Executive Committee Of The National Commission on S&T

The National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) is the apex decision making body that provides directions to the scientific and technological development of the nation. The Commission is headed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The NCST functions through the Executive Committee of National Commission for Science and Technology (ECNCST) chaired by the Minister for Science and Technology with Deputy Chairman Planning Commission as its co-chairman. The Secretariat of NCST is established at the Pakistan Council for Science and Technology. The focus of NCST is on the acceleration of scientific and technological capacity building for rapid and sustainable economic growth.

For the first time ever in the history of Pakistan, Science and Technology attracted the political will and an eminent scientist has been appointed as Minister for Science and Technology. The present government has increased the budget of Ministry of Science and Technology from Rs 120 million to Rs 6.0 billion per annum; a 5000 percent increase in the development budget.

Over 300 projects for the development of Science and Technology in general and for the promotion of Information Technology in particular have been launched. This represents a major step forward towards building an indigenous S&T capacity and a knowledge-based economy in Pakistan.

Realizing the importance of Human Resource Development, NCST has given the highest importance to the development of high level science and technology manpower. Four major programmes of training 700 Ph.D.s over a period of three years have been launched. In those areas where the expertise does not exist in the country, Ph.D.s are to be trained in the best universities abroad.

In order to enhance the national output of Ph.D.s, which at present is mere 70-80 per year, universities are being supported to upgrade their research infrastructure. Ph.D. supervisors are being selected from research institutions and universities, and grants of Rs 500,000/- per student per year will be provided to them for research materials and a small honorarium. This will result in a six-fold increase in the output of Ph.D.s.

Contact: Director Planning (S&T), Higher Education Commission, Sector H-9, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-4445801, Email : tkhurshed@hec.gov.pk

A complimentary scheme to the Indigenous Ph.D. Programme is the Merit Scholarship Scheme which provides research and training opportunities for bright young students as well as teachers and researchers leading to award of Ph.D. degree at national universities. Candidates are selected through open competition based on GRE (General) test score.

Contact: Director Planning (S&T), Higher Education Commission, Sector H-9, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-4445801, Email : tkhurshed@hec.gov.pk

Development of High Level Scientific and Technological Manpower through Split Ph.D. Programme

The split Ph.D. project trains high level manpower in strategic areas where local universities lack the requisite technical expertise. This involves 1 year training at local universities and 2-3 years at universities abroad.

Contact: Project Director, Higher Education Commission, Sector H-9, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-9257003, Email : maskaikh@hec.gov.pk

In order to ensure an adequate supply of skilled teachers, scientists and engineers to meet the growing needs of educational institutions, research organizations and the production sector, a program has been initiated to train non-Ph.D. university teachers and researchers at universities and research institutions abroad.

Contact: Deputy Scientific Advisor (Human Resource Development), Ministry of Science and Technology (S&T Research Division), Evacuee Property Trust Building, 4-Agha Khan Road, Sector F-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-9202225, Email : dsahrd@yahoo.co.uk

This project provides opportunities to teachers and researchers working in universities and R&D organizations to update their knowledge at top institutions in advanced countries for 1-2 years.

Contact: Director Planning (S&T), Higher Education Commission, Sector H-9, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-4445801, Email : tkhurshed@hec.gov.pk

Consultancy Programme for Strengthening of Faculty in Universities and R&D Organizations

The shortage of highly skilled manpower in R&D organizations and universities is also being addressed through a scheme of contractual appointments of 6 months to 3 years for scientists and technologists at salary scales matching top private sector organizations.

Contact: Joint Scientific Advisor (International Liaison), Ministry of Science and Technology (S&T Research Division), Evacuee Trust Property Building, 4-Agha Khan Road, Sector F-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-9203651

Career Development of Young Scientists and Technologists

To ensure that young Ph.D.s trained abroad are gainfully employed when they return to the country, "starter grants" provide them immediate access to research funds so that they do not face the frustration of working at ill-equipped laboratories. They are allowed to use the laboratories of public sector institutions, provided a grant of Rs 200,000 each and an honorarium of Rs 15,000 per month (for the unemployed).

