The Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology has raised serious concerns over Pakistan’s testing and quality control system. Lawmakers criticised the increasing dependence on Private Labs for product testing. They said the system is becoming too costly and inefficient.
The meeting highlighted that the government is paying around Rs50,000 per test to Private Labs. Lawmakers questioned why public testing facilities are not being properly used. They said this is creating unnecessary financial pressure on industries.
The committee meeting was chaired by Senator Kamil Ali Agha. Officials from the Ministry of Science and Technology also attended the session. During the meeting, it was revealed that even products cleared by PSQCA often require re-testing abroad.
Members said reliance on Private Labs shows weak performance of public institutions. They asked why the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) is not fully functional. They stressed that public labs should be strengthened instead of outsourcing work.
Officials admitted that enforcement capacity remains limited. They said PSQCA does not have on-the-spot penalty powers. Violation cases must go through magistrates, which slows down action.
Lawmakers said this weak system allows irregularities to continue. They demanded detailed records of regulatory action. This includes data on sealed factories and penalties imposed for violations.
The committee also reviewed concerns about product quality in key sectors. Solar panel manufacturing was specifically discussed. Members said defective products are frequently reported in the market.
Officials informed the committee that the Pakistan–Korea Solar Module Testing Laboratory is now operational. This facility is expected to improve quality testing in the renewable energy sector.
However, lawmakers said improvements are still needed. They called for urgent installation of modern testing equipment. They also stressed stronger monitoring of industrial standards.
The committee concluded that excessive reliance on Private Labs is weakening the national quality control system. They said this trend is also increasing costs for businesses and the government.
Members warned that weak regulatory oversight is damaging investor confidence. They said industrial standards are also being affected across multiple sectors.
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The committee urged immediate reforms. They recommended strengthening public testing institutions and reducing dependence on Private Labs. They said a stronger system is essential for improving quality control and industrial growth in Pakistan.
