Islamabad
The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro, met at Parliament House to review key development projects, including Multan heritage restoration, Sindh Water and Agriculture Transformation (SWAT) Project, Sindh Barrages Improvement Project (SBIP), and foreign-funded power sector initiatives.
Committee members raised serious concerns over the misuse of federally released funds for Multan’s historic core restoration, including Rs 850 million allocated in 2011. Senator Rubina Khalid questioned the transfer of a federally funded project to the provincial level, while Senator Kamran Murtaza emphasized the need for federal cabinet approval. The committee directed the Project Director to provide the Phase I feasibility report within two days and demanded detailed, site-wise expenditure records.
Regarding the SWAT Project, the committee criticized incomplete disbursements and beneficiary identification inconsistencies. It demanded details of the consultant hiring process, tendering, and technical bidding sheets from the Economic Affairs Division and the project director.
For the SBIP, officials briefed that Sukkur Barrage gates are being replaced, Kotri Barrage is under technical study, and the Guddu Barrage project has been delayed to 2027. Senator Abro highlighted that COVID-related delays and prolonged timelines had financial implications, and full year-wise progress reports were ordered.
The committee also reviewed foreign-funded power sector projects, including the ADB-backed LESCO STG procurement. Violations in the PPRA tender evaluation process were noted, prompting the committee to halt the ongoing procurement and request audit reports for recoveries, including Rs 1.282 billion for 765kV Grid Station Islamabad West.
Chairman Abro emphasized transparency, accountability, and robust financial management, directing the Economic Affairs Division to establish check-and-balance mechanisms for all foreign-funded projects and notify international development partners about identified irregularities.
