Pakistan: Realising the Benefits of Science

Pakistan’s challenges lie, not in skills, but in a shortage of foresight and the application of science. Pakistan has real emerging strength in ICT, yet science per se is relatively weak, largely because it has failed to translate the benefits of science into real economic impact. Commercialisation continues to be weak and barriers to innovation and entrepreneurship remain steep. Further, the securitisation of the global debate on Pakistan has overshadowed the country, building obstacles for individuals and institutions seeking to participate in the global scientific enterprise and the global knowledge economy.