Contact: Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation, Constitution Avenue, Sector G-5/2, P.O. Box 1121, Islamabad, Pakistan, Phone No.: 00-92-51-9204522, Email: drsmufti@hotmail.com

Availing Services of Expatriate Pakistani Scientists and Engineers and Foreign Academicians

To upgrade the quality of research and teaching at national institutions, renowned expatriate Pakistani and foreign scientists are being invited to work at our institutions.

Contact: Joint Scientific Advisor (International Liaison), Ministry of Science and Technology (S&T Research Division), Evacuee Trust Property Building, 4-Agha Khan Road, Sector F-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-9203651

Outdated curricula of universities needed to be revised. 52 curricula in various disciplines of science have already been updated and distributed to universities.

Contact: Adviser (Curriculum and Training), Higher Education Commission, Sector H-9, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-4440373, Email : ugc@isb.paknet.com.pk

Strengthening of Polytechnics (Introduction of New Technologies / Trades in Selected Institutions)

Along with formal courses, technical skills and competence obtained through practical experience are also important for economic development. In order to train technical graduates in need related fields such as agriculture, textiles, production related techniques and various new technologies are being introduced in Technical Colleges.

Contact: Joint Educational Adviser, Ministry of Education (Science and Technical Education Wing), NISTE Building (Admin Block), Sector H-8, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-9257227

In order to train manpower for maintenance of equipment, technicians working at various laboratories of the universities and R&D organizations are being trained locally as well as overseas.

Contact: Officer Incharge, Technical Cell, Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Plot # 16, Sector H-9, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-4430195, Email: pcsir@isb.paknet.com.pk

Participation of Scientists and Technologists in International Conferences, Seminars and Workshops

Conferences and seminars provide excellent opportunities for knowledge sharing and generation of new ideas. This project provides financial assistance to scientists, technologists, doctors and engineers to present their research findings and interact with their colleagues at national, regional and international conferences, seminars and workshops.

Contact: Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation, Constitution Avenue, Sector G-5/2, P.O. Box 1121, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-9204522, Email : drsmufti@hotmail.com

Increase in Ph.D.Allowance and Introduction of Research Productivity Allowance

Scientists and engineers working in public sector institutions were paid Ph.D. Allowance of Rs 1,500 per month since 1986. On the recommendation of NCST, the Government has increased Ph.D. Allowance from Rs 1,500 to Rs 5,000 per month. This is meant to encourage students to opt for research careers. The Research Productivity Allowance is aimed at rewarding those scientists, engineers who, despite the meager resources, have been producing quality research. To determine eligibility for the Allowance, scientists are evaluated by committees of peers.

Contact: Chairman, Pakistan Council for Science and Technology, Shahrah-e-Jamhuriat, Sector G-5/2, Islamabad, Pakistan, Phone No.: 00-92-51-9204416, Email : pcst@isb.comsats.net.pk

Upgradation / Strengthening of R&D Infrastructure

Presently there are some 160 major R&D organizations and 27 universities in the public sector, with 227 independent laboratories and 300 university departments. Most of these institutions require upgradation to fulfill their objectives. In order to rationalize their functioning, a peer review programme was initiated to critically examine each organization. Recommendations were made for their improved functioning. These include:

Several initiatives have been taken to implement the recommendations of the peer review committees.

Contact: Chairman, Pakistan Council for Science and Technology, Shahrah-e-Jamhuriat, Sector G-5/2, Islamabad, Pakistan, Phone No.: 00-92-51-9204416, Email : pcst@isb.comsats.net.pk

R&D organizations needed to be restructured. The restructuring involves rationalization of Legal Framework, Administration/Structural Reforms and Financial Reforms. A summary submitted to the Cabinet on restructuring of R&D organizations has been approved. A Draft Ordinance has been prepared and is currently under review.

Contact: Joint Scientific Advisor (Policy & Coordination), Ministry of Science and Technology (S&T Research Division), Evacuee Trust Property Building, 4-Agha Khan Road, Sector F-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-9206536, Email : jsail@isb.comsats.net.pk

Upon the recommendation of NCST, the Ministry of Science and Technology has requested Finance Division for a substantial increase in the recurring budget of R&D organizations under the Ministry. The government has granted exemption from payment of duties and taxes to public sector universities and S&T institutes on scientific equipment, consumables and books/journals; thereby saving almost 50% of the costs of import of these items.

