Karachi (Digital Posts) Alleged Financial Irregularities in Korangi Town; Claim of Rs. 35 Million Spent on Flower Festival

Karachi (Digital Posts) Karachi It has been revealed that more than Rs. 35 million were allegedly spent on the “Jashn-e-Baharan Flower Festival Show” organized at Eidgah Ground by the Chairman of Korangi Town Municipal Corporation, Muhammad Naeem Sheikh.
According to sources, in order to make the ten-day festival grand and attractive, renowned singers and performers from across the country were invited and paid hundreds of thousands of rupees as remuneration. TMC sources claim that singer Asghar Khoso alone was paid Rs. 1.5 million. The festival was inaugurated by a provincial Governor, while the participation of political and social personalities, ministers, and advisers was ensured on a daily basis.
On the other hand, citizens argue that while a significant amount was spent on the festival, most roads and streets in Korangi Town remain in a dilapidated condition. In many areas, the sewerage system is in disarray, manhole covers are missing, and road repairs remain incomplete. Some development projects are either delayed or have deteriorated within months due to the alleged use of substandard materials.
Furthermore, questions are being raised over the alleged collection of millions of rupees from gas and other utility companies under road-cutting charges, despite the fact that full restoration of roads has not been completed.
Citizens and social circles are demanding that complete details of the festival and other expenditures be made public. Was the amount spent from the budget in accordance with legal requirements? Was the tendering process transparent? Is the audit report available to the public?
In light of the calls for investigation, relevant institutions, including the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Accountability Bureau (NAB), and Anti-Corruption Establishment Sindh, have been urged to conduct a forensic audit of the expenditures, tendering process, and development projects and present the facts before the public.
Citizen groups maintain that if all matters were handled in accordance with the law, transparency requirements should be fulfilled; otherwise, action should be taken against those responsible.