NiazSoomro, the Project Director for the Malir Expressway, has firmly rejected Transparency International’s claims that the project failed to adhere to SEPA regulations. In a written response to Transparency International’s trustee/legal advisor, Advocate DaniyalMozaffar, Soomro asserted that the procurement for the Malir Expressway project was conducted in full compliance with the international SPP Rules 2010.
Soomro clarified that the companies awarded the contract for the Malir Expressway had met all legal requirements before being granted the project.
He detailed that the bidding documents required participants to fulfill criteria, including registration with tax authorities. Advertisements for the project were placed in national and international newspapers, resulting in three bids. The consortium led by M/s J.N. & Co., along with M/s Niaz Mohammad Khan & Brothers and Habib Construction Services Limited, was evaluated based on technical and financial criteria. The Technical and Financial Evaluation Committee (TFEC) deemed all bids compliant with the stated standards. The project director emphasized that M/s J.N. & Co., which submitted the winning bid, provided all necessary documentation, including FBR registration details.
The best bid from this consortium was awarded the contract in line with SPP Rules, 2010. Furthermore, the successful bidder established ‘Malir Expressway (Private) Limited’ with a registration number 0148475, dated March 2, 2020, to act as the concessionaire. Soomro pointed out that the company mentioned in Transparency International’s letter, M/s J.N. Construction Company (Private) Limited, is a separate entity that neither participated in the bidding process nor received any procurement contract.
He criticized the anonymous complainant for lacking understanding of the procurement process and attempting to undermine the project’s credibility. Soomro urged Transparency International Pakistan to address the unfounded allegations against the Malir Expressway project. He assured that the department remains committed to transparency and is ready to clarify any genuine questions or concerns regarding the project.
