The Senate of Pakistan has come under scrutiny after a government audit revealed it spent over Rs. 28 million on VIP catering over the past four years in violation of procurement regulations.
From 2020 to 2024, the Senate Secretariat routinely purchased food, beverages, and even appliances for visiting dignitaries and delegations without pre-qualifying vendors as required by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA). Among the vendors were Café Meet & Eat, Heaven Food & Caterers, Jillani Caters, and Naveed Caterers & Event Management, none of whom were screened under the mandatory process.
Officials argued that the nature of such events—hosting foreign ambassadors, parliamentarians, and civil society guests—required last-minute arrangements, often on credit. But the Auditor General disagreed, emphasizing that the absence of pre-qualification and competitive bidding compromised transparency, fairness, and value for taxpayers’ money.
The audit labeled the practice “irregular and non-competitive,” citing direct violations of the Public Procurement Rules, 2004.
Here’s the vendor-wise spending:
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Rs. 20.37 million paid to vendor ID-1931
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Rs. 7.01 million to vendor ID-1934
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Rs. 874,733 to vendor ID-1936
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Total: Rs. 28.26 million
Following these findings, the Development and Audit Committee (DAC), during its February 11, 2025 meeting, instructed the Senate Secretariat to present rate justifications and supporting vouchers for proper verification and to ensure compliance with PPRA regulations in future procurement.
This revelation once again raises concerns about how public institutions in Pakistan handle urgent spending versus procedural transparency, sparking renewed calls for stronger financial oversight.