The Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Defence Production Monday was briefed about the creation of Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE).
A meeting of the committee was held here in Parliament House with MNA Khawaja Sohail Mansoor in the chair.
Besides others, the meeting was attended by MNAs Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, Chudhary Hamid Hameed, Muhammad Moeen Wattoo, Iffat Liaqat, Asiya Nasir, Bilal Rehman, Sajid Hussain Tor and senior officials of Ministry of Defence Production and ARDE.
Briefing the committee about the creation of ARDE, Ministry of Defence Production secretary said that during embargoes in 1965 and 1971 wars, the authorities felt necessity to achieve self-reliance in conventional munitions by developing and utilising local industrial potential.
He said that ARDE was established in 1974 under DGMP, MoD to develop armaments stores for three services to achieve the goals of indigenous development of armament.
Representative from ARDE briefed the committee regarding its (ARDE) research, development and functions.
He said that presently, ARDE had engaged private industries for development purpose. He said that ARDE was interacting with academic institutions for research and development purposes. He also briefed the committee about its research process for different products.
The committee appreciated the role of ARDE for saving import cost through its research and development work.
Earlier, the committee offered “Fateha on the demise of MNA Gulzar Khan.
NA Standing Committee on Communications also met here on Monday and said that the delay in completion on Peshawar Northern Bypass would not be acceptable. It was told in the meeting that HassandAbdal–Hawelian Motorway will be operational by December, 2017. It was informed that NHA wanted to complete the project by August, 2017 but it is not possible because of heavy rains.
Committee directed the ministry for completion of project on time. Committee also directed for timely completion of Hawelian–Mansehra and Mansehra–Thakot road.
Committee also directed that in case of delay by DC Peshawar or provincial government, Eng.Hamid-ul-Haq Khalil and Usman Khan Tarkai may help by playing their roles, but no more delay is acceptable.
Committee directed the NHA for preparing feasibility report of Southern Bypass.
The meeting was presided over by PTI’s MNA Engr Hamid-ul-Haq Khalil, whereas, MNAs Sarzameen, Mir Shabir Ali Bijarani, Saleem Rehman, Usman Khan Tarkai and Ms Shahjehan Munir Mangrio attended the meeting.
