Pakistan Council for Science
and Technology (PCST)
Presentation
to
Senate Standing Committee on
Science and Technology
September 29, 2014
Establishment of PCST
(Chronology)
1961- Established as the “National Science Council" under
the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research
1973- Revision of charter and placed under the newly
created Ministry of Science and Technology
1982, 1984 & 1987- Revision of charter
1984- Renamed as the “Pakistan Council for Science and
Technology” (PCST)
1997- PCST was designated as the secretariat of National
Commission for Science and Technology
1998- Minister for S&T was made President of the Council
2012- Act of PCST in under process
2
Composition of The Council
Secretary, MoST
Minister for S&T*
President
Vice President
PCST
24
Members
Chairperson, PCST
Member/Secretary
Other Members
• Heads of Major R&D/S&T
Organizations (9) Details
• Scientists/Technologists to be
nominated by Federal government
(5) & Provincial governments (4)
• Chairperson, HEC
* Chairs meetings of PCST
• President, PAS
• Chairperson, PEC
3
Human Resources
(Summary)
Sanctioned
Vacant
Technical Officers
21
11
Admin & Finance Officer
4
1
Publication / Library Officers
2
-
SPS / APS
6
1
Computer Operators
6
-
LDCs/ UDCs / Assistants /Superintendents/
Accountants etc.
12
-
DMO / DR / Drivers
7
-
Class IV Employees
19
-
Total
77
13
4
Human Resources
Technical Posts
Grade /
BPS Total
22
1
20
3
19
3
18
8
17
6
16
1
15
1
14
3
12
1
9
7
5
4
3
2
1
27
Total
Filled
1
1
5
3
1
1
3
1
Vacant
2
3
3
3
-
16
11
Administrative /
Support Staff
Total
2
2
3
6
2
3
3
5
5
1
2
15
1
50
Filled Vacant
2
1
1
3
5
1
2
3
3
5
5
1
2
15
1
48
2
Total
Filled
1
1
2
6
6
5
3
6
1
3
5
5
1
2
15
1
64
Vacant
2
3
4
3
1
13
5
Budget (2013-14)
(Statement of Expenditure)
Rs Million
Original
Allocation
Revised Released
Allocation
Spent
NonDevelopment
82.808
64.311
64.311
64.311
Development
(PSDP)
8.401
5.880
5.880
5.880
6
Budget (2014-15)
(Allocation)
Rs Million
Non Development
Development
Research Productivity Award (RPA)
66.60
11.80
Total
78.40
Amount for RPA is not utilized by PCST but provided
to the top productive scientists of the country on the
basis of their research output as an incentive to
conduct quality research.
7
Main Mandate

Advice and assistance to Government on S&T policy
formulation and S&T Planning

Collection and publication of nation-wide
S&T indicators

Assessment and evaluation of scientific research

Science, Technology & Innovation policy research

Secretariat of the National Commission for Science
and Technology (NCST)
No overlapping of functions with any other organization
Detailed Functions
8
Historical Achievements

Key / important organizations were established on the
recommendations / with the contribution of the Council
● Ministry of Science and Technology
● Higher Education Commission
● Pakistan Science Foundation
● S&T Cell, Planning Commission
● Intellectual Property Organization
● Council for Works and Housing Research
● Irrigation, Drainage and Flood Control Research Council
(now Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources)
● National Biotechnology Commission
9
Historical Achievements….2

PCST played leading role in the formulation of
National Science and Technology Policies
● National Science and Technology Policy-1984
● Recommendations of 2nd Meeting of NCST-2000
(de facto S&T policy)
● National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy2012
● Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy- 2014-18
10
Impact of Current Activities

Numerical Rating of Scientists conducted by PCST is
widely used by R&D organizations and Universities for
assessment of candidates for appointments and
promotions and awards

