Senate Standing Committee on Science & Technology has decided to prepare a comprehensive summary based on the recommendations sought from members of the committee, experts and stakeholders to bring reforms in different departments working under the Ministry of Science & Technology. This comprehensive document will be prepared with inclusion of inputs from all the relevant stakeholders and will be submitted to Prime Minister Imran Khan for approval, revealed chairman of the committee Senator Mushtaq Ahmed during a meeting held on Monday. Senator Mushtaq Ahmed while chairing the meeting said the committee will first visit all the departments of the ministry one by one, receive briefing from the heads about the issues hindering the development and progress of the department and then prepare the said summary. He observed that science and technology departments faced neglect during the last many years and revitalisation of these departments on urgent basis is indispensable for the progress of the country as well as competing internationally. He said the summary will cover all aspects of science and technology development from primary up to higher level, clear short term and long term targets for transformation of the departments considering the aspects of research and innovation and inputs from the experts. The committee also decided to write a letter to prime minister for increasing budget of Ministry of Science & Technology. Mushtaq Ahmed said budget allocated for any department actually reflect the seriousness and priorities of the government toward that particular sector. He proposed that the budget for this ministry should be at least between two to four percent of Gross Domestic Product. He also stressed the need to take strict actions against mismanagement and corruption, if someone is found guilty to create an example. The committee also decided that a cabinet committee on science and technology should also be formed. The chairman said, “We have a lot of potential and talent in form of a bulk of youth, dedicated people, researchers and spirit. We have to work with a missionary and national zeal and enthusiasm for betterment of our country.” The heads of different departments including Pakistan Engineering Council, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, Pakistan Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and others gave detailed briefing to the committee. The meeting was attended by senators including Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, Gianchand, Faisal Javed, Nuzhat Sadiq and Syed Muhammad Sabir Shah while head of departments, Ministry of Science & Technology Secretary Yasmin Masood and Additional Secretary Dr Qaiser Majeed Malik. Published in Daily Times, September 11th 2018.