KARACHI, Jul 21 (APP):The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Sindh Assembly has ordered an inquiry into the long-delayed Hawks Bay Scheme 42 of the Lyari Development Authority (LDA), expressing strong displeasure over the failure to complete development works, hand over possession of plots, and issue leases to allottees despite the scheme being launched 33 years ago. The decision was taken during a PAC meeting chaired by chairman Nisar Khuhro …
PAC orders probe into 33-year delay in Hawks Bay Scheme 42
KARACHI, Jul 21 (APP):The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Sindh Assembly has ordered an inquiry into the long-delayed Hawks Bay Scheme 42 of the Lyari Development Authority (LDA), expressing strong displeasure over the failure to complete development works, hand over possession of plots, and issue leases to allottees despite the scheme being launched 33 years ago.
The decision was taken during a PAC meeting chaired by chairman Nisar Khuhro here in Sindh Assembly chamber. The meeting was attended by committee members Qasim Soomro, Taha Ahmed, Makhdoom Fakhruz Zaman, Local Government Secretary Dr. Waseem Shamshad, LDA Director General Muhammad Hussain Ghumro, and other relevant officials.
The committee reviewed an audit objection regarding the 6,243-acre housing scheme launched in 1993 to provide affordable residential plots to the public. According to the audit, despite collecting more than Rs 605 million from applicants in the form of allotment and other charges, the land has yet to be fully developed and utilized for housing purposes.
Questioning LDA officials, PAC Chairman Nisar Khuhro sought details of the number of plots allotted since 1993, the extent of development completed, the number of plots under illegal occupation, and the number of allottees who had been granted leases.
Local Government Secretary Dr. Waseem Shamshad, LDA Director General Muhammad Hussain Ghumro briefed the meeting about details of the matter.
The DG informed the committee that LDA was planning to auction commercial plots within the scheme and launch a new housing project on a 25-acre site.
An LDA Executive Engineer informed the committee that around 70 percent of development work, including sewerage, water supply lines, roads and demarcation, had been completed. He added that infrastructure development in Blocks 2, 3 and 3-A of the Journalists’ Colony had been completed.
Expressing concern over the prolonged delay, Nisar Khuhro remarked that although the scheme was launched in 1993, it remained incomplete even after 33 years.
The PAC directed the Local Government Secretary to conduct a detailed inquiry into Hawks Bay Scheme 42 and submit a comprehensive report to the committee.
