rofessor Dr Anis Alam, who promoted natural and social sciences and a scientific worldview, passed away at the age of 80, leaving behind a treasure of books and research-based articles in international journals. He is survived by a loving wife and three children.

A prominent physicist, Dr Alam had closely worked with Nobel Laureate Dr Abdus Salam at Imperial College, London, and later at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy, after Dr Salam’s efforts to establish it in Islamabad had failed.

He was a visiting scholar and scientist at several top universities and institutes , including the ICTP, London University, Sussex University, Imperial College and Tabriz University. Besides, he served for decades at the Physics Department of the Punjab University. The last teaching position he held was teaching at the Lahore School of Economics.

Leading scientific journals, including Physical Review, Nuclear Physics, IL, Nuovo Cimento, and Acta Crystallographic Journal of Bifurcation, and several prestigious publications printed his articles on science and social development issues.

Dr Alam was a leading critic of imperialism and its use of science to establish its hegemony over the Global South. His books on science and imperialism and the history of science are widely read in Pakistan and elsewhere. He, along with other progressive academicians, contributed to the progressive ideals and scientific worldview in Pakistan, immensely influencing generations of educationists and students.

He was a great lover and promoter of fine arts and social causes. Known as a thorough gentleman and a kind host, he and his exuberant wife, Prof Seemi Alam, made up an ideal progressive couple.

He also translated books written by Dr Salam, Stephen Hawking and George Gamow.

Dr Alam occasionally contributed articles to daily newspapers on social, economic, political and strategic issues. His book on sciences and imperialism was acclaimed across ideological divides in the country. He was among the progressive teachers who tried their best to develop and teach an alternative curriculum and promote creative methods of education and critical learning.

Dr Alam was among the progressive teachers who continued to face hardships in a prohibitive environment but kept their pedagogy of knowledge without compromising their social and humanist ideals. He was a great lover and promoter of fine arts and social causes. Known as a thorough gentleman and a kind host, he and his exuberant wife, Prof Seemi Alam, made up an ideal progressive couple.

Dr Alam will be remembered as a scientist and a pedagogue of progress and human emancipation. In his death, we have lost an exceptionally intelligent and passionate human being and a dear friend. May he rest in peace.

Fareeha Zaffar is a professor of geography at the Lahore School of Economics