ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Electronics (NIE), working under Ministry of Science and Technology, is unable to perform efficiently and is facing various difficulties in the pursuance of administrative matters as well as the implementation of projects due to the absence of a permanent director general, research officers and technical heads.
According to an official of the institute, NIE is an important institution of the ministry which was mandated to design and develop various items of electronics for various user organisations, impart advanced training in electronics and execute small scale production of specialised components and computer equipment.
However, the institution has been facing hurdles due to the non-appointment of researchers, scientists, and engineers without whom 43 posts have been lying vacant for a long period.
The official informed that the vacant posts which needs to be filled immediately included director general, two directors of division (BS-20), four chief research officers (BS-20), one director technical services and coordination (BS-19), six principal research officers (BS-19), eight senior research officers (BS-18), one senior system analyst (BS-18), 19 research officers (BS-17) and one system analyst (BS-17).
“These posts have been vacant due to a ban on appointments and if filled, can help improve the performance of the institution and serve the purpose for which it was mandated,” the official added.
Besides this, the official also informed that 19 posts of technicians, supporting staff and 18 posts of non-technical staff are also vacant.
The official was of the view that the Ministry of Science and Technology is the only ministry which is neglected by previous governments. The ministry is deprived of the minister while around seven of its departments are running without permanent.
“Consequently, many of the department’s projects are waiting for approvals which are not possible in absence of the relevant minister,” the official said.
A senior official of the ministry told APP that the summary for the appointment of Minister for Science and Technology was sent to the authorities concerned before a month but there has not been any progress over the matter.
