Karachi, During his visit to Tharparkar district, Sindh Chief Minister Justice (Retd) Maqbool Baqar ordered an investigation against the contracting firm Oslo and the recovery of funds due to the non-functional status of numerous Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants in the region.

According to Chief Minister Sindh, the Chief Minister’s visit included inspections of the 2 MGD River Osmosis Plant in Mithi and the 1.5 MGD RO Plant in Islamkot, both of which were found to be non-operational. The Chief Minister directed the completion of pending inquiries against Oslo, the contracting firm responsible for these plants, for the prosecution and recovery of funds amounting to Rs380 million and Rs80 million in electricity liabilities.

The Chief Minister’s visit to the Mithi RO Plant revealed the plant’s non-operational status for the past eight years, with missing solar plates and rusted machinery. Despite being Asia’s largest solar desalination plant complex, it has failed to provide its intended services of drinking water and electricity production. The Chief Minister ordered a forensic audit of the expenditures by Oslo on the plant.

At the Islamkot RO Plant, the Chief Minister learned that despite the allocation of Rs380 million to Oslo, the plant has rarely functioned. With 834 RO plants in the district, 555 are currently non-functional. The Chief Minister expressed extreme displeasure at these findings and emphasized the need for accountability and recovery of funds.

The Chief Minister’s visit also included the Govt Boys High School in Islamkot, where he noted a severe shortage of teachers and poor educational standards. He expressed concern over the lack of basic English and science knowledge among students and the inadequate facilities in the school’s labs.

Additionally, a surprise visit to the RHC Islamkot operated by PPHI revealed a non-functional oxygen cylinder in the emergency ward and a shortage of medicines in the children’s ward. The Chief Minister warned of potential contract cancellations due to these shortcomings and directed the Director General to report on the performance of all PPHI facilities.

Other stops in the Chief Minister’s visit included Dr. TF Jamal Veterinary Dispensary and Civil Hospital Mithi, where he assessed the services and interacted with patients. He also visited Marvi’s well at Bhalva village, a historical site with a functional well and museum.