ISLAMABAD: Transparency International Pakistan (TI-P) has questioned the procurement of a Gulfstream GVII-G500 aircraft by the Punjab government, alleging violations of the Punjab Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Rules, 2014.
In a letter addressed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, TI-P stated that it had received a complaint alleging non-compliance with mandatory procurement procedures in the purchase of the aircraft.
According to the complaint, the Punjab government acquired a 2019-manufactured Gulfstream GVII-G500 aircraft at an estimated cost of Rs 11 billion without following open competitive bidding procedures. The complainant argued that public procurement laws at both federal and provincial levels require all government-funded acquisitions to be conducted through transparent and competitive processes.
The complaint further alleged that the failure to conduct open bidding raises serious concerns regarding transparency, procedural compliance, and value for money. Under the Punjab PPRA Rules 2014, any deviation from open competitive bidding must be strictly justified under recognized exceptions; otherwise, the procurement constitutes mis-procurement.
TI-P, after a preliminary review of the allegations, stated that prima facie the concerns appear valid. It maintained that the provincial government was required to float a public tender for the aircraft and that the purchase without competitive bidding may amount to a violation of the PPRA Rules. Citing Rule 22 of the Punjab PPRA Rules 2014, TI-P noted that open competitive bidding is the principal method of procurement for goods, services, and works unless otherwise specified. Rule 12 further requires procurements exceeding Rs 2 million to be advertised on the Authority’s website, the procuring agency’s website, and in at least two widely circulated national newspapers — one in English and one in Urdu. For international procurements, international advertisement is also required.
TI-P pointed out that even Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has historically procured aircraft through open competitive bidding, including dry and wet lease arrangements, in line with transparency and fair competition principles. The organization also referred to Rule 59(c)(v), which allows direct contracting only under limited circumstances — such as when a single manufacturer exists or in cases of a declared emergency. However, TI-P argued that neither condition appears applicable in this case, as multiple manufacturers produce similar aircraft and the procurement of an aircraft does not qualify as an emergency purchase.
TI-P urged the Chief Minister to direct relevant authorities to determine why the Finance, Planning & Development, or concerned departments permitted the purchase to proceed without public tendering. It further requested that, if the allegations are found correct, action be initiated against the officials responsible for approving the procurement in violation of mandatory provincial procurement rules.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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