Solar Panels Meant for Sindh Flood Victims Distributed Among Govt Officials

The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs was informed on Thursday that solar panels intended for the horrific 2022 flood victims were being distributed among government officials in Sindh. The committee expressed concerns over the distribution process and directed the Ministry of Economic Affairs to obtain details from the Chief Secretary Sindh. It was revealed that solar panels were being allocated through deputy commissioners. The committee chairman warned that if Sindh failed to provide details, donors would be informed of possible irregularities. The committee also expressed frustration over the lack of transparency in provincial spending and summoned the Chief Secretary of Sindh to the next meeting. The committee also sought records of grants provided by the European Union. Secretary Economic Affairs Division informed the committee that Pakistan received $10 billion in aid to address the 2022 floods. He briefed that loans were obtained at concessional rates from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. One senator questioned the use of these funds since 42,000 tents were given to just 100 people on loan. Provincial officials said the World Bank has so far provided a $1 billion loan for the construction of houses for flood victims, while $240 million has already been spent on rehabilitation. A senator revealed that instead of assisting flood victims, houses were being built for unrelated individuals. He discussed a case in Larkana where only the house of a union council chairman was being constructed. The Sindh Planning Department was instructed to explain in this regard in the next meeting.