In a recent session, the Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology called on the federal government to provide a comprehensive briefing on mobile phone testing protocols. This demand follows recent incidents in Lebanon where Israel reportedly detonated batteries of wireless devices, raising concerns about the safety of mobile phones.

Committee Chairman Kamil Ali Agha, along with other senators, voiced concerns about the potential risks to Pakistan, especially given the rising number of unregulated mobile phone imports. The chairman questioned the adequacy of Pakistan’s mobile phone testing facilities and urged the Ministry of Science & Technology to ensure the safety of devices available in the country. “These are not mobile phones but bombs that we keep close to our chests,” Agha remarked.

In addition to mobile phone safety, the committee briefly addressed issues in the domestic cement sector. Senator Shibli Faraz highlighted that the sector owes billions of rupees and suggested that the matter be escalated to the Supreme Court or the Public Accounts Committee if necessary.

The committee has summoned officials from the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) to present detailed records on these arrears in the next meeting. The chairman criticized the PSQCA for its ineffective monitoring and lack of progress, despite a 10 percent revenue growth this year.

Furthermore, the committee discussed the ongoing review of the Ministry of Science & Technology by a Right-Sizing Committee, which may lead to significant restructuring if deemed necessary.