Senate Panel Flags Major Irregularities in Sindh Solar Project, Questions Beneficiary List and Procurement

Severe irregularities have been revealed in the Sindh solar energy project, raising serious concerns about transparency and management. During a Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs meeting chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro, officials from the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) briefed lawmakers on multiple discrepancies in the project’s implementation.

Senator Abro highlighted that the beneficiary list for the solar program contained major contradictions. For instance, in Larkana, only 4,000 families were listed as beneficiaries, whereas 21,000 were supposed to be registered. In another glaring irregularity, a single household reportedly received 10 solar units while neighboring families received none.

The committee also pointed out alarming procurement discrepancies. Solar kits valued at Rs 18,000 were allegedly purchased at Rs 60,000. According to a report by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), some of the solar equipment had not even been imported, intensifying concerns over project mismanagement and potential financial misconduct.

Senator Abro criticized the absence of key officials from the session, accusing them of deliberately avoiding accountability. The committee directed that all relevant officers must attend the next meeting without fail to provide clarifications.

Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah had inaugurated the distribution of solar home systems in Karachi, describing the project as a major step in collaboration with the World Bank. He stated that the program aims to provide solar systems to 200,000 low-income households, with a target of distributing 400 solar kits weekly in each district. CM Shah emphasized the importance of green energy to mitigate the impacts of climate change, noting that solar plants will supply 300 free units of electricity per household.

The discrepancies reported by the Senate committee suggest a significant gap between the project’s stated objectives and its on-ground execution, highlighting the need for stricter oversight and accountability in Sindh’s solar energy initiatives.