Significant increase in the publication of research
papers in international journals increased following the
initiation of Research Productivity Award by PCST
11
Impact of RPA on Researchers’ Output
Significant increase in international research publications
12000
10915
9675
9021
8000
Pre-RPA
Post-RPA
6285
6000
4000
2000
338
0
7437
382
400
886
446
427
488
1136 1196
989
1169
1437
1331
5032
4156
3423
1967 2517
1636
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
No. of Publications
10000
Years
Source: Scopus
12
Achievements under Main Objectives
(Last 3 Years)
13
1. Advice and assistance to the Government on
S&T policy formulation and S&T Planning

Preparation of key documents
● National Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)
Policy 2012
● Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy 2014-18
● National Research Agenda
● 11th Five Year Plan 2013-18 for MoST Organizations
● Annual Report of MoST
● STI Indicators of Pakistan

Input to the documents
● Medium Term Development Framework (MTDF 2013-18)
● Post-2015 Global Development Agenda (of Pakistan for MDGs)
● The New Economic Growth Framework
14
1. Advice and assistance to the Government on S&T
policy formulation and S&T Planning…….2

Carrying out Technology Foresight Studies and
publication of reports in the following areas:
1. Information Communication 8.
Technologies (ICTs)
9.
2. Energy
10.
3. Industry
11.
4. Education
Water
Electronics
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology
5. Health
6. Agriculture
7. Environment
15
2. Collection and publication of nation-wide
S&T indicators

National S&T Indicators (2012, 2014)
● PCST collects, compiles and analyzes nation-wide data on
S&T statistics on human and financial resources
● Has the responsibility to provide this data to UNESCO
Institute of Statistics (UIS) on biennial basis
● Information on S&T manpower is on “head count” as well
as “full-time equivalent” basis
● Data includes total number of researchers, technicians &
supporting staff, and number of researchers by sector of
employment, occupation, gender, age, qualification & field
of science etc.
● Data about R&D expenditure includes information about
source of funding and sector of performance of R&D etc.
16
3. Assessment & Evaluation of Scientific
Research

Evaluation of Productivity of Scientists and
Numerical Rating of Scientists of Pakistan
● Numerical rating of scientists conducted by PCST is used by
R&D organizations and Universities for assessment of
candidates for appointments and promotions
● Published as “Productive Scientists of Pakistan (PSP)”
● An automated online data submission and evaluation system
to maintain transparency, accuracy and timely publishing of
PSP has been launched
● Criteria is based on publications made, patents granted,
projects completed, research supervised, awards won,
research grants won, agriculture varieties/machinery
developed, Impact Factor & Citation of research publications
● So far, output of about 11,000 scientists has been carried out
17
3. Assessment & Evaluation of Scientific
Research….….2

Research Productivity Award (RPA)
● For award of RPA, till to date, evaluation of research output
of more than 6,800 scientists has been carried out
● RPA criteria is based on (i) Impact Factor of the journal, (ii)
Citation Index of the research paper, (iii) Patents registered
and (iv) Crop varieties produced / machinery developed (v)
PhD produced (vi) R&D projects completed
● Award ceremony-2012 was chaired by the Prime Minister

Evaluation of Scientists for Medals and Awards by
the Government
● PCST carries out evaluation of scientists for medals, awards
and nomination of prestigious scientific bodies on request of
MoST and other concerned agencies
(during last 3 years: President’s Medal for Technology, National Civil
Awards, Fellowships of Academy of Sciences)
18
4. Science, Technology & Innovation
Policy Research

Should Unfocused Biotechnology R&D be a Cause of Concern
for Developing Countries? Some lessons from Pakistan

Technology achievement index of muslim nations – ranking and
comparative study TAI-13

Innovation Index Framework for assessing Ranking of Islamic
Countries and Innovation Input- Output Indicators for Measuring
Innovation Efficiency of Pakistan

Knowledge-based Economy (KBE) Frameworks and
Investigation of KBE Input-output Indicators for Pakistan

Networked Readiness Index (NRI) 2013 Rankings for
Developing Countries of Asia and Evaluation of NRI Indicators
Rankings of Pakistan

