ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an inquiry into the alleged procurement violations in a dredging contract awarded by the Karachi Port Trust (KPT).

Documents reveal that KPT recommended awarding the dredging contract to a Chinese company despite the technical committee’s concerns against this firm.

A four-member committee has been formed, led by the chairman of PM’s Inspection Commission.

The committee includes the Secretary of the Cabinet Division, the Managing Director of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority, and a representative from the Intelligence Bureau Division.

The committee is tasked with investigating any deviations, omissions, or violations in the technical and financial evaluation of the tendering process.

They will review the rationale for qualifying or disqualifying bidders, identify responsible individuals or departments, and provide recommendations for addressing the issues and safeguarding public interest.

The technical committee evaluated bids from four international companies and found the Chinese firm’s equipment non-compliant with timelines and quality standards.

Besides, the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) had earlier raised concerns about the transparency of the process, emphasising the need to publish the technical report. KPT responded that the report was withheld pending final discussions with the Chinese firm.

Incidentally, a senior official of the KPT said that the award of contract to a non-compliant bidder could jeopardise the project’s critical deadlines, endangering vessel navigation during the monsoon season.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2025

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

A year later
Updated 08 Feb, 2025

A year later

A war of egos has been fought between a handful of individuals at the cost of the well-being of millions of ordinary Pakistanis.
Wheat decision
08 Feb, 2025

Wheat decision

THE federal decision to stop setting the minimum support price for wheat and cease the staple’s procurement...
Dhanmondi attack
08 Feb, 2025

Dhanmondi attack

HISTORY has shown that unless states deliver development and equal rights to all, disenfranchised people can target...
Depopulating Gaza
Updated 07 Feb, 2025

Depopulating Gaza

The least feasible "solution" is the Trumpian plan for Gaza’s ethnic cleansing and occupation, which is a non-starter.
‘Pause’ in US aid
07 Feb, 2025

‘Pause’ in US aid

THE impact of the Trump administration’s decision to ‘pause’ all US foreign aid programmes, especially those...
Mobilising opposition
07 Feb, 2025

Mobilising opposition

POLITICS makes strange bedfellows. There has not, for quite some time, been a guest list as intriguing as the one...