In a visit to the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) Laboratories Complex in Karachi, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khaled Maqbool Siddiqui underscored the pivotal role of providing higher education to youth in tackling the nation’s financial and societal issues. Minister Siddiqui stressed the importance of preparing the younger generation, particularly through IT training courses, for the imminent era of biotechnology and artificial intelligence. Minister Siddiqui praised the contributions of youth, labeling them as Pakistan’s assets, and highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance their education, specifically mentioning IT training initiatives.
He emphasized a shift from discussing “brain drain” to focusing on “brain train” strategies. During his visit, Minister Siddiqui engaged in discussions with PCSIR employees, addressing concerns regarding salary delays. He assured prompt resolution upon his return to Islamabad, promising to ensure timely salary payments by the end of the week. Additionally, he pledged swift action to address individual capacity issues within the organization. Prior to his tour, Minister Siddiqui received a detailed briefing on PCSIR’s activities and future projects, expressing keen interest in upcoming endeavors and urging their swift implementation. He also visited three scientific centers within the PCSIR Laboratories Complex to further familiarize himself with their operations and potential contributions.