Role of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in Innovation
19
4. Science, Technology & Innovation Policy
Research…….2

Knowledge Economy Index (KEI) 2012: Rankings for Islamic
Countries and Assessment of KEI Indicators for Pakistan

ICT Development Index (IDI) Ranking 2013 for Asia and Pacific
Countries and Evaluation of ICT Sub-indexes and Indicators for
Pakistan

Prosperity Index 2013 Rankings for Asia and Pacific Countries
and Evaluation of Prosperity Indicators for Pakistan

Publication Output and Citation Impact Indicators for
Bibliometric Analysis of Research Publications of Pakistan

Science and Technology (S&T) Development Indicators in
Pakistan and Comparison with selected Asian and Nordic
countries

Bibliometric Study of Pakistan’s Research Output and
comparison with other Selected Countries of the World
20
Books

History of Development & Implementation of S&T Policies in
Pakistan

Directory of Productive Scientists of Pakistan (three editions:
2010, 2011, 2014)

Genetically Modified Food and the Islamic World an Analysis
and the Way Forward
21
Miscellaneous

Establishment of two laboratories at NUST
Islamabad campus
● DOP testing lab. (analytical facility for detecting substances of
abuse)
● Natural product development lab.

Organization of training opportunities to the college
teachers of Balochistan at CIIT, Abbotabad
22
Organization of International / National
Conferences / Workshops / Seminars

International conferences
● Science & Technology Policies and Planning in SAARC
Countries- 2012
● Plants, Peoples and Climate- 2013
● Climate Change Challenges and Opportunities- 2012
● 14th Asian Symposium on Medicinal Plant Spices and other
Natural Products- 2013 (Collaboration with HEJ)
● 11th International Conference on Frontiers of Information
Technology- 2013 (Collaboration with MoIT)
● International Conference on Biodiversity (Collaboration with
Quaid-i-Azam University)
23
Organization of International / National
Conferences / Workshops / Seminars……….2

National conferences
● Technology Foresight and Critical Issues Related to S&T in
Pakistan- 2013
● Academia Industry Linkage: Exhibition, Competition and
Symposium- 2013 (Collaboration with Uni. of Gujrat)
● Plant Biodiversity- 2012 (Collaboration with Quaid-i-Azam University)
● Controlling Blood Pressure and other Cardio Vascular diseases with
Nutrition & Life style Approaches- 2012
● Future of the Global Muslim Population- 2012
● Innovation to Innovation Summit- 2013 (Collaboration with Institute of
Research Promotion) (PCST gave 3 ‘Innovation Awards’ in the
Summit)
● Conference of the science societies of universities in collaboration
with National Academy of Young Scientists of Pakistan -2014
24
Proposals Submitted for S&T Cooperation and
Collaboration

Joint Pak – China workshop on “S&T Policies and Planning in Developing
Countries”.

Proposal for second Executive Programme between Pakistan and Egypt
“Pakistan – Egypt Collaboration in S&T Policy and Planning Studies”.

Pak-Tajik joint workshop on S&T Policy and Planning.

Establishment of “Regional S&T Policy Research and Training Centre at
PCST, Islamabad” with the collaboration South Korea.

Exchange and Training Programme of S&T Policy Experts between
Pakistan and Japan.

Exchange visits of S&T policy experts between Pakistan and Russia.

Exchange visits of S&T policy professionals between Pakistan and
Uzbekistan.

Proposal “Incentive to Quality Producing Teachers of Pakistan” submitted
under UNESCO’s Participation Programme for the Biennium 2012-2013.

