A federal audit has revealed that the Senate of Pakistan violated procurement rules in purchases worth over Rs28 million. The spending took place between 2020 and 2024 and included food, beverages, and electric appliances.
According to official documents, the Senate Secretariat bought catering services and related items without following the required vendor qualification process. This is a clear violation of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Rules 2004.
Private vendors such as Café Meet & Eat, Heaven Food & Caterers, Jillani Caters, and Naveed Caterers & Event Management were hired without pre-qualification. The services were used for events involving parliamentarians, foreign delegations, and other VIP guests.
The Senate management said the purchases were made urgently and often on credit due to short-notice events. However, the Auditor General rejected this reasoning. The audit report states that emergency needs do not excuse bypassing proper procedures.
The Auditor General labeled the procurement “irregular and non-competitive.” It said skipping the pre-qualification process affected transparency and fairness. It also questioned whether the government got the best value for taxpayer money.
The audit emphasized that competitive bidding ensures fair pricing and quality service. By ignoring PPRA rules, the Senate may have overpaid or received substandard services.
This report raises serious concerns about accountability and transparency in public spending. It also highlights the need for stricter enforcement of procurement rules within government institutions.
The findings will likely spark further scrutiny into spending practices within the Parliament. No official response has yet been made regarding whether the involved vendors or officials will face action.
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