RAWALPINDI, Feb 21: The Transparency International Pakistan and the administration of Multan have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to ensure transparency in the procurement systems for the implementation of the Multan development package.

The MoU for the ‘integrity pact’ was signed by TIP chairman Syed Adil Gilani and Commissioner of Multan Division Syed Mohammad Ali Gardezi at a ceremony on Saturday.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and the Punjab government have approved grants of Rs13.5 billion and Rs500 million, respectively, for the development of Multan.

According to the documents available with Dawn, the ‘integrity pact’ is a tool developed by the TIP which ensures that all activities and decisions of public offices are transparent and that the projects and works are implemented, services are provided or taken, and goods or materials are supplied without giving or taking of any kind of benefit, financial or otherwise. Justification for decisions taken is provided without discrimination to all parties concerned.

Under the MoU, the TIP will assist the administration of Multan in the transparent preparation of tender documents under the prevailing laws of the country. A team of TIP experts will form a committee with officials from the Multan division to prepare a ‘procurement manual’ for the implementation of the ‘integrity pact’ and for transparency in the procurement systems.

The commissioner, Multan division, will form a three-member coordination committee which will identify and list all issues of transparency and evaluation of tenders’ criteria in the procurement bidding documents, including the discretionary conditions existing in the contract documents and make necessary changes where necessary.

The committee will prepare ways and means to be included in contract documents to eliminate and reduce delays to a bare minimum. It will introduce approval systems to process and award contracts, as well as complete the projects at the most economical cost and within the schedule time.

The manual will consist of all the standard bidding documents on procurement of works, goods and se rvices based on international standards, the World Bank, FIDIC and Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), duly amended to comply with the Transparent Procurement Procedures, and fully compliant to the Punjab Government Procurement Rules.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Gardezi said that assistance had been sought from the TIP in order to spend the funds in most transparent manner with the aim to have the best quality construction at the most economical cost and timely implementation of projects under the Multan development package.

Mr Gilani said TIP experts would advise the Multan administration on the utilisation of funds in the most beneficial manner.

The MoU would ensure preparation of tender documents according to the procurement manual and vetting of the tender documents, he said, adding that the TIP would not be involved in the process of award of contracts.