Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) and Central Board of Revenue (CBR) on Tuesday inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to devise foolproof procedure for equipment, bidding/contract documents to eliminate chances of underhand deals during evaluation of tenders.
Under the agreement, CBR will devise an accountability mechanism for keeping an effective check on the procurement system to ensure transparency during the whole process.
Chairman, Central Board of Revenue, M. Abdullah Yusuf and Syed Adil Gilani, vice chairman/chief executing officer, Transparency International Pakistan signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations. CBR Member Tax Policy and Reforms, Khawaja Tanveer Ahmad and Member, Administration, Iftikhar Ahmad also signed the document as witnesses.
The 'Integrity Pact' is an integral part of the National Accountability Bureau initiative towards 'Shafaff Pakistan', the National Anti-Corruption Strategy approved by the Cabinet and its implementation mechanism endorsed by the President.
'Integrity Pact' is a tool developed by Transparency International, which ensures that all activities and decisions of public offices are transparent. The project should be completed without taking any kind of benefit, financial or otherwise.
Considering that all companies and organizations in Pakistan share a responsibility to combat malpractice in all forms and manifestations, it was agreed that Public Procurement Rules 2004 and World Bank's 'Guidelines for procurement under IBRD loans and IDA credit' and 'Selection and employment of consultant by World Bank Borrowers' are applicable in CBR including 'Integrity Pact' prescribed by PPRA.
According to the MOU, CBR along with TI-Pakistan will work jointly for the implementation of the PEC & World Bank SBDs which is a recommendation of the NACS, and those recommendations in the NACS involving Transparency in procurement, and Public Procurement Rules 2004.
It has also been agreed that CBR will establish an accountability mechanism in all its dealings and try to provide all necessary checks and balances in its effort towards a 'transparent procurement system'.
A co-ordination committee of CBR and TIP members will be formed to implement the 'Integrity Pact' for transparency in its procurement systems. This committee, to be set up by CBR, shall consist of three members comprising officials of CBR, with responsibilities related to Law, Finance and Technical (Procurement & Contracts) Departments, and two representative of TI-Pakistan. The Vice Chairman TI Pakistan shall act as its Chairman. It will identify and list all issues of transparency and evaluation of tenders criteria in the procurement bidding documents, including the discretionary conditions existing in the contract documents and make the necessary changes where necessary.
The committee will prepare ways and means to be included in contract documents to eliminate/reduce delays to a bare minimum (Time base decisions with predictable milestones) and in approvals by providing mandatory timeframes for submissions by consultants/contractors and approvals by client/consultants.
It was agreed that CBR has the responsibility to inform the local public and all interested individuals/institutions/organizations/vendors and others about the activities carried out under this agreement.
In accordance with the proposed Pact, Transparency International Pakistan will provide expert services for 3 months beginning from October 11, 2005, which may be renewed on mutual understanding.