The Sindh Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed the blacklisting of eight non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including HANDS and SRSO, over the failure to provide the financial records for Rs80 million granted under a government development programme.

During a PAC meeting chaired by Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, the members raised questions over missing expenditure records and improper documentation of funds disbursed for the skill development projects under the Sindh Community Development Programme.

PAC recommended to cancel the registration and licenses of defaulting NGOs.

The NGOs named for blacklisting include:

• HANDS (received Rs18.5 million)
• SRSO (Sindh Rural Support Organization) (received Rs25.4 million)
• HELP (received Rs22.7 million)
• Engro Foundation
• District Development Association, among others.

PAC members also expressed serious concerns over the lack of transparency and accountability.

Nisar stated that action must be taken against all NGOs that failed to submit financial records and that “those misusing public funds must be held accountable.”

The committee’s recommendations are expected to be sent to the relevant authorities for implementation, including revoking registrations and launching formal investigations.