News Detail
Event Title: Senator Kamil Ali Agha, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology Presiding over a Meeting Of The Committee at Parliament House Islamabad.
Event Date: 2025-12-22
Senate Standing Committee Reviews Pre-Shipment Testing, Quality Control and Regulatory Reforms
The Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology met today at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Kamil Ali Agha. The meeting was attended by Senators Husna Bano, Dr. Muhammad Aslam Abro, Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, and Saeed Ahmed Hashmi, along with the Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Khalid Hussain Magsi, Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology, Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Director General Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), Chairman Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), and other senior officials.
During the meeting, the Committee held an extensive discussion on critical issues including pre-shipment testing policy, smuggling of hazardous food items, the Quetta petroleum scandal, quality control and enforcement mechanisms, solar panel testing, and ongoing institutional reforms.
The Chairman PCSIR informed the Committee that the federal cabinet has approved the implementation of pre-shipment testing at borders; however, the operational mechanism is yet to be finalized. The Federal Minister for Science and Technology emphasized that once testing is completed, consignments should be cleared within 15 to 25 days, noting that certain materials must be moved within this timeframe due to their sensitive nature. Committee members expressed serious concern over delays, warning that prolonged detention of consignments could result in financial losses and pose health risks.
The Committee was briefed that substandard betel nut (supari) and gutka are being smuggled into the country through both sea and land routes. The Federal Minister and members highlighted that spoiled supari and gutka pose severe public health risks, including cancer. Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan called for a complete ban on gutka consumption, noting its adverse health impacts. The Chairman PCSIR stressed the need for stringent checks at the supply stage, stating that illegal consignments are often transported from coastal areas to factories before reaching consumers.
The Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology briefed the Committee on the completion of investigations into the Rs135 billion hazardous petroleum products scandal in Quetta. He informed that disciplinary proceedings were initiated against two serving officers, while cases of two retired officers were referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on October 15. Expressing concern over delays, the Committee directed the FIA to submit its response within ten days.
The Federal Minister clarified that factory inspections fall under the mandate of PSQCA. Committee members raised concerns that inspections often result in clearance of illegal material instead of effective enforcement. The Committee was also informed about adulteration in spices such as turmeric and the addition of harmful substances in products like kohl (surma).
Chairman PEC, Engineer Waseem Nazir, briefed the Committee on institutional reforms, stating that all transfers were carried out strictly on merit and that “Smart PEC” initiatives have been launched. He informed that digital services have been introduced in collaboration with NADRA, enabling online registration and issuance of engineering cards through Pak-Identity. Entire university batches are now being registered online, alongside organizational restructuring and development of professional training programs.
He further informed that PEC has launched a Generative Artificial Intelligence course for 45,000 engineers, with 15,000 already trained. A Chartered Project Directors course is scheduled to commence in March–April 2026. Mutual recognition agreements for engineers have been signed with China, with similar accords planned with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, a Graduate Engineer Trainee Program has been launched, offering six-month paid training with a monthly stipend of Rs. 50,000.
Solar Panel and Inverter Testing:
The Committee discussed the mandatory testing of solar panels. The Secretary informed that a Korea-assisted laboratory will soon become operational, capable of conducting at least 46 different tests on solar panels. Members raised concerns over the influx of substandard solar panels, inverters, and batteries, posing environmental and consumer safety risks. The Committee agreed that comprehensive testing is essential to protect consumers.
PSQCA officials briefed the Committee on standards for food, non-food, and electrical materials. They informed that nicotine testing standards have recently been introduced and that licenses are suspended or cancelled in cases of violations. Regarding tea whitener, officials clarified that it meets PSQCA standards, contains no nutritional value, and does not pose health risks within approved limits, despite concerns raised by members over chemical usage.
Concluding the meeting, the Committee emphasized strict enforcement of quality standards, timely implementation of approved policies, transparency in investigations, and enhanced coordination among regulatory bodies to safeguard public health, consumer rights, and national interests.