The term "science diplomacy" elucidates the use of scientific collaboration to broaden the foreign policy imperatives of a nation. It seeks to advance peace, stability, and sustainable development through international cooperation in research and technology. A range of activities, including cooperative scientific research initiatives, exchange programs for students and scientists, dissemination of scientific knowledge and data and planning scientific conferences and workshops, are a part of the venture.
Pakistan has been a beneficiary of the geopolitical interconnectedness of science and technology (S&T), and it has improved many sectors of S&T, such as space technology and satellite communication, renewable energy, nuclear technology, cyber security, health, and agriculture. Bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the above-mentioned areas have helped Pakistan improve its scientific capabilities and also enabled it to transfer valuable knowledge.
The genesis of science diplomacy allows for multilateral collaboration in the field of S&T among nations as it allows for large-scale scientific developments requiring cooperation between nations globally. Pakistan has made bilateral agreements with scientifically advanced nations and has carried out significant bilateral S&T initiatives, such as founding the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), established in 1955 to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. The ambitious project came to fruition as a result of collaboration between scientists from Pakistan and the US.
Another noteworthy bilateral S&T initiative is the "Pakistan-US Science and Technology Agreement," signed between Pakistan and the US in 2003. The US Department of State became the co-sponsor of the agreement, and the programme awards US and Pakistani scientists for collaborative efforts in scientific development. Islamabad also collaborates with Beijing on S&T initiatives. Both nations recently launched "China-Pakistan Science and Technology Cooperation Centre" in Beijing to boost S&T collaboration. The centre will focus on cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cloud computing, robotics, and biotechnology.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan (MoFA) launched the "Science Diplomacy Initiative" (SDI) under the Science Diplomacy Division in 2016 to promote scientific cooperation between Pakistan and international stakeholders such as research institutes, international organisations, MNCs and universities. Hence, SDI focuses on improving cooperation in various fields, including research and development, renewable energy, agriculture, health, and climate change, all of which are part of the UN's SDG. SDI has introduced several programmes to achieve its objectives, such as establishing partnerships and collaborations with international S&T institutes and research and development (R&D) organisations in other countries and facilitating the exchange of scientific knowledge and expertise through joint research projects, workshops, and seminars.
Having a rich legacy in R&D, Pakistan has made considerable contributions to the furtherance of S&T. Several research institutes have been established across Pakistan, and the most notable among them are the Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (PCST), Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH). The institutes mentioned above are liable to facilitate the creation of scientific infrastructure and the commencement of scientific research.
It is worth noting that many esteemed universities in Pakistan are actively contributing to the advancement of R&D. Institutes such as the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Punjab University's Centre for High Energy Physics (CHEP), COMSATS University's Department of Computer Science, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIAS), Institute of Space Technology (IST) and National Centre for Bioinformatics (NCB) at Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) are some prime examples. Their collective effort is instrumental in driving progress in S&T and promoting growth in this field.
Moreover, it is crucial to note that successive governments have established robust connections with other nations to promote science and technology initiatives. These efforts have resulted in the establishment of institutions like the Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS) and the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), which can play a pivotal role in science diplomacy. PSF, a government-funded organisation, collaborates with institutes from various countries specialising in science, technology, and innovation.
A handful of sectors related to S&T in Pakistan have made some progress in Pakistan in recent years. For instance, the IT industry has seen a progress of 49 percent in FY-21 as compared to FY-20, as Pakistan's IT exports jumped from $890 million to $1.29 billion. The Aerospace programme has also seen progress. Pakistan's Aerospace agency SUPARCO successfully sent PAKSAT-1R, PRSS-1, and PakTES-1A in 2011 and 2018, respectively. Pakistani satellites are specialised in remote sensing, earth observation and communication. Pakistan is keen on exploring new avenues related to aerospace for sustainable development.
A stellar example of Pakistan's determination to expand its space programme is the third International Conference on Space 2022, organised by SUPARCO, the principal space agency of Pakistan. Representatives from as many as 16 countries participated in the conference, including South Korea, China, Turkey, Azerbaijan, UAE, Italy, Canada, and many more. It is a remarkable example of Pakistan's resolve to leverage multilateral scientific cooperation to achieve its national aspirations.
Despite ongoing initiatives, the buildup of science diplomacy in Pakistan as a tool of foreign policy and diplomacy faces numerous challenges. Pakistan has limited engagements in science diplomacy due to numerous factors, including the worsening economic situation, rising debt, and lack of government investment in science and research. Pakistan spends notably less on S&T compared to other developing nations. The latest data available regarding government's expenditure on R&D in 2019 stands at 0.2% of the country's GDP, which is extremely low compared to nations from the developing world. Whereas neighbouring China and India have an R&D share of 2.56% and 0.8% in their GDP, respectively. India annually spends $65.2 billion, which is significantly higher than Pakistan. Hence, India leads the South Asian region in S&T and successfully uses it as a tool of diplomacy.
Another major impediment Pakistan faces is the brain drain of skilled experts from STEM fields. The number of skilled professionals leaving Pakistan for better employment opportunities has increased significantly. For example, in 2022, 765,000 people left the country, and 92,000 were skilled professionals such as doctors, engineers and IT experts. The brain drain of the skilled workforce must be capped by providing appealing employment opportunities to skilled professionals and investing more in R&D infrastructure.
To sum up, Pakistan has made valuable contributions to developing S&T globally; hence, Pakistan's endowment to global R&D cannot be disregarded. Pakistan needs to seek science diplomacy as a reliable foreign policy and soft power instrument. Science diplomacy can be instrumental in building a softer, more progressive, and positive image of Pakistan. Pakistan can, therefore, utilise the effectiveness of science diplomacy to build greater ties with nations in the region and beyond. The foundation of the Science Diplomacy division by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a big step in the right direction and can act as a liaison between Pakistan's technology institutes and international stakeholders.