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ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Science and Technology has demanded Rs11.753 billion for 33 development schemes under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2025-26.
This includes Rs. 2,342.528 million for 9 new schemes and Rs. 9,411.340 million for 24 ongoing projects. Detailed project-wise information has been submitted accordingly.
This was revealed before the 8th meeting of the Standing Committee on Science and Technology, which met under the chairmanship of Khawaja Sheraz Mehmood, MNA.
The meeting agenda included the efforts to initiate and launch scientific and technological programmes as well as projects aimed at economic development and the budgetary proposals in the upcoming budget for the financial year 2025-2026.
In a meeting of the Standing Committee on Science and Technology, the committee directed that all relevant officers must be present in the next session whenever recommendations are issued. Minister Khalid Hussain Magsi was also in attendance, and the committee expressed its appreciation for his participation.
The minister emphasised the importance of the committee’s role as a supreme body and instructed the secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology to ensure that all questions raised by the committee are answered comprehensively.
The committee further directed COMSATS University to submit details of its pending development schemes to the ministry, and the ministry was instructed to share this information with committee members.
During the meeting, the secretary of the ministry informed the committee that the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is to be merged with COMSATS University. This announcement was met with concern by the committee, which questioned the feasibility of merging two distinct institutions.
In response, the secretary clarified that the decision was made at the cabinet level, where it was resolved that NIO would either be transferred to another ministry or merged with a university. Given that COMSATS University operates under the Ministry of Science and Technology, the decision was made to integrate NIO with COMSATS to maintain administrative consistency.
Additionally, the secretary informed the committee that the NIO has recently completed a research report that has facilitated the Sindh government in securing a major project from the Asian Development Bank.
The Ministry of Science and Technology has put forward its budgetary proposals for the upcoming financial year, 2025-26. Under the PSDP 2025-26, the ministry has requested a total allocation of Rs. 11,753.868 million for 33 development schemes. This includes Rs. 2,342.528 million for 9 new schemes and Rs. 9,411.340 million for 24 ongoing projects. Detailed project-wise information has been submitted accordingly.
