"There are companies in Balochistan that are unheard of and recently we have been receiving reports that these companies are being given preference in the award of explosive licences. This shady practice goes unabated. Something is really fishy as far as this entire issue is concerned," Kakar said.
The committee then summoned the interior minister and the secretary to appear before the committee to brief on the issue in the next meeting.
The committee recommended that preference be given to "local companies and civilians in the award of explosive licences, so that local labour can be utilised."
This measure would help create employment for 20,000 people, the committee members said.
"An explosive licence in the wrong hands is a threat to national security. Utmost caution needs to be exercised and all the proper rules be followed before the award of an explosive licence to any company," the committee recommended.
Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General Wajid Zia briefed the committee about action taken against Mudhwal Manpower Services, an employment agency in Rawalpindi, which looted dozens of citizens in the year 2016 and onwards on the false pretext of sending them for Hajj.
The committee asked the FIA to complete its investigation in this case within a month and submit a related report.
The committee members including Fida Muhammad Khan, Nighat Mirza, Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen, Molvi Faiz Muhammad, Anwar Lal Dean and senior officers from the Ministry of Industries and Production, Ministry of Interior, the FIA and other relevant departments attended the meeting.