Transparency International urges PM to halt Rs20 billion airport project

ISLAMABAD: Transparency International Pakistan has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to suspend a proposed Rs20 billion airport development project, raising concerns over the procurement process and compliance with public procurement rules.

In a letter addressed to the prime minister, the organisation called for the project to be halted until all legal and procedural requirements are fulfilled, arguing that the current process could undermine transparency and competition.

Transparency International Pakistan also recommended an independent review of the project's planning, bidding and approval procedures to ensure compliance with the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Rules.

The organisation maintained that public projects involving significant expenditure should be awarded through transparent and competitive processes to safeguard public funds.

The matter has been brought to the attention of the federal government for consideration, while no official response had been issued regarding the recommendations at the time of the development.