Islamabad, November 1,2026: Senior diplomat and former Pakistan Ambassador to Nepal Abrar H. Hashmi has highlighted new opportunities for cooperation in science, technology, research and innovation among member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the D-8 Organization.
In a statement, Hashmi said he had an excellent interaction with COMSTECH Coordinator General Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Ch., his team and visiting delegates of the AlRCSO at the COMSTECH Secretariat in Islamabad.
The discussions focused on building upon COMSTECH’s contributions to advancing science and technology across OIC member states and exploring new avenues of collaboration under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the D-8 Organization.
A key area of discussion was expanding the hosting and activities of the Network of Pioneer Research and Innovation (NPRI), which connects 31 universities from OIC and D-8 member countries.
The network covers important research fields, including health, energy, agriculture, environment and minerals, providing a platform for academic cooperation and knowledge-sharing among participating institutions.
The meeting also explored opportunities for exchanges between centres of excellence and mutual learning, particularly in emerging research areas such as nanotechnology and stem cell research.
Hashmi expressed interest in strengthening institutional linkages and promoting collaborative research initiatives to advance scientific progress, innovation and sustainable development across the Islamic world.
The engagement reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation between Pakistan-based scientific institutions and regional and multilateral platforms, including COMSTECH, the D-8 Organization and the OIC.
