By: ANI Correspondent:
ISLAMABAD — The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, chaired by Senator Rana Mahmood-ul-Hassan, reviewed customs security in Balochistan, LPG supply and pricing, substandard cylinders, the Quetta Customs warehouse fire, border trade, FIA investigations, mobile phone taxation and biometric verification through PakID.
Officials informed the committee that more than 30 attacks had been carried out on LPG bowsers in Nushki, while security measures had helped bring the situation under control. The committee was also briefed that Pakistan consumes around 6,000 tonnes of LPG daily, against domestic production of 2,000 to 2,500 tonnes.
Senator Abdul Qadir proposed equal distribution of LPG between northern and southern regions, while the committee expressed concern over high LPG prices and supply shortages.
OGRA officials told the committee that amendments were being proposed to increase punishment for the sale of substandard LPG cylinders to 14 years’ imprisonment along with heavy fines.
The committee also examined the Quetta Customs warehouse fire, with Senator Aimal Wali Khan questioning discrepancies between police and customs reports regarding the cause of the incident. The chairman directed that both reports be presented at the next meeting.
The committee later reviewed mobile phone taxation and registration. Officials clarified that PTA registers devices, while the FBR determines applicable taxes. Concerns were also raised over the impact of the existing tax structure on the rollout of 5G services.
The committee decided to invite the NADRA Chairman to its next meeting over delays in biometric verification through PakID and the installation of facial recognition devices at telecom franchises.
