Sindh Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed the Chief Secretary Sindh to establish an investigative committee to identify ghost employees within the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). The directive follows revelations that KMC lacks a modern attendance mechanism for over 12,000 employees, relying solely on manual registers.
During a PAC meeting chaired by Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, it was disclosed that the absence of biometric systems has led to concerns about potential misuse of funds, with ghost employees costing millions of rupees monthly. The committee has demanded comprehensive records, including attendance data, service books, and personnel files for all KMC employees. Municipal Commissioner Afzal Zaidi acknowledged that the attendance of KMC’s workforce is monitored through registers and confirmed the absence of a biometric system. He stated, “Department heads verify attendance, and we believe there are no ghost employees.”
However, PAC members raised serious concerns, with some alleging that employees mark attendance irregularly or even work in multiple departments. PAC member Khurram Soomro revealed that some KMC employees are reportedly on visas or employed simultaneously in other departments, while graves in Karachi’s cemeteries are being illegally sold for Rs. 40,000 by KMC gravediggers. He presented evidence to support his claims. Commissioner Zaidi admitted to identifying 300 employees who were drawing dual salaries from KMC and Sindh Police.
He assured the committee that action had been taken against them. PAC Chairman Khuhro stressed the need for a digital attendance system to curb irregularities and directed an internal audit of KMC employees. He stated, “The presence of ghost employees and the misuse of public funds are unacceptable. Strict action will be taken against those involved.” Additionally, PAC members called for an end to the “visa system” in public departments, where employees are reportedly absent from their duties while working abroad. The committee highlighted the dire state of cemetery management, with alleged corruption in grave allocations. Afzal Zaidi clarified that the official fee for a grave is Rs. 300, rejecting claims of a systemic issue but acknowledged individual complaints. The PAC’s probe aims to streamline KMC operations and ensure accountability, signaling a major crackdown on corruption and inefficiencies within the corporation.
