By Nazir Sial. Karachi.July 23
Sindh Minister for Culture and Tourism, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, has distanced himself from the Gorakh Hills audit scandal, attributing the financial mismanagement to his predecessor, PPP MNA Rafiq Ahmed Jamali. The minister claimed that no funds were spent during his tenure, and he pointed fingers at Jamali for the irregularities amounting to over Rs 17 billion.
*Key Highlights:*
– *Minister’s Stance*: Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah denied any involvement in the financial mismanagement, stating that he was briefed on the current situation of Gorakh Hill Station after the dissolution of the Gorakh Hill Authority.
– *Developmental Works*: The minister discussed ongoing developmental projects at the hill station, emphasizing the importance of tourism in the region.
– *Previous Plans*: The Sindh government had previously announced plans to develop Gorakh Hills Station into a prominent tourist attraction, with investments in infrastructure and amenities ¹ ².
– *Audit Findings*: The audit-flagged irregularities have raised concerns about the management of funds allocated for the development of Gorakh Hills Station.
In a recent meeting, Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah expressed grief over unfortunate incidents involving tourists in northern areas and offered prayers for the deceased. The meeting focused on the current situation of Gorakh Hill Station, including developmental works and funding. The minister’s comments come amid scrutiny over the financial management of the hill station’s development projects ².
