The Senate Standing Committee on the Cabinet Secretariat convened a meeting to discuss important national matters, including the Government Bill titled “The Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) (Amendment) Bill, 2025.” The session, chaired by Senator Rana Mahmood ul Hassan, focused on key legislative and regulatory issues affecting various sectors.
Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Bill Under Scrutiny by Senate Committee
Senator Rana Mahmood ul Hassan, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Senator Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee, Senator Saadia Abbasi, Senator Atta-Ur-Rehman, Senator Saifullah Abro, and Senator Anusha Rahman Ahmed Khan, along with officials from relevant government departments attended this meeting.
One of the primary topics of discussion was the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was introduced in the Senate by Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, the Minister for Law and Justice, on behalf of the Minister In-Charge of the Cabinet Secretariat. During the meeting, Senator Anusha Rahman, a special invitee on the matter, suggested that the bill should be introduced through the Ministry of Information Technology (MoIT) since it falls under its jurisdiction according to the government’s rules. After debating the matter, the Committee decided to defer the bill for further discussion in the next meeting.
NEPRA’s Briefing on Tariff and Power Plants
The Director General of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) provided insights into tariff determinations, equity, capacity payments, and energy payments to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) over the years. During the discussion, Senator Saifullah Abro raised concerns regarding the tariffs allotted to three specific power plants. After reviewing the issue, the Committee decided to defer the matter and directed NEPRA to present a detailed report in the next meeting.
Delays in Procurement Rules and PSO Management
The Secretary of the Cabinet Division delivered a briefing on the reasons behind delays in finalizing procurement rules and the establishment of the Board of Management for Pakistan State Oil (PSO). Given the significance of the issue, the matter was referred to the Ministry of Petroleum for further action.
Similarly, a representative from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) provided an update on the status of procurement rules and management boards of government-owned Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), particularly those with structures similar to PSO. Additionally, the Committee reviewed a report detailing measures to control circular debt, particularly regarding sales tax refunds to PSO and other companies. The Committee also referred these issues to the Ministry of Petroleum for follow-up.
Performance Review of the Printing Corporation of Pakistan
The Managing Director of the Printing Corporation of Pakistan (PCP) briefed the Committee on the organization’s performance over the past three years. The Committee noted that PCP operates three printing presses in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, responsible for printing key government documents. The Committee recommended including Parliamentary members in the onboarding process for new officials and emphasized PCP’s role in printing documents such as the Public Extraordinary Gazette of Pakistan and parliamentary session records.
Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Efforts
The Chairman of the National Anti-Money Laundering & Counter Financing of Terrorism (NAML & CFT) Authority briefed the Committee on the Authority’s efforts to combat financial crimes. During the discussion, Senator Saadia Abbasi raised concerns about the growing links between money laundering and terrorism. The Chairman assured the Committee that ongoing efforts are in place to tackle these issues effectively.
Cannabis Control and Economic Opportunities
The Director General of the Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority (CCRA) provided an update on the Authority’s work, highlighting the economic potential of the cannabis industry in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). Discussions also covered the National Cannabis Policy 2024, which aims to regulate industrial and medicinal cannabis production while addressing social and health impacts. The Committee recognized the industry’s potential to create employment opportunities and requested the Ministry of Housing to provide accommodation support for CCRA staff.
Conclusion of the Meeting
The meeting concluded with discussions on the importance of transparency, accountability, and cross-sector collaboration to ensure sustainable national growth. The Committee emphasized the need for continued oversight and policy improvements across various regulatory bodies.
