Introduction

From the areas of industrial development to renewable energy and rural development, the Ministry suggests technological development for higher growth-rates and to improve standards of living. Its principal focus is on building Pakistan's technological competence in the 21st century as we enter new markets, developing a larger pool of human resources to reverse brain drain, and for integrating the existing technological infrastructure for strengthening of technology institutions, effective governance of S&TR and enhancing the capacity of indigenous innovation systems.

In 2019, under the banner of “ThinkFuture”, Federal Minister for Science and Technology has started an ambitious program to reimagine the future of Pakistan following the footsteps of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. Starting with seven key emerging technologies, including 3D Printing, Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, Blockchain, Internet of Things, Intelligent Vehicles, and Smart Robots. This program will develop a roadmap to create technology solutions to indigenous problems, and launch national scale projects to accelerate the adoption these technologies.

The Scientific and Technological Research Division was established in 1964 and later evolved into The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) in 1972. It is the national focal point and enabling arm of Government of Pakistan for planning, coordinating and directing efforts; to initiate and launch scientific and technological programs and projects as per national agenda for sound and sustainable S&TR base for the socio-economic development, to achieve the vision for a better Pakistan, in terms of the mandate contained in Schedule-II of the Federal Government Rules of Business 1973.

The Ministry of S&T is headed by the Federal Minister of Science and Technology and is administered by the Federal Secretary of S&T; its establishment has a sanctioned strength of 220 personnel. The work is divided amongst Administration & Finance Wings and five technical wings; namely, (i) Policy & Coordination, (ii) the Planning & Development, (iii) the Technology, (iv) the International Liaison, and (v) the Electronics Wing. Efforts to consolidate achievements in the priority areas included: Human-Resource Development; Transfer of Technology from R&D Institutions and Universities to Industry; Food & Agriculture; Analytical Centers for Industrial Analysis, Industrialisation, Health, Electronics, Ocean Resources, New Materials, Biotechnology, Textiles, and Pharmaceuticals.