ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of a complaint submitted by Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) regarding alleged violations of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL).
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier has directed relevant authorities to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation into the reported irregularities in SNGPL’s tendering process. He further instructed that strict action should be taken if the allegations are proven during the inquiry.
The complaint submitted by TIP relates to the procurement of air intake gas elements and pre-filter socks, where alleged non-compliance with PPRA guidelines has been raised. The watchdog has approached the PM Office, claiming procedural violations in the tender process.
SNGPL to Provide Gas from 3am to 10:30pm in Ramzan
In its correspondence, TIP also highlighted that the PPRA Review Board had already identified the case as “mis-procurement” under relevant rules, yet the tender has not been cancelled so far.
The organisation raised several concerns, including the restriction of the tender to foreign bidders only, the criteria used to declare a bidder non-responsive, and questions over the evaluation of technical documentation such as material test reports and manufacturer identification details.
TIP has also questioned the justification for the continued status of the tender despite earlier regulatory findings, urging authorities to clarify the process and ensure compliance with procurement laws.
Officials say the matter will now undergo further scrutiny following the prime minister’s directive, with accountability measures to be taken if procedural violations are confirmed.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.