September 08, 2007	Saturday	Sha'aban 25, 1428

KARACHI, Sept 7: Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Nouraiz Shakoor Khan took strong exception to the collapse of Northern Bypass, and supported a full investigation, including quality of construction material.

He said cement, steel and other material used in the construction should also be included in the test as to their traceability, origin and manufacturing against Pakistan standards.

While presiding over a meeting of the board of directors of Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) here recently, the minister said being in charge of the ministry of science and technology, he is seized of the situation of collapse which may have been additionally contributed by use of substandard material, including cement and steel.

He said the design aspect has a key role to lay the foundation for a construction, but without use of standardised material, the failure of good design is inevitable.

The minister said a full probe would reveal all aspects of determination of use of standardised material which is more necessary for a fair conclusion.

He said in the recent past the collapse of a building in Islamabad was caused due to the use of material which was not certified by Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA).

This may have happed due to non-compliance of quality and required standard used in construction of the building.

Nouraiz Shakoor said he was now getting complaints about various constructions all over the country which have become suspicious and doubtful as to its quality construction by mandatory use of standardised construction material.

He said this is risking the life of public and is plunder of natural resources.

He further said the manufacturing merchandise in Pakistan which has direct bearing on safety and health of people need to be standardised to ensure consumer protection.

Mr Shakoor said by standardisation of products and their sales afterwards will help us in overseas market by introducing our image-building which is possible by being recognised as a country selling products of quality and standards.

Due to globalisation, he said there would be no exception or compromise on quality if we have to increase the share in world market.

He further said in Pakistan it is the need of the hour that all the products in use by civil society, which are domestically manufactured or imported have to conform with PSQCA.