KARACHI: A Senate Standing Sub-Committee on Industries and Production on Monday reviewed the financial and administrative affairs of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM), including its liabilities, land encroachments, staff shortages and repeated theft incidents at the state-owned industrial complex.
The meeting, held at the PSM premises, was attended by Senators Syed Masroor Ahsan, Syeda Khalida Ateeb and Danesh Kumar.
PSM officials told the committee that the mill was facing a shortage of security personnel, with about 190 security guards currently available, many of whom required professional training.
They said the Defence Security Force (DSF), which has been assisting PSM with security arrangements, was scheduled to withdraw its personnel by Sept. 30, 2026.
PSM management asked the committee to facilitate a phased withdrawal of DSF personnel, saying the additional time would allow the organisation to strengthen its own security arrangements and complete the process of outsourcing security services.
The committee also discussed repeated theft incidents at the mill and the low conviction rate in cases involving alleged theft.
Senator Danesh Kumar expressed concern that despite the arrest of hundreds of suspects, convictions remained low.
He called for stronger investigation and prosecution to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
Senator Syeda Khalida Ateeb said the theft problem appeared to be persistent and organised rather than consisting of isolated incidents. She said arrests alone would not address the issue without action against the wider network and weaknesses in the system.
She also referred to an earlier incident involving the alleged theft and transportation of a gas valve by truck and questioned the lack of effective accountability in the case.
The committee was also briefed on encroachments on around 290 acres of PSM land, where three union councils had reportedly been established.
Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan expressed concern over the encroachments and called for measures to protect the mill’s land and other assets.
He said PSM was a national asset and its resources should be protected and utilised in the national interest.
The committee also discussed a shortage of manpower, outstanding dues of employees and other issues relating to the administration and financial position of the mill.
In view of the security situation, the impending withdrawal of DSF personnel and the shortage of guards, the sub-committee recommended that the relevant finance authorities facilitate PSM in recruiting the required security personnel.
It also heard representatives of the employees’ union about their grievances.
It handed a list of questions to PSM management and directed the administration to provide detailed responses at the next meeting.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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