ISLAMABAD– The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has reportedly sought approval to arrest Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in the procurement of vaccines for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and overseas jobseekers.
Reports said the case centres on a five-year procurement agreement worth Rs10.445 billion for meningitis and influenza vaccines.
The investigation agency has reportedly estimated that the deal involved excess expenditure of Rs2.445 billion. Investigators alleged that vaccines were purchased at prices exceeding those prescribed by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, resulting in substantial financial losses to the national treasury.
Three officials have already been arrested in connection with the case. They include Border Health Services Pakistan Director Dr Abid Hussain Shah, former director Pradeep Kumar and Medical Officer Dr Syed Ghulam Murtaza Shah.
Investigators are examining how the procurement was initiated, how bidding requirements were prepared and how the private supplier was selected and approved.
According to the FIA, Pharma Connect secured the contract after reportedly being the only company to submit a bid. The agency suspected that the procurement proceeded without a proper market assessment, independent price evaluation or comparison with alternative offers.
Pradeep Kumar is accused of influencing the tender process through changes to the procurement committee’s composition and leadership. Dr Murtaza Shah allegedly facilitated the company’s selection, while Dr Abid Hussain Shah faces accusations of irregularities during the approval process.
Sources said investigators are now examining the involvement of senior health ministry officials, including the minister’s coordinator and former secretary, to determine whether the minister’s office influenced the agreement.
Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered a formal investigation into the purchase of meningococcal meningitis and influenza vaccines by Border Health Services-Pakistan under a public-private partnership (PPP) model for Hajj pilgrims and Pakistanis travelling abroad for employment.
The inquiry followed concerns over a significant increase in vaccination costs. Under the earlier arrangement, the estimated expense was around Rs1,250 per dose for each individual, while the new system reportedly involves a payment of approximately Rs4,500 per pilgrim.
According to a notification from the Prime Minister’s Office, a five-member investigation committee has been established to review the procurement exercise and assess whether all relevant legal and regulatory requirements were followed.
The committee will be led by the Secretary of the Cabinet Division. Its other members include the Director General of the Intelligence Bureau, the Chief Executive Officer of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), a nominee of the Attorney General for Pakistan and the Managing Director of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), who will also act as the committee’s secretary.
The panel has been instructed to conduct a comprehensive review of the entire procurement process, including the decision to adopt the public-private partnership model, its legal justification and the approvals obtained from relevant authorities.
It will also assess compliance with PPRA regulations and examine tender-related documents, including vaccine requirements, payment arrangements, standard bidding conditions and the criteria used to evaluate competing offers.
Meanwhile, seven pharmaceutical companies have approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC), challenging the tender process and alleging breaches of procurement regulations and a lack of transparency.
