SHC bars Sindh govt from awarding contracts

Petition casts doubts on transparency in WB-funded CLICK projects

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday barred the provincial government from awarding any more contracts under the World Bank-funded Competitive and Livable City of Karachi (CLICK) project.

A petitioner has challenged the transparency in the tendering process of the over Rs3 billion project meant for improving Karachi's infrastructure.

The petitioner's counsel Zia Makhdoom stated that the infrastructure development projects worth Rs3.60 billion were underway in Karachi under CLICK project. As per Sindh Public Procurement Regulatory Authority rules there should be transparency in the projects and public works should be awarded through open tenders advertised in the mass media.

However, the parties have not published advertisements for any development project under CLICK under the pretense of an emergency. The petitioner urged the court to issue orders for the Sindh government to advertise tenders for each CLICK project. Applicants should also be given the right to participate in tenders.

The bench stated that evaluating the projects for which the initial contracts have been granted is also possible. Each tender should include information on the nature of the work and the cost. KMC's counsel stated that it should be given enough time to provide such information. The court remarked that the court could not give more than a week because the matter is of an important nature. The court adjourned the hearing to November 29, restraining the government from awarding more contracts.

Municipal tax in KE bills

A Sindh High Court bench on Tuesday extended the injunction on collection of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) municipal tax through electricity bills by K Electric (KE).

The two-member bench headed by Justice Nadeem Akhtar heard the petitions filed by Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi chief Naeemur Reshman and others against collection of municipal tax via electricity bills.

Khalid Javed Khan acted as judicial assistant Advocates Usman Farooq and Saifuddin represented Jamaat-e-Islami, Hasan Mujtabaand Azra Moqim represented KMC and Ayan Mustafa Memon appeared on behalf of KE.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2022.