Islamabad, January 24, 2025: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has assured that transparency will be upheld in the procurement of 1,010 vehicles for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), following concerns raised by the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue. The committee had urged the government to reconsider the acquisition, citing doubts about the integrity of the process.
Addressing a letter from Senate Standing Committee Chairman Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, the finance minister defended the procurement, stating that vehicles were essential for FBR officials to effectively perform their field duties and enhance tax collection efforts. “Procuring vehicles for the FBR officials is an important requirement… They cannot just sit in offices and continue their work,” Aurangzeb remarked.
Senator Mandviwalla’s letter, dated January 22, highlighted apprehensions regarding the timing and scale of the Rs6 billion procurement, raising concerns about potential mismanagement and a lack of transparency. The letter also pointed to alleged deliberate exclusion of competitors in the bidding process, suggesting possible mala fide intent.
The procurement process began with a letter of intent issued on January 13. The Rs6 billion acquisition is divided into two phases. The first phase, which involves the delivery of 500 vehicles, has already seen an advance payment of Rs3 billion. The schedule for deliveries includes 75 vehicles in January, 200 in February, and 225 in March. The remaining 510 vehicles are set for delivery in April and May.
In light of the concerns, Senator Mandviwalla requested the cancellation of the purchase order issued to the Accountant General Pakistan Revenues (AGPR) and a halt on further payments.
In his response, Finance Minister Aurangzeb assured that no company would face discrimination in the procurement process, emphasizing that all vehicle suppliers involved were based in Pakistan. He reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency and fairness in handling the acquisition, ensuring that the concerns raised would be addressed.
The procurement, which has drawn criticism for its timing and perceived lack of transparency, continues to be a focal point for debate on government procurement policies and fiscal priorities.Top of Form
