Pakistan in 2050 - A Pakistani Female Scientist's Perspective.

"Innovation is the currency of the future."

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In 2050 one would assume the world is likely to resemble the matrix in terms of technological developments and advancements in science. However, for a nation such as Pakistan that is to be far from the case. But we are getting ahead of ourselves, before we further elaborate the continuing of predictions on Pakistan in 2050, I feel an introduction is owed to those reading this blast from the future.

My name is Xena.

And no, not Xena The Warrior Princess.

I am Xena the Pakistani Female Scientist reporting from the future about the state of science in Pakistan.

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If you are expecting to read a rosy report on Pakistan’s progress in science in the year 2050 I am very likely to disappoint. So, you might as well just stop reading, as sadly, our nation does not resemble Robert Zemeckis film Back to the Future in any way, shape or form. There are no hover boards being ridden and no  robot driven flying cars. Thus, the traffic jam struggle in 2050 is still very much real in Lahore and Karachi.

To be honest, the progress of science in Pakistan looks grim in the year 2050, but this should at least come as no surprise to the citizens residing here because in the past (those reading this, it’s your present) not enough input in terms of funds and investment in the field of science was put into what could have been a great scientifically progressive nation. Partly because the the government make it a top priority to invest in “R and D” (Research and Development) of science.

This point may seem justifiable to some, as on one hand it can be argued that with the extent of poverty, rising illiteracy and the unjust judicial system, Pakistan has a lot more to worry about than just improving its progress in science. Which with all due respect is accurate, but the argument from the future is this; for Pakistan to emerge as a key player in the international arena and rise as a super power in South Asia it needs to develop and grow as a nation. A huge part of this involves investing time and resources into science and progressing forward in all fields related to science.

The importance of this statement can be justified by for a minute imagining a Pakistan without nuclear capability. Many International Relations Analysts argue that Pakistan might have had a similar situation to that of Syria or Afghanistan if it was not for its nuclear capacity. Perhaps all of which would not have been possible had it not been for advancements in science.

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Moreover, it is important to understand that for a nation such as Pakistan progress in science would not solely benefit the nation’s status in the international arena, but would help the citizens of Pakistan in terms of health, better standards of living and quality of life. All of which is drastically needed by 2050 for people to utilize their resources in the most efficient and sustainable manner. The gateway towards all of these gains is science. The key therefore rests in the hands of the government and the citizens of Pakistan to make progression in science a top priority by changing the simple mind- set that short term solutions to long term problems is not always the accurate answer.

More crucially what needs to be understood is this, that even in developing countries such as Pakistan  the common link between the year 2016 and the year 2050 is that science has become a part of everyday life. For example, even in the rural areas of Pakistan's villages they have access to the internet and almost everyone has a mobile phone.

This raises the point that instead of our nation utilizing or should i say brutalizing science for power and political gain, it should shift its scientific functions for progress in social welfare, construction, positive contribution in society and consequently bringing about a fruitful change in the  Pakistan and the world via scientific progression. This point was elaborated beautifully in “future of science and technology in Pakistan”, a paper by Dr Abdul Rehman Memon.

Furthermore, every Pakistani citizen should consider advancements in the field of Science their moral duty, as they owe it to numerous historical Muslim scientists and their predecessors to carry the name of Islam alongside science. This could not have been more eloquently put by this marvelously enlightening and scientifically enriching article titled “Pakistan’s future: innovation”

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But readers do not be disheartened by the current image of science in Pakistan 2050, for there exists a light at the end of the tunnel.

I am happy to report that there has been a drastic increase in the number of women applying in the field of Science, technology, engineering and math, (S.T.E.M) in 2050. A lot more women have graduated from universities across Pakistan with degrees in the fields pertaining to Science, technology, engineering and math., and now we have a lot more Pakistani Female Scientists like myself. This is a direct result of societal change that has taken place in Pakistan due to the effects of globalization, women empowerment and fueling of female education in Pakistan.

As a direct consequence of which in the year 2050 the female population of Pakistan shall be having a more enlightened scientific spirit of thought. This is partly due to the social changes that shall have occurred by the year 2050 in terms of women being conscious of their role as social activists of S.T.E.M, but mainly because it seems like a natural phenomena to be interested in the pursuit of truth and facts rather than continuing one's belief in superstitious nonsense. It is for this precise reason that the majority of  women in Pakistan, except for the unpopular few, shall no longer succumb to reading their horoscopes in "Sunday times" or turning to palmists and peers for a change in fate. Illustrating the point of view that rational thought, especially among women, shall prevail more than ever in 2050.
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Lastly,  though in the development of science Pakistan has a long way to go, you might recall you are reading a post from the future, therefore; you still have time to adapt and change your ways. If there is one lesson to be taken away from this article, it is that if the government of Pakistan does not implement change, reform and establish scientific institutions, and the citizens of Pakistan do not amend their ideological thought of undermining and under valuing the great gifts of scientific progression, then the future of science shall go from bleak to bleaker. As what is today's science is tomorrows technological effectiveness.

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Iman Shoaib

Vivacious. And making waves.