ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an inquiry into the procurement of meningococcal meningitis and influenza vaccines by Border Health Services-Pakistan under a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement for pilgrims and overseas job seekers.

It is alleged that the previous vaccination arrangement involved a cost of around Rs1,250 per dose per person, whereas the amount under the new arrangement is approximately Rs4,500 per pilgrim.

According to a notification issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, a five-member committee headed by the secretary of the Cabinet Division has been constituted to examine the procurement process and determine whether it complied with applicable rules and procedures.

The committee comprises the director general of the Intelligence Bureau, the chief executive officer of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap), a representative of the Attorney General for Pakistan, and the managing director of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), who will also serve as member/secretary.

Seven pharmaceutical companies have challenged the tender in IHC, alleging violations of procurement rules and lack of transparency

The committee has been tasked with examining the complete procurement process, including the rationale, legal basis and requisite approvals for adopting the PPP arrangement and conducting the procurement under PPRA rules.

It will also scrutinise the bidding documents, particularly the quantities of vaccines, payment terms, standard bidding documents and evaluation criteria.

The inquiry panel will examine compliance with procurement timelines, evaluation procedures, grievance-redressal mechanisms and mandatory publication requirements.

It has further been directed to assess the financial implications of the procurement, the reasonableness of vaccine prices, revenue-sharing arrangements and safeguards for the public interest.

The committee will identify responsibility for any irregularities, if found, and recommend corrective measures and a way forward.

It may also examine any other matter related to its terms of reference.

The Cabinet Division will provide secretariat support to the committee, while the panel has been authorised to co-opt additional members if required.

The Prime Minister’s Office has directed the committee to submit its report, along with its findings and recommendations, to the prime minister within 48 hours.

The inquiry comes after questions were raised over the procurement process for the two vaccines under the PPP arrangement, with concerns relating to its legal basis, the bidding process, financial implications and compliance with public procurement requirements.

It is worth mentioning that seven pharmaceutical companies have already approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC), challenging the procurement process through which Border Health Services (BHS) Pakistan awarded a contract for meningococcal meningitis and influenza vaccination services to a private company.

They have alleged serious violations of public procurement rules and a lack of transparency. The IHC issued notices to the Ministry of National Health Services, the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority, the Public-Private Partnership Authority, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, and a private company, making them respondents in the case.

However, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal and BHS maintained that all rules had been followed and said they would submit a reply to the court.

The petitioners include Gesundheit Concerns, Amson Vaccines and Pharma, Immuno Well, Hoffmann Human Health Pakistan, Hospital Services and Sales, 3A Diagnostics, and Immunonet Pharma.

They contend that the procurement process deprived eligible market participants of a meaningful opportunity to compete.

According to the petition, a copy of which is available with Dawn, the tender for vaccination services was to be conducted under the Public Procurement Rules, 2004, with bids submitted and opened on July 2, 2026.

The petitioners allege that the procurement opportunity was advertised in only one newspaper instead of being published on the PPRA website and in at least two widely circulated national dailies, one in English and the other in Urdu.

They argued that the limited advertisement curtailed competition and violated mandatory procurement requirements.

The petition also questions the description of the exercise as the selection of a “private partner”, while the bidding documents simultaneously referred to open competitive bidding under the PPRA framework.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2026