Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz has said the government is formulating a National Science and Technology Innovation policy with the aim to take the country towards economic self-reliance.

Addressing an event in Islamabad on Monday, he said an effort has been made to take inputs from all the relevant stakeholders for the policy.

The Minister said unfortunately Science and Technology was not encouraged and patronized in the past. He however, said the government is now coming up with aggressive programs aimed at promoting science and technology. He said these include establishment of technology zones and startups.

The Minister said the synergies will also be created amongst research and development institutes, industries and academia.

Shibli Faraz emphasized that we have to diversify our exports to ensure a better future for Pakistan.