Latest news with #NisarKhuhro
Express Tribune
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PAC orders blacklisting of eight NGOs
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Sindh Assembly has ordered the blacklisting of eight non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for failing to provide audit records, invoices, and expenditure details related to over Rs800 million in funding under the Community Development Programme. The decision came during a PAC meeting on Tuesday, chaired by Nisar Khuhro, with committee members Khurram Karim Soomro, Makhdoom Fakhar-uz-Zaman, and Taha Ahmed in attendance, alongside Planning and Development Secretary Sajjad Abbasi and other officials. The meeting reviewed audit paras from 2019 and 2020 related to the Planning and Development Department. Officials disclosed that 16 NGOs received funding in 2018 for health, skills development, and education projects. However, eight of them have not submitted any audit documentation. PAC Chairman Nisar Khuhro directed the Social Welfare Department to cancel the registration and licenses of these NGOs. During the session, another issue surfaced involving SRSO, which reportedly charged 8-10% interest on Rs10,000 micro-loans given to widowed and impoverished women in 100 union councils across Kashmore, Jacobabad, and Shikarpur - despite funds being allocated as interest-free under the UC-Based Poverty Reduction Programme. A letter submitted by SRSO's CEO acknowledged the interest but claimed it was mistakenly documented in the minutes, clarifying that loans were issued through village organisations. The PAC ordered a fact-finding probe into this alleged malpractice. Separately, the PAC was informed that SRSO had not yet returned Rs380 million in interest earnings to the government from the Rs9.67 billion it received for projects in six Sindh districts between 2018 and 2024. SRSO's CEO stated the funds were intact and would be returned once a formal request is made by the Planning Department. PAC directed a fact-finding investigation into SRSO's spending and retention of the interest amount. The committee also reinstated Pervez Ahmed, the suspended Project Director of the People's Poverty Reduction Programme, after he apologised for the delayed audit submission.
Express Tribune
27-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
SESSI asked to expand registration of workers
Sindh Assembly Public Accounts Committee Chairman Nisar Khuhro has said that since its inception, the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI) has not undergone an audit. SESSI informed the PAC that its governing body had decided against conducting an audit, but Khuhro questioned whether SESSI considers itself above the constitution, refusing to undergo an audit. He stressed that SESSI is not exempted from audits and therefore ordered an audit of the institution. Khuhro, the president of the Sindh chapter of PPP, expressed these views while addressing a ceremony to mark the 72nd birth anniversary of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, organised by the People's Labour Bureau at the SESSI headquarters on Thursday. Provincial Labour Minister Shahid Abdul Salam was also present on the occasion. Nisar Khuhro pointed out that SESSI's medical supplies worth Rs8 billion are not being audited. He questioned the functioning of hospitals under the institution despite the large amount of funds allocated for medicines. He stressed that an audit of the Rs8 billion allocation is essential to determine the proper utilisation of funds and the functioning of hospital equipment. The SESSI informed that out of the Rs13 billion funds, 70 per cent were spent on healthcare services, including medicines for hospitals, and 30 per cent on SECCI's directorate. Khuhro suggested that the Labour Department should focus on ensuring the provision of medicines to workers through SESSI hospitals. He pointed out that out of 670,000 industrial units, only 240,000 are registered with SESSI, whereas the actual number of workers is around six million. Khuhro said, non-registration of industrial units and their workers is a major weakness of the welfare institution. He suggested that the Labour Department should take steps to register workers, including those working in shops. He pointed out that the minimum wage of Rs37,000 for workers in the private sector is not being implemented. If the minimum wage of Rs37,000 is not being enforced, then how can the implementation of a higher wage of Rs42,000 be expected? Therefore, the Labour Department should ensure the implementation of the Sindh government's minimum wage policy for workers in both public and private sectors.
