The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs has directed authorities to investigate alleged irregularities in World Bank-funded road infrastructure projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising concerns over transparency in the procurement process.
The committee, which met at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Senator Saifullah Abro, reviewed the progress of foreign-funded development projects, including road schemes in KP, the Karachi Mobility Project (BRT Yellow Line), and the Akram Wah Canal Project.
During the meeting, members questioned the bidding process for several road projects in KP, alleging that contracts had been divided into multiple packages in a way that benefited selected contractors. They also raised objections to the use of the Single Stage One Envelope bidding method instead of the Single Stage Two Envelope procedure, saying the approach reduced transparency.
Officials from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Communication and Works Department informed the committee that financial bids had been opened before the technical evaluation of the lowest bidder.
Committee members said the practice was inconsistent with the principles of transparent procurement and PPRA rules.
The Economic Affairs Division (EAD) told the committee that the provincial government had requested the World Bank to allow the Single Stage One Envelope method because of the project’s urgency.
Expressing concern that only a few contractors had secured multiple contracts, Senator Saifullah Abro directed the EAD to seek a comprehensive inquiry into the matter.
He also recommended legal action against those responsible, recovery of any excess public funds resulting from inflated tender costs, and asked the division to request the World Bank to examine the procurement as a possible case of misprocurement.
The committee further recommended that the federal government reduce its dependence on foreign loans by limiting new externally funded development projects. It also directed the EAD to arrange a meeting with the World Bank’s Country Director and share the committee’s findings with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government through the chief secretary.
Reviewing the Karachi Mobility Project, members were informed that the BRT Yellow Line is expected to be completed by December 2028. The Sindh government also plans to procure 250 electric buses under a public-private partnership model. The committee instructed officials to ensure complete transparency and submit details of all proposals, including subsidy arrangements.
On the Akram Wah Canal Project, committee members expressed dissatisfaction over the non-disclosure of key project documents. Officials explained that World Bank procurement rules prevent the release of contract-related information before the completion of the bidding process.
The committee directed authorities to provide a timeline for finalising the contract and stressed the need for strict oversight to prevent irregularities during bid evaluation.
Read also: KP Auqaf Properties Under NAB Scrutiny Over Alleged Corruption and Irregularities
