ISLAMABAD, Jan 28: Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Nouraiz Shakoor on Friday said the government gave top priority to the construction of water reservoirs and his ministry would help conduct research and keep the people abreast with the causes of silting of reservoirs like Tarbela, Mangla and other major dams.

Briefing the Senate standing committee on scientific and technological research, he said his ministry was taking keen interest to promote the culture of scientific and technological research and mass awareness campaigns were being launched to inform the general public about the new innovations.

Presiding over the meeting held here at the Parliament House, the chairperson of the committee, Mrs Razina Alam Khan, said science and technology played a vital role in the socio-economic development of the country and Pakistan was no exception.

"Therefore, concerted efforts are required for improving our base for technological and scientific research," she said. The committee was given a detailed briefing on the working and performance of the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) and Pakistan Council of Research and Water Resources (PCRWR).

The PSF chairman briefed the committee about the working and performance of the foundation and admitted that in past the country lagged behind in different fields due to lack of sufficient funds as well as efficient management. He informed the committee that PSF was utilizing 100 per cent funds for launching different scientific projects.