ISLAMABAD: The government has earmarked Rs4.79 billion for the Science and Technological Research Division under the Public Sector Development Programme for 2025-26 with the funding directed toward 24 ongoing projects.

Leading the allocations was the flagship research, development and innovation programme at the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) receiving Rs850 million. The programme is focused on enhancing indigenous industrial research, supporting product development, commercialisation and applied research across various scientific disciplines.

A substantial amount of Rs380 million has been designated for the cultivation and processing of medicinal and industrial cannabis on experimental fields, including the establishment of testing and product development facilities at PCSIR and Arid Agriculture University.

The government also prioritised cultural and scientific preservation with Rs350 million allocated for upgrading the Pakistan Museum of Natural History. The project aims to modernise exhibits and enhance research capabilities.

In the field of genetic research, Rs338 million have been set aside for the gene editing of biological agents targeting nutritional, biochemical and therapeutic applications.

Addressing food security, a revised project “Quality Seed Production and Supply for Food Security” will receive Rs250 million to boost agricultural productivity and ensure sustainable food systems. Simultaneously, Rs245 million have been allocated for the digital transformation and automation of PCSIR, aiming to modernise internal systems and improve efficiency.

A sum of Rs217 million has been allotted for the establishment of a national centre of failure analysis at the Institute of Space Technology, to enhance the country’s industrial and engineering resilience.

The biotechnology sector continued to gain traction with Rs200.194 million going towards the development of medical cannabis greenhouses and a national analytical laboratory, supporting controlled cultivation and advanced medicinal research.

Three key projects - the establishment of Nust chip design centre, development of computer-controlled fermenters and bio-products, and technology transfer for import substitution of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) - has each been allocated Rs200 million, underscoring the government’s commitment to reducing import dependency and nurturing homegrown innovation.

These strategic investments demonstrated a robust national agenda to advance research and development in high-impact sectors such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, materials science and electronics. The initiatives are expected to elevate Pakistan’s technological landscape and build a more self-reliant, knowledge-driven economy.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2025