In a stride toward realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of a Digital Pakistan, the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) has successfully trained more than 10,000 professionals in the use of its e-procurement system and regulatory framework. This milestone underscores Pakistan’s growing commitment to digital transformation and governance reform through capacity building and the deployment of advanced procurement technologies.
The announcement was made by Hasnat Ahmed Qureshi, Managing Director of PPRA, at the launch of a major capacity-building program focused on public procurement and contract management. The event marked the commencement of the second batch of PPRA’s professional diploma in procurement, which is being offered in partnership with the NUST Professional Development Centre (PDC). The four-month intensive training program is being conducted at the NUST campus in Islamabad and is designed to prepare professionals for the demands of a modernized procurement ecosystem.
The program includes more than 70 participants from a diverse array of backgrounds, including public sector institutions, private vendors, business entities, suppliers, and international development practitioners. Its curriculum is structured around several core modules such as the fundamentals of effective and transparent public procurement, the legal and regulatory framework, contract management, international procurement standards, and the strategic application of the e-Pak Acquisition and Disposal System (e-PADS)—Pakistan’s flagship e-procurement platform.
According to Qureshi, the initiative is part of a broader strategy to institutionalize transparency, accountability, and efficiency within Pakistan’s procurement process. He highlighted that, in line with Prime Ministerial directives, dedicated procurement cells have already been set up within various government bodies. These cells are now staffed with officials undergoing specialized training to ensure they are proficient in the application of PPRA regulations and the e-PADS platform.
Speaking at the event, Qureshi emphasized the importance of public and private sector stakeholders actively participating in the PPRA-led training initiatives to enhance institutional capacity. He said that building a cadre of professionally trained procurement specialists is essential for ensuring adherence to legal standards, ethical compliance, and global best practices in public contracting.
He also noted the financial and operational impact of the e-procurement platform, which serves as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s e-governance infrastructure. According to Qureshi, the implementation of e-PADS has led to savings of 10 to 25 percent in government expenditures by improving transparency, reducing delays, enhancing competition, and lowering the overall cost of doing business. The digital system also contributes to sustainability by reducing the country’s carbon footprint.
At present, over 28,000 suppliers—including more than 400 international vendors—are registered on the e-procurement platform. The system is being used by approximately 700 federal-level procurement agencies, 5,000 agencies in Punjab, and 200 agencies in Sindh, making it one of the most widely adopted government IT platforms in Pakistan.
The launch event was attended by several senior figures including procurement expert Ali Raza Hanjra, a senior official from the Federal Board, and Muhammad Ali, General Manager of the PDC at NUST. Their presence underscored the institutional support for PPRA’s mission to professionalize and digitize public procurement in Pakistan.
As the country continues to invest in e-governance infrastructure, PPRA’s efforts serve as a model for how regulatory bodies can drive meaningful digital transformation through training, collaboration, and technology deployment.
