The relevant ministry removed the tender notice within hours after receiving criticism over it, which was sent by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Auqaf Department for a dinner arrangement of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee’s meeting for the Ramadan moonsighting.
“I am directed to refer to the subject noted above and to state that the minister has directed that the subject tender mentioned above is withdrawn immediately and further have asked for a detail report to be submitted within 12 hours,” a notification from KP Information Minister Mian Feroz Jamal Shah Kaka Khel read.
Shah, who also holds the portfolio of religious affairs and Auqaf, directed his ministry to ensure that it is “very cautious of the fact that austerity measures should be taken in all respects of expenditures spent from the public exchequer”.
“The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee [members] is our most honorable guests and are welcomed. The invitation should be extended only to the members of Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and not as has transpired by the tender,” the notification added.
In an interview with Geo News, the minister stated that, despite the fact that a dozen Ruet-e-Hilal Committee members attend the moonsighting every year, a tender for 200 people was unusual.
Earlier in the day, the Auqaf Department issued a tender for the dinner arrangements for the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee’s meeting for the Ramadan moonsighting.
The tender, which mentioned several delicious food items on the VIP menu, sparked outrage among netizens as the country grapples with a severe economic crisis.
What was on the menu?
Food for VIPs 100 persons
- Dumpukht with rice 02 Nos
- Naranj rice with beef
- Mix vegetable
- Chicken tikka boti
- Naan
- Seekh kebab
- Russian salad
- Fresh salad
- Halwa
- Mineral water
- Cold drinks
Food for general public 100 persons
- Chicken curry
- Mix vegetable
- Halwa
- Naan
- Cold drinks
Reception tea
- Black tea
- One bite pastry
- One bite patties
- One bite sandwich
- Biscuits
Criticism
Social media users had criticized the interim provincial government and the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee for attempting to spend money on food items amid the country’s financial crunch.
