Shibli Faraz briefed about the potential of COMSTAS

Zubair Ahmed

ISLAMABAD: Gains from Science and Technology should grow exponentially to benefit nations, especially through the commercialization of research. Pakistan and other developing countries need to make concerted efforts in this regard to aid their development process.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Shibli Faraz, expressed his vision and advised on key matters relating to S&T-led national development during a visit to the Secretariat of Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), Islamabad.  Apart from the Federal Secretary MoST, Dr. Akhtar Nazir, who is also the incumbent Executive Director COMSATS, the Minister was accompanied by Additional Secretary MoST, Maj. Qaiser Majeed Malik.

During the meeting, the officials of the Ministry received briefing on COMSATS and its functions and role as intergovernmental organization of the countries of the South. The presentation was given by senior officials of COMSATS Secretariat. The briefing thoroughly introduced COMSATS as an international organization focused at S&T-led development.

The high-level delegation was informed about COMSATS’ mandate and mission; statutory bodies and forums; engagements of the Secretariat; flagship projects; international programs and activities; outreach mechanisms and publications. Post briefing discussions focused at bringing efficacy and efficiency in COMSATS’ programs and operations. In this context, matters related to establishment, administration and finances received greater attention.

 An overview of COMSATS’ financial position was given by Director Finance who also made key recommendations to improve the current position of COMSATS. The case of COMSATS Internet Services (CIS), established in 1996, also came under microscopic view, and a strong need was felt by the Ministry leadership to take radical measures to turnaround this pioneer internet service provider (ISP) of Pakistan. The recommendations made by the senior officers also addressed improving financial control mechanism at CIS.

Pakistan,  as a member state has been the biggest beneficiary of COMSATS’ programs and activities especially because the organization’s Secretariat is based in the country. Moreover, it was hoped that scientific organizations under Ministry of ST will extend their support for COMSATS while also benefitting from its international linkages.

Receptive of the inputs from COMSATS’ officials, the Federal Minister and Federal Secretary appreciated the role of COMSATS as an IGO and expressed the need for re-thinking strategies for achieving COMSATS’ international mandate and gave prudent advice on key matters. The Minister recognized COMSATS’ role as a key regional player in S&T arena. He hoped to see its activities aligned with national development agenda of Pakistan through applied R&D and commercialization and monetization of the research outputs, in addition to finding innovative solutions to national challenges.

Dr. Nazir, who also chairs one of COMSATS’ statutory organs in his ex-officio capacity, noted that international S&T organizations including those based in Pakistan have a long way to go for adapting to the needs of 21^st century that it has presented in the last two decades. He hoped COMSATS is cognizant of this need and will make leaps in this direction in the coming years.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 :Deputy Speaker National Assembly Qasim Khan Suri on Sunday said wellbeing of the poor, deserving

people is top priority of the government and those creating hurdles in the way of development are only

wasting time of the nation.

“Prime Minister Imran Khan’s era is a golden era of Pakistan as all development projects were carried out as welfare mission during these three years”, he said in an exclusive interview with PTV news channel.

“Only PM Imran Khan is capable, sincere and hardworking leader who can steer the country out of crisis

and the only ray of hope for nation”, he added.

Pakistan cannot be run through traditional politics of corrupt politicians, he said, adding, prime minister’s principle stance on national issues was always admired by common masses.

Qasim Suri further said that PTI government will not let anyone take the law into his hands and no compromise

will be made on the rule of law, merit, accountability, transparency, and speedy justice which would be ensured

at every cost.

He said country was making progress by leaps and bounds under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

ISLAMABAD: Gains from Science and Technology should grow exponentially to benefit nations, especially through commercialization of research. Pakistan and other developing countries need to make concerted efforts in this regard to aid their development process.

 Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Shibli Faraz, expressed his vision and advised on key matters relating to S&T-led national development during a visit to the Secretariat of Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), Islamabad.  Apart from the Federal Secretary MoST, Dr. Akhtar Nazir, who is also the incumbent Executive Director COMSATS, the Minister was accompanied by Additional Secretary MoST, Maj. Qaiser Majeed Malik.

 During the meeting, the officials of the Ministry received briefing on COMSATS and its functions and role as intergovernmental organization of the countries of the South. The presentation was given by senior officials of COMSATS Secretariat. The briefing thoroughly introduced COMSATS as an international organization focused at S&T-led development.

The high-level delegation was informed about COMSATS’ mandate and mission; statutory bodies and forums; engagements of the Secretariat; flagship projects; international programs and activities; outreach mechanisms and publications. Post briefing discussions focused at bringing efficacy and efficiency in COMSATS’ programs and operations. In this context, matters related to establishment, administration and finances received greater attention.

 An overview of COMSATS’ financial position was given by Director Finance who also made key recommendations to improve the current position of COMSATS. The case of COMSATS Internet Services (CIS), established in 1996, also came under microscopic view, and a strong need was felt by the Ministry leadership to take radical measures to turnaround this pioneer internet service provider (ISP) of Pakistan. The recommendations made by the senior officers also addressed improving financial control mechanism at CIS.

Pakistan,  as a member state has been the biggest beneficiary of COMSATS’ programs and activities especially because the organization’s Secretariat is based in the country. Moreover, it was hoped that scientific organizations under Ministry of ST will extend their support for COMSATS while also benefitting from its international linkages.

 Receptive of the inputs from COMSATS’ officials, the Federal Minister and Federal Secretary appreciated the role of COMSATS as an IGO and expressed the need for re-thinking strategies for achieving COMSATS’ international mandate and gave prudent advice on key matters. The Minister recognized COMSATS’ role as a key regional player in S&T arena. He hoped to see its activities aligned with national development agenda of Pakistan through applied R&D and commercialization and monetization of the research outputs, in addition to finding innovative solutions to national challenges.

Dr. Nazir, who also chairs one of COMSATS’ statutory organs in his ex-officio capacity, noted that international S&T organizations including those based in Pakistan have a long way to go for adapting to the needs of 21st century that it has presented in the last two decades. He hoped COMSATS is cognizant of this need and will make leaps in this direction in the coming years.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 : President Dr Arif Alvi on Sunday disposed of 42 representations of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in cases of bogus sales tax invoices, worth over Rs 1.2 billion.

The FBR had filed the representations with the President of Pakistan assailing the orders of the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) passed in suo moto cases, in which bogus Sales Tax Refunds were reimbursed fully or partially by the delinquent officials of the FBR to the fake claimants.

The huge scam was unearthed by FBR’s Directorate General Intelligence & Investigation-Inland Revenue and the Red Alerts were issued to the concerned field formations. However, no action was initiated against the FBR officials and the fake claimants.

The FTO on taking suo moto notice of the matter had issued directions to the FBR to investigate and identify the officials involved in verification of the registered persons (RPs) and initiate a disciplinary action.

In pursuance of the FTO’s recommendations and also the previous orders of the President of Pakistan passed in similar cases, the FBR constituted six fact-finding inquiry committees to deal with 130 suo moto cases relating fake refund claims.

The Terms of Reference (ToR) of the committees were meant to identify the wrong-doings and involvement of officials in each case, and fix responsibility. Also, these committees were tasked to prepare a draft charge sheet and statement of allegations with respect to each official and submit a report to the Board within 30 days.

President Alvi, in view of the findings of the committees, disposed of the representations of the FBR pertaining to the cases in which full or partial refunds were paid fraudulently.

He directed the FBR for submission of a monthly implementation report to the Federal Tax Ombudsman’s Secretariat till the completion of the action on each case.

He also ordered to afford an opportunity of show-cause and hearing to the official in case of any departmental action proposed against him, to satisfy the requirement of due process and the principles of natural justice.