Islamabad
Talking to media after his visit to National University of Science and Technology (NUST) on Monday, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Senator Shibli Faraz said that we have inadequate oxygen to deal with any emergency related to Covid-19 and other necessary stockz are also not available.
Appreciating the global and national role of NIST, the Federal Minister said that the university was rendering invaluable services in the field of higher education of the country.
He said that strong linkages between universities and industrial establishments were needed to create employment opportunities for the youth as the function of universities was not only to award degrees but also to impart skills.
He said that we have to see how our universities are affecting the lives of the people, the government’s job is not only to provide jobs but also to create an environment that provides employment opportunities to the people.
Shibli Faraz said that universities should also play their role in the development of the country and take steps to increase the employment potential of the youth.
Responding to a question on availability and production of ventilators, the Federal Minister said that we do not have adequate oxygen and other necessary stocks to deal with any emergency related to Code-19.
He said the Ministry of Science and Technology was working as a facilitator and did not yet have its own ventilators, but the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation and a private firm were developing ventilators in the country.
He said that ventilators manufactured in Pakistan are not very useful, ventilators have 16 functions but locally made ventilators have only four functions.
Replying to a question regarding the operation of Pakistan Steel Mills Oxygen Plant, he said that the Ministry of Industries and Production was reviewing the Pakistan Steel Mills Oxygen Plant and in this regard he had also spoken to the Minister of Industries and Production. I think due to some problem the oxygen plant of the steel mills cannot be made operational in case of emergency.
The Minister for Science and Technology said that Pakistan would extend all possible assistance to India during the crisis of Code-19, adding that it was a matter of humanity and our sympathies were with India.
