Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry on Friday said that reports by international human rights bodies about human rights abuses in Occupied Kashmir provide enough grounds to impose trade sanctions on India.
While talking to media persons, Chaudhry warned that the situation between Pakistan and India would become volatile and complicated if the international community remains a silent spectator. Pakistan has always pleaded for peace but Modi has become a symbol of oppression.
He said that the United Nations' report on Kashmir is a charge sheet against India which is enough to impose trade restrictions upon it. He said President of the United States Donald Trump is trying to play a role of arbitrator but Indian's prime minister does not understand the language of the world. He said that India which alleges others is itself doing terrorism in Kashmir, adding that Modi has emerged as fascist Indian prime minister in the region. Replying to a question, the minister said, "He does not know whether Modi used Pakistani airspace or not."
Earlier, the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology discussed the reports of corruption cases in Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) being investigated by National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The committee was told that there are no corruption cases regarding PCSIR; however, the ministry itself has approached the NAB to get some of the precious PCSIR land in Lahore back in its possession.
It was told that two pieces of land amounting to approximately $40 million were illegally occupied by some mafia and these are being misused in activities not distantly related to the institution's mandate. The land covers an area of 17 kanals and 21 kanals at two separate locations. The committee was told that the same land after possession will be used for projects in public private partnership for science and technology initiatives.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Senator Mushtaq Ahmed here at the Parliament House on Friday. Regarding issues of appointments and promotions in Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), the chairman committee observed that the matters relating to PSQCA have been on agenda of the committee for long and the issues are not being resolved. The issues of delay in genuine promotions and some irregular appointments were also discussed. Three specific cases whereby two were related to delays in promotions and service matters while the third was about irregular appointment were discussed.
The secretary told the meeting that the genuine case of promotion of media advisor will be done within next departmental promotional committee.
The committee discussed in detail the sub-committee report on the matter. The committee was of the view that people who have had inquiries going on against them should be suspended till the inquiry comes to a conclusion. The minister agreed to the committee's view and the committee was told that most of such people have already been suspended and if the committee finds any remaining people, the ministry will comply with the direction. The committee sought the list of suspended officials in the next meeting.
While giving compliance report on committee's directions, the meeting was surprised to know that no facility exists in the country at present to see if children toys or drinking straws are being made from hospital waste.
The secretary said that the responsibility lies with the hospitals that let the waste go out of the premises and do not have incinerators in the hospitals. The committee decided to hold a joint meeting with the health committee on the matter so that the matter can be discussed at length and the root cause can be identified by calling all departments that come under both ministries.
The committee also gave directions to conduct a survey by taking a sample of 100 sugar mills and sending questionnaires asking about what ways are being used for sugar whitening.
Regarding organising seminars and expos, the committee observed that such events should have representation of academia as well as industry and at the same time participation of all the departments of the ministry.
The need for calling Pakistani experts working in world leading institutes was also emphasised. The committee noted that there should be a mechanism to arrange annual conferences by Pakistani missions abroad comprising Pakistani scientists working in different countries.
The committee also sought a briefing on developmental and non-developmental budget of the ministry and its attached departments in the next meeting.
Among others, the committee meeting was attended by senators including Nuzhat Sadiq, Gianchand and Syed Sabir Shah and Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry, Secretary Science and Technology as well as other officials.
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