The government needs to formulate long-term viable policies and allocate significant fund for the uplifting science and technology related departments which would help bring the country out of economic crisis.
Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology chairman Senator Mushtaq Ahmed expresses these views while heading the committee meeting at National Institute of Electronics (NIE) here on Tuesday.
The committee emphasised on revitalisation of all the important science and technology departments which are neglected, besides directing the ministry to apprise the committee of the progress in the next meeting.
The committee was informed by the officials that 43 positions including the post of director general (DG) are lying vacant in the NIE. The panel while expressing serious concern over the vacant positions of key posts since long said it is a serious hurdle in working of the department.
The panel also expressed concern over non-provision of development budget to the department for the years 2017-18 and 2018-19.
The committee after looking into the performance of department during the last two years observed that the NIE has great potential to assist the country and it needs proper attention.
The committee also recommended writing a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan regarding filling up the vacant posts and provision of development budget to the NIE.
The panel said proper functioning of science and technology departments is indispensable for moving toward a knowledge-based economy and competing internationally.
The Senator lamented that unfortunately science and technology sector has never remained the priority of any government, adding that the same is happening at present.
Additional Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology Malik Qaiser Majeed said a committee has already been constituted under his supervision to prepare a report after receiving briefing from all the departments working under the ministry about their issues and concerns.
The committee also discussed the issue of engineering technologists who have been demanding equal status at par with engineers, proper service structure and formation of National Technology Council (NTC) Act.
The committee after listening to the years old grievances of technologists through a representative of NTC, assured to resolve the matter. The committee directed the ministry to ensure presence of chairmen of HEC and NTC in the next meeting so that this longstanding issue can reach a logical conclusion.
The committee expressed concern over the performance of Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) regarding taking action against substandard fizzy drinks.
The committee was briefed by the PSQCA official that the authority has only taken 91 samples of fizzy drinks during the last three years out of which it found only eight non-conformity cases, adding notices were issued to eight companies and stock of four companies was seized.
The committee urged the PSQCA to work more efficiently for ensuring provision of quality bottled drinks to the citizens. The meeting was attended by Senator Nuzhat Sadiq, Senator Sassui Palijo, Senator Syed Muhammad Sabir Shah and officials of the ministry and various departments.
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