Federal Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanveer Hussain has said the economic development is directly linked to research and technology therefore a special attention is being given to strengthen research institutions. While speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday, the minister said that because of the importance of research, the budget of Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCISR) Laboratories is being increased from Rs 65 million to Rs 250 million. PCSIR Chairman Dr Shahzad Alam was also present on the occasion.
The minister said that all resources are being utilized to promote research culture so that dream to join the club of technologically advanced nations could come true. He, however, regretted that the low allocations for the vital sectors like science and technology had kept the country dependent on developed world despite the fact that country has no dearth of resources.
He said that special concentration is focused on need-based and result-oriented research which would save valuable time and money. Innovation is a key to economic competitiveness and research institutions and researchers would have to come forward to address the gaps in the current scenario by developing world-class technologies, he added. There is a close link between science and technology and industry therefore interaction is being enhanced with the chambers of commerce and industry of the countries, he maintained.
The minister informed the participants that a Common Facility Centre has been established at Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry which would provide one window facility to the business doing people.
He said that 16 organizations are working under the ministry. The system is being made efficient and result-oriented and while all appointments are being made on merit to achieve the growth target, he added. PCSIR Chairman Dr Shahzad Alam said that basic objective of the organization is to facilitate the local industry. PCSIR has established close linkages with the industrial sector and providing maximum cooperation in the larger interest of the economy, he added.
He said that though organization has faced financial problems in past but now situation is quite different. The earning of the organization is around Rs 300 million out of which 60 percent is being spent on research and development he said and added that PCSIR has offered 139 products based on modern technology, to the industry while also offering around 62 low cost laboratory equipment. He also informed the participants that PCSIR is also helping defence sector by providing necessary inputs for defence products.
Speaking on the occasion, LCCI Senior Vice President Almas Hyder said the Ministry of Science and Technology holds key importance as it is responsible for maintaining much needed culture of applied and academic research and development in the country.
He said, "Technology commercialization, development of standards for quality control, accreditation, education and effective linkages between industry and academia are some of the key functions of this ministry. However, the performance indicators of all the organizations working under the Ministry need to match with the requirements of modern era."
Pakistan has yet to be placed at some respectable position in the innovation index because of low end production of cheap goods and inefficient energy consumption ratio. Even after more than six decades of its creation, Pakistan still remains to be a producer of primary commodities. In view of current resource constraint, there is need to utilize existing resources optimally through reorganizing our R&D infrastructure and moving towards knowledge economy to rectify the dismal situation, he maintained.
"We keep hearing that new technology parks are being set up in various countries which are doing great job in spreading the fruits of science and technology across their respective regions. But unfortunately, this idea could not gain much popularity in Pakistan. We still need to make best use of this idea. You will agree with me that for achieving quicker results, we must set up technology parks in various cities of Pakistan", LCCI Senior Vice President added.
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