Sino-COMSTECH collaboration strengthens scientific and health partnerships

Islamabad:OIC-COMSTECH, the Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), continues to strengthen its collaborations with China in the fields of science, technology, and health.

The initiative underscores international scientific cooperation and its growing strategic partnership with China. During a ceremony at COMSTECH Secretariat Islamabad, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH, highlighted the various collaborative initiatives between COMSTECH and China in the fields of science, technology, and health.

He also appreciated the contributions of Prof. Dr. Xinmin Liu, a distinguished Chinese scientist, for his outstanding role in fostering Sino-Pakistan scientific collaboration over the past 25 years, Dr. Liu has played a key role in training Pakistani researchers in advanced scientific fields, establishing the Pakistan Centre for Traditional Medicine. In recognition of his efforts, he has been awarded the Tamgha-e-Quaid-e-Azam, one of Pakistan’s highest civilian honours for foreign nationals.

Prof. Dr. M.Iqbal Choudhary stated that OIC-COMSTECH, plays a key role in implementing OIC resolutions on science, technology, health, agriculture, higher education, and climate change. Pakistan has also been instrumental in introducing China as a special representative to the OIC, fostering global research partnerships.

The China-Pakistan Strategic Collaboration in Science and Technology has expanded across multiple sectors, including space research, traditional medicine, and high-tech innovation. The Seeds in Space Programme is a China-Pakistan initiative studying how space conditions affect medicinal plants. Additionally, under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has offered 100 research fellowships to Pakistani scientists in fields such as precision agriculture, virology, and infectious diseases. In the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and herbal medicine, China is conducting clinical trials of TCM products in Pakistan, paving the way for the registration of herbal medicines for local use. Chinese pharmaceutical companies are also exploring opportunities to establish operations in Pakistan, while 10 Pakistani doctors will receive annual training in TCM practices at top Chinese universities.

The Department of Health, Government of Sindh, under the leadership of the provincial minister, Dr Azra, launched major TCM programs for the benefit of patients. High-tech and digital innovation remain key areas of collaboration, with joint projects in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and digital transformation, particularly in partnership with Huawei. Collaborative research in biotechnology and nutritional medicine is also underway to develop nutritional supplements from medicinal plants for chronic disease management. Looking ahead, China and COMSTECH aim to further strengthen their scientific partnership in key areas such as space medicine research, higher education, and economic growth through innovation.

Chinese universities, including Xinjiang Medical University, Ningbo University, and Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, are actively training Pakistani researchers at the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, Hamdard University, and the University of Lahore, reinforcing educational ties between the two nations. These initiatives are expected to enhance Pakistan’s research capabilities, attract investment, and drive technological progress.