ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Science & Technology on Wednesday approved the Pakistan General Cosmetics Bill, 2026 with two amendments.
Senator Kamil Ali Agha chaired the committee meeting to consider the bill, review the implementation status of recommendations about water and wastewater issues at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and consider the Islamabad Capital Territory Food Safety (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The committee was briefed on the Pakistan General Cosmetics Regulatory Authority (PGCRA) and the background to proposed legislation. The committee was informed that the Authority had been established under the Pakistan General Cosmetics Act, 2023 while the federal cabinet subsequently approved its winding up in January 2025.
A committee constituted by the prime minister reviewed the matter and submitted its report.
During the discussion, the chairman of the committee observed that the growing use of cosmetics, particularly unregulated and potentially harmful products, required an effective regulatory mechanism to protect the general public. He shared concerns about the informal trade and smuggling of cosmetic products, including products entering the country through different channels without adequate regulatory checks.
The committee also discussed the respective roles of the proposed cosmetics regulatory framework and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), stressing the need for an effective system of checks and balances.
Moreover, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Khalid Hussain Magsi said smuggling was a separate but related challenge and that effective implementation of the law would be essential. He observed that cosmetics were widely used by the general public, young girls and women alike, making consumer safety and proper regulation important.
The committee was further informed about the need to establish a clear mechanism for regulating cosmetic products and preventing the circulation of unsafe products in the market.
After detailed deliberations and consideration of proposed amendments, the committee approved the Pakistan General Cosmetics Bill, 2026, with two amendments.
Further, the committee also reviewed the longstanding water supply and wastewater treatment issues at NUST.
The committee was informed that 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 due to encroachments and unresolved land issues. The NUST had also paid Rs18 million in 2008 for a pipeline from the H-11 reservoir, intended to provide 100,000 gallons per day. Although the supply was started at 50,000 gallons per day on the committee’s directions in January 2026, it was discontinued in June due to water shortages.
The meeting further reviewed the loss of thousands of acres of land in Sindh due to the rising sea erosion.
The committee sought a detailed, research-based presentation on the issue, including recommendations for addressing rising water levels and mitigating further land loss in the next meeting.
