Transparency International Pakistan asks Defence Ministry to review Rs20bn airport e-gate contract

Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) has urged the Ministry of Defence to examine alleged irregularities in the award of a Rs20 billion e-gate project by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), raising concerns over the use of direct contracting provisions under public procurement rules, Business Recorder reported. 

In a letter to Secretary Defence Lt Gen Muhammad Ali (retd), TIP alleged that Rule 42(f) of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Rules 2004 may have been improperly invoked in the procurement process. Copies of the letter were also sent to Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Tauqeer Shah, Chairman Prime Minister Inspection Commission, Chairman NAB, Director General FIA and the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

The organisation said it had previously written to the Director General of PAA regarding the matter but had not received any response on whether the concerns were investigated or corrective measures taken.

According to TIP, the PPRA has also taken notice of the issue and sent multiple communications to the PAA on May 11, May 21 and June 3, 2026, expressing concerns over the procurement process for the e-gate project as well as broader airport planning matters.

The watchdog stated that the PPRA directed the authority to submit a detailed report within five days, but the requested information has yet to be provided.

TIP called on the Ministry of Defence to direct the PAA to ensure that the project is awarded through an open and competitive bidding process in accordance with PPRA Rules 2004. It warned that failure to follow procurement regulations could result in a finding of mis-procurement.

The organisation also requested details of any inquiry conducted or action taken on the complaint.

The Rs20 billion e-gate project is intended to modernise immigration processing at airports across the country. However, the allegations have drawn attention to questions surrounding transparency and compliance with procurement regulations in major public-sector projects.