PPRA rolls out reform plan to strengthen public procurement system

The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) has prepared a comprehensive reform plan aimed at improving transparency, efficiency and oversight in public procurement, Managing Director PPRA Hasnat Ahmed Qureshi said on Monday.

Briefing on the reforms, Qureshi said a special pool of procurement experts was being developed to enhance professional capacity across departments. He added that a dedicated desk had also been established to manage the e-procurement (e-PADS) system, under which procurement processes have already begun.

Qureshi said amendments had been introduced to the Public Procurement Rules, 2004, while a PPRA amendment ordinance was also in the pipeline to further strengthen the legal framework. He noted that around 10,000 individuals had so far received specialised training in procurement management as part of capacity-building efforts.

As part of measures to ensure accountability, procurement data has been made accessible to the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP), the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Auditor General of Pakistan. The prime minister has approved the reform roadmap, he said.

Qureshi added that a help desk remains operational throughout the day to support stakeholders. He said the integration of systems had improved competition and transparency, while procurement processes under the programme were currently being implemented at the federal level and in three provinces.