ISLAMABAD, Feb 27 (NNI): Sindh’s Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon has responded strongly to MQM-Pakistan leader Farooq Sattar’s claims about missing funds for local government employees on Thursday.
Memon challenged Sattar to provide proof of the alleged Rs 25 billion fraud, stating that the Sindh government is ready for an independent and transparent audit.
In reaction to Farooq Sattar’s press conference, Memon called him “one of the biggest political tricksters” and dismissed his allegations as mere political theatrics.
He urged Sattar to study the facts, revealing that in the past five years, the Sindh government has paid over Rs 160 billion, including an additional Rs 20 billion grant to Karachi’s local bodies last year.
Memon clarified that KMC, KDA, and the Water Board are responsible for their own financial matters, and the real cause of their problems is MQM’s past mismanagement and corruption. “Under MQM’s rule, KDA, KMC, and the Water Board saw massive corruption,” he alleged.
Addressing Sattar’s claim that 80% of local body dues are the Sindh government’s responsibility, Memon called it “completely false.” He explained that local bodies are independent entities responsible for their own pension funds and financial affairs.
He reiterated, “If Sattar believes Rs 25 billion has disappeared, he must present proof. The Sindh government has nothing to hide and is ready for a full audit.”
Responding to allegations of fake domicile-based hiring, Memon challenged Sattar to provide evidence if he had any.
Memon also declared that the Sindh government is not afraid of any “white paper” issued by MQM-P and will soon release a factual report exposing MQM’s past financial corruption and the state of Karachi’s crumbling local institutions under its rule. He accused MQM of trying to shift blame to the Sindh government to cover up its own failures.
Earlier today, MQM leader Farooq Sattar held a press conference in a park near the Bahadurabad headquarters, demanding the immediate release of unpaid dues to retired local government employees dating back to 2017.
He called upon the prime minister, army chief, and chief justice to take notice of the issue and launch an investigation into the Rs 25 billion deducted from employees’ salaries.
Sattar also hinted at staging a protest outside the Chief Minister’s House if the demands of retired employees were not met.
Additionally, he urged the government to provide relief to citizens during Ramadan and demanded an end to gas and electricity load shedding. NNI
