The Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Government of Pakistan, H.E. Pir Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani, paid a visit to the COMSATS Secretariat on 20th January 2011. The Minister, who has recently assumed charge of the Ministry, was invited to COMSATS Secretariat for a briefing on the organization’s mission & objectives, the role it has been playing over the years for science-led socio-economic development and its future programmes.

In a multimedia presentation by the Executive Director, the Minister was informed about the organizational structure of COMSATS and the role that each organ plays for the organization’s overall operation. The recent and past projects and programmes of COMSATS, scope of COMSATS’ activities and the budgetary matters of COMSATS Secretariat were reviewed during the meeting. The Minister was informed that COMSATS has recently initiated its developmental research activities by means of its Thematic Research Groups. Each group, comprising a set of relevant institutions from the developing countries, is envisaged to undertake research projects in a specific area. The Minister was also briefed about Dr. Qureshi’s visits to COMSATS Member States and Centres of Excellence, as well as COMSATS’ participation in the recently held 14th General Assembly Meeting of COMSTECH (January 2011, Islamabad-Pakistan) and the 5th Islamic Conference of Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research (October 2010, Kuala Lumpur- Malaysia).

Highlighting the steadfast support that COMSATS has received from the Pakistani Ministry of Science and Technology in the past, Dr. Qureshi recalled the recent meetings of COMSATS’ Coordinating Council held in Nigeria and Italy (2009 and 2010); the 1st Consultative Committee Meeting, held in Nigeria (2009), chaired by the then Federal Secretary MoST and the support received for holding of 2nd Commission Meeting in 2010 (later postponed).

The Federal Minister acknowledged the role played by COMSATS as an important S&T player and assured the Executive Director of his Ministry’s continued support in the future, especially in connection with the holding of Commission Meeting.