ISLAMABAD, March 3: The Transparency International Pakistan has asked three political leaders to provide details of their allegations that irregularities have been committed in the procurement process for the Metro bus project launched by the Punjab government in Lahore recently.

In separate letters written on Saturday, TIP chairman Sohail Muzaffar asked Deputy Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Q leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf chief Imran Khan and Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira of Pakistan People’s Party to submit details of their allegations in a week for consideration by the organisation in examining the application of Punjab Procurement Rules 2009 in laptop, Ujala programme and Metro bus projects.

He informed the three politicians that TIP over the past five months had signed memoranda of understanding with the PTA, Benazir Income Support Programme and PIA for implementation of the ‘integrity pact’.

Three Punjab government departments – energy, higher education and Lahore Development Authority – also signed the MoUs with the TIP. In pursuance of the Punjab government’s request, TIP under these agreements would examine the application of rules in the procurement process of the projects.

TIP chairman said the PML-Q leader had alleged that the biggest corruption in Asia had been committed in the `Jangla’ bus project. Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi also alleged that the actual cost of the bus project had not been made public, rules and procedures not followed and planning and ground realities had been ignored in a rush to complete the project.