Ministry presents tentative PSDP allocation demand amounting Rs9.34bn

ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Science & Technology has presented a tentative PSDP allocation demand amounting to Rs 9.34 billion for the next financial year.

Federal Minister for Science Khalid Hussain Magsi and senior officials of the Ministry briefed the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology held under the chairmanship of Senator Kamil Ali Agha, on the total number of projects presented for upcoming fiscal year 2026–27. The total number of projects were 38, including 19 ongoing schemes and 19 new schemes, of which 8 are approved and 11 unapproved. The total estimated cost of these projects stands at Rs 53.94 billion.

The Committee considered the report of its Sub-Committee constituted to examine and recommend resolution of issues between the National University of Sciences and Technology and the Capital Development Authority through appropriate administrative and legal mechanisms. The report was adopted by the Committee.

The implementation status of recommendations made in the Committee’s meeting held on December 22, 2025 was deferred for consideration at a subsequent meeting.

The Committee received a detailed briefing on the alleged forced seizure, dismantling and demolition of functional laboratories and federal government assets of the National Institute of Electronics, as well as an agreement executed between the Director General of NIE and the Managing Director of the Indigenous Research and Development Agency in alleged violation of a Federal Cabinet decision.

It was informed that the Federal Cabinet, in its meeting held on January 1, 2025, had directed that NIE be merged with a suitable entity such as NUST, NUTECH or PCSIR, and that a roadmap be presented by January 31, 2025. The Cabinet further directed that if no institution showed interest, the matter may be reassessed, with winding up likely in that scenario.

The case was subsequently considered by the Council of PCSIR, where more than 80 percent of the Council, constituting more than a two-thirds majority, supported the merger of NIE with PCSIR. This decision was conveyed to the Ministry of Science and Technology on August 6, 2025. The Ministry informed the Committee that implementation is currently under process.

Responding to reports that NIE laboratories had been demolished, the Ministry stated that the premises were being renovated. Chairman Senator Kamil Ali Agha said, “We will call the NIC and take their viewpoint as well whether it was renovated or destroyed.” He further directed that an in-camera meeting be held to examine the details of the matter.

The Committee reviewed the updated position regarding the closure, merger and restructuring of organisations including Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (PCST), Council for Work & housing Research (CWHR) and others under the administrative purview of the Ministry of Science and Technology, with a focus on safeguarding employment, benefits and welfare of employees.

It was informed that the Federal Cabinet, in its meeting held on January 1, 2025, approved the winding up of CWHR. The Ministry consulted the Establishment Division regarding human resource matters. The Establishment Division conveyed that civil servants of the organisation would be placed in the surplus pool. A summary for the Prime Minister to repeal the CHR Resolution was submitted through the Establishment Division on January 30, 2026.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026