KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has instructed the home secretary to launch an investigation into suspected irregularities involving contracts worth over Rs2.25 billion for supplying food, medicines, clothing, and other essentials to prisons across the province.
The issue came to light during a PAC meeting on Monday, where the audit reports of the prisons department from 2019 to 2020 were reviewed. The meeting, chaired by PAC chairman Nisar Ahmed Khurho, called for a detailed inquiry, with findings to be submitted within 30 days.
Among those present at the session were committee members Khurram Karim Soomro and Makhdoom Fakhar ul Zaman, Inspector General of Prisons Qazi Nazir Ahmed, and jail superintendents from various prisons.
Mr. Khurho asked the prisons chief to present a comprehensive account of the contracts awarded and the contractors involved. He also sought clarity on the quality of food being provided to inmates.
In response, IG Prisons Qazi Nazir Ahmed stated that inmates across Sindh receive three meals a day, with quality checks conducted by medical officers and judges. He revealed that Rs2.45 billion had been spent on food, medicines, furniture, and clothing through a formal tendering process.
Despite this, the prison department failed to provide the audit details for the Rs2.45 billion expenditure. According to the audit report, spending included Rs37 million on medicines, Rs34.5 million on uniforms, Rs1.27 million on furniture, Rs61.8 million on machinery and plants, and Rs2.9 million on clothing.
Expressing concern over these expenditures, the PAC directed the appointment of food authority officers to monitor the quality of food served in Karachi Central Jail and other district prisons.
Furthermore, the committee raised questions over Rs8 million spent by District Malir Jail authorities, who claimed the amount was used for maintenance and fuel. The PAC demanded a detailed breakdown of this expenditure within 10 days.
