Pakistani officials say the country is facing a hefty bill for a waste‑management deal with South Africa, and a key player named Masood is leading the effort to sort it out.
The arrangement, which was meant to help Pakistan tackle growing landfill problems, has come under fire because the costs will be higher than originally projected. The payment will touch the government’s budget and could strain other public services.
“We’re going to take a very front‑row approach,” said Masood, who heads the ministry’s environmental office. He promised to review the contract and push for better terms, arguing that Pakistan deserves a fair deal. Masood also warned that wasteful spending could hurt the nation’s economic recovery if the government cannot control the outlay.
Analysts say the deal is part of a wider trend of nations investing in waste‑processing plants that can create jobs but also carry high overheads. They point out that Southern African companies are often seen as capable of handling large projects, but the price tags need scrutiny.
The government is preparing to renegotiate with South African partners, and Masood has indicated that a new agenda will focus on cost efficiency and transparency. People who have watched the negotiations say the outcome will influence how Pakistan manages waste in the coming years and how it handles future external contracts. The key will be whether Masood can bring the deal back into a budget that protects public services while still addressing the waste crisis.
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