ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken decisive action by forming a fact-finding committee to delve into serious allegations against employees of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA). These accusations include the mishandling of funds from the World Bank-supported EPADS (E-Pak Acquisition & Disposal System) project.
The committee is led by Brig (R) Muzaffar Ali Ranjha, who serves as the Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission (PMIC). The team includes representatives from the PMIC, as well as the Commerce, Cabinet, and Finance Divisions, and PPRA’s Legal Directorate. If necessary, they can bring in additional members to ensure a thorough investigation.
The committee’s mandate is comprehensive, covering all aspects of the allegations, which include embezzlement, abuse of power, and corruption within PPRA. A key focus will be the honoraria distributed to PPRA employees between FY2020-21 and 2023-24 for their roles in the project, an issue that has raised many eyebrows.
To support this crucial investigation, the Cabinet Division will provide secretarial assistance, and the committee is expected to present its findings and recommendations to the prime minister within just one week.
Interestingly, the Managing Director of PPRA had already informed the PM’s Office that PPRA had initiated its own internal fact-finding mission to address these allegations. The MD outlined that the EPADS project, a part of the Public Financial Management Reform Strategy (2017-2028), had a total budget of Rs12.5 billion. So far, Rs450 million has been spent, with another Rs550 million set to be paid, making the overall cost Rs1 billion. This project, despite its controversies, is projected to save Rs11.5 billion.
A significant portion of the committee’s attention will likely focus on the Rs74.8 million disbursed as honoraria to PPRA employees over the last few years. Due to a staffing shortage, with only seven out of 24 sanctioned positions filled, these funds were allocated to compensate those taking on the additional project responsibilities. The outcome of this investigation could have far-reaching implications for how such projects are managed and monitored in the future..
