is settled in Denmark and he has contributed a significant amount to build a science
library in Dina. This is how small projects start with the involvement of local people. Mirpur has a unique situation whereby
a large percentage of people is living abroad and is financially very well off. They are also enjoying very good medical and
health facilities and would no doubt be interested in improving the situation back home. I will share this idea with people
of Dina both, living abroad and their families here. By establishing an effective communication mechanism, people in Dina
can benefit from the modern health facilities of the West through tele-medicine. This gentleman Haji Iqbal has promised me
to extend financial help for starting a computer training center in Dina. We can make a good start by training the youth of
Mirpur in computer related skills.
"Ideas are there, plans are there, mechanisms are there. We have to get started. Six months
from now, we would sit again and see what we have achieved, where we have failed and why."
Throughout the world there is a growing number of people
who believe in going out and doing their bit rather than waiting for the government to do it. Shouldn't people like you who
have vision and also the desire to play a role help reduce the excessive dependence on government?
The point you have raised is extremely important.
For me, this is conceptually the focus of my  own thinking. Depending on government for everything is an unrealistic approach
towards problem solving. I am a great believer in people. It is imperative that we make communities self-reliant. The
government can be helpful only to a point. There are NGOs, the non-government organizations and what I call NGIs, the
non-government individuals. I shared this idea with Dr. Swaminathan more than 5 years ago and he was very much excited about
it. We have examples of NGIs. Abdul Sattar Edhi is one. Then there is Imran Khan and so many others. One individual decides
to do something and turns out to be a success story. To be a success story, one must try to do everything that is humanly
possible. This is of utmost importance and a point very dear to my heart. You must constantly be asking yourself, "Have I
done everything within my power?" One of the reasons that I decided to stay in Pakistan was to do my little bit in making
science work for the people.
Are you going to involve NGOs and other organizations to
realize your objectives?
There are certain societies like Patient Welfare
Society in Dina. I am involved with them. I have spoken to people in Action Aid working for poverty alleviation. But I like
to avoid compartmentalization. Whoever can be helpful for the cause - the government, the NGOs or individuals - need to be
consulted and involved.
What, in your estimation, is the severity of Digital
Divide in Pakistan?
I am not privy to the results of any survey in this
regard, if one was ever conducted. But I have the feeling that quite a lot has been done in the recent past to extend
internet connectivity and more than 400 cities and towns have been illuminated. But due to widespread poverty, illiteracy
and ignorance, the intensity of Digital Divide is as severe in Pakistan as in most of the development countries. The task
of reducing this gap should not be left to the government alone. We should mobilize communities, NGOs, societies and
individuals to work for it. There are areas like Cholistan, Thar, Northern Areas etc. where lack of access to information
is perpetuating the miseries of people. It is a real challenge.
Illiteracy no doubt is the root cause of most of our
problems. But certainly we can't hold it as an excuse for denying the benefits of IT to the people. Just one reasonably
educated and dedicated person in a village can be taught to access Internet in a short time who can then serve as a source
of information for the entire community. Why shouldn't we try this approach?
I agree with you that we can't wait till a minimum
acceptable level iting from it. One or two computer literate individuals can open the floodgates of information for the
entire community. This is one approach but no model is perfect for all situations. First of all, we should define our
objectives and then devise strategies to achieve those objectives. If I find that in certain cases people like Haji Iqbal
can be helpful, I would involve such individuals. Similarly various community organizations, dedicated individuals, students,
youth organizations etc. can be motivated and involved to help reduce Digital Divide. When you work with people and develop
credibility, things get going.
Telecomplus, July 2001, p. 47-49 |
