Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) is an organization which investigates corruption issues.  It has been working to find outif the power rental projects had any issues but the information gathering has been difficult. As is common in developing countries, not much information is shared by the government, although by law they are supposed to do provide such information.

TIP has sought help of Pakistan Power Resources (PPR), one of the rental power producers, to press Pepco and Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB) for provision of rental projects documents for thorough scrutiny. PPR had written to TIP, offering its full co-operation in reviewing the viability of rental projects.

Business Recorder adds:

“We had requested the Minister for Water and Power for the copies of the tender documents containing terms of reference and GoP terms (in order to confirm that all bidders were provided the information that GoP will pay 7 to 14 percent advance payments, the evaluation criteria declared and given to bidders 10 days before the award of contract under Rule 35, copy of the Integrity Pact signed by the bidders, and contract agreements, evaluation reports, and compliance of Rule 35 of Public Procurement Rules, 2004,” stated TIP in its letter to PPR.

“According to the laws of Pakistan, it is mandatory on Pepco and PPIB to provide necessary information to TIP. Failure of the Ministry and the procuring agencies to respond to requests is cementing doubts created by print and electronic media about alleged non-compliance of Rules, especially the post-tendering terms of Fuel Supply Guarantee by GoP, almost one-year rental being paid in advance, GoP obligations in case of its failure to supply gas,” stated TIP.

In the Friday session of National Assembly, Minister for Water and Power Pervaiz Ashraf vigorously defended government’s power policies by extensively detailing and rebutting the criticisms being made over the power crisis. The TIP letter to PPR is officially endorsed to the Chairman of National Assembly Public Accounts Committee, Federal Minister for Water and Power, PPRA Managing Director, PPIB Managing Director, Wapda Chairman, and Auditor General of Pakistan.