February 10, 2007	Saturday	Muharram 21, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Feb 9: The management of the Pakistan Steel Mills Corporation (PMSC) has said that the award of $23 million contract to the Ukrainian firm for the repair of coke oven batteries was made by public tender and finalised strictly in accordance with the rules formulated by Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA).

Clarifying the Dawn’s February 6 report, the PSMC said that the evaluation criteria and bids evaluation reports remained on PPRA and Pakistan Steel’s websites for the period as prescribed by PPRA so as to ensure complete transparency in the process.

No objection was whatsoever raised either by the unsuccessful bidder or any other concerned quarter at any stage and to date still has not been raised, it added.

Our reporter adds: The clarification did not question facts given in the news report that was based on official documents.