Question #148089

In April 2025, Dr. Ghulam Sarwar Markhand, a distinguished Pakistani researcher from Shah Latif University Khairpur, was honored with the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation in the "Influential Figure" category. The award ceremony took place at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and was attended by representatives from 66 countries. Dr. Markhand's recognition highlights Pakistan's contribution to global scientific research in agriculture, particularly in date palm cultivation. He was selected from over 180 researchers and scholars from 28 countries. During the ceremony, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to organize the Second Pakistan International Date Palm Festival 2025, aiming to enhance agricultural cooperation between Pakistan and the UAE.