- Khusro Bakhtiar says geospatial technologies and satellite imagery could be employed for real-time monitoring and mapping of development projects
ISLAMABAD: Planning, Development, and Statistics Division Minister Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar emphasised on Thursday that effective utilisation of space sciences and technologies could play an important role in the socio-economic development of the country.
“Geospatial technologies and satellite imagery could be employed for real-time monitoring and mapping of development projects. This would also help the government ensure transparency in the projects,” the minister stated while addressing a consultative seminar on ‘Utilization of Pakistan’s Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS-1) data for socio-economic development’.
The seminar was arranged by Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) in collaboration with Planning Commission of Pakistan. Secretaries and representatives of various federal ministries and departments were present on the occasion.
The minister stated that the use of space technologies and applications could not only improve the government processes, productivity and efficiency, but could also help reduce costs.
“The implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in conjunction with fresh satellite imagery and precise geospatial information could provide requisite services to the citizens at their doorsteps,” he mentioned.
Bakhtiar said that satellite technology should be used for the estimation of crop sizes, water flows, extraction of minerals and other natural resources, adding that management of forestry and infrastructure projects should be done through latest techniques.
He noted that these practices have been adopted globally and many countries were taking benefits from such modern technologies and applications.
The minister stated that the present government was committed to ensuring that all development projects and initiatives were completed on time, adding that his ministry would launch a pilot project in this regard to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of ongoing development projects and schemes.
The minister appreciated the contributions of SUPARCO in space science, technology and socio-economic uplift of the country. He hoped that the commission would continue to develop and introduce new technologies which would further contribute to the growth of national economy.
