KARACHI: Expressing dissatisfaction over the performance of the local bodies, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Sindh Assembly observed that despite a massive annual budget, only 50 per cent development was being seen in the civic infrastructure across the province.

In a meeting chaired by its chairman Nisar Khuhro on Monday, the committee also sought details of all expenditures from all local councils and local bodies across the province.

The PAC reviewed the audit records of the local bodies in Hyderabad and unearthed several financial irregularities in the audit records of the district councils and town committees between 2018 and 2020 and recommended action by the authorities against the responsible officials.

Mr Khuhro ordered an investigation into the matter of purchasing machines and hand pumps at excessive prices and issued order to suspend the town officer.

The PAC also ordered the additional chief secretary of the local government department to submit a report to on the issue of spending Rs2.9 million by making multiple quotations of Rs95,000 for the construction of a cemetery wall in Bhit Shah.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2024