PM Takes Notice of Alleged Corruption in PPRA

By Newztodays Team:

Islamabad: The Prime Minister has taken serious notice of allegations of corruption, misuse of authority, favoritism, and nepotism against some Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) officers and seeks a report. It was revealed that PPRA employees are paid millions of rupees monthly in the name of honoraria, and that too from the World Bank repayable loan. Pakistan’s Ranking Improved in Corruption Index

Payment of honoraria (equal to 12 basic pays) is not only illegal but without precedent. Almost every PPRA employee is also being paid a 20% additional allowance for one reason or another.

It was disclosed that in utter violation of the basic principles of administration, the country’s Chief Payment Officer (CGA) was also the country’s Chief Procurement Officer (MD-PPRA). This was the best example of conflict-of-interest violations in Pakistan.

I would, therefore, advise you to please look into this matter immediately and seek the guidance of the PPRA Board, including on any recoveries of an unauthorized grant of honoraria that may need to be made,” the letter said.
Another letter issued by the Cabinet Division to MD Public Procurement Regulatory Authority Islamabad, No. 11-10/2019-RA-III(PPRA) Islamabad, on July 25, 2024, referred to the Prime Minister’s Office U.O. No. 1(1)/DS(Cabinet)/2024(581) dated 31.05.2024 on the subject noted above and stated that multiple complaints have been received from the Prime Minister’s Office relating to serious allegations of corruption, misuse of authority, favoritism, and nepotism against some of the PPRA officers.
The PPRA’s Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) has been deciding all irregular procurement cases in favor of the contractors, thereby causing billions of rupees in loss to the public exchequer. These cases mostly pertain to NHA, Pak PWD, Power & Energy Sector, and Utility Stores Corporation (USC).

The letter stated that it was alleged that officers and officials of PPRA are involved in financial and moral corruption. They commit fraud, tampering, bogus documentation, blackmailing, and terrorist activities, possess criminal and dishonest mindsets, and are mostly involved in moral and administrative turpitude.
The most prominent PPRA officers mentioned in numerous complaints include (1) Muhammad Khurshid, (2) Ali Temoor, (3) Yasir Shamim Khan, (4) Shehyar Masood, (5) Abdul Nabi, (6) Atiq Haider Baig, (7) Asma Shaheen, (8) Muhammad Nadeem, (9) Muhammad Tariq Javed Khan, and (10) Maqbool Ahmed Gondol.

The letter said the PPRA blatantly misuses the World Bank loan money (E-PADS) for undue honoraria. Therefore, the matter may be placed before the PPRA Board for its consideration and directions, and the outcome of which be shared with this Division for onward transmission to the Prime Minister’s Office.

The complainant said in utter violation of the basic principles of administration, the country’s Chief Payment Officer (CGA) also remained the country’s Chief Procurement Officer (MD-PPRA). The complaint said that with the connivance of the PPRA’s Appeal Committee comprising DG (Legal), DG (M&E), and MD-PPRA, every month around 40 irregular procurement cases were decided in favor of the contractors causing billions of rupees loss to the public. These cases mostly pertain to entities like USC, NHA, PPWD, and the Power and Energy Sector.

The letter said to keep their mouths shut, PPRA employees are paid millions of rupees monthly in the name of honoraria, and that too from the WB repayable loan. Payment of honoraria (equal to 12 basic pays) is not only illegal but without precedent. Almost every PPRA employee is also being paid a 20% additional allowance for one reason or another.

PPRA has adopted a lucrative pay package without the approval of the federal government and the concurrence of the Finance Division, causing a recurring loss of millions of rupees to the public every month.