PCSIR to set up state-of-the-art lab

Besides textile, the lab will also meet R&D needs of other sectors

FAISALABAD: A laboratory of the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) worth about Rs500 million will be set up in Faisalabad, disclosed PCSIR Chairman Dr Shahzad Alam.

“The lab is expected to be completed by June 2016 while a PCSIR sample collection centre will be operational by next month,” said Alam during a meeting at the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) on Monday.

PCSIR has 16 institutes across the country, of which nine conduct research while the rest impart technical training to different sectors in order to upgrade the local industry on modern scientific lines.

“Besides catering predominantly to the textile industry, the laboratory will also look after research and development issues of the foundry, pharmaceutical and other industries located in the area,” he said, adding he would choose a site during the current visit.

“The sample collection centre could be established at the FCCI complex,” Alam suggested, asking the FCCI to examine the Lahore lab and propose how to make the Faisalabad centre more effective and result-oriented.

“PCSIR labs currently conduct 395 types of tests, with their certification recognised internationally.”

Responding to a question about energy shortage, Alam pointed out that the research council had developed two cheap fuels, which could be used for heating purposes.

Stressing the need for prudently using electricity, he said most of the electrical gadgets imported from China were sub-standard, consumed more energy and that improvement in their quality would save 25-30% of electricity.

“PCSIR has inked agreements with four fan companies of Gujrat to market energy-efficient fans from next year and it will also be applicable to electric motors,” Alam said, adding in the next one year refrigerators and air conditioners would also be brought under the scheme.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2015.

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