Sindh PAC holds 97 sittings in 10 months; recovers Rs16bn

KARACHI: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Sindh has made significant strides in ensuring financial accountability, holding a total of 97 sittings over a span of 10 months to examine audit paras concerning 36 provincial administrative departments, five autonomous authorities, and 30 councils.

As per the official record Rs16 billion has been recovered due to the efforts of the PAC, i.e. Rs3.4 billion were deposited into the government treasury by the different government departments; and Rs. 12.59 billion recovered by the Water and Sewerage Corporation in the head of water charges, between July 2024 and April 2025.

Official correspondence stated that the PAC also took up the issue of non-realisation of Electricity Duty valued at Rs3.28 billion, including Rs29 billion in outstanding dues from K-Electric. The committee has initiated proceedings for recovery, which remain in progress.

According to official data, the PAC reviewed 1,383 audit paras during this period, of which 325 were settled -- amounting to 23.5 per cent of the total. The remaining 1,058 paras (76.5 per cent) were deferred for further scrutiny, pending departmental responses or compliance measures.

The committee, in its push for transparency, issued 63 directives to various departments and Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) for the recovery of outstanding government dues and taxes flagged in audit reports.

Additionally, 17 directives were issued to departmental secretaries, instructing them to initiate enquiries and disciplinary proceedings against officials allegedly involved in financial irregularities.

In a further step towards accountability, three enquiries were referred to the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team (CMIT), while two cases were handed over to the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) for investigation.

The PAC’s efforts have borne tangible results. The Director General Audit reported that recoveries worth Rs3.4 billion were deposited into the government treasury between July 2024 and April 2025.

Besides, in a major development, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC) confirmed that, following PAC’s intervention regarding ‘non-recovery of water charges’, various departments cleared their outstanding liabilities amounting to Rs. 12.59 billion.

PAC Sindh Chairman Nisar Khuhro lauded the PAC’s robust oversight and enforcement, noting that sustained efforts of PAC team in audit compliance and departmental accountability are key to financial discipline in the public sector.

Khuhro said that he and his team would continue this work for transparency and smooth working in government departments.

Khuhro said he has recommended four increments for the staff of the Public Accounts Committee for their remarkable work and dedication.