The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has warned to suspend Pakistan’s membership due to non-payment of the annual subscription fees.
Despite repeated reminders and emails, the Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), a section of the Ministry of Science and Technology, has failed to settle the outstanding dues.
The final warning has been issued after non-payment of the annual subscription despite repeated reminders. Pakistan was informed via the UN office and other international organizations that the PSQCA membership will be suspended if the annual subscription fees of 2022 is not cleared.
In case of suspension, the PSQCA will lose voting rights, its seat in the General Assembly, and access to free publications and documents from the organization, in a major blow to Pakistan’s standing in the world of standardization and quality control.
The ISO, a globally recognized independent and non-governmental organization, has a membership of 169 national standards bodies across the world. The suspension can harm Pakistan’s reputation in terms of adhering to international standards and producing quality goods.
In the latest communication sent on August 17, 2023, the ISO informed the Director General of PSQCA that the subscription fee for the year 2022 remains unpaid, leading to the suspension of the authority’s membership.
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This development followed a series of reminders and warnings sent by the ISO, the latest of which was on July 25, 2023, stressing the unpaid subscription fee and the subsequent suspension of membership. The ISO outlined the process for membership restoration upon clearing the outstanding fee.
The suspension will affect PSQCA status within the Global Directory, involvement in ISO Technical Committees (TCs) and Subcommittee (SCs) activities will cease, and access to ISO Content Exchange (ICE) will be revoked.
Furthermore, ISO officials in Geneva communicated this development to Pakistani authorities and urged ISO subcommittees to suspend interactions with PSQCA until membership is reinstated.
Despite attending various ISO meetings and training programs, PSQCA officials have failed to pay the ISO and other standard body fees.
This suspension arrives at a time when PSQCA operates under temporary leadership. The Islamabad High Court raised the matter in a case related to the appointment of a regular Director General for PSQCA.
The organization is being managed by interim officials due to the absence of a permanent DG, Secretary, Director Admin, and Director Finance.
