Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) Secretary Akhlaq Ahmad Tarar on Friday directed authorities of Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH) to take measures for attracting more number of visitors to the museum for promoting informal education and science culture in the country.
He said this during his visit to PMNH, a subsidiary organisation of Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), here on Friday. PSF Chairman Dr Manzoor H. Soomro, PMNH Director General Dr Syed Azhar Hasan and Directors were present on the occasion. It was the first visit of the secretary to PMNH after he assumed the charge on retirement of former secretary Irfan Nadeem.
Tarar is visiting different science and technology organisations in order to get first hand information about their working and problems. The Secretary visited different galleries and repositories of PMNH and made different queries about displays and natural history specimens. The scientists concerned provided the required information to him.
The Secretary appreciated scientists' efforts to collect a good number of natural history specimens and their display for research and educational purposes within a limited budget. PMNH Director General Dr Syed Azhar Hasan also briefed the secretary about the model of the museum building and the budget required for completion of the remaining blocks.
PSF Chairman Professor Dr Manzoor H. Soomro apprised the secretary of funds shortage to complete this project of immense national importance. The Secretary promised to look into the matter. Later, Dr Syed Azhar Hasan in a presentation briefed the Secretary about the PMNH research and educational activities, its achievements problems and future plans. The Secretary directed the PMNH authorities to initiate marketable research projects. The Secretary assured the PSF Chairman and PMNH DG of Ministry's full support to their research and educational programmes for promoting science culture in the country.