Imagination is good( and I would never discourage it)but we need more than imagination when it comes to the myriad problems that effect our country’s R&D base.
Slightly off-topic, but if we quickly reflect on a discussion from another thread about quality of Pakistani soldiers vs American soldiers, it all goes back to social fabric.
In America and the West in general, you have at least a semblance of quality education. Most importantly, health is tied with education. Meals are served at the school cafeteria to provide nutrition. A solid culture of sports such as gymnastics, rugby, basketball provides exercise. You have a social fabric of educated, healthy people. Then, the population is largely free of mental tensions and stresses. This creates an environment for innovation, leadership, and excellence.
So, yes, we have huge challenges because of the same fundamental reasons, whether we are talking about quality of soldiers, or quality of researchers.
BUT, as far as research is concerned, there are quick fix solutions available. Make Western textbooks meant for first year of uni widely available. Books such as Physics Vol 1 and 2 by Halliday, Resnick, and Krane. Calculus by Howard Anton. Now create a program where students passing 12th grade are tested on these uni books. The test MUST NOT be about rote learning. It MUST test the ability to solve problems, with each year having a completely different set of problems. Provide incentives such as scholarships, stipends etc. The idea is to find students who are both willing and able to absorb material that is higher than what is taught up till grade 12. And absorb it to a degree where they can apply it to solve complex problems. I guarantee you, you WILL strike gold, Insha Allah. Had such programs been in place when yours truly passed 12th grade, you might be seeing two Pakistani flags in my profile today.