Islamabad, (Newsman): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday instructed relevant authorities to implement third-party validation and quality assurance for all government procurement processes.
During a meeting to review governance and public procurement practices, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of reforming the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) to eliminate any undue influence.
He stressed that transparent procurement across government institutions is essential for boosting foreign investors’ confidence in Pakistan.
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The Prime Minister also called for the establishment of an independent committee, separate from the procurement agency, to handle complaints related to the procurement process.
He directed that only qualified, professional, and experienced individuals be appointed to the PPRA on merit.
Further, he instructed all government departments to adopt e-Procurement (e-PADS) systems and set up dedicated procurement cells for efficient purchasing and service acquisition.
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In the meeting, the Prime Minister was briefed that a review of the PPRA Ordinance and related regulations had been completed, and amendments would soon be submitted for cabinet approval. These changes aim to enhance transparency and modernize procurement practices.
The meeting was attended by key figures including Finance Minister Aurangzeb Khan, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Petroleum Minister Dr. Musadik Malik, Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja, PPRA Board members, and the World Bank Country Director.