The Sindh Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised concerns over irregularities worth billions in the Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) project. During a meeting chaired by PAC Chairman Nisar Khuhro, it was revealed that investigations by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) have stalled compensation payments to landowners whose properties were acquired for the project.
The PAC has summoned relevant NAB officials to its next meeting to provide details on the RBOD project records and the progress of their investigations.
Nisar Khuhro emphasized that the prolonged delay in completing the project and the unavailability of records are unacceptable, suggesting potential intentional negligence. The committee was informed that property records from multiple districts, including Thatta, Jamshoro, and Sujawal, were destroyed in the tragic events of December 27, 2007, following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
These records remain unrestored even after 17 years. According to the ADC Thatta, over 10,000 ownership records were lost in Thatta district alone. The PAC directed the Sindh Board of Revenue to restore and digitize the burnt records within six months. Chairman Khuhro stressed the need for immediate action to revive the records of rights across Sindh to ensure transparency and accessibility.
The PAC was informed that compensation claims for land acquired for the RBOD project have been put on hold due to NAB investigations and the unavailability of relevant records. It was disclosed that 22 claims are currently pending. Khuhro demanded a clear formula and full disclosure on the compensation amounts and criteria used for disbursement. The PAC has instructed all concerned departments to submit comprehensive details on the RBOD project, including NAB’s findings and the current status of compensation payments, ahead of the next session to address allegations of corruption effectively. PAC meeting also reviewed audit reports from 2019 and 2020 for the Sindh Board of Revenue. Officials from Larkana, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, and various districts participated in the session.
