The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Sindh Assembly expressed concerns over the unchecked growth of new slums and demanded comprehensive records from the Department of Human Settlement, Special Development, and Social Housing.

The PAC, led by Chairman Nisar Khoro, has instructed the department to provide records within ten days, detailing the issuance of ownership rights certificates, methods for slum regularization, and plot rates for regularization.

During the meeting, attended by Secretary Human Settlement – Shariq Ahmed, Director Finance Bilal Shaikh, and DG Audit Sindh, the committee reviewed several audit paras from 2018 to 2021.

Notably, the Human Settlement Department failed to provide details of funds Rs 131.901 million allocated for grant-in-aid and differences bills to the slum authority.

The PAC has granted the department a 10-day extension to furnish the required audit documentation.

Secretary Shariq Ahmed informed the PAC that there are 1,400 slums across Sindh, with 582 in Karachi alone, adding that the department has been issuing challans at Rs 250 per yard for regularizing 120-yard plots in Karachi, however since 2021, delay in the certificate process has persisted as many residents struggle to pay.

PAC Chairman emphasized its commitment to regularize and grant ownership rights to residents in slums and rural settlements, however, expressed concerns over the unchecked growth of new slums.

The department has been instructed to provide data on regularized slums, ownership certificates, and the funds allocated for these initiatives by the deadline.