The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat has raised a serious alarm over the rising number of gas cylinder explosions nationwide, demanding immediate government action to address what it termed a matter of grave public concern rooted in regulatory and governance failures. Presiding over the meeting at Parliament House, Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti led a session where members forcefully questioned institutional accountability and the uncontrolled proliferation of substandard gas cylinders.
According to a report from Senate office today, during an extensive discussion, Senator Aimal Wali Khan called for a comprehensive, data-driven report on the history and usage trends of gas cylinders in Pakistan. He requested detailed monthly consumption figures and a consolidated report on all cylinder explosions recorded over the past decade.
Questioning the efficacy of existing laws, Senator Aimal Wali stressed that legislation alone is insufficient without robust implementation. ‘Laws are made, who will implement them and how will they be implemented?’ he questioned, adding, ‘We are only making laws, implementation is nowhere to be seen.’
The panel expressed deep concern over the ambiguity of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority”s (OGRA) powers, particularly regarding its enforcement responsibilities. While debating the possibility of granting OGRA additional authority, members also raised serious reservations about its current performance and the substandard quality of gas cylinders available across the country.
Highlighting a massive regulatory gap, Senator Aimal Wali pointed out that while only 18 cylinder manufacturing companies are officially registered in Pakistan, a single district allegedly hosts as many as 150 manufacturers, operating outside of any oversight.
To tackle the crisis, Senator Aimal Wali proposed the establishment of a joint and empowered committee, including members from the National Assembly, Senate, and OGRA officials, asserting that the government must assume direct responsibility for the issue.
Senator Saadia Abbasi strongly criticised the administration for delays in legislative and executive action. ‘Legislation is the responsibility of the government, delay is unacceptable,’ she stated, demanding clarity on what measures would be taken against unregistered operators.
Pointing to market inconsistencies, Senator Abbasi highlighted the wide variation in cylinder prices, which range from Rs5,000 to Rs15,000, as evidence of a chaotic and unregulated market. She demanded detailed data on enforcement actions, including the number of FIRs registered, illegal factories shut down, and shops sealed.
‘The government should clarify when practical steps will be taken,’ Senator Saadia Abbasi insisted, concluding, ‘We need practical results, not just stories.’
In its formal recommendations, the committee called for the urgent introduction of strict regulatory mechanisms to govern the gas cylinder sector, ensuring safety, quality control, and accountability throughout the supply chain.
On a separate agenda item, the committee reviewed ‘The Cannabis Control and Regulatory Authority (Amendment Bill), 2025,’ moved by Senator Dr Afnan Ullah Khan. The panel was informed that the authority”s Board of Directors did not support the amendments as the body is still in a nascent stage. Consequently, the committee unanimously decided that the bill may not be passed.
The members were also briefed on the budgetary allocations and utilisation under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) as proposed by the Cabinet Division.
The meeting concluded with a resolute call for coordinated action and enhanced regulatory enforcement to address critical public safety concerns.