Pakistan General Cosmetics Bill cleared with two amendments

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology on Wednesday approved the Pakistan General Cosmetics Bill, 2026, with two amendments, paving the way for a new regulatory framework for an industry that lawmakers warned was operating largely without effective checks, with billions of rupees worth of cosmetics allegedly being smuggled into the country.

The committee, chaired by Senator Kamil Ali Agha, was told that the Pakistan General Cosmetics Regulatory Authority (PGCRA), established under the Pakistan General Cosmetics Act, 2023, had subsequently been approved for winding up by the federal cabinet in January 2025.

Officials said the Prime Minister had constituted a committee to review the issue, which had submitted its report to him.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Hussain Magsi said the proposed legislation would establish an authority to regulate cosmetics, adding that the new composition of the regulator would enable it to perform its functions more effectively.

He said the authority would include the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), the Ministry of Science and Technology and other relevant institutions.

The minister maintained that the regulatory framework would also cover the online sale of cosmetics, amid growing concerns over unregulated products being marketed through digital platforms.

Federal Minister for Defence Production Muhammad Raza Hayat Harraj warned that Pakistan currently had virtually no effective control over cosmetics being sold in the market.

He said cosmetics containing mercury had been used in the past, which could cause serious health problems, including skin cancer. He further said the absence of proper legislation and standards was also preventing Pakistani cosmetic products from being exported.

“Cosmetics manufacturers have become billionaires,” Harraj remarked, while stressing that the sector had enormous potential and could emerge as a major industry following effective legislation and standardisation.

He said Chichawatni had emerged as a major centre for cosmetics manufacturing, while cosmetics were also being brought into Pakistan in large quantities from abroad and sold through major stores.

Hitting out at the scale of smuggling, Harraj estimated that around USD 500 million worth of cosmetics were being smuggled into Pakistan.

Senator Afnan Ullah Khan observed that the unregulated cosmetics business offered exceptionally high profit margins, making the sector particularly attractive for illegal trade.

The committee also discussed the growing online cosmetics market, with members raising concerns that products were being sold without adequate quality or safety checks.

Energy drinks face restrictions near educational institutions

The committee also considered the Islamabad Capital Territory Food Safety (Amendment) Bill, 2025, particularly provisions relating to the sale and consumption of energy drinks in and around educational institutions.

The committee approved legislation aimed at restricting energy drinks in educational institutions, with the bill having been moved by Senator Samina Zehri. Officials briefed members on relevant practices already being followed in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

NUST water crisis remains unresolved

The committee separately expressed serious concern over the prolonged delay in resolving water supply and wastewater treatment issues at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST).

Officials said NUST had paid Rs22 million to CDA in 2005 for a 3 MGD water supply pipeline from Shah Allah Ditta Reservoir, but the project remained incomplete because of encroachments and unresolved land issues.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026