ISLAMABAD ( BMZ REPORT )
The Senate Standing Committee Science & Technology passed Pakistan Council of Science and Technology Bill 2016 after some amendments. Whereas, the committee deferred Comsat University Islamabad Bill till next session for further review and created a sub committee where Ministry of Science and Technology was asked for enquiry report related to amendments in Comsat University Islamabad Bill 2017 by Law ministry. The Standing Committee Session was held in Parliament House under the presidency of Senator Usman Saifullah, Chairman Standing Committee. Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister Science & Technology said that the Comsat University Islamabad Bill 2017 is prepared after detailed review of the bill by all the stakeholders and if the Standing Committee suggests some amendments, they will also be included in the bill. He further said that the bill was sent to Law ministry for approval and he was unaware of the amendments made in the bill by Law ministry. Furthermore, the people held accountable for amendments rejected to accept the claims. We are inquiring about the matter and the enquiry report will be sent to the Standing Committee. The Standing Committee created a subcommittee under the presidency of Senator Sardar Fatah Muhammad Muhammad Hasni that will provide detailed report of the matter to the Standing Committee regarding who was involved and what was the purposes beyond amendments. Mian Muhammad Atiq Sheikh and Muhammad Azam Sawati will be the members of the subcommittee. The Standing Committee also took detailed examination of the Pakistan Council of Science and Technology Bill 2016. The Standing Committee was informed that the amendments are made in the bill after detailed overview due to the consideration of the Standing Committee that Pakistan Council of Science &Technology and Pakistan Science Foundation are a similar kind of functions. Pakistan Council of Science& Technology is a kind of advisory body which makes policies and plans for government for the progress of Science and Technology in Pakistan whereas, Pakistan Science Foundation helps government in the implementation of these policies. The Senate Committee also interceded to include one member of both senate and one scientist from four provinces and federation in the Board of Governer of Pakistan Science & Technology. The Committee also interceded to allow Additional Secretary in the Board of Governer in case of absence of Secretary Planning and also advised to organize at least two sessions and a meeting of Board, consisting of ten members, in a year. There will be 27 members in the board. The Standing Committee approved the bill after various amendments and consent of all. The committee session was attended by Senator Mian Muhammad Atiq Sheikh, Sardar Fatah Muhammad Muhammad Hasni, Saleem Mandiwala, Rana Tanveer Hussain Minister Science & Technology, Secretory Science & Technology, Chairman PCST, Chairman PSF and other high authorities.