Key scientific institutions: Senate body concerned at stagnant state
The meeting, held at the Parliament House, Thursday, was attended by senators, Husna Bano, Nasir Mehmood, Saeed Ahmad Hashmi, Dr Afnanullah Khan, and Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto. Also present were the Federal Minister for Science and Technology, senior officials of the ministry, and representatives from the Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (PCST) and the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR).
Officials revealed that the National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST), formed in 1984 as a 26-member statutory body under the prime minister's chairmanship, has held only three meetings since its inception, with the last one taking place in 2001 — a stark indicator of institutional neglect. As per the PCST Act 2017, the PCST serves as the Secretariat of the NCST but remains under threat of rightsizing, further destabilising the sector.
Chairman Kamran Ali Agha termed the Commission's performance 'highly unsatisfactory,' demanding to know why scientists and industrialists have not been appointed since 2020. Officials confessed that despite repeated correspondence from 2017 to 2023, the proposed nominations expired before they could meaningfully contribute. If the members in this body are not complete yet, how will the Commission be functional? the chairman asked pointedly.
In response to this institutional paralysis, the chairman directed the formation of a proper committee within 15 days, with a clear agenda to revive and streamline the work of the NCST and PCST. 'There is a building, the institution exists — keep working!' Senator Agha emphasised, rejecting any speculation about closures before clear decisions are made.
The Committee also scrutinised Pakistan's underwhelming budgetary allocation for science and technology, with the joint secretary admitting that a mere 0.16 per cent of GDP is devoted to the sector, resulting in outdated equipment despite capable human resources. When asked by Senator Dr Afnanullah Khan about this year's budget, the ministry disclosed that only Rs4.5 billion had been released — an amount the committee, unanimously, termed inadequate to meet national innovation goals.
Adding a global perspective, Senator Dr Afnanullah Khan highlighted China's ambitious plan to establish a solar power plant in space by 2028, urging that Pakistan must invest in futuristic energy solutions and public awareness campaigns for solar technology. Chairman Agha echoed this, stressing that falling behind in emerging technologies would widen the innovation gap.
Equally alarming was the committee's discussion on harmful consumer products.
Under the Pakistan National Quality Policy (PNQP) 2021, which sets the framework for national and international testing standards, Senator Afnanullah Khan raised serious concerns over widely sold 'tea-whitening' products masquerading as milk alternatives, were products that pose grave health risks, including cancer.
The joint secretary endorsed these concerns, confirming that such products are indeed a major cause of cancer, and backed the committee's call for stringent legal action, including possible bans and the closure of companies selling unsafe substitutes. The committee strongly recommended an immediate ban and the ministry assured that a detailed briefing and necessary enforcement measures would be presented in the next meeting.
Wrapping up, Chairman Agha warned: PCST and the National Commission are important institutions. Without them, the ministry will come to a standstill.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business Recorder
Oil prices edge lower
NEW YORK: Oil prices fell for the fourth consecutive session on Wednesday, as investors assessed a US tariff deal with Japan ahead of trade talks between EU and US officials due later in the day. Brent crude futures were down 30 cents, or 0.44%, at $68.29 a barrel at 11:55 a.m. EDT (1555 GMT). US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down 28 cents, or 0.43%, at $65.03 per barrel. Both benchmarks lost about 1% in the previous session after the EU said it was considering countermeasures against US tariffs. US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the US and Japan had struck a trade deal that lowers tariffs on auto imports and spares Tokyo from punishing new levies on other goods in exchange for a $550 billion package of US-bound investment and loans. 'The slide (in prices) of the past three sessions appears to have abated but I don't expect much of an upward impetus from news of the US-Japan trade deal as the hurdles and delays being reported in talks with the EU and China will remain a drag on sentiment,' said Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights. The European Commission plans to submit counter-tariffs on 93 billion euros ($109 billion) of US goods for approval to EU members, while the Commission's primary focus is to achieve a negotiated outcome with the United States to avert 30% US tariffs. European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic will speak with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick from Brussels on Wednesday afternoon, before Commission officials brief EU ambassadors on the state of play. Oil pared some losses after US Energy Information Administration data showed US crude inventories fell last week by 3.2 million barrels to 419 million barrels, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a 1.6 million-barrel draw. 'That's a bullish swing,' said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho. 'It was largely a function of import-export dynamics.' US crude exports were up by 337,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 3.86 million bpd, while net US crude imports fell last week by 740,000 barrels per day, the EIA said. In another bullish sign for the crude market, the US energy secretary said on Tuesday that the US would consider sanctioning Russian oil to end the war in Ukraine. The EU on Friday agreed its 18th sanctions package against Russia, lowering the price cap for Russian crude.
