Government Profile

GOVERNMENT PROFILE

Ministry of Professional and Technical Training

Ministry of Professional and Technical Training was established in July 2011. Their vision is “developing Pakistan as a progressive and prosperous country by providing equal opportunities to all citizens enabling them to acquire knowledge through Primary, Secondary, and Higher Education including Technical and Professional training; creating a knowledge society leading to knowledge economy”. As per the Constitutional provisions, the Ministry has to function in the field of Higher Education and Standards in Higher Education, Technical Education and Vocational/Professional Training, Non Formal Basic Education, Adult Literacy, Coordination with Provinces/Areas, Secretariat of Inter Provincial Education Ministers’ Conference (IPEMC), National Curriculum Council (NCC), National Education Policy (NEP), International Cooperation.

Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR)

Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) was established in 1964 and is working under Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST). The management of the Council consists of the Board of Governors, the Chairman and the Executive Committee. Since its inception, PCRWR has played its role as a national research organization by undertaking and promoting research in various disciplines of water sector, more specifically, irrigation, drainage, surface and groundwater management, groundwater recharge, watershed management, desertification control, rainwater harvesting, water quality assessment and monitoring, water conservation and development of water quality improvement technologies, etc. With its Headquarter in Islamabad, its eight Regional Offices/Research Centers are located at Tandojam, Quetta, Bahawalpur, Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi, Gilgit and Muzaffarabad.

Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET)

Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET) was established by merging the National Institute of Silicon Technology (NIST) and the Pakistan Council for Appropriate Technologies (PCAT). The basic mandate of PCRET is to carry out R&D in the field of Renewable Energy Technologies for the socio-economic development of the country, as well as promote the new and existing technologies to overcome the prevailing energy shortages and replace the environmental polluting fuel sources with the green sources. An important mandate is to convey the benefits of these technologies to the common public. PCRET has developed a number of new ways of exploiting the abundant natural energy resource of Pakistan, as well as introduced the already proven energy harnessing concepts in the rest of the world.

Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC)

Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) is the apex national organization working in close collaboration with other federal and provincial institutions in the country to provide science based solutions to agricultural problems of Pakistan through its statutory functions. At present, PARC has seven divisions; five technical divisions: “”Plant Sciences””, “”Animal Sciences””, “”Social Sciences””, “”Natural Resources””, “”Agricultural Engineering”” and Two services divisions: “”Finance”” and “”Coordination & Monitoring””. The activities of various technical divisions related to statutory functions of PARC are handled through in house research establishments of PARC and through countrywide cooperative research programs on various commodities, MOU’s with national/international research organizations, public sector development projects and also through competitive grants of Agricultural linkages Program, Ministry of Science and Technology and other institutions.

National Education Foundation

National Education Foundation is an autonomous statutory body with its head office based in Islamabad. National Education Foundation (NEF) was established in 1994 through Cabinet resolution and became operational in 1996. In 1997 Federal Teachers Foundation (FTF) was merged with National Education Foundation. Later National Education Foundation was restructured through Presidential ordinance xx/2002 as autonomous body with its own Board of Governors (BoG). Now National Education Foundation is working under the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training. The NEF works closely with NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs) and Community- Based Organizations (CBOs) to enhance their capacity to provide basic education and literacy to the children of their communities. An essential aspect is close co-operation with the private sector, as the government doesn’t have enough resources to fund basic education for everyone. The current programmes not only provide education but also mobilize communities to meet their own educational and development needs.

National Institute of Health (NIH)

National Institute of Health (NIH) is one of the most prestigious institutions of the country involved in multi disciplinary public health related activities like diagnostic services, research and production of biologicals for more than 40 years. The idea of establishing a National Health Center (NHC) was conceived in early 1960’s, which started functioning in 1965 at Islamabad. Various independently working organizations like Bureau of Laboratories, Directorate of Nutrition Survey and some other health related research organizations were shifted to NHC. Later on all these independently working departments were integrated and designated as National Health Laboratories (NHL – Islamabad). The institute is a WHO collaborating center for viral diagnostics and regional reference laboratory for Polio in addition to being a national reference center for diagnosis of Influenza. It also works as the National Appellate Laboratory for quality control of drugs and is the public analyst laboratory for the quality control of food for the federal territory, Islamabad. NIH also conducts numerous international, regional and national seminars, symposia and other related activities.

