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

In fight mode

In fight mode

The bouts between political parties and establishment take a toll on country far more than they do on political parties.

Editorial

Meltdown
08 Apr, 2025

Meltdown

A full-blown trade war is upon us as the era of the rules-based, multilateral trading order is nearly over.
Settling differences
Updated 08 Apr, 2025

Settling differences

Unless there is a broad agreement on the path forward, the country will remain trapped in a cycle of recurring instability.
Glacial ingenuity
08 Apr, 2025

Glacial ingenuity

NECESSITY is indeed the mother of invention, as witnessed in Gilgit-Baltistan. In these areas, where climate change...
Going dry
Updated 07 Apr, 2025

Going dry

Authorities should refrain from undertaking any water scheme that infringes on rights of any federating unit to avoid more controversies.
Afghan return
07 Apr, 2025

Afghan return

AS expected, the government of Pakistan is moving ahead with its plan to forcibly repatriate Afghan Citizenship Card...
Hurting women
07 Apr, 2025

Hurting women

MONTH after month, the figures of crimes against women in the country indicate that our society is close to...