G2G deals hit private sector

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Access Providers Association President Dr Shahid Farooq has demanded an end to government-to-government (G2G) direct contracting under the Public Procurement Rules, saying it is stifling investment and innovation in the IT and telecom sector.

The association comprises 26 members, including Cybernet, nayatel, PTCL, Wateen, Multinet, and others.

In a letter to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Planning Minister Prof Ahsan Iqbal, and IT and Telecom Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, the association urged the government to abolish G2G direct contracting in the rules. It said state-owned enterprises (SOEs) should compete for government-funded projects on the same basis as private sector firms.

The association said the federal government, through SRO 834(I)/2021, had inserted a new clause 42(f) in the Public Procurement Rules 2004, allowing government-owned organisations and SOEs to contract directly with other state entities.

Telecom association seeks repeal of amendment to procurement rules

Telecom association seeks repeal of amendment to procurement rules

Following the amendment, federal and provincial governments had strengthened existing SOEs and set up dozens of new ones, which over the last five years had been awarded numerous IT and telecom projects through........

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