Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Senator Saifullah Abro, expressed significant concerns and criticism regarding the administration of several public welfare projects during a meeting held at the Parliament House. The projects under scrutiny included the Sindh Solar Energy Project (SSEP), housing schemes funded by foreign aid, and various transmission and infrastructure initiatives.

The committee highlighted issues with the Sindh Solar Energy Project, revealing that only 23,000 out of a planned 200,000 solar systems had been distributed, leaving a substantial gap in implementation. Chairman Abro voiced dissatisfaction over the transparency and clarity provided by project officials and demanded detailed information.

Senator Abro criticized the project’s approach, particularly the exclusion of households unable to afford upfront costs and questioned the financial logic behind the procurement process. The involvement of NGOs in the project also came under fire, with committee members questioning favoritism and discrepancies in beneficiary records.

Additionally, the committee scrutinized housing schemes in Sindh funded by foreign aid, questioning the allocation of Rs. 22 billion and the substantial funds directed to NGOs. Absence of key officials from housing projects added to the committee’s concerns.

The meeting also examined the Dasu-Islamabad Transmission Line Project, where financial discrepancies were noted. Chairman Abro called for investigations by the D.G FIA and NAB Chairman, demanding explanations from NTDC Board members over alleged violations.

Similarly, procurement issues in the ADB 401B-2022 LoT II A project were discussed, with concerns over bid evaluations and tendering processes. Chairman Abro demanded comprehensive records and testing reports for materials supplied.

Reflecting on the meeting’s challenges, Chairman Abro expressed frustration at the lack of cooperation from officials. The Senate Committee has requested all necessary documents and clarifications for the next meeting, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in managing public welfare projects.