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 for pilgrims and overseas job seekers, Dawn reported.
It is alleged that the previous vaccination arrangement cost around Rs1,250 per dose per person, whereas the amount under the new arrangement is approximately Rs4,500 per pilgrim.
According to a Prime Minister's Office notification, a five-member committee headed by the Cabinet Division secretary — including the IB director general, DRAP's CEO, an Attorney General representative and the PPRA managing director as member/secretary — must submit its report within 48 hours.
The committee will examine the full procurement process, the legal basis for the PPP arrangement, bidding documents, price reasonableness and public-interest safeguards, and recommend corrective measures if irregularities are found.
Seven pharmaceutical companies have already challenged the tender in the Islamabad High Court, alleging procurement-rule violations and a lack of transparency. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal and BHS maintain that all rules were followed.
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