Most university departments and R&D organizations require support for maintenance of laboratory equipment. This problem is being addressed through four projects:

1. Creation of a Fund for providing spare parts to university departments/institutes and R&D organizations: Grants of up to Rs 100,000 per equipment for purchase of spare parts is provided to R&D organizations. Research equipment worth Rs 2.0 billion has been made functional and more funds are being provided for purchase of spare parts for out-of-order equipment.

Contact: Chairman, Pakistan Council for Science and Technology, Shahrah-e-Jamhuriat, Sector G-5/2, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-9204416, Email : pcst@isb.comsats.net.pk

2. Maintenance of sophisticated laboratory equipments: 150 pieces of sophisticated equipment worth Rs 760 million are being repaired.

3. Repair & maintenance of laboratory equipment and instrumentation and training of laboratory technicians/engineers of R&D organizations, universities: Training in repair and maintenance of equipment is being imparted to 90 technicians from all over the country. About a thousand pieces of out-of-order laboratory equipment at 58 R&D organizations and institutes located in 12 cities are in the process of being repaired.

4. Repair & maintenance of equipment of the Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR): PCSIR is the premier industrial research organization and was established to provide analytical, testing and research based services to industries. R&D activities at PCSIR can be enhanced and its clientele can be increased greatly if this large inventory of its out-of-order equipment is repaired. Under this project, 550 out-of-order equipment at 8 different branches of PCSIR are being repaired.

Six major libraries in national institutions in the fields Engineering, Physical Sciences, Agriculture, Earth Sciences, Chemical Sciences and Biological Sciences are being upgraded. They have been designated as "National Science Libraries". These libraries will be equipped to access databases around the world so that they can share the library resources and provide services to other libraries in various departments/institutions in those fields in the country.

Contact: Director General, Pakistan Scientific and Technological Information Centre, Quaid-e-Azam University Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan, Phone No.: 00-92-51-9207641,Email : tipsnb@isb.comsats.net.pk

Endowment Funds have been set up for promotion of post graduate research at engineering universities with a total allocation of over Rs 1.0 billion in the current financial year.

Contact: Director (IT Division), Ministry of Science and Technology, Evacuee Property Trust Building, 4-Agha Khan Road, Sector F-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-9213177 Email : directorit@most.gov.pk

The work of Scientific Societies is being promoted through financial assistance for holding national and international conferences, seminars and workshops and for publication of scientific journals.

Contact: Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation, Constitution Avenue, Sector G-5/2, P.O. Box 1121, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-9204522, Email : drsmufti@hotmail.com

The establishment of COMSTECH Science and Technology Research and Training Centre in Islamabad will provide training to executives and policy makers from less developed OIC member states in the following areas:

Contact: Executive Secretary/Project Director RTC, COMSTECH Secretariat, Constitution Avenue, Sector G-5/2, Islamabad, Pakistan, Phone No.: 00-92-51-9220681-3 Email : comstech@isb.comsats.net.pk

Technology Development and Industrialization

In order to achieve increased productivity in all sectors of economy, it is imperative that the national R&D effort is directed at building technological capabilities that are closely integrated to industrialization. Several programmes have been launched to establish linkages between the academia, industry and government.

The Pakistan Technology Board has been established with the Minister for Science and Technology as its head. The Board members are drawn from relevant ministries and the private sector. The objectives of the Board are:-

Contact: Joint Technological Advisor, Ministry of Science and Technology (S&T Research Division), Evacuee Property Trust Building, 4-Agha Khan Road, Sector F-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-9202613 Email : sykmost@hotmail.com

This Fund would assist in financing R&D activities related to improvement in the quality of existing products and processes and development and commercialization of new products and processes. This would enhance productivity and competitiveness of industrial enterprises in the domestic and international market.

Venture Capital companies provide risk capital to entrepreneurs on equity participation or on loan basis and are considered essential for commercialization of indigenous technologies. A seven year exemption of Income Tax to investors has been approved.

Contact: Joint Technological Advisor, Ministry of Science and Technology (S&T Research Division), Evacuee Property Trust Building, 4-Agha Khan Road, Sector F-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-9202613, Email : sykmost@hotmail.com

Technology Clusters Centres, owned and managed by respective industry associations are being promoted. These Centres would act as bridges for public/private partnerships and provide services to small and medium enterprises for training, product development, consultancy and quality improvement.

