Clarification Required – Security Services Tender for PTA Headquarters, Islamabad, in Contravention of Labour Laws and the PPRA Rules, 2004

With reference to the bidding document issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), published on the PPRA e-PADS v2.0 Portal under Tender No. P-58103 on 10-07-2026, with bids due to be opened on 28-07-2026, for the procurement of "Hiring of Security Services for PTA Headquarters, Islamabad," it is respectfully submitted that several provisions are inconsistent with the applicable labour laws and the Public Procurement Rules, 2004 (PPRA Rules, 2004).

1. Under Rules 4 and 23 of the PPRA Rules, 2004, the Procuring Agency (PA) is required to conduct procurement in a fair, transparent and competitive manner and to prepare clear and unambiguous bidding documents. However, the present Bidding Document is vague, internally inconsistent and incapable of ensuring a fair, transparent and competitive procurement process.

It is further noted that the 88-page Bidding Document omits several mandatory statutory requirements. Certain provisions are ultra vires the powers of the PTA and inconsistent with the regulatory framework governing private security companies, the applicable labour laws and the PPRA Rules, 2004. It also requires audits and unnecessary verifications of bidders beyond its jurisdiction, which is limited to evaluating bids against the prescribed eligibility, qualification and evaluation criteria.

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