July 16, 2003	Wednesday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 15, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, July 15: The ministry of science and technology has been asked to establish Pakistan institute of science and technology within one month.

The directives had been issued by the chairman of Higher Education commission and in-charge minister for MoST, Dr Attaur Rehman, during a meeting here on Tuesday.

In this connection, a special committee has been constituted, which will make recommendations on the utilization of science and technology for the rapid socio-economic development of the country.

The committee comprises Dr Kausar Abdullah Malik, Prof Iqbal Chaudhry, Dr Abdullah Sadiq, Dr Anwarul Haq, Gen Shujjat Hussain, Dr Junaid Zaidi and Dr Shaukat Hameed. Two industrialists has also been included in the committee.

Presiding over the meeting, Dr Ata said the country lacked integration between academia, research and development activities and industrialisation. This is the missing link and the economy of the country will not improve unless this link is restored and the setting up of the institute will go a long way in establishing this missing link, he said.

“The guidelines prepared during my last tenure as federal minister are still valid, however, some changes will be made as and when required.”

He told the meeting that the government had agreed to restore the cut down budget for science and technology provided the ministry came up with good projects by the first week of September.