The International Islamic University Islamabad convened a high-profile symposium on Natural Products that brought scientists from Germany, China, and Pakistan together to discuss drug discovery and industrial development. The one-day event, held at the Allama Iqbal Auditorium, focused on translating academic research into commercial solutions and strengthening Pakistan’s capacity in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.
The symposium was organised under a Technology Development Fund grant led by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Riaz and showcased more than 50 research posters alongside keynote lectures. Presentations covered drug discovery, immunotherapy, exosome therapeutics and the economic potential of medicinal plants, emphasising how Natural Products research can feed into local industry and innovation.
Addressing the audience as chief guest, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Bharrat urged rapid moves toward healthcare self-sufficiency. He warned that reliance on imported active pharmaceutical ingredients undermines economic resilience and national security and called for immediate establishment of domestic pharmaceutical facilities supported by universities and the private sector to produce essential medicines, biologics and vaccines.
Dr. Bharrat highlighted Pakistan’s rich biodiversity and medicinal plant heritage as a major industrial opportunity with estimated potential above USD 30 billion annually. He urged researchers to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and commercial application, calling this connection the missing link in the country’s research to industry chain.
The minister praised IIUI’s role and commended Prof. Dr. Ahmed Saad Alahmed for hosting international collaborators. He specifically lauded the applied research led by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Riaz on curcumin and metformin analogues and recognised the mentorship provided by Prof. Dr. Bernhard Westermann of Germany. Contributions by Chinese partners Prof. Dr. Yanfang Zheng and Dr. Jia Zan were acknowledged for establishing the China Pakistan Drug Research and Technology Laboratory at IIUI.
In his remarks Prof. Dr. Ahmed Saad Alahmed reiterated IIUI’s commitment to building industrial linkages, promoting relevant R and D, and enhancing student skills to meet industry needs. He described the university’s role as a bridge between nations through knowledge and innovation and emphasised the importance of Practical research pathways that lead to manufacturing and job creation.
The symposium concluded with the presentation of shields to distinguished contributors, including the minister and former minister Dr. Akram Sheikh, who encouraged participants to pursue service and innovation in line with the Qur’anic ideal of leadership through knowledge. With attendance exceeding 300 researchers, faculty and students, the event marked a tangible step toward reinforcing Pakistan’s research to industry ecosystem and advancing national self reliance in healthcare technologies through focused Natural Products science.
