Islamabad, June 19, 2019 (PPI-OT): The Senate Standing Committee on Defence Production in its meeting on Wednesday deliberated on the Heavy Industries Taxila (Amendment) Bill 2019. Senator Pervaiz Rashid highlighted that commercial activities of any defence production set up should never be at the cost of their primary professional obligations. Secretary Defence Production assured the Committee that primary tasks of all Defence Production facilities was to meet own defence needs.
Only the surplus capacity, as per laid down laws was being utilized for commercial purposes to minimise the pressure of defence budget on national exchequer. Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi, Chairman of Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice, who was special invitee to examine the said amendment bill endorsed the amendment.
Thereafter the Bill was unanimously passed by the Committee. The Bill seeks to explore the commercial potential of the Industry and promote sales locally and internationally. Chairman Committee Senator Lt. General Abdul Qayyum HI (M) Retd was of the view that this practice has been adopted universally and will enhance the productivity of the organization.
The Committee was briefed regarding the business plans, challenges and potential of National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC). The Committee appreciated the standards set by the organization in terms of efficiency and self sufficiency
While deliberating over the presentation made by the Military Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (MVRDE) Chairman Committee Senator Lt. General Abdul Qayyum HI (M) Retd, appreciated their work and said that innovation was crucial for success. Ministry was advised to enlarge the scope of MVRDE to include production of Army vehicles like jeeps, dodges, gun towers, ammunition and recovery vehicles. Discussing the business model, the Committee was of the view that the organization must also become self sustaining.
While musing over the briefing given by WAH Brass Mills regarding the imposition of regulatory duty on import of brass products, the Committee recommended that it would be helpful to pursue an extensive marketing plan to introduce its products in national and international markets. Public/Private partnerships must be explored as well.
Chaired by Senator Lt. General Abdul Qayyum HI (M) Retd, the meeting was attended by Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Senator Nuzhat Sadiq, Senator Syed Muhammad Ali Shah Jamot , Senator Nauman Wazir Khattak, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Senator Javed Abbasi and senior officers of the Ministry of Defence Production along with all concerned.
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