ISLAMABAD: Another alleged case of pool bidding has surfaced at the National Highway Authority’s (NHA) Balochistan Zone, where five maintenance contracts collectively valued at Rs613 million were awarded under controversial circumstances, raising serious questions about transparency and oversight.
According to the final evaluation reports of the five contracts in NHA’s western region, Balochistan Zone (Gwadar), a group of influential contractors, allegedly in connivance with zonal officials, managed the bidding process. The pattern of awards, apparent from official records, has prompted calls for a thorough probe by NHA headquarters.
Documents show that two of the five contracts, together exceeding Rs200 million, were awarded to sole bidders without any competition. These include a contract worth Rs108 million awarded to M/s Siraj Ahmed Shahwani and another valued at Rs106 million granted to Haji Abdul Hameed Bangalzai in joint venture with Dilawar Khan and Brothers.
Another contract worth Rs99 million was awarded to M/s Humayoun, while M/s Haji Abdul Hameed Bangalzai—already awarded one of the earlier contracts—was declared unsuccessful in this bid.
Contract No. PM-WM-2023-24-02, valued at Rs243 million, was awarded to M/s Muhammad Umar Baloch in joint venture with Khalil Ahmed and Brothers. In this case, M/s Humayoun, which had already secured another contract, was declared unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Contract No. PM-WM-2023-24-01 was awarded to M/s King Enterprises at a cost of Rs57.6 million.
Sources within NHA told Infra News Pakistan that pool bidding has become a well-established practice in the Balochistan Zone, particularly in maintenance works, largely due to weak oversight. They alleged that dummy firms are often used to create the impression of competition, while contracts are effectively distributed among preferred contractors at pre-arranged rates.
NHA Member (Balochistan) Basharat Hussain was approached for details regarding ongoing maintenance works and projects currently under execution in the province; however, his response was awaited at the time of filing this report.