The Ministry of Science & Technology is working closely with industry to introduce quality standards for industrial products and processes so that they meet the demands of high standards and increasing competitiveness of the global economy, especially with enhanced role of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) has been established through the merger of Pakistan Standards Institute, Metal Industry Research and Development Centre and National Physical and Standards Laboratory. In this regard the following initiatives have been taken.

a. Strengthening of the Pakistan Standards Institute (PSI): The PSI is being provided proper infrastructure for enhancement of quality of products and services in the country and to gain the requisite comparative advantage for exports.

Contact: Director General, Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority, 4th Floor Qasim Manzil, Randal Road, Karachi. Phone No.: 00-92-91-9206260, Fax No.00-92-91-9206263

b. Modernization of the National Physical and Standards Laboratory (NPSL): The NPSL is responsible for maintenance of national reference standards of measurements and materials in conformity with international standards and their dissemination in the country. The project aims to upgrade the present facilities of calibration, standardization and measurement at NPSL.

Contact: Director General, Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority, 4th Floor Qasim Manzil, Randal Road, Karachi. Phone No.: 00-92-91-9206260, Fax No.00-92-91-9206263

c. Strengthening of the Central Testing Laboratories (CTL): The main objective of CTL is to test government supplies and assist other departments in the scientific assessment of exact quality of raw materials and finished products and grade them according to national and international standards specifications. The facilities at CTL are being upgraded through this project.

Contact: Director General, Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority, 4th Floor Qasim Manzil, Randal Road, Karachi. Phone No.: 00-92-91-9206260, Fax No.00-92-91-9206263

The National Accreditation Council (NAC) accredits agencies providing certification of ISO-9000 and ISO-14000 standards, laboratories for testing and calibration and registration of auditors and training courses provided in quality control. So far 3000 Pakistani firms have acquired ISO 9000 certification under this programme.

Contact: Director General, Pakistan National Accreditation Council, 4th Floor, Evacuee Trust Complex building, F-5/2, Islamabad, Phone No: 00-92-9209507-09; Fax: 00-92-9209510;
Email : pnac@isb.paknet.com.pk

A national campaign is being undertaken to raise awareness among exporters, industrialists and suppliers of services about the World Trade Organization's policy and regulations. PNAC plans to organize 400 seminars/workshops and 400 training courses in all major cities in the fields of quality, environment, product certification and testing and calibration within 2 years.

Contact: Director General, Pakistan National Accreditation Council, H. No. 2, Street No. 15, F-6/3, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-9206044, Email : pnac@isb.paknet.com.pk

Industrial Analytical Centres are being established so that the industry could be provided analytical facilities for their products and processes. A programme for strengthening 8 laboratories of R&D organizations located in major industrial cities has been initiated.

Contact: H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan Phone No.: 00-92-21-9243224, 9243211, Email : ej@cyber.net.pk, hejric@digicom.net.com

Strengthening of Policy, Coordination and Management Structure

In order to strengthen the Policy Coordination and Management structure of Science and Technology in the country the following steps have been taken:

As the secretariat of NCST, the Pakistan Council for Science and Technology is being strengthened so that it could fulfill its role effectively. PCST has constituted 'think tanks' in the strategic areas of S&T development which would prepare short, medium and long term plans in each identified areas.

Contact: Chairman, Pakistan Council for Science and Technology, Shahrah-e-Jamhuriat, Sector G-5/2, Islamabad, Pakistan, Phone No.: 00-92-51-9204416, Email : pcst@isb.comsats.net.pk

A proper coordination system is required to link provincial S&T effort at the national level. In this connection Provincial governments have been approached, interim responses have been received and are being reviewed.

