Public Procurement is the engine room of the economy. In developing nations like Pakistan, it accounts for an estimated 15 to 20 per cent of GDP. Yet, despite its scale and importance, procurement is still not treated as a fully professional function in Pakistan. Procurement is still widely viewed as a routine administrative task when, in reality, it is a specialised discipline. This gap continues to undermine efficiency, transparency and value for money in public spending. In many public sector organisations, procurement responsibilities are assigned to staff without proper training. This practice increases the risk of delays, errors and poor decision making. Another major challenge is the fragmented regulatory environment. Pakistan has multiple procurement authorities. Each operates under its own rules and procedures, leading to difficulties when working across provinces. And while the government has taken some promising steps towards digitisation, adoption has been slow. Without proper training and institutional support, digital reforms cannot succeed.
To strengthen procurement in Pakistan, it must be recognised as a professional field. Qualified and trained specialists should be appointed in dedicated roles. Greater harmonisation among provincial frameworks is also needed. and e-procurement systems must be implemented effectively.
Eijaz Zaman Khan
Hyderabad
