Shah orders probe into embezzlement of Rs50b in irrigation department

The amount was meant for strengthening the dykes of River Indus and its canals

KARACHI: Sindh chief minister Qaim Ali Shah on Saturday ordered an inquiry into the alleged misuse of funds worth Rs50 billion in the irrigation department over the past seven years.

Shah directed the chairperson of the anti-corruption establishment, Mumtaz Ali Shah, to appoint a competent officer to investigate the matter and submit a report to him within 15 days.

Official sources told The Express Tribune that the funds were supposed to be used for strengthening dykes along River Indus and its canals, but the irrigation officials had instead only greased their palms.

Read: Water blockade: Irrigation dept’s neglect can turn Badin into Thar, say farmers

What is ironic is that the department has been under the domain of the chief minister for the last two years. Only recently had he transferred it to senior minister Nisar Khuhro.

On February 17, tail-end farmers of Badin warned that the negligence of irrigation department could bring about a Thar-like situation in the district.

Read: Irrigation department numbers fail to match

Addressing the media outside Karachi Press Club, alongside the Indus Consortium, the representatives of Kisaan Ittehad-- Badin, urged the chief minister and ‘honest’ officials of the irrigation department to take action against corrupt officials and influential landlords who were blocking water supply to the channels.