ISLAMABAD, July 9: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Nauraiz Shakoor said the government had taken various steps to discourage brain drain in the country. Talking to representatives of a private organization here on Saturday, he said we must strive to attract and retain world class professionals in various segments of the economy. The minister said 66 per cent Pakistanis wanted to go abroad to avail better economic prospects and career opportunities, adding that this created a deficiency of skilled persons and professionals in their home country. The government has taken serious notice of this situation and is taking different steps to tackle it, he said.

“The government is now offering good salaries to professionals, creating linkages and networks between employers and highly-skilled manpower”, Mr Shakkor said. A national talent pool has also been created on merit, he added.

The minister said research incentives and grants were being offered to promote a research culture in the country, besides launching short and long-term foreign faculty hiring programmes.

The representatives — Bilal Kiyani and Rabel Warraich — apprised the minister of their programme ‘Reverse Brain Drain’, which was a UN recognised project.

They said the organization assisted individuals in foreign education and overseas experience. The objective of the organization is to attract and retain talent, they added.— A Reporter