College endowment: SHC orders secretary finance to submit five-year breakup

Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered provincial Secretary Finance to submit complete breakup of last five years of summaries approved and amount released for individuals from allocated amount for endowment of college education.

SHC bench comprised of Justice Salahuddin Panhwar issued these orders in a petition of a woman against an orphanage in Karachi.

According to court order, Deputy Secretary (Legal) Finance Department submitted a report signed by Additional Secretary with regard to break up of Endowment Funds, which is taken on record, which reflects that in two years i.e. 2017 & 2018 though 1000 & 1000 Millions respectively were allocated but not a single penny was released on School side.

In similar section 2015 & 2016 there was no allocation and 2017 & 2018 as well 2019 & 2020, 1000 & 1000 million respectively were allocated, whereas only 268.109, 1.169 & 254.290 million were released.

Order said that court has already observed that all amount as allocated shall be released to the Endowment Funds Department.

Deputy Secretary Finance Department assured the court that the order of this court will be complied with in its letter and spirit.

As far as conflict with regard to release of amount in 2019-2020, order said that according to Endowment Fund Department that they have received 250 million whereas, finance department shows 254.290 million, therefore, finance department shall justify under what manner 4.2 millions were released.

Additional Secretary, Endowment stated that this practice is not new and there are many precedents through special summaries on account of endowment funds, which is meant for needy students only.

Court directed Secretary Finance to submit complete breakup of last five years with details that how many summaries were approved directly to the individual and amount was released for individuals from allocated amount for Endowment of colleges education department.

Additional Secretary, Endowment Funds further contended that recently department has received summary of 7.1 million, though Secretary Colleges objected, same is yet to be placed before Board of Trustees.

Court called the situation as reflected is apparently illegal. Under these circumstances, Finance Secretary shall not release any portion of amount allocated for endowment fund, through special summaries for individuals, court ordered.

Court also directed Additional Secretary Endowment Fund to submit complete breakup of funds released to the individuals through special summaries, breakup shall include complete detail of candidates and justification.

Besides, Chief Secretary Sindh shall ensure that Faqir Muhammad Lakho, Additional Secretary Endowment shall not be disturbed/harassed in any manner from any corner.