LHC sets aside wheat procurement tender

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LAHORE: Justice Shujaat Ali Khan of Lahore High Court on Thursday set aside sale of 400,000 metric tonnes wheat by Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Service Corporation (PASCO) by declaring it against the procurement rules.

The judge issued the directions while accepting a petition moved by Socio Legal Anchors Foundation.

Petitioner counsel Afzal A Haider submitted that the PASCO advertised the media sale of 400,000 metric tonnes wheat but it wanted to sell it below market price without inviting bids. He said that it was advertised on January 18 and just after three days PASCO started sale.

He asserted that the whole process adopted by PASCO to sell wheat was illegal and in clear violation of procurements rules. He alleged that the corporation committed illegalities only to benefit selected buyers and to accumulate huge money.

He requested to set aside the sale of the wheat being illegal and in an arbitrary manner.

End.