On 17th February 2021, Mr. Syed Shamoon Hashmi, Additional Secretary (Special Initiatives), National Assembly of Pakistan, visited COMSATS Secretariat along with Mr. Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai, Focal Person on Speaker’s Special Initiatives, to receive a briefing on COMSATS and explore areas for possible collaboration.

Welcoming the guests, Dr. S. M. Junaid Zaidi, Executive Director COMSATS, introduced COMSATS as an intergovernmental organization focused at S&T-led sustainable development of the countries of the South. He also gave an overview of COMSATS’ programmes and activities highlighting the strengths it has in the form of a vibrant Network of 24 International S&T Centres of Excellence. Mr. Hashmi was receptive of Dr. Zaidi’s presentation and appreciated the role COMSATS has been playing for the development of its Member States.

Further to explore areas of cooperation, Mr. Shamoon informed that National Assembly of Pakistan operates through various Standing Committees that provide an oversight for governmental functions. In this connection, he proposed COMSATS to act as a think tank on S&T and related matters to support various Standing Committees. He, in particular, sought support for National Assembly Standing Committees for Climate Change, Information Technology and Communication, Energy, and S&T. It was also discussed and agreed that COMSATS having prowess in the field of data warehousing will support National Assembly in establishing a secure data centre.

The meeting concluded on the note of cooperation. Executive Director COMSATS also presented shields to the distinguished guests.