A recent federal audit has revealed that Pakistan’s Senate spent more than Rs28.25 million on VIP meals, catering services, and appliances between 2020 and 2024—without following the required government procurement procedures.
According to the audit report, these purchases were made without pre-qualifying vendors, which is a necessary step under the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules. Instead of following proper procedures, the Senate arranged food and catering services on credit from private vendors like Café Meet & Eat and Jillani Caters. These services were mainly used for official events involving parliamentarians and foreign guests.
When questioned, Senate officials explained that the purchases were made urgently, which is why they bypassed the usual formalities. However, the Auditor General of Pakistan did not accept this explanation. The audit report described the spending as irregular and non-competitive, stating that skipping procurement rules not only violates policy but also raises concerns about transparency and fairness.
The Auditor General has now instructed the Senate to regularize the spending and ensure that all future purchases strictly follow PPRA guidelines. The report has sparked debate about accountability and the use of public funds, especially when it involves high-level institutions that are expected to set an example for good governance.
