PM Orders Third-Party Verification For Transparent Government Purchases.
PM Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the authorities to attain third-party validation, which includes quality assurance, while making procurements by the government. While addressing a session to review the practice of governance and procurement, PM shared with everyone that government buys or procurements must be transparent for transparency in their purchase.
He said that transparent procurement is essential to generate trust among foreign investors in Pakistan. Prime Minister also demanded the reforms in the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), purging any influence and working on its effectiveness.
The governmental institutions’ top priority is to ensure that services and goods are procured in a clear, fair way. Concerns in the purchasing process were taken care of by having the Prime Minister instruct the formation of a new committee, apart from the agency, which deals with complaints against the procurement procedures.
He emphasized appointment at PPRA level of professionals with experience in the relevant field, purely on merit. The Prime Minister had also directed all government departments to adopt e-Procurement systems called e-PADS and to establish special procurement cells to streamline purchase and services acquisition.
During the session, officials briefed that a review of the PPRA Ordinance and its connected rules have been carried out. Amendments will be forwarded to the federal cabinet shortly. According to officials, changes are being made to the legislation, meant to increase transparency in the process and make it comply with the modern standard.
Key figures who attended the meeting include Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Petroleum Minister Dr. Musadik Malik, and many others.
