Senate panel grills tech ministry over 'poor' show

The Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology has strongly criticised the Ministry of Science and Technology, highlightihng that all 17 departments of the ministry were not functioning.

During a meeting on Monday, chaired by Senator Kamil Ali Agha, the committee voiced serious concerns about the ministry's operations.

"There are 17 departments in the Ministry of Science and Technology, but not a single one is working properly."

Senator Agha lamented nothing tangible is being achieved by any of the 17 departments and asserted that they would "not allow it to continue."

Officials from the Ministry of Science and Technology responded by proposing a name change for the Scientific and Technological Development Corporation.

They claimed that the corporation's financial situation had improved compared to the previous year.

The ministry reported a budget of Rs250 million and sales of Rs365 million.

The officials added the corporation, which operates through the Pakistan Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (PCSIR), produces and sells products, including those that are used to spray pesticides on fruits and vegetables, without imposing any financial burden on the federal government. Senator Agha also pointed out the declining agricultural yields in Pakistan, attributing the drop to diseases that were negatively affecting crop production.

Senator Afnan Ullah raised further health concerns, noting that "blue tint allergy" was something previously unheard of.

He also identified white sugar and white salt as major health hazards, leading to widespread cases of diabetes and hypertension in the country. "White sugar is poison; it is made white by adding chemicals," he stated.