Karachi (HRNW)- The Sindh Irrigation Department has sought approval for more than Rs770 million to clear alleged outstanding liabilities for emergency works carried out during “Flood Fighting 2025,” despite the absence of a major flood emergency in the province last year.
According to information, a departmental summary has been submitted to the Sindh Chief Minister seeking approval for the requested funds. Officials reportedly justified the expenditure as payment for emergency protective works undertaken under the flood-fighting programme.
However, sources cited in the report have raised questions over the authenticity and cost of some of the works listed in official documents, alleging that certain projects were either not carried out or that their expenses were significantly overstated.
The summary was reportedly prepared on the basis of a committee report headed by Chief Engineer Junaid Talpur. The Central Technical Committee subsequently approved the claimed expenses, while chief engineers reportedly verified the relevant bills.
The Irrigation Department has defended the additional funding request by pointing to increases in the prices of cement, steel, and diesel.
Irrigation experts, however, have questioned the need for such a large expenditure during a year without a major flood emergency. Mir Abdul Karim Talpur, Information Secretary of the Sindh Chamber of Agriculture, called for an independent third-party audit of the claimed works and urged a detailed examination of spending on construction materials, fuel, machinery, and labour.
He also urged the Sindh chief minister to order an independent and transparent inquiry before approving the requested funds.
According to sources, some works described as emergency embankment-protection measures were allegedly not carried out at several locations, while expenditures were reportedly recorded for materials and services associated with those projects.
Attempts to obtain comments from Irrigation Secretary Zarif Khero and Technical Committee Chairman Riaz Shah reportedly did not receive responses.
Meanwhile, Mahmood Nawaz Shah, Chairman of the Sindh Agriculture Board, criticized the condition of the province’s irrigation infrastructure, water distribution issues, and alleged irregularities in development projects. He said Pakistan is already facing serious water shortages and that weaknesses in the irrigation system are adding to difficulties for farmers.
Shah further alleged that funds allocated for repairs were being misused without corresponding improvements on the ground. He referred to damage involving a gate at Sukkur Barrage and the collapse of part of the Rohri Canal structure two years ago.
The allegations regarding the Rs770 million claim remain disputed, and comments from the Sindh Irrigation Department could provide further clarification on the works and expenditures before the provincial government makes a decision.
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