Proposal “Pak-Saudi Collaboration in S&T Policy and Planning Studies” for
joint Pak-Saudi Ministerial Commission.
25
PCST
as Secretariat of
National Commission for
Science and Technology
26
National Commission for Science and Technology
(NCST)

Constituted in 1984

Apex body on S&T matters headed by PM

27 members
Details
 Acceleration of scientific and technological capacity
building for rapid and sustainable economic growth
 Consideration of major programmes of S&T sector
and establish guidelines
 Coordination of inter-ministerial and inter-provincial
S&T programmes
27
National Commission for Science and Technology
(NCST)…..2

PCST prepares agenda and working papers for the
meetings of NCST and ECNCST

Five meetings of ECNCST have been held

Three meetings of NCST have been held (1989,
2000, 2001)

Over 300 projects initiated as a result of decisions of
the 2nd meeting

Recommendations of 2nd meeting served as de facto
S&T policy till the approval of the STI Policy 2012
28
Activities to be undertaken during 2014-15

National STI Statistics / Indicators
● Survey of R&D organizations and universities for collecting STI
statistics has just been completed in September 2014
● Report “STI Indicators of Pakistan 2014” based on information
collected from 83 R&D organizations and 155 universities published

Ranking of R&D Organizations of Pakistan
● For the first time in Pakistan, ranking of R&D organizations of
Pakistan is being carried out by PCST
● A criteria for this purpose has been developed
● A provisional ranking of R&D organizations has been carried out
29
Activities to be undertaken during 2014-15 ……2

Productive Scientists of Pakistan
● Collection of data and its evaluation is in process for the next
publication of “Productive Scientists of Pakistan”

Research Productivity Award (RPA)
● Data of scientists for award of RPA-2014 will be collected and
analyzed
● For the first time, 10 Innovation Awards will also be given

Quarterly Journal “Science, Technology and
Development”
● The journal is being regularly published since 1982
● Now, it is being upgraded and covers all fields of STI policy studies.
The guidelines, and editorial board has been revised, research
papers are being evaluated by international experts. The journal is
recognized by HEC and is available on-line
30
Activities to be undertaken during 2014-15 ……3

Survey of S&T facilities & valuable scientific
equipment
● A survey of S&T facilities and valuable scientific equipment available
in the organizations working under MoST has been launched
● It is envisaged that this will help to share resources and avoid
wastage of funds on purchase of same (expensive) equipment by
different organizations

Planning and Development of Civil R&D Potential
for Defence Production
● The Chairperson PCST is the chairperson of the Sub-committee on
Planning and Development constituted by Cabinet under the
Scientific Advisory Committee on Defence Planning (SACDP)
● PCST is coordinating with R&D organizations of MoST and Defence
organizations to come up with useful joint projects
● R&D facilities & expertise available with MoST organizations were
complied and sent to Defence organizations to share resources
31
Activities to be undertaken during 2014-15 ……4

Revival of the National Commission for Science
and Technology (NCST)
● PCST has been designated as the secretariat of the NCST which is
headed by the Prime Ministry of Pakistan
● NCST has been inactive for some time due to various reasons. Now
PCST is making efforts to revive the Commission and hold its
meeting. Membership of NCST has been updated and completed.
Membership of ECNCST is in process of updation

Gender Mainstreaming in Science and Technology
● To attract young girls to opt science career, a database has been
developed
● Till to date, data of about 800 female scientists working in different
areas of S&T has been received which has been included in the
database
● Information has been made available online through PCST website 32
Activities to be undertaken during 2014-15 ……5

Technology Foresight studies in the areas:
● Pharmaceuticals & Microbiology
● Sanitation and Public Health
● Space Technology

Development of technician cadre & on-site training
in HEIs and R&D organizations for optimal
functioning of scientific equipment
(collaboration with HEC)
● HR development in technician cadre
● Capacity building for repair, service & calibration of equipment &
instruments
● Provide training to operate equipment
33
Activities to be undertaken during 2014-15 ……6

Academia–Industry Linkages (collaboration with IBA
Karachi)
● A mega event for fostering linkages between academia and industry
will be organized
● Large participation from researchers and industry is expected
● Students will be especially ecourged to present their projects

PCST-GEF-UNIDO Cleantech Programme for SMEs
in Pakistan

Development and installation of Carbon Dioxide
sequestration technology in Pakistan
(Collaboration with NAMA & UNIDO)
34
Activities to be undertaken during 2014-15 ……7

