Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Textbook Board has adopted a new procurement strategy that is set to save the provincial treasury millions of rupees, officials said on Monday. By using an e-bidding system for printing textbooks, the board has ensured transparency while also reducing costs.
Alongside providing free books to students in government schools, the budget for printing books for the open market has been significantly reduced compared to last year. Despite rising inflation, printing costs have been slashed, officials described the achievement as a result of teamwork and meticulous planning.
Chairman of the Textbook Board, Abidullah Kakakhail, said that for the first time, such a large volume of books is being procured entirely through the Electronic Pakistan Acquisition and Disposal System (EPADS). The system enables the entire procurement process—from tendering to award—to be conducted online, minimizing human intervention and reducing the risk of corruption or mismanagement.
Contractors from across Pakistan participated in the bidding process. “More than 34 million books are being procured this year. Last year, their cost was Rs 3,361 million, while this year it has been reduced to Rs 2,753 million,” he said, highlighting a saving of over Rs 600 million.
Abidullah credited the board’s staff for their round-the-clock efforts, which, he said, have benefited the national exchequer. “Previously, contractors often formed cartels, causing financial losses to the provincial government. This time, such collusion was prevented, resulting in substantial savings despite inflation,” he added.
He assured that all students would receive their textbooks on time and said that the government is taking steps to ensure timely distribution. The chairman emphasized the importance of technology in promoting good governance and transparency in government operations.
