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KARACHI, Feb 3: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Dr Ata-ur- Rahman on Sunday suggested establishment of carrier structures for medical researchers in the country to lure qualified people in the field.
“The present structure and financial package are so unattractive that it hardly fulfil financial requirements of those who want to take up research as a carrier. Research in the field of medicine has assumed a critical dimension and under the prevailing situation one can hardly ignore this aspect,” he said, while addressing members of the technology and development forum, a newly-established platform of health experts for devising measures to redress health problems faced by a large segment of the population in the country.
The minister claimed that since his taking over charge of the ministry of science and technology, the allocation for the ministry which earlier stood at Rs120 million, had been enhanced by 5,000 per cent and now it was Rs6 billion.
“This move on the part of General Perez Musharraf clearly reflects his sincere and selfless approach to accord due status to science and technology and ensure prosperity and development of the motherland,” he added.
He said seventy per cent of the ministry’s budget was allocated for strengthening research and educational institutions and promotion of science and technology in the country, which would start eliciting results in the coming days. “We have also focussed our endeavours on promotion and strengthening of human resource in the country as the government is of the firm opinion that minerals and natural resources of any country are not its real asset but its manpower is, which can help alleviate its miseries and despondency,” he remarked.
Dr Ata, while referring to India’s progress in telemedicine, said it had successfully connected 58 cities through this mode. “In view of the significance of this vital field of medicine, we have also embarked on an ambitious plan through which 100 cities of Pakistan by the end of the current year will be connected through the same.
COMPUTERS: Dr Ata said import of the long-awaited consignment of 50,000 second-hand Pentium 11 and 111 computers from the USA, which he had earlier announced, will start from Feb 8.
Explaining causes of delay in arrival of these computers, he said lack of warranty by the supplier resulted in the delay, but now with three- month assurance by the concerned company, the process of import would be expedited very soon.
“These computers will be distributed among the public schools in the country following recommendations by the governors of each provinces,” he added.
Responding to a question about the vicious propaganda unleashed by Indian media aimed at undermining his image as reported in a section of the local press, the minister termed them as “ridiculous”.
He said recently the US Department of Commerce had released an 80-paged report wherein it described the promotion and proliferation of Information Technology in Pakistan during the last two years as monumental. “The report clearly describes that Pakistan is fast catching up in IT area. It further urged US I.T companies to invest heavily in Pakistan in view of their safe investment in the country.”—PPI
