Key Takeaways
- Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) has asked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to suspend a Rs. 20 billion e-Gate project.
- The organization claims the project violates public procurement rules and lacks transparency in its bidding process.
- TIP recommends an independent inquiry into alleged irregularities before proceeding with the contract.
Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) has called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to immediately halt a Rs. 20 billion e-Gate project proposed by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA). In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister’s Office, TIP highlighted concerns over alleged irregularities in the procurement process.
According to TIP, the PAA initially invited international bids for e-gates and related systems in 2020 but failed to award any contract. After issuing a fresh Expression of Interest in 2024, three companies were shortlisted before the competitive bidding process was reportedly abandoned. TIP argues that Rule 42(f) of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Rules, 2004, which allows for bypassing competitive bidding under exceptional circumstances, does not apply to this project.
The organization expressed skepticism regarding the eligibility of the company reportedly being considered for the contract. TIP noted that preliminary checks did not confirm the firm’s registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), its inclusion on the Federal Board of Revenue’s Active Taxpayer List, sales tax registration, or registration with the Pakistan Engineering Council—all requirements for such procurements.
In a letter dated July 16, TIP stated that consultants hired by the PAA in January 2026 recommended issuing the tender solely to the company under Rule 42(f). The organization urged an independent review of this recommendation. Additionally, TIP questioned why an unsolicited proposal from a foreign company for passenger information and passenger name record systems was considered outside the PPRA framework.
TIP’s letter emphasized that preliminary checks suggested the allegations against the project had merit. It recommended suspending the procurement process until an independent inquiry is completed. The organization further called on the government to ensure the project is awarded through a transparent international competitive bidding process if the inquiry confirms any irregularities, and urged action against officials found responsible for violating public procurement rules.
The e-Gate project aims to introduce biometric verification and passport authentication systems at airports. TIP’s concerns revolve around the transparency of the bidding process and the eligibility of the companies involved in the project. The organization believes that these issues need to be addressed before any further steps are taken.
