Senate panel urges coastal erosion solutions

The Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), and sought a comprehensive report on the department's current activities.

The committee which met here with its chairman Kamil Ali Agha in the chair, called for enhanced research, quality standards and coastal erosion solutions. The meeting held comprehensive discussion on the implementation status of the recommendations made during its meeting on September 25.

The S&T ministry joint secretary of informed the committee about the PSQCA's submission of a report on a number of cases, where fines were imposed. The chair expressed displeasure, stating that if the department remained inactive, it would be better to shut it down.

Senator Agha said that the PSQCA was established in 1996, but after 28 years, no consideration had been given to the total expenditure on 31 inspectors. He also enquired about their remunerations and suggested digitising the entire system.

Regarding the compliance report for standards and quality assurance in the cement sector, the chair recommended that the attorney general might handle the matter. "This is not merely a matter of money but it concerns construction materials. The government should ensure the protection of quality."

Agha recommended expediting the process of restructuring of the Science and Technology, Technology Commercialization Corporation of Pakistan (STEDEC) and the Institute for Research, Advocacy, and Development (IRADA).