Key Takeaways
- Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) will lose security support from the Defence Security Force (DSF) by September 30.
- PSM officials informed a Senate subcommittee of the shortage of security guards and increasing incidents of theft.
- The subcommittee recommended facilitating PSM in recruiting additional security personnel.
Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) is set to lose security support from the Defence Security Force (DSF) by September 30, according to a statement issued after a meeting of the Senate Standing Subcommittee on Industries and Production.
The DSF, which has been assisting in protecting the organisation, will withdraw its personnel, exacerbating the security situation at the mills, where only around 190 security guards are currently available, many of whom require professional training.
The impending withdrawal of DSF personnel could further aggravate the security situation, as the mills have been experiencing persistent incidents of theft, with approximately 7,000 plots in Gulshan-i-Hadeed Phase-IV under process for allotment at subsidised market rates.
PSM management requested that the DSF withdrawal be carried out in phases, allowing the organisation sufficient time to strengthen its own security arrangements and complete the process of outsourcing additional security services.
The issue of theft drew serious concern from committee members, with Senator Danesh Kumar questioning the low conviction rate despite the arrest of hundreds of people allegedly involved in theft incidents at the mills.
Senator Syeda Khalida Ateeb observed that theft at PSM appeared to be a chronic and organised issue, calling for systemic shortcomings to be addressed and institutional accountability to be strengthened.
Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan expressed concern over the encroachment of approximately 290 acres of PSM land, where three union councils have reportedly been established, terming the situation a reflection of serious shortcomings in departmental accountability.
The subcommittee also heard from representatives of the employees’ union regarding their grievances and was briefed on other administrative and financial matters, including the financial position and liabilities of PSM, shortage of manpower, and outstanding dues of employees.
A list of questions was handed over to the PSM management, which was directed to furnish detailed responses at the next meeting of the subcommittee.