Encouraging problem-solving research
● PCST has started to organize a series of workshops in
different major cities of Pakistan in order to inspire and
encourage R&D directed towards solving problems of the
industry and society.
● So far, workshops at Lahore, Peshawar and Faisalabad
have been organized.
● In these workshops, 237 participants representing 102
organizations participated (R&D organizations,
Universities, Other Government agencies, Industry)
● Workshops in other cities will be organized during the
current year.
35
Proposed Projects
(Subject to the approval by competent forums)

Projects Submitted to MoST
● Establishment of a Cell at PCST for Implementation of National
Science, Technology and Innovation Policy-2012
● Establishment of Science and Technology Policy Research Institute
(STPRI) at Islamabad
● Establishment of Innovation Management System in R&D
Organizations of Pakistan
● Establishment of Pakistan Academy of Science and Technology
Management and Planning (PASTMP)
● Establishment of Database driven Web Portal and Expansion of IT
Department of PCST

Projects under Preparation
● Virtual Science Education Programme Pakistan
● Measuring Innovation Capacity of National R&D System of Pakistan 36
Proposed Projects ……2

Projects Proposals being Conceptualized
● Development of Policy for Gender mainstreaming of Pakistan
● Health awareness campaign through Media
● Greening Pakistan
● Education through ICT
● Carbon Mineralization in Pakistan
● Excellence Awards for Science/ Mathematics Teachers at
Secondary Level
● Establishment of Tech TV
37
Issues / Problems

The human and financial resources put at the disposal of PCST
do not match with the assigned functions and expected
achievements from this organization.

The total sanctioned strength of PCST is only 21 technical
officers (only 10 are working in PCST) which is not enough
comparing with its mandate.

Meager operational budget (Rs. 66.60 million for 2014-15,
inclusive of the pay & allowances, utility bills etc.).

Lack of training opportunities in areas related to S&T policy.

Difficulties in recruiting and retaining of manpower due to
unattractive salary, poor service structure, lack of career
development opportunities, fringe benefits etc.

Issues related to “undefined legal status” of PCST.

Delays in approval / release of funds for development projects.
38
Proposed Plan of Restructuring
as per under approval Act
39
Proposed restructuring of PCST
in the Act to make it more efficient and effective

