RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel on Wednesday noted with serious concern that the government is spending more fund on one kilometre of metro bus route than the total budget allocated for Ministry of Science and Technology and its attached departments.

This was revealed in the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology which met with Osman Saifullah Khan in the chair. The committee chairman also vowed to move an adjournment motion in the upcoming Senate session to invite government's attention towards this important matter.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanveer Hussain admitted that this sector is not on the priority of the government and spending on research in the country is 0.29 per cent of the GDP, keeping Pakistan at the 87th position in the world.

The committee discussed 'the COMSATS University Islamabad Bill, 2017' and 'the Pakistan Council of Science and Technology Bill, 2016' and 'the Pakistan National Accreditation Council Bill, 2016.' The committee was also briefed by the Ministry of Science and Technology on steps/policy measures being taken for the popularisation of science in Pakistan.

The ministry briefed the committee regarding 'the COMSATS University Islamabad Bill, 2017' and said that the proposed bill is necessary to upgrade the COMSATS Institute of Information Technology as COMSATS University, adding that the university will have a its own senate and syndicate for the governance and general supervision of the affairs of university. The committee said that it is an important bill and it will be discussed in detail in the next meeting.

The committee expressed anger over the Law and Justice Division while observing that amendments in bills have been made without taking the Ministry of Science and Technology on board.

Responding to the question of Senator Haji Momin Khan Afridi, it was informed that COMSATS provides various opportunities to the students of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), including scholarships. The chairman of the committee directed the ministry to submit the original draft of the bill after 10 days and also present details regarding number of FATA students in the institute.

The Ministry of Science and Technology apprised the committee of the background of 'the Pakistan Council of Science and Technology Bill, 2016.'

The chairman of committee raised the question of overlapping in the functions of Pakistan Council of Science and Technology (PCST) and Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), and proposed the merger of the both.

The minister was of the view that the functions of the PCST and PSF are different. However, the chairman asked for a combined presentation from the PSCT and PSF over the roles of both the institutions.

The committee was briefed by the ministry on the background of Pakistan National Accreditation Council Bill, 2016, that the bill was passed in National Assembly in 2016 and the Supreme Court of Pakistan has also instructed in this regard.

The committee was also informed about various achievements of the Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) such as membership of various apex bodies for accreditation globally and about the future expansion plans. The bill was adopted by the committee in its original form.

The committee was also briefed by Ministry of Science and Technology on steps/policy measures being taken for the popularisation of Science in Pakistan. Noted educationist, Musharaf Zaidi as a special invitee, also briefed the committee and presented documents and other informative materials regarding the status of science and math in the country. He urged the committee for allocating more developmental funds to improve the standard of education.

The ministry informed that it has funds for various developmental projects and also agreed that even more funds, if needed, will be allocated. The minister further informed that an MoU has been signed between the Ministry of Defence Production and Science and Technology for amplified collaboration.

The meeting was also attended by Senators Attique Sheikh, Haji Moin Khan Afridi and Professor Sajid Mir, and other concerned officials.