FBR to buy 1,010 new cars for recovery staff

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to purchase new Honda City 1.2L CVT vehicles.

These vehicles will be given to grade-18 officers and inspectors for collecting sales tax, income tax, federal excise duty, etc. FBR Member Saeed Akram told reporter here on Monday that FBR Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial had issued F.No. 9(11)(ir-ops) over the weekend in this regard, which said the FBR had issued a letter of intent to a car-assembling company in Pakistan for the purchase of 1010 vehicles.

According to the letter issued in Islamabad, these vehicles would be provided with modern features including navigation system, reverse camera, high-grade interior, four free periodic maintenances, four years or 100,000 km extended warranty, in addition to training of FBR staff and officers to use the tracking system.

The FBR announced an advance payment of Rs3 billion for the purchase of these vehicles, which includes full payment for 500 vehicles and partial payment for the remaining 510 vehicles.

The delivery of 500 vehicles would be completed in the first batch. The delivery schedule has been divided into two phases: In the first phase, 75 vehicles would be delivered in January 2025, 200 vehicles in February 2025 and 225 vehicles in March 2025.

In the second phase, 250 vehicles will be delivered in April 2025 and 260 vehicles in May 2025. The FBR has requested the car supplier to provide a letter of consent and an advance bill to complete the payment process. According to further details, the plan of vehicle delivery locations would be provided later.

Meanwhile, Chairman Standing Committee of Finance Senator Salim Mandviwalla has sought details from the FBR chairman regarding acquisition of 1010 new cars for officers. In a letter, written to the FBR chairman, he said a clear and detailed justification for the cars’ procurement should be provided to the Senate committee, including the reasoning behind the decision to acquire such a significant number of vehicles at this time in point. Additionally, the letter said: “We would appreciate receiving information on the procedure followed during the procurement process, including any relevant guidelines, bidding or tendering procedures, and approvals that were obtained”.

The committee aims to ensure that the procurement aligns with the principles of financial prudence and transparency and to better understand the necessity and impact of the expenditure. “Your prompt response to this matter is needed,” the letter said.