Senators show serious concern over quality of lithium batteries

Members of a Senate standing committee have expressed serious concern over the use and quality of lithium batteries in Pakistan, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

During the meeting of Senate’s Standing Committee on Finance in Islamabad on Tuesday, Senator Talha Mahmood said that a major scandal of lithium batteries has come to light in Pakistan.

He said the carbon used in lithium batteries is being reused and incidents of lithium batteries catching fire are occurring too often. 

Senator Talha said many issues are feared to be raised when the warranty of lithium batteries expires.

Lithium battery cells are not being manufactured in Pakistan and lithium batteries can be used in environments with temperatures below 32, he added.

In the meeting, Senator Abdul Qadir appealed to the government to have mercy on solar consumers in the upcoming budget.

Senator Abdul Qadir said the government should reconsider the policy of crushing solar consumers in the upcoming budget. 

Power is being purchased from solar consumers for Rs9 while power is being provided to solar consumers for Rs50 per unit, Senator Abdul Qadir said.

Senator Abdul Qadir said lithium batteries should be made cheaper for solar consumers to store electricity. 

The government should abolish super tax, Senator Abdul Qadir demanded.

He said currently, there are more than 20 million motorcycles and relief should also be given for converting old motorcycles to EVs. 

Senator Abdul Qadir said work should be started on the local production of lithium batteries in Pakistan.

Reporter: Waqas Azeem