ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology Tuesday directed the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) to prepare standards for adaptation of the efficient system for appliances and fans for reducing electricity consumption.
The meeting presided over by Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan was given a detailed overview of the point of order by Senator Nauman Wazir Khattak that was raised in the House on 26 August, 2020, regarding the importance of reducing electricity consumption in Pakistan.
Senator Nauman Wazir Khattak, shared with the Committee, the difference of energy consumption between summer and winter months that amounted to a difference of 17,000 MW. He asserted that the major issue was the use of fans and appliances with a 1-star rating, which was disastrous in terms of energy consumption.
He asserted that it was imperative that the Star Rating System, prevalent in the rest of the world be adopted. He was also of the view that electric vehicles be introduced.
The major challenge for this, as informed by the Ministry of Science and Technology was reluctance of the industry in adopting related technology due to increasing costs. The consumers too would abstain from adopting this due to price hikes. The Committee was informed that these appliances would not burden the consumers' pockets, if the government subsidy was paid.
The Committee directed the PSQCA to formulate standards for adaptation of the Star System, and revert to the Committee at the earliest. After detailed deliberation on the issue, the Committee directed the secretary MoST to consult with all the stakeholders and present a report in the next meeting.
The meeting discussed in great detail the use of efficient technology to conserve electricity. It also reviewed the matter of ratification of nomination of Senator Prof Dr Mehr Taj Roghani as member of the Board of Governors of the Pakistan Council for Science and Technology by the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology.
While being briefed by the chairman Intellectual Property Organization, the committee expressed concern regarding slow process of registering an idea or invention. The committee was informed that the process in Pakistan was way less than in other country.
However, timelines may decrease, if the correct process is followed that would reduce glitches. In order to facilitate national inventors and applicants, the IPO has designed outreach programs, and send patent experts for IP awareness sessions.
Patent filing workshops are also held. IP Help Desks and Technology Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) have also been established. Patent examination can be conducted in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore. In the past 10 years, numerous well-known universities have filed for patenting. The Committee recommended that clusters of the universities be formed, so that in the least one TISC is delegated to it.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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