'Within policy': Microsoft Pakistan confirms sponsoring trip for govt official
Denies that it was a bribe to win a government tender worth $9 million.
Microsoft Pakistan says the trip did not violate any company policy. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Microsoft Pakistan said on Tuesday that it had sponsored a foreign trip for a Punjab government official but denied the allegation that it was a bribe to secure a government tender.
Refraining to mention anything about the official's spouse who had also been on the trip, Microsoft described the trip as a necessary reference site visit.
The Wall Street Journal had reported on August 21 that Microsoft had allegedly authorised a consulting firm to pay for a five-day trip of a Punjab government official and his wife to Egypt in order to secure a tender worth $9 million.
The report also said that Microsoft's relationships with business partners in Russia and Pakistan that allegedly bribed foreign officials in return for contracts was being investigated by US Department of Justice.
The Pakistani subsidiary of the Washington-based tech giant denied the allegations and clarified that the visit complied with company policy.
The company also denied the involvement of a consulting firm saying that the contract was a direct one between the Punjab government official and Microsoft Pakistan.
Microsoft Pakistan said on Tuesday that it had sponsored a foreign trip for a Punjab government official but denied the allegation that it was a bribe to secure a government tender.
Refraining to mention anything about the official's spouse who had also been on the trip, Microsoft described the trip as a necessary reference site visit.
The Wall Street Journal had reported on August 21 that Microsoft had allegedly authorised a consulting firm to pay for a five-day trip of a Punjab government official and his wife to Egypt in order to secure a tender worth $9 million.
The report also said that Microsoft's relationships with business partners in Russia and Pakistan that allegedly bribed foreign officials in return for contracts was being investigated by US Department of Justice.
The Pakistani subsidiary of the Washington-based tech giant denied the allegations and clarified that the visit complied with company policy.
The company also denied the involvement of a consulting firm saying that the contract was a direct one between the Punjab government official and Microsoft Pakistan.