ISLAMABAD, Sept 19: Benefits of progress in the field of science and technology must reach the people for their welfare, said Federal Minister for Science and Technology Nauraiz Shakoor Khan.

He was speaking as chief guest at the award distribution ceremony of “Image Pakistan Industrial Fair 2005” held here on Monday.

The fair was held in August in Wah by Pakistan Council of Science and Industrial Research (PCSIR) in collaboration with TRADEX. This was the fourth fair of its kind.

Other guests included science and technology ministry secretary Khawaja Zaheer Ahmad and PCSIR Chairman Dr Anwarul Haq.

The minister said the government was focusing on the development of science and technology to improve living standard of the common man.

He said the fairs arranged by the PCSIR provided a great opportunity to the industrialists to interact with research and development organizations and to benefit from their scientific expertise.

The PCSIR chairman said the council was providing expertise in more than 1,400 fields, including chemicals, pesticides, food and engineering.