ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology on Tuesday directed Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority to formulate procedure for adopting international Star System to help conserve power consumption.
The committee overviewed a point raised by Senator Nauman Wazir Khattak in the House on 26 August, 2020 regarding the importance of reducing electricity consumption in Pakistan.
Senator Khattak shared with the Committee the difference of energy consumption between summer and winter months that amounted to 17000 MW. He asserted that the major issue was the use of fans and appliances with a 1 star rating which was disastrous in terms of energy consumption. He said it was imperative that the Star Rating System, prevalent in rest of the world be adopted.
The star rating indicates the power efficiency of the electronic machine. A higher rating is given to a machine which is more energy efficient. Maximum stars given to an appliance are five. Senator said electric vehicles should also be introduced in the country to save energy.
Ministry of Science and Technology informed the committee that the industry reluctant in adopting new technology anticipating increasing costs. The consumers too would abstain from adopting this due to price hikes, the ministry said.
It was proposed to the Committee that these appliances would not burden the consumers’ pockets if government subsidy is paid.
The Committee directed PSQCA to formulate standards for adaptation of the Star System and revert to the Committee at the earliest and after detailed deliberation with all stakeholders present a report in the next meeting.
Chairman, Intellectual Property Organization (IPO also briefed the penal chaired by Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan. The committee showed concern on tedious process of registering an idea or invention.
The Committee was informed that the process in Pakistan was less complicated than in other countries. These timelines can be decreased if correct process is followed reducing the glitches.
In order to facilitate national inventors and applicants IPO has designed outreach programs and send Patent Experts for IP awareness sessions, the chairman said. Patent filing workshops are also held, he added.
He said Intellectual Property Help Desks and Technology Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) have also been established. Patent examination can be conducted in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore. In the past ten years, numerous well-known universities have filed for patenting, IPO chairman added.
The Committee recommended that clusters of Universities be formed so that in the least one TISC is delegated to it.
The Committee ratified nomination of Senator Prof Dr. Mehr Taj Roghani as Member of the Board of Governors of the Pakistan Council for Science and Technology.
Also Read: PM lays foundation stone of Ravi Riverfront project
