The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs was informed on Monday about alleged irregularities in the distribution of solar panels meant for victims of the devastating 2022 floods. Reports revealed that the panels were being distributed among government officials in Sindh instead of the intended beneficiaries.

The committee expressed serious concerns over the distribution process and directed the Ministry of Economic Affairs to obtain detailed records from the Chief Secretary of Sindh. It was disclosed that the solar panels were being allocated through deputy commissioners. The committee chairman warned that if Sindh failed to provide the required details, donors would be informed of the potential misuse of aid.

The committee also voiced frustration over the lack of transparency in provincial spending and summoned the Chief Secretary of Sindh to the next meeting. Additionally, it requested records of grants provided by the European Union to ensure accountability.

During the meeting, the Secretary of the Economic Affairs Division revealed that Pakistan had received $10 billion in aid to address the 2022 flood crisis. He explained that concessional loans were obtained from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. However, senators raised questions about the utilization of these funds, with one senator highlighting that 42,000 tents were reportedly given to just 100 people on loan.

Provincial officials informed the committee that the World Bank had provided a $1 billion loan for the construction of houses for flood victims, with $240 million already spent on rehabilitation efforts. However, senators alleged that the funds were being misused. One senator cited a case in Larkana where houses were being built for unrelated individuals, including a union council chairman, instead of flood victims.

The committee directed the Sindh Planning Department to provide an explanation regarding these allegations in the next meeting.