A parliamentary panel on Tuesday ordered Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) to strengthen security and submit its latest audit report within a week amid concerns over repeated theft, open portions of the sprawling premises and encroachments on its land.
The Senate subcommittee on Industries and Production, chaired by Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, also reviewed the theft of 36 tonnes of material from the PSM and directed strict action against employees allegedly involved.
The panel ordered that such individuals be barred from entering the premises.
The committee was told that police had already submitted a challan in the 36-tonne theft case. However, recovery of the stolen material remained pending.
The subcommittee was further told that, besides administrative action through the relevant authorities and courts, criminal proceedings were also underway in the theft cases, and the stolen material had been recovered in some cases.
The panel was informed that DSF personnel were currently deployed at PSM, while the Ministry of Defence had recently sought their withdrawal.
The Ministry of Industries and Production has taken up the issue of a phased withdrawal of DSF personnel with the Defence Division so that PSM has sufficient time to put alternative security arrangements in place.
The subcommittee was told that PSM covers around 1,000 acres, a substantial portion of which remains open and lacks a boundary wall or fencing, creating further security challenges.
The committee expressed serious concern over the shortage of security personnel required to protect machinery and equipment worth billions of rupees.
It was further informed that a proposal to recruit essential administrative, accounts, and security staff had been taken up with the Ministry of Finance.
After detailed deliberations, the subcommittee directed the PSM management to provide comprehensive justification for the number of employees required.
The convenor also directed the Ministry of Finance to ensure that its representative attends the next meeting to discuss recruitment of the necessary staff for PSM and work towards a practical solution to the issue.
The committee members recommended installation of modern surveillance cameras to improve security monitoring across PSM.
They also directed the identification and permanent closure of underground tunnels that could be used for unauthorised entry into the premises, saying this was necessary to prevent theft and illegal access.
The convenor further directed the FIA to complete its pending inquiry into a recovery case relating to PSM.
The subcommittee also expressed concern over encroachments on PSM land, terming the land a valuable national asset that required protection.
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