Professor Ataur Rahman, leading scientist and scholar in the field of organic chemistry from Pakistan, was the chief guest.

“As engineers, we feel proud in participating in the development of Saudi Arabia. We can play a vital role in helping Pakistan, which produces high quality products, such as sports, surgical and leather goods, utensils, and garments,” said EWF President Abdul Aleem Khan.

He noted that the EWF has entered into an agreement with the Saudi Council of Engineers for cooperation in professional activities of common interest.

Khan spoke about the objectives of the forum and its activities in the past five years, some of which include assisting Pakistani engineers in career building, finding suitable employment and helping engineering students. He announced the launch of a new magazine containing news and information on engineering, apart from general topics.

Ataur Rahman, who was Pakistan's federal minister of education and chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) from 2002-2008, said that during his tenure there had been a threefold increase in the education budget as well as in university grants. The ministry was able to secure international recognition for five local universities and an agreement was signed to allow five international universities to open their campuses in Pakistan. However, he said, due to the change in policy of the new government, the agreement could not be implemented.

“About 50 percent of Pakistan’s 85 million population are youths. If they don’t strategically plan for their education they could become liabilities ... thus raising the unemployment level,” said Rahman.

Extending full cooperation to the EWF programs for engineering students in Pakistan, he urged individuals to invest in developing education and career opportunities because “education alone can change the fate of a nation.”

Rahman is also the coordinator general of COMSTECH, the OIC's Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation.

Brig. (retired) Naeem Akhtar Khan Afridi in his speech said scientists and engineers must work to protect humanity against natural disasters such as tsunami and earthquake and save them from diseases such as AIDS and dengue.

Renowned economist and King Faisal Award winner Dr. Mohammad Umer Chapra honored engineers Jaleel Hassan, Jawaid Iqbal, Shamsuz Zaman, Syed Nadeemuddin, Syed Kausar Hussain and Mohammad Nawaz.

Other guests included Pakistani Consul General Abdul Salik Khan, former ambassador of Pakistan, Shahid Malik; Tariq Mishkhes, editor-in-chief of Urdu News; Nasrullah Khan Wattu, consul welfare; and Shahid Nayeem, president of Pakistan Journalists Forum.

The function was presided by Zuberi and conducted by Masroor Elahi, secretary-general of EWF.