Pakistan Science Foundation(PSF)

Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) is the apex body for promotion and funding of scientific and technological research and science popularization in the country. PSF has two subsidiary organizations i.e. Pakistan Museum of Natural History (PMNH) and Pakistan Scientific and Technological Information Center (PASTIC). The Foundation functions as a link of PMNH/PASTIC agency for the establishment of comprehensive scientific and technological information dissemination centers, promotion of research in the universities and other institutions, establishment of science centers, museums, promotion of scientific societies, organization of periodical science conferences, exchange of visits of scientists with other countries, prizes and fellowships to individuals engaged in developing processes of consequence to the economy of the country.

Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation

Pakistan Agricultural Storage & Services Corporation Limited (PASSCO) is leading grain procurement and storage agency at national &  International level. Their mission is to become one of the most valued Corporations in the country. PASSCO played its vital role in the last forty three years since its inception. Within the ambit of its mission, PASSCO undertakes procurement of Wheat and other agriculture commodities and implements the Government policy of Support Price for wheat, paddy, gram, potato, onion and any other specified agricultural commodity, when called upon. PASSCO performs the function of storage of wheat and its release to deficit provinces/regions and Armed Forces throughout the year and maintenance of Strategic and SAARC Reserves as per policy spelled out by Federal Government.

Higher Education Commission of Pakistan

The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan is an independent, autonomous, and constitutionally established institution of primary funding, overseeing, regulating, and accrediting the higher education efforts in Pakistan. The HEC also facilitated the development of higher educational system in the country with main purpose of upgrading the universities and degree awarding colleges in the country to be focal point of the high learning of education, research, and development. Over the several years, the HEC has played an important and leading role towards building a knowledge based economy in Pakistan.

Soil Survey Of Punjab

The Soil Survey of Punjab (formerly Soil Survey of Pakistan) is the sole organization which collected sufficient basic soils data/inventory through reconnaissance soil surveys. The Soil Survey of Pakistan was established in 1962 as “”Soil Survey Project of Pakistan”” under the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL), with assistance of UNDP to prepare an inventory of the Soil Resources of Pakistan through Reconnaissance Soil Surveys in the form of maps and reports. Land resource surveys are their core activity and they maintain a land resource database of the country.

Planning Commission Pakistan

The Planning Commission (denoted as PC) is a financial and public policy development institution of the Government of Pakistan. The Commission comes under Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms. The Planning Commission undertakes research studies and state policy development initiatives for the growth of national economy and the expansion of the public and state infrastructure of the country in tandem with the Ministry of Finance (MoF). The Commission plays an influential and central role in the Medium Term Development Framework for the national economy. Furthermore, the Public Sector Development Programmes (PSDP) also placed under the domain of the Planning Commission.

Pakistan Health Research Council (PHRC)

Pakistan Health Research Council (PHRC), formerly known as the Pakistan Medical Research Council (PMRC) is an autonomous research agency in the field of medical and health sciences under the Ministry of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination. It was established in 1962. It has established research centers in about 12 cities across all four provinces of Pakistan.

National Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority

The National Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (Neeca) is an attached Department of the Ministry of Water & Power and serves as a federal focal agency mandated for initiating, catalyzing and coordinating all Energy Conservation activities in different sectors of economy. NEECA has been charged with a wide range of responsibilities including (a) Formulating energy conservation programmes in all the main energy consuming sectors (b) Planning and initiating energy conservation actions nation-wide (c) Outlining policy guidelines to support energy conservation initiatives (d) Developing a comprehensive data base on opportunities for energy conservation (e) Supporting training activities on energy conservation application (f) Undertaking field research and pilot demonstration activities on specific energy conservation options and technologies; and (g) Monitoring the implementation of conservation programs by other public and/or private sector entities.

Board of Investment

The Board of Investment (BOI) was established with broad based responsibilities of promotion of investment in all sectors of economy; facilitation of local and foreign investors for speedy materialization of their projects and to enhance Pakistan ‘s international competitiveness and contribute to economic and social development. The BOI assists companies and investors who intend to invest in Pakistan as well as facilitates the implementation and operation of their projects. The wide range of services provided by BOI includes providing information on the opportunities for investment and facilitating companies that are looking for joint venture. The BOI acts as a focal point of contact for prospective investors, both domestic and foreign to provide them with all necessary information and assistance in coordinating with other Government Departments/ Agencies.

