PAC orders probe into Kheme Jo Par town dispute

Administrative affairs at Kheme Jo Par Town Committee in Umerkot's Dahli taluka have reportedly come to a standstill amid a dispute between the town chairman and town officer, with the committee unable to provide its audit record to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The PAC has ordered the Local Government Department to obtain the town committee's complete record within three days, investigate the matter and identify those responsible.

The PAC also expressed serious concern over local councils across Sindh spending crores of rupees every month through multiple quotations in the name of emergencies, and directed all local councils to stop making purchases through quotations instead of following the tendering process.

The PAC meeting was held on Tuesday in the committee room under the chairmanship of Nisar Khuhro. The meeting reviewed audit paras concerning local councils in Mirpurkhas Division.

The dispute at Kheme Jo Par Town Committee came to light when Town Officer Ejaz Khasheli explained why the audit record had not been provided. He told the PAC that the town's entire official record was in the custody of Town Chairman Mumtaz Ali Rahimoon, who was not handing it over to the officials. He said written complaints regarding the matter had already been submitted to the district administration, the regional director and the LG dept, adding that a town officer had previously been suspended over the non-provision of the record.

PAC Chairman Nisar Khuhro asked what legal action was prescribed for keeping official records in one's personal custody.

Committee member Qasim Soomro said that, as a first step, the Local Government Department should obtain the town committee's record within three days and conduct an inquiry. If the town chairman was found involved, he said, the matter could be referred to the Local Government Commission, which could take action against the chairman under the relevant law.

The Regional Director Local Government, Mirpurkhas, said the town chairman was unhappy with the posting of the town officer and was therefore not handing over the record.