KARACHI - The competent authorities in Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) has issued tender for laying a water supply pipeline in Pakistan Textile City Limited but surprisingly imposing some unreasonable conditions allegedly to keep other companies for the bid, The Nation learnt on Tuesday. Informed sources told that PEPRA and Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) rules have been grossly misinterpreted in the said tender for laying 48 dia Mild Steel Pipeline for Pakistan Textile City Limited, appeared in the press with estimated cost of Rs 1.5 billion. The sources said it seems the motive was to discourage some genuine contractors from participating in the competition as condition has been imposed in the tender that only those companies are entitled to appear in the biding which have 3 years experience of laying Mild Steel Pipeline. The sources mentioned that the Mild Steel Pipeline was introduced in the country 2 to 3 years ago thus, how it would be possible for the companies to acquire the experience in this short span of time. They further said that participants of the meeting were ensured that tenders would be open and all financially sound companies could participate in the bid. But, later, unjust conditions have been imposed on companies with a view to accommodate some favourites, sources added. It may be noted that tender for water pipeline project in the Textile City was issued on 19 November and it would be opened on 6th December. The sources recalled that Sindh CM and chief secretary had issued orders repeatedly to implement PEPRA rules in letter and spirit but KWSB was not ready to follow the same orders. In 2007, the KWSB invited pre-qualification for the same work, processed and completed but ignored, this act was a violation of PEPRA rules 15 and 16. Again the tender cost is Rs 50,000 which also violation of PEPRA rule No 23 (5). The PEC byelaws 2003 rule No 10 allowed joint ventures between local as well as foreign firms but the tender condition did not allow joint ventures between local firms. The conditions of the tender encourage cartelisation of the contractors which will increase the costs of work and the infrastructure. KWSB chief was not available for comments despite repeated attempts but another officer said that he did not know much about the details of the procedure of the tender.