Islamabad: The Federal Board of Revenue has uncovered major discrepancies in the import of solar kits under the Sindh Solar Energy Project, pointing to widespread under-invoicing, tax evasion and possible money laundering. The findings were shared with the Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, where senators expressed frustration over the absence of the minister for economic affairs and senior provincial officials.

According to the FBR report, contractors declared solar kits at values between $16 and $23 per unit for tax purposes, while the World Bank paid more than $112 per unit to the supplier. This gap of nearly $90 per unit has raised suspicions of trade-based money laundering and violations of foreign exchange rules.

The report identified Karachi-based Beyond Green as the importer of more than 200,000 solar home system units between December 2024 and July 2025. Several consignments were cleared through the Green Channel, but later verification showed that goods declarations submitted to the Sindh government were fake or tampered with.

Contracts with Shenzhen LEMI Technology Development Co Ltd in China confirmed the actual price of $112 per kit, with payments made directly by the World Bank. For tax purposes, the transactional value was calculated at $103 per unit, leading to contravention cases now pending before customs adjudication authorities. Fake invoices worth $12.5 million and third-party remittances routed through UAE-based entities have also been detected, prompting proceedings under the Anti-Money Laundering Act and a comprehensive sales tax audit.

The committee was told that around 30,000 kits remain undistributed even though the project ended in July 2025. The Sindh cabinet has referred the matter to the Enquiries and Anti-Corruption Establishment, while NAB has launched its own investigation.

Committee chairman Saifullah Abro asked whether any officials had been suspended but was informed none had been. He directed that a letter be sent to the chief minister to ensure accountability.

The meeting also saw sharp criticism of Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, who has not attended committee sessions for two years. Officials said he was in Davos for the World Economic Forum, but senators rejected the explanation. PPP Senator Waqar Mehdi demanded his chair be removed, while Abro reminded members that parliamentary rules allow cancellation of membership after repeated absences.

Abro remarked that if the minister wanted to fight corruption he should attend the committee, adding that his absence reflected poorly on governance. The committee also postponed agenda items related to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after discovering junior officers had been deputed to represent the province, directing that provincial secretaries attend future meetings or face referral to the Privileges Committee.