E-Gate Contract Concerns Raised Over Airport Project

E-gate contract concerns have surfaced after a watchdog flagged issues in a major airport project. Transparency International Pakistan raised questions in a letter dated April 27. As a result, it urged authorities to review the Rs. 20 billion deal carefully.

Watchdog Flags Procurement Irregularities

Transparency said it received a complaint about the contract process. The complaint alleged that officials did not follow open bidding rules. Instead, they reportedly awarded the contract to a preselected group.
According to the letter, authorities may have used PPRA Rule 42(f). However, this rule applies only in specific cases. Critics argued that those conditions were not met in this situation.
In addition, the complaint highlighted a lack of in-house expertise. It claimed the authority did not have the resources to complete the project alone. Therefore, the use of this rule raised serious concerns.
Transparency noted that these claims appear valid at first review. As a result, it warned of possible mis-procurement if proven. It also stressed the need for strict compliance with procurement laws.

Missing Documents and Pricing Questions

The letter also pointed out missing records on the PPRA website. For example, key documents like the evaluation report were not available. This gap raised further transparency concerns.
Moreover, the complaint questioned price checks and ownership disclosures. It also raised doubts about performance bond requirements. These issues suggest gaps in the approval process.
One major claim involved pricing. The complaint alleged that the contract cost is nearly double the market rate. If confirmed, this could lead to penalties under integrity rules.
Transparency urged officials to review the case and ensure open bidding. It also shared the letter with key institutions to ensure accountability.