NA body on Science and Technology recommends to approve “The Pakistan General Cosmetics Bill, 2023”

Islamabad, 18th May, 2023 (Online): The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Science and Technology recommended to approve “The Pakistan General Cosmetics Bill, 2023”, moved by Mr. James Iqbal MNA, with certain amendments. The Committee directed the Ministry of Science and Technology and Authorities of COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) to regularize the daily wages contractual employees working in CUI in SG-I scale within one month.

The 26th meeting of the Standing Committee was held today at 02:30 p.m. in the Committee Room of Ministry of Science and Technology, Islamabad under the Chairmanship of Mr. Sajid Mehdi, MNA.

While briefing on “The Pakistan General Cosmetics Bill, 2023” , the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology explained that the Pakistan General Cosmetics Authority has been proposed in the draft Bill to regulate the import/export, manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of general cosmetics in Pakistan under the administrative control of the Ministry. Mover of the Bill, Mr. James Iqbal MNA said that there are serious problems involved in the marketing, manufacturing, importing and exporting the general cosmetics products without backing a regulatory authority. He was of the view that cosmetic industry is a global and ever-changing growing sector therefore, the legislation is necessary to generate the income in terms of the revenue and to flourish the industry of Pakistan worldwide. After detailed discussion, the Committee recommended to approve the Bill with certain amendments. Later, the Committee deferred “The COMSATS University Islamabad (Amendment) Bill, 2023”, moved by Mr. Muhammad Jamal-ud-Din, MNA, till its next meeting due to unavailability of the Mover.

The Committee was also briefed regarding the case of regularization of 34 project employees of PSQCA. The Additional Secretary elaborated that the delay in regularization of said employees had occurred as the Ministry is awaiting the decision of Hon. Sindh High Court upon the case. He informed that the matter was taken up in the Special Committee on Affected Employees and the same will be placed in the upcoming PSQCA BoD meeting and processed in the light of its decision and relevant Court orders.

The representative of Comsats University Islamabad (CUI) informed the Committee that the daily wages contractual employees working in CUI in SG-I scale have been considered against the vacant sanctioned positions based on their length of service and fulfilment of eligibility criteria. The Committee directed the Ministry of Science and Technology and Authorities of CUI to regularize the daily wages contractual employees working in CUI in SG-I scale within one month.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Sikandar Ali Rahoupoto, Ms. Zaib Jaffar, Chaudhary Farrukh Altaf and Mr. James Iqbal, Hon. MNAs. Mr. James Iqbal, MNA/Mover of the Bill was also attended the meeting. The senior officers from Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Law and Justice and CUI were also present in the meeting.