Sindh CM urged to revoke ‘unauthorised’ EPADS exemption

KARACHI: Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) has raised serious concerns over the alleged non-compliance of the mandatory Electronic Procurement and Documentation System (EPADS) by the Sindh Irrigation Department and the Works & Services Department, warning that continued manual tendering without lawful approval may undermine transparency and procurement reforms across the province.

In a formal letter addressed to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, the TIP noted that both departments have been permitted by the Sindh Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (SPPRA) to bypass EPADS and continue manual tendering, despite EPADS being declared compulsory for all government procurement.

According to the letter, PPRA Sindh (SPPRA) initially allowed the two departments to use manual tendering only until May 30,2025. This exemption was subsequently extended three times—on September 17 2025 and October 21, 2025—enabling them to persist with manual tendering in violation of the mandatory directives for EPADS adoption.

The TIP cautioned the government that selective exemptions raises “serious concerns” about procedural irregularity and the risk of undermining procurement reforms across public sector entities.” It further noted that at least two SPPRA Board meetings were held this year, but they did not discuss the issue,—a prerequisite mandatory under SPPRA rules.

Rasheed Channa, Spokesman for the Sindh Chief Minister, told The News that the letter had not yet been received at CM House, and that once it was received, the issues raised by TIP would be dealt with in accordance with the law and rules. The ministers of both departments and the respective secretaries of the Sindh Irrigation Department and Sindh Works and Services Department did not comment on the issue despite repeated calls and detailed text messages on their WhatsApp numbers.