ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Population Studies (Nips), the only government think-tank on population, has been without a permanent head since June. The vacancy is not only delaying Nips projects but creating problems for the staff.

However Minister of National Health Services (NHS) Saira Afzal Tarar assures that issue will be resolved soon.

NIPS is a premier research organisation established by the Government in 1986. Currently, it is working under the Ministry of NHS.

The NIPS has been mandated to act as a technical arm of the Government for undertaking high quality research and to produce evidence-based data and information.

Its data is utilised by the public sector and other agencies for policy formulation, strategic planning and making reference in the spheres of demography, population and development, and health.

An official of Nips requesting not to be identified said that initially NIPS was part of ministry of population but after 18th Amendment the ministry was devolved and it was placed under the ministry of NHS.

“The Nips problems aggravated after the retirement of Executive Director (ED) Abdul Basit Khan, in June 2014,” he said.

“We hold surveys and give estimated ratios of infant mortality rate, mother mortality rate, contraceptive prevalence rate, population growth rate and estimated size of population,” he said.

“There are 80 vacancies for the staff in the Nips but almost 50 have been filled. Even around 10 seats which have to be filled through promotions are lying vacant.

“A World Health Organization’s (WHO) project regarding measles could not be launched for the last six months just because of absence of a permanent head,” he said.

“If ministry of NHS cannot run the think-tank it should hand it over to the Planning Commission,” he said.

Being a think-tank, Nips has important role in population census so government should resolve issues, he said.

Population census is held across the country after every 10 years.

Ms Saira Afzal Tarar while talking to Dawn said that only BPS 21 officer could be appointed as head of Nips but the ministry didn’t have officer of this grade.

“We have asked the Establishment Division to provide officer for the post. Moreover, I am also considering to place other population wings under the Nips.

It may take some time but issue will be resolved on permanent basis,” she said.

Published in Dawn, November 22th , 2014