Islamabad, (Parliament Times) : The Science and technology Committee met on Wednesday under the Chairmanship of Senator Afnan Ullah Khan here at the Parliament House.
Briefing by the Secretary MoST on the working and performance of PSQCA with special reference to discuss on the legislative and administrative measures taken for the improvement in standards and quality control mechanism was taken up by the Committee. The Ministry informed the committee that amendments have been made in Pakistan Conformity Assessment Rules 2011 for ease of doing business which included reduction of no of inspections from 04 -02 per annum and reduction license issuance timelime from 45 days to 28 days. The committee was briefed on the promotion of officers for BS 17 to 19 which is under process and informed that recruitments to fill up the manpower gap has also been initiated
The committee was also briefed on the steps taken for ease of doing business. The committee was informed that in compliance of the decision of Council of Common Interest, PSQCA harmonized 580 food standards with Provincials food authorities. It was also apprised that 443 standards have been developed in 2021-2022.
The committee directed the PSQCA to take notice of on the advertisement of blue band margarine which is sold as butter and used by children and adults on large scale effecting their health. The committee also pointed out other tea whiteners mistaken by milk products and directed to redress the issue.
The committee also took briefing on the ongoing and completed projects in PSQCA (budgetary allocation and utilization of PSDP funds for last two years.
Briefing on the establishment of directorates by PSQCA at Quetta, its current status, and reasons for delay was also given to the committee. It was informed that due to pending recruitment process, the deputy Director for Quetta was not hired. The Quetta office is monitored by CA south Karachi. However, the in-charge officer was allowed to work as Deputy Director on OPS , the Quetta Directorate is working smoothly as per boar decision
Briefing on all employees working in PSQCA on deputation, regular, contract basis identifying their names, CNIC numbers, grades provinces and also identifying grade wise and province wise vacant posts was also discussed in the meeting.
Later in the meeting, the matter of scholarship given to a lady named Ms Izza Asad Rasul was deferred, as the committee could not come in consensus whether the matter should be discussed as an individual or along with other defaulters of like cases, arguments prevailed however the committee members did not agree, subsequently the meeting was postponed.
The meeting was attended by Senators Shibli Faraz , Muhammad Humayun Mohmand , Fawzia Arshad, Sana Jamali, Engr. Rukhsaa Zuber and Senator Kamran Murtaza. Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology and senior officers of other attached departments were also in attendance
