Sindh Police and the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) are among the top nine government departments that received the highest number of public complaints in Sindh, according to the Provincial Ombudsman's Annual Report for 2024. The report strongly recommends curbing political influence in the recruitment, transfers, and postings of government employees.
Provincial Ombudsman Sohail Rajput recently submitted the report to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. Other departments on the list include the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation, Accountant General Sindh, Health, School Education, Revenue, and Local Government departments.
According to the report, over 50 per cent of the total 9,151 complaints received in 2024 were directed at these nine departments. A staggering 6,620 grievances were lodged against them.
The primary complaint against SBCA was its failure to control illegal constructions, particularly in the city's residential areas. "People continuously seek redressal for these issues, which have grown significantly over time especially in Karachi, the country's economic hub," the report stated.
To tackle the problem, the Ombudsman recommended halting frequent transfers and postings within SBCA to ensure accountability. It also advised encouraging construction on the city's outskirts to reduce unauthorised development within the urban core.
The police department came under heavy criticism for not registering FIRs in cognisable offenses, making illegal arrests, corruption, abuse of power, and difficulties in obtaining driving licenses. The report stated that the department remains "highly politicised and under the control of politicians."
To address this, the report urged the provincial government to minimise unnecessary transfers and removals of police officers and to ensure merit-based recruitment. It also recommended setting up Citizen-Police Liaison Committees in all districts.
The School Education Department was also flagged for political interference in appointments and postings. "Such influence results in the selection of personnel based on loyalty rather than merit," the report noted.
Complaints against the education sector mainly concerned teacher shortages in remote areas, absenteeism, misuse of School Management Committee (SMC) funds, and the lack of basic amenities such as drinking water, electricity, bathrooms, furniture, and boundary walls particularly in girls' schools.
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