Islamabad :Afghanistan’s support to COMSATS’ mandate and willingness to benefit from the programmes and operations of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) has been renewed.

During his visit to COMSATS Secretariat today, the Deputy Head of Mission/Chargé d’affaires, Embassy of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Islamabad, Ahmad Shakir Qarar, has welcomed the offer of scientific cooperation and explored the country’s interests in becoming the organization’s member.

On the occasion, Executive Director COMSATS, Dr. S.M. Junaid Zaidi, expressed his strong resolve to create scientific and academic linkages between Afghanistan and COMSATS’ member countries, including the host country, Pakistan. 

Apart from a case built in favor of Afghanistan’s membership to COMSATS, matters discussed during the meeting between the Afghan diplomat and senior officials of COMSATS included: COMSATS as an effective partner for regional and international cooperation in S&T and development; possible cooperation in science and technology-led development; connections and synergies with institutions around the globe especially from countries having similar development challenges; academic and scientific exchanges among Afghanistan and COMSATS’ Member States.

Academic linkages through University of Nangarhar, Kabul University, and University of Herat of Afghanistan were encouraged and COMSATS Telehealth (CTH) was deemed a useful means to addressing the country’s medical and healthcare needs. Mr. Qarar indicated that he would explore collaborations in context of the latter with Afghan health department back home in order to build synergies and to establish a viable health solution for the country.

The meeting concluded on the note of establishing closer relations between Afghanistan and COMSATS Member States.