LAHORE: Following investigation by the National Accountability Bureau and observations made in the audit report, the Punjab government has delayed the bidding process of Quaid-i-Azam Solar Power (Private) Limited (QASPL), stating that new bid dates will be communicated to pre-qualified bidders later.

In a recent communication to the pre-qualified bidders, the Punjab Privatisation Board (PPB) informed them that new submission date for earnest money would be communicated to them in due course.

The PPB had earlier through email to interested parties asked them to deposit the earnest money (along with application form, copies of competition commission of Pakistan and other approvals required by bidders for the transaction and other documents) by April 9 (Monday). But the experts advised the government to delay the privatisation process till completion of the investigation by the NAB so as to give a clear picture about the company to the investors.

Moreover, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar also took notice and sought details pertaining to the solar plant’s costs, production, expenditures etc.

The QASPL is a Punjab government’s subsidiary established as the first-ever utility scale solar power plant in the country in 2013 which commenced commercial operation in 2015.

PPB approved the privatisation of 100MW portion of the QASPL owned by Punjab government in July 2017 and initiated the bidding process. However, the AGP found various illegalities in the commencement and operation of the company.

Published in Dawn, Aprill 10th, 2018