ISLAMABAD, July 6: Secretary ministry of science and technology Pervaiz Butt said on Friday that government was giving special attention to up-grading the accreditation, testing and certification as well as standardization and meteorology services in the country.

He was speaking at the closing ceremony of five-day lab assessor training course organised by Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) in collaboration with Norwegian Accreditation.

The secretary said that public sector organizations involved in these activities were supported by the government to develop internationally accepted capabilities.

He said that Rs10 billion has been earmarked in the National Quality Policy and Plan (NQP&P) for this purpose, adding that of which Rs5 billion has been kept for strengthening and upgradation of laboratories.

He said that government believed in a strong national quality & regulatory infrastructure to enhance export and lead the country to socio-economic development.

He said that MoST had prepared a comprehensive reorganisation plan to attract and retain qualified and trained manpower.

He appreciated the efforts of PNAC, which, he said, had grown up to the level that is accepted internationally. .—APP