KARACHI: Sindh government spokesman Murtaza Wahab has rejected the allegations levelled by Transparency International in the procurement of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Reacting to Transparency International’s allegations of alleged scams in the procurement of corona vaccine against the Sindh Health Department, Murtaza Wahab said that Transparency International should have contacted the Sindh Health Department before writing the letter to Federal Minister Asad Omar.
He said an organization like Transparency International should not mislead the public on the issue of the vaccine against COVID-19.
According to the spokesperson, the Sindh Health Department had written a letter to the company for booking the vaccine and timely availability in the country. So far no orders have been placed for the purchase of the vaccine, he added.
He said that the Sindh government does not accept the prices fixed by the Drug and Regulatory Authority (DRAP) for the purchase of vaccines. The federal government should buy the vaccine, but it was delayed, Wahab clarified.
Murtaza Wahab said the Sindh Health Department does not consider the prices fixed by DRAP to be final, adding that the government will conduct a regular audit after the purchase of the vaccine. “The Sindh Health Department is ready for all kinds of discussions and accountability,” he added.
On Tuesday, Transparency International had expressed concern that the purchase of the corona vaccine by Pakistan could result in a loss of Rs 30 billion.
A letter was written by Transparency International to Federal Minister Asad Omar also pointed out alleged scams in the sale of the corona vaccine.
According to the letter, the Sindh government was importing 10 million doses of Corona vaccine however, the purchase was in violation of the Drug Regulatory Authority’s April 23 notification.
