Abdus Salam Science Fair at QAU rescheduled after ‘pressure’

ISLAMABAD: A much-anticipated science fair at Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), scheduled for later this month, has been postponed amid pressures. The Abdus Salam Science Festival, organised by the student-run QAU Science Society, was set to take place at the Earth Sciences Auditorium from May 27-29. The event was to feature prominent physicist Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy as the keynote speaker.

In a brief video message, Dr Hoodbhoy highlighted Dr Abdus Salam’s significance as one of Pakistan’s few globally recognised scientists and a Nobel Laureate in Physics. He encouraged students to attend the festival to learn more about Dr Abdus Salam’s contributions to science.

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The festival itinerary included various events, talks, and workshops such as a lecture by Dr Hoodbhoy on Dr Salam’s work in elementary particle physics, a session on motivation, a workshop on balancing careers and relationships, a science quiz, a poster competition, a science model exhibition, a photography contest, a science fiction story-writing competition, and a science-based scavenger hunt.

Dr Hoodbhoy, in an interview with a local publication, mentioned, “The organisers asked me to deliver the keynote lecture on Dr Salam’s physics achievements followed by another technically focused one.”

However, on Friday, the QAU Science Society announced the event’s rescheduling without specifying a new date. They cited upcoming exams at various Pakistani universities, including QAU, as a reason, along with some “unforeseen reasons” following consultations with university administration and stakeholders.

The organisers stressed the need to prioritise academic commitments, ensuring participants have sufficient time and focus for their studies.

Reports from The Friday Times publication suggest the event’s postponement was due to threats. A video circulating on social media by Hasan Rana, who runs a YouTube channel “KTV” associated with the International Majlis Tahhafuz-e-Khatm-e-Nabuwat and Khatm-e-Nabuwat TV, accused the university of “facilitating Qadianis” in Pakistan. He also labeled Dr Abdus Salam, a key figure in Pakistan’s nuclear and space programmes, as an extremist. Rana threatened to mobilise religious and political groups to protest if the event proceeded.

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Representatives from International Majlis Tahhafuz-e-Khatm-e-Nabuwat and Khatm-e-Nabuwat TV met with the QAU Vice-Chancellor to advocate against the festival.

While the university has not issued a direct statement regarding the incident, the Ahmadi community expressed concern. In their statement, they remarked, “If this story is true, it is extremely disturbing to know that a festival honouring the first Pakistani Nobel Laureate Scientist Dr Abdus Salam is being cancelled or postponed due to pressure.