Science and Technology for Economic Development (STED)

Under this programme joint projects are being initiated between research institutions and industries for technology-based production of high value added goods. This is a public/private partnership programme where contribution of the public sector is 75% and the private sector 25%. The implementation of the STED programmes is likely to set up the trend for production of commercially viable products and processes. Some of the approved projects in the priority areas are:

Contact: Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation, Constitution Avenue, Sector G-5/2, P.O. Box 1121, Islamabad, Pakistan, Phone No.: 00-92-51-9204522, Email : drsmufti@hotmail.com

R&D programmes in Priority Areas

Many of the programmes of National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) have been focused towards Human Resource Development and strengthening of the research infrastructure. However, these efforts can only be fruitful if the country's production sector and in turn the economy benefits. Creation of knowledge markets in selected areas where Pakistan has the potential to achieve a competitive edge is the next step forward. The priority areas that have been identified are (1) Information Technology (2) Biotechnology (3) Engineering (4) Industrial Electronics (5) Mineral Development (6) Pharmaceuticals and (7) Renewable Energy. Several projects for developing the requisite manpower and R&D infrastructure in these fields have been already initiated. The Expert Committees constituted in each of these fields have identified several projects of strategic importance. These projects will be funded from year 2003 onwards and the financial allocation for these projects will be reflected in the 10 year Perspective Development Plan.

Produce 50,000 high quality IT Graduates annually within 7 years to meet the multi billion dollar Export Target
Impart vocational training to over 100,000 Knowledge workers for IT enabled services within 2 years
Develop world class Institutions of Higher Learning in the field of IT
Strengthen Faculty and Infrastructure of Existing Universities

Human Resource Development

Develop a modern countrywide Telecom infrastructure.
Encourage active participation of private sector through accelerated deregulation
Develop Pakistan into a regional hub for Telecommunication and Information flow
Launch a Geo Satellite to extend telecommunication-broadcasting facilities to remote areas within Pakistan and the neighboring countries
Establish a chain of modern self-contained IT Technology Parks throughout the country
Increase Internet accessibility through the Universal
Internet Access Program lowering of bandwidth price

Infrastructure Development

Re-engineer the archaic Government Processes to improve efficiency
Introduce IT to speed up the flow of information and track the processing
Convert data from paper to electronic form so that it is available on-line for improved transparency and accountability
Measure the functional performance of the Government machinery in quantifiable terms

Efficiency and Transparency in Government

Make Government Information and forms available to citizens on-line
Bring significant improvement in services like Bill Payment, Agency Specific Applications, Complaint Handling, etc.
Eliminate the time spent by the citizens waiting in long queues

Improve Services to Citizens

Create jobs and economic growth in the local economy by strengthening the IT industry.
Apply IT to the traditional industry to increase its productivity
Create environment to facilitate e-commerce
Facilitate the automation of banks and other sectors to improve the general business climate

Stimulate the Domestic Economy

Generate a 50-fold increase in the direct export of IT and IT enabled services within 5 years
Leverage IT to help traditional export industry become more competitive in the international market
Widen the export base with the help of an e-commerce infrastructure

Increase Exports

Many initiatives have been taken to increase the capacity of the existing institutions and to establish new Universities to impart education in the fields related to Information Technology. The quality of education is being improved by inducting new faculty and developing higher education programs.

To meet the growing demand of IT professionals new IT universities are being established in the public sector. The buildings are being acquired through donations or by leasing at low rent. The IT campuses will be expanded to full-fledged universities when they acquire their charter. Establishment of 7 new IT universities and departments with improved faculty and resources has been initiated.

Contact: Rector COMSATS, Plot No.30, Sector H-8/1, Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone No. 00-92-51-4442520, Email : director@ciit.edu.pk.

This exciting project is based on the concept of distance learning utilizing the latest web technologies and digital television. The most prominent feature of this program is that it would provide the top-class faculty from across the country to impart IT education. Though the broadcast of the lectures over Television would be free for viewing, the students enrolled for a degree would have to register, attend classes and undergo examinations. The classrooms will be setup all over the country in a public-private partnership. The intake of the Virtual University is expected to be 50,000 students in three years time.

Contact: Project Director, Virtual University, 3rd floor, Building Awin-e-Iqbal Complex, Egerton Road, Lahore, Pakistan, Phone No.: 00-92-42-9202174-9202175, Email : solutions@nexlinx.net.pk

Thirty public sector degree-awarding institutes have been provided funds to start IT programs and to increase the intake of Bachelors and Masters candidates in IT. As a result of this program alone each institute will contribute to the national intake of BS/MS students by an additional 100-200 students per year. Thus, in 4 years, there would be the addition of over 5000 IT graduates.

