Pakistan's Senate raises transparency concerns over Sindh’s solar and housing projects, calling for full audits and investigation into foreign-funded schemes.
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| Senators demand audits and transparency over foreign-funded Sindh projects amid allegations of inflated costs, NGO misuse, and flawed beneficiary data. Image Courtesy: ssep.gov.pk/ Dawn |
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — May 3, 2025:
Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs has raised serious concerns over the transparency and financial integrity of multimillion-dollar foreign-funded development projects in Sindh, including solar energy, housing, and major transmission infrastructure.
At a meeting chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro on Friday, lawmakers scrutinized the Sindh Solar Energy Project (SSEP) and housing schemes for flood-affected populations. The panel voiced frustration over incomplete data, unexplained cost escalations, and the questionable role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
According to the committee, only 23,000 of the 200,000 solar systems intended for low-consumption households had been distributed so far. Senator Abro criticized the project’s mismanagement, stating: “You are not giving a break-up of the solar project. The advertisements make it seem like Sindh has turned into Switzerland.”
Particularly troubling was the exclusion of those using 0–20 units of electricity who couldn’t afford the Rs6,000 upfront cost. “This scheme is supposed to help the poor, yet it's taxing them,” Abro remarked. He highlighted instances where single households were given as many as 20 solar panels, suggesting misuse of the program.
Cost irregularities also drew attention. Officials reported the cost of each solar system at Rs21,000, yet contracts were awarded at Rs32,000. Eighteen companies had bid, but only three—one of them Chinese—received contracts. The committee demanded an explanation and documentation on prevailing market prices.
NGO involvement came under sharp criticism. Senator Kamil Ali Agha questioned why 10% of funds were allocated to NGOs when typical consultancy fees were only 2%. Abro pointed out manipulation of beneficiary data, noting that some listings showed up to 22 people per household. He warned: “Stop giving 20 panels to one house. This is unacceptable.”
Regarding Sindh’s flood housing project, the committee scrutinized Rs22 billion in foreign aid earmarked for building 2.1 million houses. Allegedly, Rs10,500 per home was funneled to NGOs, prompting Senator Abro to call the scheme “a crafty mechanism to benefit NGOs under the guise of public service.” He demanded a 20-year audit of the five NGOs involved and their agreements with the government.
The absence of top officials from both the Sindh Peoples’ Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) and SSEP was met with disapproval, as the committee noted their inability to answer key accountability questions.
The session also examined the 765kV Dasu–Islamabad Transmission Line Project, identifying a Rs1.282 billion discrepancy not mentioned in the Letter of Acceptance (LoA) but later added to the final agreement. Abro urged the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to launch inquiries into the NTDC board members for potential procurement violations.
Friday’s session underscored growing pressure on federal and provincial authorities to ensure transparency, prevent mismanagement, and prioritize public welfare in large-scale development initiatives.