A recent federal government audit has uncovered that the Senate of Pakistan bypassed key procurement regulations by acquiring food, beverages, and related supplies valued at Rs. 28.259 million over a four-year period without adhering to the mandatory vendor pre-qualification process required under the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules. The audit, covering the years 2020 to 2024, points to systemic non-compliance within the Senate Secretariat regarding procurement practices.
Audit records reveal that the Senate Secretariat engaged multiple private firms—including Café Meet & Eat, Heaven Food & Caterers, Jillani Caters, and Naveed Caterers & Event Management—for the provision of food and catering services. However, these engagements were carried out without the requisite due diligence or competitive bidding processes stipulated under federal procurement laws. The procurement also extended beyond consumables to include electric appliances, further amplifying concerns over the lack of procedural transparency.
This deviation from established procurement norms raises serious questions about accountability and oversight in the use of public funds within one of the highest legislative bodies in the country. The absence of vendor pre-qualification not only undermines fair competition but also increases the risk of financial mismanagement, favoritism, and substandard service delivery.
