Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Senator Saifullah Abro, convened at Parliament House to review flood rehabilitation initiatives across Pakistan’s provinces. The meeting highlighted ongoing challenges in transparency and fund allocation, with concerns raised over the distribution of aid and the exclusion of certain regions from the mitigation plan.
According to a statement by Senate of Pakistan, the Committee was briefed on flood rehabilitation projects and fund utilization. Senator Abro expressed dissatisfaction with the clarity of the funds’ distribution, despite this being the 11th meeting on the matter. The Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, explained the strategies for fund utilization and noted the allocation of $8 billion in aid, including significant contributions from the Islamic Development Bank.
Senator Abro emphasized the need for detailed breakdowns of food distribution and urged for stringent checks and balances in aid distribution. Concerns were echoed by committee members about delays in relief distribution, and a lack of transparency in the utilization of funds.
The Committee also discussed disparities in aid distribution during the 2022 floods, suggesting that the Chief Secretary of Sindh be summoned to address these issues. Additionally, concerns were raised about the absence of key officials and the omission of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from the fund allocation briefing.
Senator Haji Hidayatullah Khan inquired about the Colombo Plan, to which officials promised a comprehensive briefing in the next meeting. The Committee was updated on the Sindh Flood Emergency Rehabilitation Project, noting a 90% completion rate but requesting further updates on the tendering process.
Senator Abro criticized the control of the public health sector by the Planning and Development Department and questioned the effective utilization of allocated loans. He called for oversight mechanisms and raised issues regarding the exclusion of Jacobabad and Kashmore from the flood mitigation plan.
The refurbishment of government hospitals and emergency response units was reviewed, with members appreciating the progress but calling for site visits for further assessment. Concerns over road rehabilitation funding by the Provincial Government of Sindh were also discussed, with calls for transparency in the tendering process.
The Committee recommended that the Planning and Development Department submit a new financing proposal and urged the Economic Affairs Division to maximize fund approval. Dissatisfaction was expressed over the briefing by the Government of Punjab, with the matter deferred for further discussion.