Islamabad, February 22, 2023 (PPI-OT):The Senate Committee lamented Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) officials over the objectionable question asked by COMSATS Lecturer in quiz exam. Senator Anwar ul Haq Kakar reiterated that “the desire of incest is even considered an illness in western world”. Ghulam Muhammad Memon, Secretary MOST, apprised the committee that lecturer has been terminated from the service and three member committee has been constituted to conduct inquiry of the matter. The Senate Committee decided to form a Sub-Committee to probe the issue.
Moreover, the Committee was briefed about the projects under the PSDP 2023-24. Secretary MOST informed that a total of 71 projects have been enlisted under PSDP 2023-24, which includes 33 ongoing projects and 38 new projects and estimated cost of these projects is around Rs. 21.2 Billion. Senator Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen stated that, despite several requests the Technology Park for Balochistan has not been made part of PSDP 2023-24. He directed the ministry to incorporate the Technology Park in PSDP 2023-24.
Furthermore, the Senate body deliberated on the significance of ‘hemp Policy’ whose approval has been awaited since long. Dr. Hussain Abid, Chairman PCSIR, informed that not merely the hemp policy but the project named as “Establishment of Medical Cannabis Greenhouses for Biotechnology derived Bio products” was made part of PSDP 2022-23, and has not completed due to paucity of funds.
He added that this project could benefit country by saving billion of US dollars in import and suffice enough to meet raw material requirements of Pharmaceutical industry. Keeping in view, the significance of aforementioned project the committee decided to take up the matter with Prime Minister, so that the funds for the said project could be released at earliest.
While deliberating on the recruitment process followed for different posts in Pakistan Hilal Authority (PHA). Chairman Committee inquired as to why the recruitment process conducted through NTS. Ghulam Muhammad Memon, Secretary MOST, stated that the Public Service Commission is not authorised to conduct recruitment as the jobs were advertised for Authority. He apprised that the followed recruitment process was transparent and in case of an ambiguity the committee can interview the selected candidates.
The meeting was attended by Senator Kamran Murtaza, Senator Anwar ul Haq Kakar, Senator Sana Jamali, Secretary for Ministry of Science and Technology Ghulam Muhammad Memon, Chairman PCSIR Dr. Hussain Abid, DG Pakistan Halal Authority Akhtar A. Bughio and other senior officers of relevant departments were also in attendance.
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