One can hardly believe that the caretaker government, which left the case of upward revision in oil prices for the elected regime, just a day back could approve, as a special case, the buying of two Augusta Westland helicopters for VVIP movement for $60 million, setting aside the normal procedure.

Sources told Business Recorder on Wednesday that on the recommendation of Cabinet Division, the caretaker Prime Minister, Mohammedmian Soomro, approved the purchase of Augusta Westland helicopters on Tuesday, as a special case, costing $60 million.

The caretakers in a meeting held early this week termed the policy of capping of oil prices as dangerous for the economy but then left the issue of upward revision for the next government.

But the Prime Minister's approval as a special case shows that there was some urgency in awarding the contract for purchase of Augusta Westland helicopters by setting aside the procurement procedure. The Cabinet Division, which moved the summary for purchase of two helicopters instead of following the route of the Federal Cabinet preferred to refer the case directly to the Prime Minister for approval.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2008