FOR the first time in many years, the Ministry of Science and Technology is pursuing policies and programmes that have the potential to accelerate the pace of industrial and agricultural growth, thanks to the visionary and vibrant approach of the Minister Fawad Chaudhry, who is working hard to improve working of the entire Ministry and its attached departments. There is added focus on research and development while technology projects are being provided adequate funding.
Science and technology is the real engine of growth of any country but the sector remained neglected in the past. A number of initiatives were launched in the past as well but these remained unimplemented but now things are changing day-by-day. Pakistan’s financial woes can be mitigated significantly by promoting trade and commerce in Halal food products and to capture Pakistan’s share in the trillion of dollars international Halal food business. Pakistan Halal Authority Bill was passed by the National Assembly in 2015 but the Authority remained dysfunctional. Fawad Chaudhry took special interest in the matter to ensure its function so that the Halal food export potential is exploited to the optimal level. A task force has been formed to explore the means for future needs in agriculture, provision of clean drinking water, industries and education. South Asia’s largest Biotechnology and Herbal Medicines Park is proposed to be established at Jhelum while projects are at hand to use drones for promotion of agriculture and improve battery storage technology. It is all the more important to note that there is a plan to send Pakistan’s first space mission in 2022. The Ministry is going to solarize the building of Prime Minister Secretariat, 30 towns are being selected for the provision of clean drinking water while 16 towns will be selected for generating energy from waste. Three universities under the Ministry have been tasked to prepare curriculum for science students of schools and colleges. Fortunately, the Minister has a competent and ideal team members like Executive Director of COMSATS Dr S M Junaid Zaidi, who has revolutionized working of the university and is complementing efforts of the Minister in the realm of research and development.
