Headless science bodies: Ministry finalises 30 names

Summary to be sent to PM in a few days for approval, says official

ISLAMABAD:

The Ministry of Science and Technology has finalised 30 names to appoint the ‘most suitable persons’ in 10 subordinate bodies across the country.

The 10 bodies have been run on ad hoc basis or without permanent head for over a year, which has taken a toll on research and development projects. After interviewing more than 100 candidates, a panel led by Science and Technology Minister Zahid Hamid has shortlisted three candidates for each position, said a ministry official who asked not to be named.

“The formal work from our side is almost complete and the summary will be forwarded to the prime minister for approval within the next few days,” the official added.

The Pakistan Science Foundation, the apex body for promotion and funding of scientific and technological research, has been without a permanent head since April 2014.

Similarly, the positions of directors-general of the National Institute of Electronics, Islamabad and the National Institute of Oceanography, Karachi, have been vacant for the last four years.

A professor from Balochistan is heading the Pakistan Council for Science and Technology, Islamabad after being appointed on deputation. Similarly, the affairs of the Pakistan Council for Renewable Energy Technologies, Islamabad, the Pakistan National Accreditation Council, Islamabad and the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority, Karachi, are being run by officers with acting charge.

The Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Islamabad, the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, Islamabad and the Council for Works and Housing Research, Karachi, have also been without permanent heads since October 2013.

Similarly, the Pakistan Science Foundation has been without a permanent head, and Khalil Ibupoto is currently holding acting charge after getting an extension from the Establishment Division.

The ministry has been holding meetings throughout the year to review the administrative structure of the ministry and its subsidiary organisations to identify overlapping, over employment and redundancies.

On Monday, PCRWR Secretary Muhammad Azam informed the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology that 205 PCRWR employees have not been paid their salaries since July as they were facing a shortage of funds.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2014.