FAISALABAD. World Class and state-of-the-art PCSIR (Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) Laboratory will be set up in Faisalabad with an estimated cost of Rs.500 million, disclosed Dr. Shahzad Alam chairman PCSIR.
Addressing a meeting of the Faisalabad Chamber of commerce and Industry (FCCI) here today Dr. Shahzad Alam, Chairman PCSIR told that this lab is expected to be completed by June next year while a PCSIR sample collection centre will also start working from next month. He said that PCSR has 16 institutes throughout the country out of which 09 are conducting research while remaining seven are imparting technical training to different sectors with the objective to upgrade the local industry on modern scientific lines.
Regarding the new testing lab at Faisalabad, he said that no doubt predominantly it will cater to the needs of textile industry but it would also look after the R&D issues of foundry, pharmaceutical and other industries housed in this area. He told that during this visit, he will also select appropriate site for this lab in addition to making the necessary arrangements for its immediate construction.
Regarding sample collection center, he said that it could be established at FCCI Complex. He invited FCCI delegation to personally visit Lahore lab to review the facilities offered by this lab which would also help them in making the Faisalabad centre more effective, productive and result oriented. He told that PCSIR labs are now conducting 395 different types of tests along with their certification which are also accredited and are recognized at international level. This certification is offered at a much cheaper rate to facilitate the local exporters, he said and admitted that henceforth, PCSIR could not give due attention to Faisalabad. However, now he has decided to focus on the R&D issues related to the industrial sector of Faisalabad and the PCSIR lab will also extend wide range of facilities with the purpose to fulfill the entire R&D needs of the local industries.
Responding to yet another a question about energy shortage, Chairman PCSIR Dr. Shahzad Alam said that this prime research organization has developed two kinds of cheap fuels which could be used for heating purposes. However, he stressed the need to concentrate on prudent use of electricity and said that most of the electrical gadgets imported from China are sub-standard. They are not energy efficient; he said and claimed that by improving the quality of these products, we can save 25-30 percent of electricity. He told that PCSIR has inked agreements with four fan companies of Gujrat to market energy efficient fans from next year. These fans would be marketed with 2,3, 5-star fans. This system will also be applicable to electric motors manufacture in this year. However, it will take another one year to bring refrigerators and air-conditioners under this energy efficient regime.
Responding to another question, he said that most of the LED bulbs used for street lights are also not up to the mark. They are wasting energy and hence there should be a standardized system for these lights.
Earlier in his address of welcome Chaudhary Muhammad Nawaz, President FCCI introduced the Faisalabad and FCCI and said that Faisalabad is earning US$ 6 billion from the textile exports but still it is deprived of the latest textile laboratory. He said that power looms developed in 1970 are still being used in Faisalabad and despite of having National Textile University, we failed to introduce innovations in this important foreign exchange earning sector. Ch. Nawaz also offered space to PCSIR for setting up of their sample collection center. Later, PCSIR and FCCI inked an MOU to cooperate with each other for the introduction of innovations in different segments of national economy. Ch. Nawaz and Dr. Shahzad Alam inked the MOU on behalf of their respective organizations along with their teams.