Backlash after CDA floats tenders worth millions for parrot cages, pots at Presidency

Tenders withdrawn after President Alvi takes notice

The Presidency received backlash on social media after the Capital Development Authority (CDA) floated a Rs1.94 million tender notice for the construction of new cages for parrots at the President House.

The authority floated two other tenders worth Rs17.83 million and Rs13 million for the procurement of “Terracotta and Matqa pots for the nursery at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad”, and “different indoor/ ornamental plants and Morpankh plants” respectively.

Shortly after tenders were floated, social media pointed out that the move was in stark contrast to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s austerity drive.

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Following the backlash, President Dr Arif Alvi ordered the immediate withdrawal of the tenders.

The president reacted to the news by taking “very serious notice on the publication of the tender notice by the Capital Development Authority for construction of new cages for parrots at Aiwan-e-Sadr," reported the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

“The president has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the said tender notice and initiation of the inquiry,” said a spokesperson of the President House.

He claimed that the tender had been released without obtaining approval from the competent authority.