Pakistan Awards $2 Billion Road Contract to China Without Open Bidding

Pakistan's Economic Coordination Committee, led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, approved a special rule to bypass international competitive bidding, awarding a $2 billion road construction contract to China. The project realigns the Thakot-Raikot section of the Karakoram Highway under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. China will provide the loan and conduct engineering work.

Pakistan's Economic Coordination Committee, led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, has approved a special rule to bypass international competitive bidding. This move directly awards a $2 billion road construction contract to China, as reported by The Express Tribune.

The contract involves the realignment of the Thakot-Raikot section of the Karakoram Highway, a critical link under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This section's importance was discussed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Beijing where the framework agreement was signed.

Chinese firms will handle the engineering design, procurement, and construction. The project, funded by a Chinese loan, will see the use of Chinese equipment. This section of the highway is crucial for maintaining the land route connection between China and Pakistan. The committee also eased conditions for hiring consultants for another project funded by a South Korean loan.

(With inputs from agencies.)