MD PPRA Hasanat Ahmed Qureshi, while talking to media representatives the other day, said that the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) has implemented significant reforms in the government procurement system in line with the federal government’s Digital Pakistan Vision and international best practices. Under these reforms, more than 526,000 procurement transactions were completed through the e-Pak Acquisition and Disposal System (e-PADS) during the fiscal year 2024–25, with a total value of Rs. 1,408.58 trillion.
According to sources, he stated that the core of the digital transformation of public procurement is e-PADS, which has already automated and brought transparency to procurement processes across the country. An upgraded version of the system, e-PADS 2.0, is set to be launched soon. Hasanat Ahmed Qureshi said that after assessments by international and local experts, a comprehensive reform program was initiated in 2024 with the Prime Minister’s approval. This program includes legal amendments, implementation of digital systems, capacity building, and institutional reforms.
After the implementation of e-PADS at the federal level and in three provinces, 9,846 procuring agencies and 43,000 suppliers, including 600 international companies, have registered on the system so far. The MD PPRA added that the system has been integrated with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), NADRA, SECP, Pakistan Engineering Council, FABS, provincial revenue authorities, and DRAP. Separate digital dashboards have also been developed for the Auditor General, NAB, PEC, and the Competition Commission.
According to Hasanat Qureshi, the implementation of e-PADS has enhanced transparency in the bidding process, reduced collusion, and significantly increased competition. Previously, only two to three bidders participated in open tenders, whereas now five to seven bidders take part. Blacklisted companies have been barred from participation, and the system also provides an effective grievance redressal mechanism with delay tracking. Bidding processes for goods and services worth more than Rs. 500 million and development projects exceeding Rs. 1 billion are being broadcast live.
Discussing future plans, the MD PPRA said that e-PADS 2.0 will be introduced at the federal level in January 2026, followed by Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir in February, and the provinces in March. He further stated that donor-funded procurement will be fully shifted to e-PADS by the end of 2026, and an online procurement academy is also being established.
Hasanat Qureshi said that the new rules include mandatory e-procurement, transparent oversight, an independent grievance forum, faster procurement procedures, and professional practices. PPRA has provided training to 10,000 government officials and supplier representatives across the country, and IT and sectoral experts have been recruited within the organization. He concluded that these reforms are a decisive step toward making Pakistan’s procurement system modern, transparent, and aligned with international standards.
