The Sindh government on Tuesday ordered legal action against officials and contractors after uncovering alleged financial irregularities, procedural violations, and prolonged delays in two major education development projects in Murad Memon Goth, Malir.
The decision was taken during a high-level review meeting chaired by Secretary College Education Nadeem-ur-Rehman Memon, who directed the immediate issuance of legal and show-cause notices, a comprehensive audit of project records, and action under the Sindh Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (SPPRA) Rules against those found responsible. The meeting reviewed the progress of the Government Girls Degree College, Murad Memon Goth, and the Shaheed Ghulam Murtaza Baloch Library and Auditorium Hall projects. Senior officials, including Chief Engineer Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, Executive Engineer Arfa Rashid, Director Planning and Development Engineer Sajjad Ali Abro, Deputy Director Saeed Ahmed Abro, and representatives of the Social Development Organization (SDO), attended the meeting.
Officials informed the secretary that serious financial discrepancies had been detected in the Government Girls Degree College project. According to project records, former Executive Engineer Maqsood Ali Shah allegedly authorised advance payments to the contractor, M/s New M.A. Enterprises, in violation of prescribed financial procedures. Despite the approved project cost of Rs95.583 million, payments amounting to Rs88.421 million had already been released, while physical progress stood at only 60 per cent. The work completed on site was valued at Rs57.505 million, leaving construction worth Rs30.916 million yet to be executed.
The meeting was further informed that additional works, including the installation of large porcelain tiles, UPVC windows, and specialised roof treatment, had been carried out without the approval of the competent authority, resulting in significant discrepancies in the official Measurement Book (MB). The review of the Shaheed Ghulam Murtaza Baloch Library and Auditorium Hall project also revealed serious contractual lapses. Officials said that although the revised project cost was Rs111.166 million, expenditures of Rs65.825 million had already been incurred, and a secured advance of Rs39.612 million had been paid to M/s Burak Enterprises. However, physical progress remained stalled at 40 per cent, with construction work abandoned despite repeated notices issued by the department.
Taking serious notice of the findings, Memon ordered the issuance of a show-cause notice to former Executive Engineer Maqsood Ali Shah, seeking a written explanation regarding the alleged breach of financial discipline. He also directed both contractors to immediately resume construction work and submit written explanations for the delays within 15 days. The secretary warned that failure to comply would result in blacklisting proceedings under the SPPRA Rules. He further ordered the forfeiture of the girls’ college contractor’s security deposit of approximately Rs4.349 million and directed legal action to recover the secured advance paid under the library project.
Memon instructed the department to closely monitor both schemes, thoroughly verify all financial and technical records, ensure strict compliance with procurement rules, and expedite completion of the projects without compromising quality. He said that the misuse of public funds, avoidable delays in development projects, and violations of financial rules would not be tolerated, adding that anyone found responsible would be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law. He further stated that the process for approving staff positions would begin immediately after the completion of the projects to ensure that both institutions become operational without delay, providing quality educational facilities to the students of Malir.