ISLAMABAD: Balochistan chapter of Pakistan Baitul Maal has raised serious concerns regarding the non-delivery of wheelchairs by contractors, despite full advance payment being made in June 2025.

According to letter sent to the head office of Pakistan Baitul Maal (PBM) in Islamabad, and its copy forwarded to the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation, supplier M/S ASMD has not been supplying wheelchairs and sewing machines for distribution among the poor and needy in the province.

PBM had ordered 1,035 wheelchairs intended for distribution among persons with disabilities across the province. However, despite the lapse of more than a month, the contracted suppliers have yet to deliver the equipment.

`We fulfilled all financial obligations in June, but not a single wheelchair has been delivered,` stated a senior PBM official in Quetta. `This delay is unacceptable and is causing distress to the beneficiaries who are in urgent need.

Meanwhile, sources within the department confirmed that multiple reminders have been issued to the contractors, but no satisfactory response or timeline providedfor delivery.

On the other hand, the managing director of PBM, retired Capt Sahaheen Butt, did not respond to the query despite the passing of several days. He was also asked the reasons for the award of the majority of contracts to just two suppliers-M/S ASMD and M/S Faisal Traders-for a total of Rs 148.21 million in 2024-25.

Similarly, Mr Faisal of Faisal Traders was also asked the reasons for the delay in the supply of items and the reasons for his successes in winning contracts with PBM, but he also did not respond after several days.

Established in 1991, PBM is an autonomous body that contributes to poverty alleviation through various poorest of the poverty-focused services and assists destitute, widows, orphans, invalids, the infirm, and other needy persons, according to eligibility criteria approved by the Bait-ul-Mal board.