The International conference on "Development of Geographic Information Technology and its Applications: Year 2000 and Beyond in Pakistan" is the continuation of the ‘Two Days Workshop on GIS application to Resource Management and Environmental Planning" held on February (17-18), 1998 at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The workshop was organized by Pakistan Society of GIS in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Asian Institute of Technology Alumni Association (AITAA) Pakistan, Ministry of Environment, Local Government & Rural Development, and Anjuman Ikhwan e Islam (a prominent NGO working for promotion of education and research in Pakistan).

Geographic Information Technology has developed at a remarkable pace over the past two decades and will play a key role in development of nations in the 21^st Century, thereupon many countries have already prepared their strategic development plans for application of GIS Technology with gigantic financing endeavors. The forthcoming international conference on Geographic information Technology will provide the first international forum in Pakistan to discuss the appropriateness of GIS technology and its applications to forest management, urban development planing, land information systems and agricultural development. This conference will also provide a platform to discuss the potential use of GIS for educational infrastructure development with special emphasis on rural sector in Pakistan.

Educationists, planners, researchers, decision makers, administrators, communication professionals and officials from nation building departments and academicians from international and national institutes will be invited to discuss the role of GIS Technology in ensuring sustainable development and socio-economic and educational uplifting of the country.

This conference will also contribute to the Program 2010 of Pakistan and Pakistan Society of GIS is anticipating a good connectivity with the concerned ministries including the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Information and Media Development, Ministry of Environment, Local Government and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Housing and Physical Planning.

Multinational and national software developers and venders will be invited to the "Information Technology Exhibition" to present their products and research activities. Interested parties should contact the organizing committee before January1, 1999.

• Software Development and Information Technology
• GIS Applications to: Educational Infrastructure Planning; Agriculture Planning and Rural Development; Watershed Management; Urban and Regional Planning; and other GIS related issues like Spatial Data Quality Control and GIS Standards etc.

Interested participants should send an abstract of around 250 words not later than October15, 1998. The abstract should contain the name of author(s), contact address including telephone, email or fax. Selected papers will be published in the proceedings of the conference.

Send abstract before 15 October 1998.

Reply to the selected papers by PSGIS before 25 October 1998.

Submit final paper on or before 1^st January 1999.

Send the intention to attend the conference before 1^st January 1999.

Mohammad Atiq ur Rahman

General Secretary,

Pakistan society of GIS

Human Settlements Development Program,

Asian Institute of Technology,

Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120,

Thailand

Fax: (66-2) 524-6132

Email: atiq@ait.ac.th , atiqpsgis@hotmail.com

Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Library/3007