Contact: Director (IT), Ministry of Science & Technology, IT & Telecom Division, Evacuee Trust Complex, F-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan, Phone No.: 00-92-51-9213177
Email : ittel16@isb.paknet.com.pk

Faculty of international caliber is invited to join local universities. The selected faculty member is matched with the most suitable institution based on the requirements of the institution as well as his/her preference. These faculty members are expected to introduce R&D culture as well as advance learning techniques in our universities. Salaries of between Rs 100,000 per month to Rs 300,000 per month are offered to competent foreign professionals on contractual appointments.

Contact: Rector COMSATS, Plot No.30, Sector H-8/1, Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone No. 00-92-51-4442520, Email : director@ciit.edu.pk.

1100 scholarships have been awarded for Bachelors and Masters courses in IT and Computer Science. The selection of the students is based on merit. A follow-on project is in the pipeline that will expand this scheme to accommodate a much larger number of students.

Contact: Director (IT), Ministry of Science & Technology, IT & Telecom Division, Evacuee Trust Complex, F-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan, Phone No.: 00-92-51-9213177
Email : ittel16@isb.paknet.com.pk

This project aims at promoting IT education at school and college level through setting of laboratories and training of teachers. Twelve thousand school teachers will be trained within one year in a joint programme with INTEL.

Contact: Rector COMSATS, Plot No.30, Sector H-8/1, Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone No. 00-92-51-4442520, Email : director@ciit.edu.pk.

The IT enabled services sector can be tapped by training the workforce for shorter duration skilled based training. Several projects have been launched to impart this type of training. These include the training of 20,000 government employees in basic IT education, 500 doctors and 200 graduates in Medical Transcription, 1000 Java Developers, 1400 Inter-Networking (Cisco) engineers, and 500 Legal Transcriptionists within the next 12 months.

Contact: Rector COMSATS, Plot No.30, Sector H-8/1, Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone No. 00-92-51-4442520, Email : director@ciit.edu.pk.

Projects for training high level IT professionals (Ph.D.s) in the best national universities and abroad are under process. The objective is to create a pool of high level IT manpower to meet the growing needs of the universities and industry.

Contact: Director (IT), Ministry of Science & Technology, IT & Telecom Division, Evacuee Trust Complex, F-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan, Phone No.: 00-92-51-9213177
Email : ittel16@isb.paknet.com.pk

The objective of setting up the National Testing Service is to provide an affordable, indigenous service similar to the Educational Testing Service, USA that offers Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The testing service can be used as entrance criteria by educational institutions, for the award of scholarship, an aid to employers in recruitment, or for any other situation where a widely accepted standard test is required. The project will be initiated shortly.

Contact: Rector COMSATS, Plot No.30, Sector H-8/1, Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone No. 00-92-51-4442520, Email : director@ciit.edu.pk.

Infrastructure

Considerable progress has been made in the recent past to implement and enhance Fiber Optic Connectivity in all parts of Pakistan.

Contact: Chairman, Pakistan Telecom Company Limited, PTCL H/Qs, Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone No.: 00-92-51-4844463, Email : chps@isp.paknet.com.pk

The Internet bandwidth availability in Pakistan has increased from 35 Mbps to 265 Mbps over a span of 1 year and will reach 410 Mbps by May 2002.

The bandwidth tariff for the entire portfolio of services provided by PTCL has decreased under an accelerated re-balancing plan. Accordingly the Internet tariff has been reduced to 1/16th in the past 2 years A non-restorable international E1 (2 Mbps) Internet connectivity is now available at USD 6000 per month and a partially restorable E1 IP connectivity at USD 9,900 per month as compared to the price of USD 83,000 per month prevailing 2 years ago.

Contact: Chairman, Pakistan Telecom Company Limited, PTCL H/Qs, Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone No.: 00-92-51-4844463, Email : chps@isp.paknet.com.pk

The Internet Services Providers (ISPs) became operational in the country in 1996. By June 30, 2000 the country had 0.1 million Internet Subscribers and coverage to only 29 cities. In the last 18 months internet access spread to 566 localities throughout the country including some far flung remote areas and internet usage has spread many fold.

