Islamabad: The Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday halted the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) plans to procure over a thousand Honda City 1.2L CVT vehicles for its staff, citing concerns over unnecessary expenditures during a time of economic distress.
Committee Chairperson Senator Saleem Mandviwalla led the criticism, questioning the rationale behind the large-scale purchase. “Why is the FBR purchasing over a thousand vehicles? Were field officers previously collecting taxes on bicycles?” he remarked.
The plan, announced by the FBR on January 13, involved the acquisition of 1,010 vehicles equipped with advanced features such as navigation systems, reverse cameras, high-grade interiors, and extended warranties. FBR officials justified the purchase as a means to improve operational efficiency, stating that the vehicles were intended to facilitate tax collection efforts.
As part of the plan, the FBR proposed an advance payment of Rs3 billion for an initial batch of 50 vehicles. The delivery schedule included 75 vehicles in January, 200 in February, and 225 in March. Officers were also to receive training on the vehicles’ tracking systems.
The proposal, however, faced sharp criticism from senators who deemed the expenditure inappropriate given the country’s strained economic situation. Senator Faisal Vawda labeled the procurement contract as “shady” and warned of potential corruption. “If this purchase is not stopped, it will become a major corruption scandal,” Vawda asserted.
Despite FBR officials’ defense of the initiative, arguing that it would enhance field officers’ efficiency, the committee rejected the proposal. Senators expressed dissatisfaction with the urgency and scale of the purchase, stressing that the funds could be better allocated to address pressing economic challenges.
The decision highlights growing concerns over government spending, as citizens continue to face heavy taxes and rising costs of living.