Modification in the composition of the BoG of the
Council

Constitution of the Executive Committee of the
BoG
40
Existing Composition of PCST
Minister for Science & Technology
President
2. Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology
Vice President
3. Chief Scientist, DESTO
Member
4. Chairperson, PCSIR
Member
5. Chairperson, PSF
Member
6. Chairperson, PARC
Member
7. Chairperson, SUPARCO
Member
8. Chairperson, PAEC
Member
9. Chairperson, PCRWR
Member
10. Chairperson, PMRC
Member
11. Chairperson, CWHR
Member
12. President, PAS
Member
13. Chairperson, HEC
Member
14. Chairperson, PEC
Member
15-19. Eminent Scientists (Federal Gov.)
Members
20-23. Eminent Scientists (Provincial Gov.)
Members
24. Chairperson, PCST
Member/Secretary
1.
41
Proposed Composition of BoG of PCST in
the Act
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)
k)
l)
m)
Minister for Science & Technology
President
Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology
Vice President
Secretary, Planning Commission or his nominee
not below the rank of Joint Secretary
Member
Secretary, Finance Division or his nominee
not below the rank of Joint Secretary
Member
Secretary of the Division controlling subject matter
of education or his nominee not below the rank of
Joint Secretary
Member
Chairperson, PCSIR
Member
Chairperson, PSF
Member
Chairperson, PEC
President, PAS or his nominee
Member
Distinguished Scientists / technologists one
from each province
Members
President, FPCCI or his nominee
Member
Dealing Officer not below the rank of JS of the
Divisions controlling subject matter of S&T
Member
Chairperson, PCST
Member / Secretary
42
Functions and Powers of the Board
a)
Review and approve annual, long-term plans, policies and
programmes of the Council;
b)
Approve the annual development and non-development
budget of the Council;
c)
Create or abolish posts of such officers and staff and engage
such consultants or experts as it may consider necessary for
efficient performance of functions of the Council, on such
terms and conditions as may be prescribed;
d)
Recommend to the Government to terminate the tenure of the
Chairperson before its expiry in case of unsatisfactory
performance
e)
Make regulations for efficient conduct of affairs of the Council
43
Executive Committee of the Board
Executive Committee shall take decisions on behalf of the Board
subject to ratification by the Board at its meeting immediately
following the meeting of the Executive Committee unless
otherwise authorized by the Board.
Composition of the Executive Committee
(a) Chairperson of the Council
Chairperson
(b) One member to be nominated by the Board
Member
(c) Dealing officer not below the rank of JS of the
Division controlling subject-matter of S&T
Member
(d) Secretary of the Council
Member
44
Proposed Internal
Re-organization of PCST
45
STI Indicators
of Pakistan
2014
46
STI Indicators
Data Analysis
Compilation
Tabulation
Data Entry
If data is
correct
If data
needs
correction
Input Indicators
Human Resources
Financial Resources
Output Indicators
Publications
Patents
Scrutiny of the questionnaires
received back
Follow-up
 Phone
 Fax
 Email
Process of
STI Indicators
Development
R&D
Organizations
Dispatching the Questionnaire to
Organizations
 Reminders
by post
Preparation / Review of the
Questionnaire
Updating Lists of
Organizations
Universities
47
R&D Personnel in Pakistan
(headcount)
80000
68,787
70000
60000
54,689
65,349
60,699
63,707
51,954
50000
40000
30000
20000
13,744
13,057
2009
2011
16,859
10000
0
Researchers
Technicians
2013
Supporting staff
48
Researchers per Million Population
(Comparison with some other countries)
9000
8000
7689
7000
5834
6000
5189
5000
4947
4000
3000
2564
2000
1000
329
0
Finland
Singapore
Japan
Korea
Malaysia
Pakistan
49
Researchers by Sector of Employment
(headcount)
Govt. R&D
Organizations
13%
Higer
Education
87%
50
Distribution of Researchers in Different Fields
(headcount)
Humanities
10%
Not specified
4%
Social
Sciences
17%
Agricultural
Sciences
13%
Medical
Sciences
16%
Natural
Sciences
23%
Engineering
and
Technology
17%
51
R&D Expenditure as Percentage of GDP
Percent
0.8
0.67
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.46
0.44
0.3
0.33
0.2
0.29
0.1
0
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013
52
Comparison of R&D Expenditure of Pakistan
With Some Other Countries
Percent of GDP
5.0
4.56
4.5
4.0
3.67
3.72
3.74
Japan
Finland
Korea
3.5
3.0
2.5
1.84
2.0
1.5
0.88
1.0
0.5
0.29
0.0
Pakistan
India
China
Israel
53
National R&D Expenditure by Source of Funds
Higher
Education
20.00%
Private
Non-profit
1.71%
Abroad
1.31%
Not
Specified
1.71%
Government
75.26%
54
Research Publications in International
Journals
12000
10915
10000
9675
9021
8000
7437
6285
6000
4000
1967
2000
338
382
446
427
488
1136
989
1196
1169
1331
1636
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
0
400
886
1437
5032
4156
3423
2517
55
Comparison of Citation per Publications of
Pakistan With Some Other Countries
14
11.86
12
10
8
10.72
9.07
9.15
8.68
9.26
8.42
7.88
6.9
6.95
6
4
2
0
56
Resident Patent Applications
per Million Population
350
323
293
300
250
229
234
200
150
85
100
43
50
0
0.4
6
11
1
2
18
57
Thank you very much
58
Composition of PCST
Minister for Science & Technology
