Transparency International for check on Army procurements

[sonicboom]

Transparency International for check on Army procurements

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

By Usman Manzoor

ISLAMABAD: Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) has written a daring letter to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani asking him to direct the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) to implement the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) 2004 rules to bring transparency in its procurements.

The letter to General Kayani dated April 1, 2010 titled, “Pakistan Armed Forces reputation is at stake due to the action of a few army officers of DHA, HIT, FWO, NLC and other Army procuring agencies in violation of procurement rules” mentions that corruption by armed forces officers endangers the very existence of the country which may result in the procurement of sub-standard arms due to conflict of interest, and for personal gains over the national cause by a few individuals.

It is worth mentioning here that TI has written numerous letters to DHA regarding implementation of PPRA 2004 rules and DHA had replied that DHA was a corporate agency and government rules did not apply on it.

The latest letter states: “A letter sent to the administrator DHA Islamabad on 27 Match, which contains following two blatant violations being committed by DHA Islamabad. PPRA has also asked for clarification from DHA Islamabad on 01.4.2010, on these violations.

1. According to DHA Islamabad Ordinance 2007, though DHA Islamabad has not been authorised to make construction byelaws and shall follow CDA construction byelaws, under the Article No 8 of Defence Housing Authority Islamabad Ordinance 2007, 8 powers, duties and function of executive board, (2)(a) provided that in such schemes in Islamabad Capital Territory, the authority shall observe the rules, regulations, byelaws etc. framed by CDA. DHA Islamabad may be ordered to use the above rules, and observe byelaws of CDA in all its construction projects, including compliance of EPA Act.

2. According to Article No 8 of Defence Housing Authority Islamabad Ordinance 2007, powers, duties and function of executive board, 8 (2) (f), on page 5 DHA can enter into contract or any type of arrangement with any local or foreign entity for carrying out the purpose of this ordinance. Government rules on the subject will be observed. DHA Islamabad may be ordered to observe Public Procurement Rules 2004 in all procurements.

But administrator DHA has been committing gross violation of DHAO 2007, Article 8(2) (f), and refusing to comply Public Procurement Rules 2004, which are the only Federal Government Procurement Rules w.e.f 9 June, 2004. S.R.O.432(I)/2004.

TIP repeats that corruption is a cancer, and corruption by armed forces officers endangers the very existence of the country. This may result in the procurement of sub standard arms due to conflict of interest, and for personal gains over the national cause by a few individuals. Indian Armed Forces are also not free from this cancer, but there actions are taken against such elements.

TI Pakistan expect from you a definite change in procurement culture of armed forces, which according to law of the land shall only be based on the Public Procurement Rules 2004, as no one is above law, and DHA Ordinance 2007 makes it mandatory on DHA Islamabad to observe these rules.”

http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=28301

[sonicboom]

Army procurement Dawn Editorial
Thursday, 15 Apr, 2010

Corruption is a cancer and when the armed forces are involved in it, the effects can be highly damaging for the nation. However, when institutions of the state are accused of indulging in corrupt practices the issue becomes far more serious.

A report has emerged in a section of the press citing a letter written by anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International to the chief of the army staff regarding reported violations of the Public Procurement Regulatory
Authority (PPRA) 2004 rules by the Defence Housing Authority, Islamabad. TI has also pointed to the alleged corruption of “a few army officers of DHA, HIT, FWO, NLC and other army procuring agencies”. The army would do well to thoroughly investigate these claims. But the report points to a bigger issue: all government agencies, including the army, should ensure that their procurement procedures are in line with the law, leaving no room for corrupt practices. Especially in the case of the armed forces, this is easier said than done.

For starters, parliament should have greater liberty to scrutinise the defence budget. It is true that the army has taken concrete action against militants. However, fighting militancy has little to do with building housing schemes and if the army wishes to invest in and develop real estate, it should do so according to prescribed laws. Parliament should also have greater oversight over arms deals and military aid to ensure troops get the equipment they need.

In a parliamentary democracy no institution should be above the law and it is only through a system of checks and balances that corruption can be combated. As TI has noted in its letter, corruption is a cancer and when elements within the armed forces are allegedly involved in it, the effects can be highly damaging for the nation. The army high command should listen to calls for a “definite change in [the] procurement culture of [the] armed forces”. Pakistan has suffered hugely under four martial law regimes. More transparency in the armed forces’ deals coupled with their enhanced efforts in the battle against militancy may allow the nation to see the men in khaki in a different light.

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/...rocurement-540

[Araz]

I strongly believe that the return of the CJ has given hope that salvation may yet come pakistan's way. This single unique incidence in Pakistans history has made people realize that nobody is above the law ands people have started to question everyone and everything.
The army is a part of our society, and has all the falacies that are rampant in our country in its elites. It would be nice if the COAS cracked the whip and cleared the decks of all the rotten eggs. However this is easily said than done.Firstly it will require time to investigate things in accordance with the laws of the land. Secondly they will have to face criminal cases and the prosecution has to prove beyond doubt that they are the culprits. There will be collusion from higher authorities and this will have to be taken care of as well. However if the army clears the decks with corruption,it will give the civil agencies the incentive and motive to clear their slates as well. i have no misgivings that we are yet a couple of decades away from a day when we can say that we have eliminated corruption, at least the one which affects the masses day to day life.
Araz