Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an investigation into alleged irregularities in the purchase of vaccines for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
A high-level committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary has been formed to investigate the vaccine purchases and includes the DG Intelligence Bureau, the head of DRAP, a representative from the Attorney General’s Office, and the MD, PEPERA.
According to the order, the first meeting of this investigative committee will be held in Islamabad on Saturday morning, while the Prime Minister’s investigative committee has been directed to submit a report within 48 hours.
According to the notification issued in this regard, the committee will investigate the prices of the vaccines, the tender procedure and revenue sharing agreements.
The contract for the supply of vaccines has been challenged in the Islamabad High Court by 7 companies, while there are also questions over the collection of about Rs 4,500 from Umrah pilgrims for the vaccination package.
Officials say that Saudi Arabia has not made influenza vaccine mandatory for Umrah.