Business Recorder
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Opposition walkouts amid passage of resolution commemorating BB's birthday
KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Saturday witnessed a dramatic turn during its budget session as the House passed a resolution commemorating the 72nd birth anniversary of late Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto — the first woman Prime Minister of the Islamic world — amid loud opposition protests and a walkout. The resolution, presented by veteran parliamentarian and PPP Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, was moved out of turn with special permission from the Deputy Speaker, Anthony Naveed. This procedural bypass infuriated opposition lawmakers, who erupted in protest, raised slogans, and eventually staged a walkout from the Assembly floor. In response to the uproar, Nisar Khuhro addressed the opposition members directly, saying, 'Even you should feel proud of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. By protesting during this resolution, you are only tarnishing your image in the eyes of the people of Sindh. This resolution has been prepared in consultation with Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.' Despite the opposition's absence, the resolution paying tribute to Benazir Bhutto on her birthday was adopted by the House. Later, speaking to the media outside the Assembly, Leader of the Opposition Ali Khursheedi condemned the government's move, calling it a violation of Assembly norms and the Constitution. 'We were told on budget day that no resolutions could be tabled during the budget session. When we tried to bring a resolution in support of Iran, we were denied. But today, the same rules were bent for a political tribute. This selective application of the Constitution is unacceptable,' he said. Khursheedi further remarked, 'Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto is indeed a respected figure for all, but no one — regardless of stature — should be paid homage at the cost of violating the House's procedures during a budget session.' Taking a pointed jab, he added, 'I'm merely reminding history — Nisar Khuhro once distributed sweets upon the martyrdom of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.' In a symbolic show of reverence, the Assembly later hosted a ceremonial celebration for the slain PPP leader's birthday. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
02-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PAC orders audit of Rs2b monthly allocations to UCs
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Sindh Assembly has ordered a comprehensive audit of the Rs2billion monthly budget allocated to union councils (UCs) across the province, citing concerns over financial irregularities and lack of oversight. In a formal letter to the auditor general of Pakistan, the PAC expressed concern that the substantial funds distributed to 1,600 UCs across Sindh are not being properly audited. The committee noted that while the Sindh government disburses Rs2billion monthly to these local bodies, there is no ongoing scrutiny of how the funds are being spent. According to the letter, only the UCs in Karachi Division were audited by the Directorate General (DG) Audit between 2018 and 2019. The financial activities of UCs in other districts of Sindh remain unaudited, raising serious accountability concerns. In response, the PAC has urged the AGP to instruct the relevant DG Audit offices to conduct a three-year audit of the budgets and expenditures of UCs throughout Sindh. Meanwhile, the PAC reported huge recoveries from various government departments in Sindh, totaling over Rs16.22billion to date. The latest recovery of Rs3.42 billion includes, Rs1.87billion deposited by DG Audit Local Government from recoveries made between September 2024 and April 2025. It also has Rs782.72million collected by DG Audit Sindh between July 2024 and April 2025 and Rs772.18million recovered by DG Audit Works during the same Rs12.59billion was recovered in outstanding water charges from various federal and provincial institutions on behalf of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board. These amounts have all been deposited into the government treasury. PAC Chairman Nisar Khuhro stated that the PAC held 97 meetings between July 2024 and May 2025. During this period, the committee reviewed 1,383 audit paras from various departments, settling 325 of them. The remaining 1,058 paras were deferred for further consideration. Khuhro stressed that the recovery and deposit of over Rs16billion into the government treasury reflect the PAC's unwavering commitment to financial accountability and transparency. He affirmed that the PAC will continue its efforts to recover public funds and ensure fiscal discipline across all government departments.
Express Tribune
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PPP ramps up protest against canals
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sindh chapter on Wednesday escalated its protest against the controversial six-canal project, announcing the second phase of its movement. In a video statement, PPP Sindh President Nisar Khuhro declared that torch rallies would be held across all tehsil headquarters in Sindh from Wednesday evening. He asserted that resolving Sindh's water crisis required sustained pressure through continuous protests, as water scarcity threatened the province's future and survival. "The six-canal project is detrimental to Sindh, and its people will never accept it," Khuhro asserted, adding that the PPP would persist in its protests until the plan is scrapped. Similarly, the PPP staged a torch rally in Lyari on Wednesday to protest against the controversial six-canal project on the Indus River. Former PPP Karachi President Najmi Alam, MPA Yusuf Baloch and PPP South District President Javed Nagori addressed the rally, reiterating the party's firm opposition. The speakers rejected accusations that PPP was silent on the issue, stressing that the party had formally demanded a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to discuss Sindh's water rights. On the other hand, the Darya Bachao Tehreek (Save Indus Movement) also announced a series of protests against the alleged unlawful diversion of Sindh's water and the construction of six new canals. The movement has planned multiple demonstrations, beginning with a major rally in Gambat on April 3, followed by an awareness march from Sakrand to Hyderabad on April 5, culminating at Hyderabad's Hyder Chowk. Key political figures, including Sindh United Party President Syed Zain Shah, Dr Safdar Abbasi, Haleem Adil Sheikh, Ayaz Latif Palijo and Kashif Saeed Sheikh are expected to address the gatherings. A large protest will be staged outside Karachi Press Club on April 6, while a signature campaign will be launched in various cities of Nawabshah district on April 7 to mobilise public opposition. Protests against the construction of canals and corporate farming using waters from the IndusRriver continued on Eid day in Badin like other cities of Sindh. The atmosphere in the city resonated with slogans against the canals.
