PM orders inquiry into Hajj and Umrah vaccines contract
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a Hajj vaccines contract probe into the procurement of vaccines for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, after a controversial deal drew legal challenges from seven pharmaceutical companies.
A five-member committee will examine the procurement process, vaccine prices and financial arrangements behind the purchase of meningococcal meningitis and influenza vaccines by Border Health Services Pakistan. It must submit its report within 48 hours.
The Hajj vaccines contract probe puts the spotlight on a public-private partnership deal for vaccinating pilgrims, one of the largest recurring health procurements tied to religious travel.
Hajj vaccines contract probe: what the committee will examine
The Prime Minister’s Office issued the notification on October 16. The committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary, a signal of how seriously the government is treating the matter.
Its members are the Director General of the Intelligence Bureau, the chief executive of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), a representative of the Attorney General’s Office, and the Managing Director of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), who will also serve as the committee’s secretary.
The Cabinet Division will provide secretariat support. The committee is to hold its first meeting in Islamabad on Saturday morning to examine the matter and record the statements of officials involved.
Why the contract is controversial
Seven pharmaceutical and vaccine companies have challenged the award of the contract in the Islamabad High Court. They allege the tender attracted only one bidder, and that eligible competitors were denied a fair opportunity to compete.
The petitioners have also questioned whether the legal requirements for a public-private partnership were met, and whether the necessary approvals were obtained before the contract was awarded.
The Islamabad High Court has issued notices to the respondents and sought the complete procurement record. The allegations remain subject to judicial determination, and no finding has been made against any party.
Meningococcal meningitis vaccination is a standing requirement for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia. Pakistan sends hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year, which makes the vaccine contract commercially significant and politically sensitive.
The vaccination drive behind the dispute
The probe lands in the middle of an active vaccination campaign. Feature Pakistan reported this week that the deadline for Umrah pilgrims’ vaccination in Peshawar was extended to October 25, after pilgrims complained of long queues and short supply.
Earlier, Karachi’s health authorities ended the vaccine exemption for Umrah travellers, making the jab compulsory again. Pilgrims are also navigating the Hajj 2027 payment schedule, with the second instalment dates already announced.
Any disruption to vaccine procurement could therefore ripple straight through to pilgrims preparing to travel in the coming months.
What happens next
The committee’s 48-hour deadline means its findings should reach the Prime Minister by Monday. Its report will determine whether the contract stands, is revised or is scrapped and re-tendered.
Separately, the Islamabad High Court case will continue on its own track. If the court finds the procurement process flawed, it could order the award set aside regardless of the committee’s conclusions.
The original report on this development was published by ProPakistani.
FAQ
What is the Hajj vaccines contract probe about?
The Prime Minister has ordered a five-member committee to examine how Border Health Services Pakistan procured meningococcal and influenza vaccines for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, including prices and financial arrangements.
Why did seven companies challenge the contract?
They allege the tender drew only one bidder, eligible competitors were shut out, and the legal requirements for a public-private partnership may not have been met. The Islamabad High Court has sought the procurement record.
When will the inquiry report be submitted?
The committee must report within 48 hours of the October 16 notification, with its first meeting scheduled for Saturday morning in Islamabad.
