KARACHI: Expressing grave concern and displeasure over the lethargy of officials in providing audit records for the Peoples’ Poverty Reduction Programme (PPRP), the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Sindh Assembly directed the removal of the PPRP project director from their post.

The PAC, chaired by Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, also suspended the drawing and disbursing officer (DDO) for issuing a cheque of Rs1.318 million directly from the DDO account for the Bhook Mitao Programme (Hunger Alleviation Programme).

Additionally, the PAC took action against the PPRP project director for failing to provide audit records for Rs20 billion, which is released annually by the provincial government to the Sindh Rural Support Organisation (SRSO) for poverty alleviation programs in rural districts.

The committee also reviewed audit reports of the Planning and Development Department for the years 2019 and 2020.

During the session, PPRP Project Director Pervez Chandio informed the PAC that the SRSO had already completed a poverty eradication program in eight rural districts with Rs10bn in funding from the European Union. He added that a poverty eradication program, funded with Rs20bn from the provincial government, is ongoing in 16 districts, including Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Kashmore-Kandhkot, and Tharparkar.

The PAC summoned the CEO of SRSO to appear at its next meeting.

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2024