Contact: Chairman, Pakistan Telecom Company Limited, PTCL H/Qs, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-4844463, Email : chps@isp.paknet.com.pk

Government funded Information Technology Parks (ITPs) have been established in the public sector: 2 in Islamabad, 1 in Lahore, and 1 in Peshawar. In these ITPs, high-speed bandwidth is brought to the premises, the data network within the building is set up and managed, and space is rented at affordable rates. Now the private sector is also being encouraged to set up ITPs; 6 are to be set up in a public-private sector partnership, where the Government will provide optical fiber infrastructure and data connectivity up to the building, and the private sector operator will manage the ITP, pay for the bulk bandwidth and re-distribute the bandwidth within the ITP. The ITP operator will be free to set the rental rates but will have to guarantee a satisfactory level of data and allied services like lifts, security and backup power to the tenants, and ensure that the tenants are IT companies.

Contact: Managing Director, Pakistan Software Export Board, Evacuee Property Trust Building, F-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan, Phone No.: 00-92-51-9204073, Email : md@pseb.org.pk

With the planned privatization of PTCL, the government needs to have an Intranet that is isolated from the public network. Under this project the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) will provide multi-services data network, allowing ministries to be interconnected and also connected with their regional offices throughout the country. This will create an inter-governmental information highway which will be completed within 12 months.

Contact: Chairman, National Telecommunication Corporation, H/Qs, F-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone No.: 00-92-51-9205263, Email : chairman@ntcpk.com

An Educational Intranet ranging from 256Kbps to 6Mbps has been initiated for 56 UGC accredited universities. In addition to the local content, an aggregate 4 Mbps international connectivity upgradable to 32 Mbps will also be provided. The implementation has started and is to be completed by the end of 2002.

Contact: Chairman, National Telecommunication Corporation, H/Qs, F-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone No.: 00-92-51-9205263, Email : chairman@ntcpk.com

Many rural and far-flung areas which are thinly populated can now be connected with Very Small Aperture Terminals (VAST) using Demand Activated Multiple Access (DAMA) technology. Under this program 300 locations in all four provinces, will be connected to a base station via VSAT. The base station will be connected to a Telephone Exchange via a landline and thus the remote area will become a part of the nation-wide telecommunication network. The configuration of the VSAT stations in the smaller remote locations would vary, depending on the size, from a single voice line to up to 4 voice lines. In the relatively bigger locations it would also include a data line.

Contact: Chairman, National Telecommunication Corporation, H/Qs, F-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone No.: 00-92-51-9205263, Email : chairman@ntcpk.com

Policy Incentives

The Government of Pakistan has been taking key measures to encourage Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country. The aim is to make the proposition financially attractive and simplify the FDI process to open up the opportunities in Pakistan's IT sector. In this regard, several policy measures have been taken over the last year and half that include:

Enabling Measures

To facilitate e-commerce and other on-line transactions requiring digital signature and authentication the IT Law has been drafted and reviewed with the Law Ministry. This Ordinance when promulgated will open the way for electronic transactions by providing it a legal cover. The draft ordinances for these laws and the Intellectual Property Law are expected to be finalized soon.

Contact: Director Legal, Ministry of Science & Technology (IT & Telecom Division), Evacuee Property Trust Building, F-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan. Phone No.: 00-92-51-9218967
Email : haslam@brain.net.pk

The proliferation of IT training institutes all over the country has been a good sign in terms of promoting IT education, however, it has introduced a varying degree of quality standards. To protect the students against enrolling in substandard institutions the government has initiated an IT Accreditation program. This program will be supported by an Ordinance that has been drafted and is currently being reviewed by the concerned Ministries. An accreditation body will be set up to accredit degree and diploma awarding institutions.

E-Government

The e-Government is a long-term program (5-7 years). Certain modules of the program will be implemented this year. In the subsequent module the scope will be expanded, additional agency specific applications will be introduced, and more complex transactions will be implemented.

The web portal for the Government of Pakistan and the web sites of 34 Ministries/Divisions as well as 3 special purpose web sites will be developed under this project. Websites of all the Ministries/Divisions would focus on providing information that is most useful to the Citizens. The citizens will not only be able to get all the required information but would also be able to download forms. The project will be completed in 2002.

Contact: Director (EGPD), Information Technology Commission, House No.14, Street No.61, F-7/4, Islamabad, Pakistan, Phone No.: 00-92-51-9205992, Email : direg@itcommission.gov.pk

The goal of this project is to streamline the functioning of the government by eliminating the

Current S&T Initiatives