Science ministry for closure of PCST, CWHR

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Science and Technology has decided to close its two institutions namely Pakistan Council of Science and Technology (PCST) and Council for Works and Housing Research (CWHR) and suggested to merge Pakistan Council for Renewable Energy Technology (PCRT) with another organization.

According to the sources, the senior officials of the ministry have given this proposal in a recent meeting of the sub-committee of the committee established for right sizing in various ministries and departments.

The proposal will later go to the main Right Sizing Committee, after approval from there, the federal cabinet will take a final decision regarding the closure of PCST and CWHR and merger of PCRT with any other institution.

On the other hand, some senior officers of the Pakistan Council for Science and Technology say that the most important policy-making institution is the Pakistan Council for Science and Technology, which has been proposed to be closed, was established by the government of Pakistan in 1961 on the suggestion of eminent scientists of the country

The Ministry of Science and Technology, Higher Education Commission, Water Research Council, etc. came into existence on the recommendations of this institution. There are such policy-making institutions in many countries of the world. There is a need to strengthen such institutions. They said that the post of the head of this institution has been vacant for the last eight years.