Federal government is committed to provide all resources to PSQCA for effective enforcement of its activities operations in the field of conformity assessment and standardization. Rana Tanveer Hussain PSQCA should accelerate its conformity assessment activities for consumer safety and protection.
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Federal Minister for Science & Technology Mr. Rana Tanveer Hussain has said that federal government will leave no stone unturned in promoting quality culture in the country. He said that PSQCA is the National Standardization body which is responsible for formulating and implementing Pakistan Standards in all the provinces. He stressed that provincial governments must work in collaboration with the PSQCA to promote and strengthen the enforcement of standards specification.
Addressing as a chief guest at a seminar titled “Standards Build Trust” at Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Rana Tanveer Hussain acknowledged the fact that industrialization, standardization and economic growth grow together as without standardization, optimum growth cannot be achieved. Standards and conformity assessment activities benefit public health, safety and environment. The consumer gets benefit from the development and design of new and improved requirements for the safety and quality of the products. Conformity assessment provides assurance to consumers by increasing consumer confidence when personnel, products, systems or services are evaluated against the requirements of specific standard. Federal Minister assured that federal government is committed to provide all the necessary resources to PSQCA for effective enforcement of its activities. He assured that field staff deficiency will be made up very soon to make PSQCA’s operations in the field of conformity assessment and standardization. He acknowledged the role of PSQCA in regulating mandatory items and emphasized that PSQCA should accelerate its conformity assessment activities so that consumer safety and protection may be ascertained. “Standards Build Trust” is in itself a reflection of the objective of World Standards Day which is basically meant to surmount technical trade barriers under new world trade regime. Moreover, International Standards especially with regards to Pakistan is one single important factor that could direct/channelize the entire outlook of business under WTO agreements”. He added. PSQCA is going to start awareness programs for Pakistani consumers i.e. new website, mobile application is marched towards technology. On this occasion, Federal Minister inaugurated PSQCA’s new Website and Mobile App to create awareness among the consumers. He distributed prizes among the essay competition winners.
Director General PSQCA Muhammad Khalid Siddiq in his welcome address thanked the participants and said that the changing face of international trade has led to single, globally acceptable technical standards for globally marketable products. At the international level, standards are becoming a pillar of the new global trade system. In today’s increasingly globalized trading environment, international standards are powerful tools to lead positive change for spurring economic growth, adapt to climate change and open up global markets. At this occasion, DG PSQCA said that launching of new website and Mobile App speaks of its commitment towards this cause of national importance. In addition to, PSQCA holds essay competition on the quality aspects at provincial level each year. This essay competition and signing of MOU’s with different universities is another appreciable and applaud able move to take subject of quality to our youth for bringing fundamental change in the society in the years to come. The collaborative approach of PSQCA with the Academia, Industry and the business community will improve the quality as the time progresses. This cooperation is a trusted partnership in development of the Pakistan’s economy to steer it to surmount technical barriers to trade under the new world trade regime. World Standard Day’s celebration is a tribute to the work of millions of experts who endeavor to make life safer. The day was initially promoted by International Standards Organizations (ISO, IEC & ITU), regional and national standards makers to recognize and strengthen cross-boundary cooperation to enhance technical harmonization. He further explained that more than sixty-five units have been shut down producing sub-substandard products, he added.
Mr Arif Qasim (Former Chairman PVMA), Mr. Aamir Zameer (Director Provincial Consumer Protection Council), Mr. Tariq Sarwar (Technical advisor to Chairman Central All Pakistan Floor Mills Association) Mr. Abbas Akbar Ali (Member Executive Body, Pakistan Steel Melters Association), Mr. Shehzad Sikandar (Manager Corporate Regulatory and Scientific Affairs, Nestle Pakistan) and Mr. Razi ur Rehman (Director Corporate Affairs, Atlas Group) also addressed to the seminar. The event was organized by Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) in collaboration with Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI). The objectives of the seminar were to promote quality standards culture in the country.