Senate panel briefed on Rs135bn tax scam

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Committee on Science and Technology on Wednesday questioned a report submitted with regard to allegations of chemical contamination in betel nut samples, particularly involving aflatoxin, a compound linked to cancer, and deferred the matter until the next meeting in order to await the report currently under consideration with the chairman Pakistan Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (PCSIR).

Senator Kamil Ali Agha chaired a meeting of the Senate committee at the Parliament House that took up the matter of consideration of allegations pertaining to test report issued by PCSIR Laboratories Complex, Lahore, and formation of a committee on the issuance of the disputed test report dated 16th July, 2025 of betel nuts sample.

The report was found to contain irregularities, with actual contamination values misrepresented in official documents.

Senator Nasir Mehmood sharply questioned the concerned parties about the potential health risks and demanded accountability of those responsible for altering the results.

After detailed deliberations, Chairman Senator Agha directed that the agenda item be deferred until the next meeting, in order to await the report currently under consideration with the chairman PCSIR.

It was observed that the chairman PCSIR was presently abroad, and the matter will be decided once he returns and the letter was formally handed over to the committee.

The committee was also briefed on the inquiry into a Rs135 billion tax scam, involving import of highly inflammable and dangerous petrol adulterant following widespread media reports.

Officials informed that the inquiry committee’s report had been submitted, and show-cause notices were issued to the employees concerned.

These employees were provided with an opportunity of personal hearing before the imposition of penalties by the competent authority, the chairman PCSIR, in accordance with PCSIR C&D Rules, 1981. Penalties have been imposed on the employees concerned.

Furthermore, officials told the committee that in order to initiate criminal proceedings and conduct investigations at a larger scale, PCSIR has decided to refer the entire case to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) through the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), nominating both serving and retired employees involved.

The committee also discussed the findings of a study on solar extremes, emphasizing Pakistan’s growing vulnerability to their adverse impacts.

The committee was informed that widespread deforestation was a key factor aggravating environmental challenges in the country.

Experts additionally briefed the members on the phenomenon of cloudbursts, explaining their causes and potential consequences.

The senators underscored the urgent need for effective reforestation initiatives and comprehensive strategies to mitigate the risks associated with such environmental hazards.

The committee reviewed the delayed progress on the establishment of a new COMSATS University campus in Quetta, a project initially approved in 2016. The members expressed concern over prolonged delays caused by funding shortfalls, stressing that such setbacks undermine efforts to expand higher education opportunities in Balochistan. The committee strongly recommended immediate allocation of the required funds to ensure timely completion of the project.