ISLAMABAD, Jan 25: The government has decided to adopt ISO standards as Pakistan standards in a phased manner for increasing domestic and foreign trade.

Speaking at a joint press conference here on Friday, Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Atta-ur-Rehman and Federal Minister for Commerce and Industries, Abdul Razak Dawood, said detailed consultations were made between the two ministries and the decision was taken after a thorough review of issues related with the adoption of standards.

Minister for science and technology, Dr Atta-ur-Rehman said initially the list of standards would be split into mandatory and voluntary standards on the basis of available facilities required for their adoption.

The minister said a network of 15 laboratories under different ministries has been identified to test the standards. A meeting was held recently with JICA vice president to help strengthen the laboratories, he said.