Punjab Board of Investment and Trade

The Punjab Board of Investment & Trade (PBIT) is the trade and investment promotion agency of the province of Punjab, Pakistan, established PBIT in 2009. Since its inception, PBIT has been striving towards achieving the vision of a prosperous Punjab. Although a fairly young organization, PBIT has quickly established its focus around three key objectives: facilitating new and existing businesses; creating a mutually beneficial business environment through proactive policy advocacy both at the provincial and federal level and, promoting Punjab as the ultimate investment destination. The unique combination of public officials and private sector experts who work at PBIT helps bridge the gap between private corporations and the government. Punjab Board of Investment & Trade is a Steering Committee Member and the Director of South Asia at the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) – a prestigious world association of organizations similar to PBIT created by UNCTAD.

Ministry of National Health Services and Coordination

Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination is committed to helping the people of Pakistan in maintaining and improving their health status. Its functions include (a) national & international coordination in the field of Public Health (b) oversight for regulatory bodies in health sector (c) population welfare coordination (d) enforcement of Drugs Laws and Regulations (e) coordination of all preventive programs, funded by GAVI/ GFATM (d) international commitments including attainment of MDGs (e) infectious disease quarantine at ports (f) coordination of Hajj medical mission (g) provision of medical facilities to the Federal employees in provinces.

Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan

The Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) is a regulator established in 1999 with the objective of developing a modern and efficient corporate sector. The current mandate of SECP includes (a) Regiulation of corporate sector and capital market (b) supervision and regulation of insurance companies (c) supervision and regulation of non-banking finance companies and private pension schemes (d) oversight of various external service providers to coroporate and financial sectors, including chartered accountants, credit rating agencies, corporate secretaries, brokers and surveyors etc.

Planning & Development Department, Sindh

Planning & Development Department (P&D) of the Government of Sindh, came into existence on July 1, 1970. The Department is largely responsible for advising the government on development policy and planning which includes scrutiny, approval and sustainability of development schemes by according preference to lesser privileged areas, expansion of social coverage and creating accommodating environment for private sector led growth. It plays a vital role in socioeconomic development of the Province. A number of focused infrastructural development activities are carried out every year through Annual Development Plan in order to complete major interventions for poverty alleviation and human development as well as accelerating economic growth. Public participation, decentralization and targeted outcomes remain the hallmark of these efforts.

Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority

Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) was established through an Act of Parliament in 1958. It is an autonomous and statutory body under the administrative control of the Federal Government. WAPDA’s mandate is development of water and hydropower resources in an efficient manner. In line with its mandate, WAPDA is working hard to harness water and hydropower resources in the country. In order to meet the requirements of the country in both water and hydropower sectors with an ultimate object to put Pakistan on the track of development, WAPDA has planned to construct five multi-dimensional water storage dams during the next 3-12 years. The building of these dams will not only help address acute water challenge but also produce cheap and clean hydroelectricity and mitigate the risk of floods.

Agriculture Department, Government of Punjab

Agriculture Department, Punjab, aims to transform Punjab’s agricultural space into a market-driven, diversified and sustainable sector through integrated technologies, transparency and value for money. Its key initiatives include revamping of Punjab Agricultural Research Board, establishment of Seed Units, promotion of IPR based technology environment, promotion of food quality, safety and traceability, establishment of Punjab Agricultural Marketing Company and crop maximization. The Punjab government has a mission to develop a science-based, vibrant and internationally linked agriculture sector that can not only meet the food security challenges but also compete in domestic as well as in international markets. Agriculture Department seeks public-private partnership in achieving this mission.

National Trust for Population Welfare

National Trust for Population Welfare (NATPOW) provides financial & technical support to its affiliated Civil Society Organizations for reaching the rural, marginalized & poor communities and rendering reproductive health & family planning services, healthy timing & spacing of pregnancy and safe motherhood, neonatal & child healthcare services including ante-natal care, TT vaccination, safe deliveries, post-natal care with postpartum family planning and post-abortion care, thereby improving reproductive health status of women, adolescents & men.