Opinions

Pakistan’s Newton Apple Tree: The Forgotten Scientific Legacy of NPSL

Mr. Khalid Islam’s work at NPSL, atomic timekeeping research and Newton apple-tree gift reveal an overlooked chapter of Pakistani scientific excellence.

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August 7, 2026 and it takes 10–11 minutes to read.

Newton apple tree descendant planted at Pakistan’s national metrology laboratory in Islamabad

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Why did Khalid Islam return to Pakistan?

Despite a prestigious scholarship and a £25,000 British job opportunity, he returned to transfer his knowledge and establish advanced timekeeping capability in Pakistan.

What was NPSL?

The National Physical and Standards Laboratory was Pakistan’s National Metrology Institute, responsible for national measurement standards, calibration, testing, time and frequency references, training and international measurement cooperation. It is now known as the National Metrology Institute of Pakistan.

Did Khalid Islam establish Pakistan Standard Time?

Pakistan already had an administratively defined time zone, but Khalid Islam’s atomic timekeeping work strengthened Pakistan’s ability to realize, maintain and disseminate its standard time through domestic scientific infrastructure.

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