Iran, Pakistan discuss tech co-op

[Interceptor]

Iran, Pakistan discuss tech co-op
Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:15:29


Iranian and Pakistani ministers have exchanged views on boosting cooperation in various scientific and technological fields.

Iran's Minister of Science, Research and Technology, Mohammad-Mahdi Zahedi, and his Pakistani counterpart, Tahmineh Doulataneh, met on the sidelines of the 13th meeting of the OIC Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) in Islamabad on Wednesday.

During the meeting Zahedi congratulated Doulataneh on her appointment as Pakistan's new minister of science and technology, reiterating Iran's keenness to develop cooperation with Islamabad in various educational, scientific and technological sectors.

Referring to the significance of COMSTECH in the development of science and technology in the Muslim world, Zahedi noted: “We are witness to the fact that a number of developed states have been imposing a specific arpatheid
on Muslim nations over the past years.

“They make efforts to deprive the Islamic states of accessing necessary scientific capabilities for application of advanced technologies including a peaceful nuclear energy under false excuses,” he underlined.

“Iran is capable enough to have a fruitful cooperation with the OIC member states in policy making, planning and developing science and technology,” said Zahedi, referring to Tehran's scientific status among Islamic countries.

The official said Iran has the potential to transfer technical know-how to Muslim states in many advanced fields including bio-technology, energy, health and medical equipment as well as information technology.

Doulataneh, for her part, praised Iran's latest scientific and technological achievements, declaring Islamabad's readiness to benefit from Tehran's scientific expertise.

Both sides also agreed on activating the joint working group to pursue the implementation of signed agreements.

AO/FH/PA

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=50051&sectionid=351020102

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Iranian achievements in social services, education and science are indeed impressive considering the sanctions they have been under. While I disagree with some of the harsher restrictions and lack of freedoms imposed by the Iranian regime, I do think that they are far better model for a "Shariah State" than Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan or our Pakistani Mullahs would have.

Education for women is encouraged, even transsexuals are respected and sex change operations are legal (read an article a while back on it).

 

[maqsad]

I don't think Iran's achievements are all that impressive when one considers that they have always had oil revenue to prop up their economy. The only effect of sanctions has been to force them to develop indigenous industries(including defence) to supply anything that cannot be grabbed from outside, which is actually a plus not a minus when it comes to economic development. If Iran had not been pumping oil since the '70s it would probably have lost at least three big pieces of itself which would currently be owned by Pakistan, Turkey and Iraq.

Regarding their technical achievements, those are a result of throwing huge amounts of petrodollars at state funded startups. Perhaps even a technically inept population like Saudi Arabia could achieve those advances given the right amount of time and planning. The the Iranis were begging AQ Khan for help in Uranium processing, why would they have to stoop to that level if they were such wizards.