THE procurement guidelines developed by the International Federation of Consulting Engineers have long served as a foundational framework for international procurement practices. These principles were later adapted and incorporated by the World Bank and have since been adopted, in varying degrees, by several development agencies and regulatory authorities.
Although the new framework initially appeared complex for implementing agencies, it was rapidly adopted and effectively implemented in Pakistan as well. However, the absence of a structured advisory and review mechanism remains a significant gap within the Electronic Pakistan Acquisition and Disposal System (e-PADS) framework. The authorities should seek technical collaboration with the World Bank to strengthen and expand the implementation of e-PADS nationwide.
Strengthening technical review, advisory support and capacity-building mechanisms at the national level could significantly enhance the effectiveness and credibility of public procurement systems.
It is important to recognise that procurement activities vary significantly in scope and complexity. Expert involvement ensures that procurement decisions are appropriately tailored to specific requirements while remaining fully compliant with all the governing rules and principles.
Furthermore, procurement experts contribute significantly by introducing updated formats, procedures, and evolving documentation practices in line with most emerging global trends, thereby ensuring transparency and ease of interpretation.
Globally, more than 60 per cent of the countries have adopted e-procurement systems due to their many advantages in transparency, efficiency, auditability and performance monitoring.
Digital procurement platforms enable timely tracking, reduce the element of human discretion, and minimise opportu- nities for malpractice, thereby strengthening governance in public procurement. Without addressing the existing gaps, the performance and outcomes of e-PADS are likely to remain similar to past experiences.
Eijaz Zaman Khan
Hyderabad
Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2026
