Nisar Khuhro Slams SESSI Over Lack of Audits and Worker Neglect at Benazir Bhutto’s 72nd Birth Anniversary Event

By Nazir Siyal
KARHCHI: Pakistan People’s Party Sindh President and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Nisar Khuhro, said that since the establishment of the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI), it has never undergone an audit. SESSI told PAC that its governing body had decided not to conduct an audit. “Is SESSI above the Constitution that it refuses to be audited?” he asked. “SESSI is not exempt from audits; therefore, an audit has been ordered.”
He expressed these views on Thursday while addressing an event organized by the People’s Labour Bureau at the SESSI Head Office on the occasion of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s 72nd birth anniversary. Provincial Labour Minister Shahid Abdul Salam Theem was also present.
Nisar Khuhro stated that no audit has been conducted on SESSI’s Rs. 8 billion worth of medical supplies. “Medicines worth Rs. 8 billion are supplied to SESSI hospitals, and though Valika Hospital is frequently mentioned, I don’t know what condition it is in,” he said.
“Whether it is Valika or any other hospital, Rs. 8 billion is not a small amount—at the very least, there should be an audit to check whether the machines even function,” he added.
He further stated that during the PAC meeting, the Secretary of Labour was also present, and SESSI had informed that 70% of Rs. 13 billion in funds are spent on healthcare services and medicines for its hospitals, while 30% is spent on SESSI directorates.
Khuhro urged the Labour Department to focus on ensuring medicine supply to workers through SESSI hospitals. “If you do this, you will earn public respect and prayers,” he said.
He emphasized the need to fix shortcomings and improve performance. “Only then will we be able to speak with our heads held high.”
He revealed that out of 67,000 industrial units under SESSI, only 24,000 are registered, and out of 6 million workers, only 600,000 to 800,000 are registered with SESSI.
“If all 6 million workers were registered, SESSI could have provided them with benefits. The failure to register these industrial units and their workers is SESSI’s weakness,” he stated.
He urged the Labour Department to take steps to register all workers, including those employed at shops.
He criticized the lack of implementation of the minimum wage of Rs. 37,000 in the private sector. “If Rs. 37,000 isn’t being enforced, how can we expect implementation of Rs. 42,000?” he questioned. He called upon the Labour Department to ensure implementation of the Sindh Government’s minimum wage policy in both public and private sectors.
Nisar Khuhro emphasized that the Pakistan People’s Party is the only party that has strongly raised its voice for public issues. He noted that Bilawal Bhutto raised the issue of the water crisis and India-Pakistan tensions on international forums.
“Shaheed Bhutto did not create PPP for feudal lords and chieftains, but for workers and farmers,” he said. “During Ayub Khan’s regime, Bhutto targeted 22 elite families and made workers the owners of factories.”
He said Bhutto’s hanging was an attempt to silence the voice of the poor and middle class. After him, Benazir Bhutto became their voice and ally.
He remarked that while the birthdays and martyrdoms of Shaheed Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto are still commemorated, no one even wants to remember the dictators now.
Khuhro noted that May 12, October 18, and December 27 are among the darkest days in the country’s history. After the October 18 tragedy, General Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule. During that emergency, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto returned to the country and launched a movement for democracy.
On the occasion, Sindh Labour Minister Shahid Theem said that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was a fearless leader who was undeterred by security threats and sacrificed her life for democracy after returning to Pakistan.
He pledged that the party will continue working for the welfare of workers in line with its manifesto.
President of the People’s Labour Bureau Sindh, Habibuddin Junaidi, said that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s struggle was for the establishment of democracy and the people’s right to rule. He noted that three Prime Ministers—Shaheed Bhutto, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, and Liaquat Ali Khan—were assassinated in Rawalpindi.
He added that the PPP has never backed down when it comes to defending workers’ rights.
A cake was also cut during the ceremony to celebrate Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s 72nd birthday.