PM orders probe into vaccine procurement for pilgrims
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an inquiry into the procurement of meningococcal meningitis and influenza vaccines by Border Health Services-Pakistan under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement for pilgrims and overseas job seekers. It is alleged that the previous vaccination arrangement involved a cost of around Rs1,250 per dose per person, whereas the amount under…
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed a five-member committee to investigate the procurement of meningococcal meningitis and influenza vaccines by the Border Health Services-Pakistan for pilgrims and overseas job seekers. The committee, headed by the Cabinet Division secretary, will scrutinize the procurement process, legal compliance, bidding procedures and financial implications of the PPP arrangement.
Seven pharmaceutical companies have contested the tender in the Islamabad High Court, alleging violations of procurement rules and a lack of transparency. The committee has been tasked with assessing the rationale, legal basis and approvals for adopting the PPP arrangement, as well as examining the bidding documents and evaluation criteria.
It will also look into compliance with procurement timelines, grievance-redressal mechanisms and mandatory publication requirements. The committee has been given 48 hours to submit its report to the prime minister, detailing its findings and recommendations.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