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business Recorder
Revised business plan: PIA buyer required to invest Rs70bn in 5 years: PC
ISLAMABAD: Privatization Commission Secretary Usman Akhtar Bajwa, Tuesday, informed the Senate Standing Committee on Privatization that the buyer of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) will be required to invest Rs70 billion over five years period under revised business plan of privatisation of PIA. A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Privatization was held under the chairmanship of Senator Dr Afnanullah Khan. The meeting was attended by senators Zeeshan Khanzada, Bilal Ahmed Khan, Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, Mohsin Aziz and other officials from Ministry from Privatization, Power Division and Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL). Aviation panel told: PIACL sell-off process almost over Secretary Privatization Commission, while sharing the revised business plan of privatization of the national flag carrier, stated that the due diligence process has begun for pre-qualified companies in the PIA privatization. Starting next week, site visits and expert sessions will begin for pre-qualified companies. Expert sessions will include briefings on aircraft conditions and routes, said Usman Bajwa. To a query, he said that a decision has been taken to launch PIA flights to Manchester starting from August 14. However, there are security concerns for PIA's North American routes. Efforts will be made to resolve security concerns regarding North American routes. He stated that PIA's current business model is not sustainable. In the previous bidding round, investors backed out because their demands were not met. He further briefed that now, investors will receive sales tax exemption on aircraft purchases. The government had to inject Rs100 billion annually to keep PIA running. The services of the previous financial advisor have been re-engaged for PIA's privatisation. During the meeting, the committee reviewed a report highlighting complaints of the pensioners of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL). It was also revealed that currently pension liabilities for 6,625 employees of PIACL amount to Rs14.87609 billion. Expressing concern, Chairman Committee Senator Dr Afnanullah Khan remarked that the pension amount is extremely low, asking how people are expected to survive. In response, the Ministry of Privatization stated that pension policies are regularly revised and updated annually in line with allowances. The chairman directed that Grade/Scale wise pension details, including the amount received and the distribution process, be presented in the next meeting. Privatization Commission informed the committee that the Board of the Privatisation Commission in its July 2025 meeting resolved as under:a) Pre-qualified the following interested parties as prospective bidders/pre-qualified bidders (PQBs): (i) Consortium comprising Lucky Cement Limited, Hub Power Holdings Limited, Kohat Cement Company Limited and Metro Ventures (Private) Limited; (ii) Consortium comprising Arif Habib Corporation Limited, Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited, City Schools (Private) Limited and Lake City Holdings (Private) Limited; iii) Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited, and iv) Air Blue Limited. b) Consortium comprising ASIL and Serene Air (Private) Limited, Bahria Foundation, Mega C&S Holding, Equitas Capital LLC, was not pre-qualified, as it did not meet the requirements of the Request for Statement of Qualification (RSOQ). The PQBs have been invited to conduct buy-side due diligence by giving access to Virtual Data Room. The PQBs will also be invited for pre-bid conference/meetings for finalisation of bid documents, Privatization Commission added. About the privatisation of power distribution companies, secretary Privatization Commission stated that the DISCOs face issues related to asset transfers, ownership of grid stations, and recoveries from government departments. The DISCOs are also facing challenges related to regulatory frameworks, payments to government entities, and pension liabilities and payments. He further said that 51 percent to 100 percent assets of the DISCOs' will be sold. Three DISCOs will be privatised between January and June of the current fiscal year. The committee was informed that the Pakistan Minerals Development Corporation (PMDC) is not yet included in Privatization list. Senator Zeeshan Khanzada questioned why this institution is being Privatized and asked about the purpose behind it. Senator Bilal Ahmed Khan also raised concerns, questioning why land is being granted/allotted if the government plans to privatise the institution. He further asked about the area under PMDC's operation and the