President
2. Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology
Vice President
3. Chief Scientist, DESTO
Member
4. Chairperson, PCSIR
Member
5. Chairperson, PSF
Member
6. Chairperson, PARC
Member
7. Chairperson, SUPARCO
Member
8. Chairperson, PAEC
Member
9. Chairperson, PCRWR
Member
10. Chairperson, PMRC
Member
11. Chairperson, CWHR
Member
12. President, PAS
Member
13. Chairperson, HEC
Member
14. Chairperson, PEC
Member
15-19. Eminent Scientists (Federal Govt)
Members
20-23. Eminent Scientists (Provincial Govt)
Members
24. Chairperson, PCST
Member/Secretary
1.
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Objectives / Functions of PCST
(Existing)
a) To discuss all policy matters, proposals and issues on the overall
development of science and technology in the country and provide
recommendations and advice to the national commission for science
and technology for facilitating their decision-making.
b) To identify priority areas of research and development keeping in view
the futuristic developments of science and technology especially those
of the disciplines falling in the high technology fields.
c) To act as an independent forum of senior and eminent scientists and
technologists of the country and to act as a “Think Tank” to the Federal
Government on policies and problems of national important in respect
of science and technology.
d) To collect science and technology statistics and maintain a data bank
of the research and development institutions of the country.
e) To provide a forum for co-ordination of S&T activities with national and
international agencies.
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Objectives / Functions of PCST
(Existing)
f)
To enter into contracts, agreements, with national agencies for
undertaking development projects in fields relevant to the functions of the
council; and
g) To organize study groups and task forces for dealing with issues such
as:i)
Scientometric studies and analysis of science and technology data,
ii)
Assessment and innovation of impact of science and technology
policies and programmes on the overall development of the country,
iii)
Preparation of state of art reports on certain important scientific and
technological issues,
iv) Identification of priority subjects with reference to their bearing on
socio-economic development and national security and
v)
Encouragement of consultancy services for scientists and
technologist in various important fields.
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Objectives / Functions of PCST
(as per proposed Act)
a) to advise the Federal Government on all matters relating to the
development of science and technology in the country
b) to undertake policy research, organize study groups/task forces,
formulate policy proposals, monitoring and evaluation of ST&I policy
for achieving targets for the overall development of science and
technology in the country
c) to identify priority areas for research and development keeping in view
the futuristic developments of science and technology
d) to constitute expert committees in various disciplines for preparation of
reports on policies and issues of national importance in respect of
science and technology
e) to collect, update statistics and maintain database on science and
technology potentials of the country
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Objectives / Functions of PCST
(as per proposed Act)
f)
to take measures for effective collaboration among academia, R&D
organizations and industry for development of indigenous products /
technologies
g) to promote quality R&D culture in the country, evaluation of national
research and development activities including output of individuals and
institutions and to grant awards/incentives thereof
h) to promote collaboration among national and international
organizations for promotion and capacity-building in science and
technology and to enter into MoUs, contracts etc. in this regard
i)
to participate in national science and technology planning and
development activities and providing advice on selection of projects
j)
to promote or implement S&T projects of national importance
k) to perform any other function assigned by the Federal Government
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Composition of NCST
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Member/Secretary
Prime Minister of Pakistan
Minister for S&T
Chairperson, PCST
Other Members
 Minister for Finance
 Minister for Agriculture
 Minister for Industries
 Minister for Education
 Chairman, Higher Education
Commission
 Chairman, Pakistan Atomic
Energy Commission
 Provincial Ministers for S&T (4)
 Chairman, Pakistan Council for
Scientific and Industrial Research
 Deputy Chairman, Planning
Commission
 Chairman, Pakistan Agricultural
Research Council
 Secretary, S&TR Division
 President, Federation of Pakistan
Chambers of Commerce &
Industry
 Secretary, IT&Telecom Division
 Secretary, Ministry of Education
 President, Pakistan Academy of
Sciences
 Chairman, Pakistan Engineering
Council
 Scientists/Technologists
nominated by Prime Minister (2)
 Industrialists nominated by
Prime Minister (2)
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