KP Mosque Solarization Bids Reportedly Ran Above the Estimate

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's mosque solarization project aims to cover 7,500 mosques. The dispute now in public is narrower than that aim: it involves 2,490 mosques under seven packages.

In this article we set out the bid gap that was reported, and the denial that came with it. Here is everything you need to know.

Where the mosque solarization bids reportedly ran high

Bids for the 2,490-mosque project reportedly exceeded official estimates by up to 10.99%, adding more than Rs 500 million in costs. A separate contract covers another 500 mosques. PEDO has denied any wrongdoing.

The report uses "reportedly" for the bid gap. It does not name a contractor, and it does not say a court has found fraud. The denial from PEDO is part of the same account.

Why it matters

A project for 7,500 mosques is a provincial target. The money argument is about 2,490 of them, and about a reported gap of more than Rs 500 million. Until that gap is tested, it is a controversy, not a finding.

• The aim is 7,500 mosques
• The disputed procurement is 2,490 mosques in seven packages
• Another 500 mosques sit on a separate contract
• The reported excess is up to 10.99%
• The reported extra cost is more than Rs 500 million
• PEDO denies wrongdoing

What is not established

1. The name of any bidder.
2. A finding of fraud or corruption.
3. The cost of the separate 500-mosque contract.
4. How many of the 7,500 mosques already have solar panels.

What happens next

A published bid comparison, or a reply that goes beyond PEDO's denial, would show whether the 10.99% figure holds. We will update this article if either is released.

Our verdict

The mosque solarization project aims at 7,500 mosques. Bids for 2,490 of them reportedly ran up to 10.99% over estimate, adding more than Rs 500 million. PEDO has denied any wrongdoing.

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