DURING service, PhD scientists working in different units of the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research were given Rs10,000 a month as PhD allowance. However, this allowance is discontinued on the employee’s retirement.

The priority at the PCSIR was to encourage scientific and industrial development, promote the utilisation of locally-produced raw materials to reduce imports, increase exports and improve the country’s foreign exchange position. Many of the PhD scientists entrusted with this task excelled at their work and have now retired and are dependent solely on their pensions.

The government has allowed the PhDs of other organisations who have retired to continue to receive the PhD allowance after their retirement. This is a request to the PCSIR chairman and the higher authorities to give the same courtesy to the PCSIR’s retired PhD scientists.

Dr S. Iftikhar Ahmed
Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2018