On Monday, 24^th July 2023, Dr. Irfan Ahmad, Lead Trainer/Principal, Institute of Tender Management Gulburg-II Lahore, addressed during a workshop on “Public Procurement and Contract Management Part-I”, to the participants of the 33^rd SMC.

During his intellectual discourse, Dr. Irfan provided an overarching overview of the public procurement regimes prevailing in Pakistan, both in historical and present-day contexts. He explained the precise meaning of procurements, their purposes, and methods and clarifies common day misconceptions about procurement. He explained the concept of procurement, and mis- procurement, and discuss different reasons that lead towards mis-procurement. In his talk, he emphasized on application of relevant public procurement rules to avoid mis-procurement and its consequences in the form of audit observations as well as accountability agencies.

His talk aptly covered the area of value for money in procurement and explained the terms like standards and specifications. He emphasized the use of standardized bidding documents and ensuring a level playing field to ensure a healthy competitive environment to achieve value for money.