quantity of mineral output. Senators further queried the basis of the privatization decision, noting that the Petroleum Ministry lacks the mandate to privatise the PMDC. In response, the minister clarified that the Cabinet Committee on SOEs is responsible for evaluating organisations and that the Petroleum Ministry can better explain its mandate. The committee was briefed on the privatisation process, which involves recommendations to the Board, Cabinet's approval, and hiring of financial/legal advisors through advertisements. The evaluation criteria will then be assessed before final approval. The Chairman Committee Senator Dr Afnanullah Khan proposed that PMDC be invited to the next meeting to further deliberate on this matter. Regarding ZTBL, the committee was informed that it is included in Phase One of the privatisation list approved by the government in August 2024. A total of 24 organisations are to be privatised. ZTBL is currently in the process of hiring a financial adviser. The ministry stated that the negotiations are in progress to finalise how ZTBL will be privatised. Moreover, Senator Dr Afnanullah Khan questioned the delay in hiring a financial adviser, noting that the last meeting was held on January 31st, when the bids were submitted and evaluated. He expressed concern that nearly six months had passed without finalizing the appointment. The ministry responded that the process typically takes six to eight weeks but was delayed due to high fee demands by one party nearly Rs500 million forcing a restart of the process. The ministry assured the committee that the complete privatisation process is now targeted to be completed within nine months. Furthermore, Senator Zeeshan Khanzada raised a critical point upon the overall privatisation process of the entities. He further questioned the rationale behind privatizing the entities while highlighting the performance of the Privatization Commission. He urged that this issue be thoroughly discussed in the committee. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
14-07-2025
- Express Tribune
US Congress panel to hold hearing on 'political repression in Pakistan'
The US Capitol Dome is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington January 14, 2010. PHOTO: REUTERS Listen to article The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the US Congress will hold a hearing to examine the 'ongoing repression of political opposition' in Pakistan, according to an announcement posted on the Commission's official website. The hearing, scheduled to be held in person and streamed online, will focus on actions by the Pakistani government that allegedly restrict political freedoms, including the treatment of opposition political figures, suppression of independent journalism, and controls over media and communication. Hearing Notice -- Pakistan: Ongoing Political Repression Date: Tuesday, July 15th, 2025 Time: 2:00 - 4:00 PM Location: Rayburn 2255 Details: — Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (@TLHumanRights) July 9, 2025 The Commission stated that it will assess the implications of these actions for democracy and human rights in Pakistan. It is tasked with promoting, defending, and advocating for international human rights as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other key human rights frameworks. According to the announcement, many observers trace the current phase of repression to 2022, when then-prime minister Imran Khan was removed from office, later convicted of corruption, and imprisoned. The US State Department's 2023 Country Report on Human Rights Practices highlights several human rights concerns in Pakistan, including enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings, the persecution of religious and ethnic minorities, and transnational repression. The Commission noted that Pakistan's general elections in February 2024 were marked by 'undue restrictions on freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly,' as well as incidents of electoral violence and interference with fundamental rights, as outlined in a statement by the US State Department. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to testify on the state of #HumanRights in #Pakistan before the @TLHumanRights Commission in the #US #Congress. I will be highlighting the arbitrary detention of Imran Khan, his wife, and other political prisoners, as well as the erosion… — Sayed Z Bukhari (@sayedzbukhari) July 9, 2025 Witnesses scheduled to testify include Ben Linden of Amnesty International, human rights lawyer Jared Genser, Sadiq Amini of the Afghanistan Impact Network, and Zulfikar Bukhari, an advisor to Imran Khan. The hearing is open to Members of Congress, staff, the public, and media. It will be streamed live on the Commission's website and on the House digital channel.
