The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) has finalised the Public Procurement Rules 2025, which aim to reform and strengthen the public procurement system in Pakistan.Â
These new rules were developed following extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, including the Finance Ministry, World Bank experts, and provincial procurement bodies.
As per reports, the new regulations seek to address key issues in the procurement process, including the establishment of independent complaint redressal committees, the introduction of third-party evaluations (TPE) and third-party verifications (TPV) for high-value projects, and a streamlined blacklisting process. These steps are designed to ensure greater transparency, fairness, and accountability in procurement activities.
The revisions also introduce mandatory procurement cells within each procuring agency, which will be tasked with managing procurement processes more effectively. A significant emphasis has been placed on bid evaluation procedures, which now include more detailed responsibilities for procurement committees and improved guidelines for grievance redressal and inspection committees.
A major focus of the new rules is ensuring that the procurement process aligns with international best practices, with updates to the regulations based on input from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). One of the critical changes includes defining financial thresholds for TPE/TPV processes, which have been a point of contention among procuring agencies.
The new rules also address concerns regarding the independence of grievance redressal and inspection mechanisms. Additionally, the rules now regulate procurement for second-hand goods and clarify the process for dispute resolution and contract enforcement.
The PPRA Board reviewed and approved the revised set of procurement rules after a series of meetings and discussions, with final approval expected from the Federal Cabinet. The Board also commended the efforts of the PPRA Management and the guidance provided by the PMO in shaping the new rules.
The new Public Procurement Rules 2025 are expected to significantly enhance the efficiency and transparency of Pakistan’s public procurement system, ensuring that the process is more in line with global standards and offering better protection for public funds.
