Islamabad (GNP) :- Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), Government of Pakistan, and the Azad Jammu & Kashmir Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (AJ&K PPRA) today signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of the e-Pak Acquisition and Disposal System (EPADS) in AJ&K.
The MoU was signed by Sheikh Afzaal Raza, Project Director (EAPDS), representing PPRA, and by Zaheer ud Din Qureshi, Additional Chief Secretary (General)/Managing Director, PPRA Azad Government of the State of Jammu & Kashmir.
Under the MoU, EPADS will be extended to AJ&K on a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) basis. Developed on the principle of One Nation – One System, this unified platform will eliminate the need for a separate e-procurement system in AJ&K, thereby saving significant public expenditure on development and maintenance. The arrangement ensures cost efficiency, institutional autonomy, secure data management, and transparency in procurement processes, while enabling AJ&K PPRA to benefit from PPRA’s expertise, technical support, and future system enhancements.
Under the agreement, PPRA will align EPADS with AJ&K PPRA’s regulatory framework, provide ongoing software updates, support future requirements such as e‑invoicing and automation of bid securities, and assist in establishing a dedicated help desk to ensure smooth implementation and user facilitation. AJ&K PPRA will ensure user readiness, infrastructure provision, and the development of SOPs and security protocols to safeguard system integrity.
Speaking on the occasion, MD PPRA Hasnat Ahmed Qureshi stated that the nationwide implementation of EPADS is part of the Prime Minister’s economic governance reform program agenda and aligned with his “Digital Pakistan Vision”. He reaffirmed that the Federal PPRA will provide all-out support in training officials from procuring agencies and vendors. He advised that the phased implementation of EPADS should be ensured to enable a smooth transition in AJ&K till start of the new financial year. A commemorative shield was also presented to ACS AJ&K as a token of goodwill.
