ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb assured on Friday that the procurement of 1,010 vehicles for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) would be carried out with complete transparency, addressing concerns raised by the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue.
“Providing vehicles to FBR officials is a critical necessity; they cannot simply remain confined to their offices to perform their duties,” the minister stated in response to a letter from Senate Standing Committee Chairman Senator Saleem Mandviwalla.
In the letter, dated January 22, Senator Mandviwalla expressed concerns about the procurement process, questioning the timing and scale of the acquisition. He called for a thorough review, citing “serious doubts about the transparency and integrity of the process.”
The FBR had issued a letter of intent on January 13 for a procurement valued at Rs6 billion. The initial phase includes the delivery of 500 vehicles, with Rs3 billion already paid in advance.
The delivery plan outlines phased implementation: 75 vehicles in January, 200 in February, and 225 in March. The second phase will involve 250 vehicles in April and 260 in May.
During a recent committee meeting, members highlighted the alleged exclusion of competitors from the bidding process, raising concerns over potential mismanagement and questionable intentions.
The committee’s letter further urged the government to cancel the purchase order issued to the Accountant General Pakistan Revenues (AGPR) and halt any payments related to the procurement.
Responding to these reservations, Finance Minister Aurangzeb emphasized the need for FBR officials to conduct fieldwork to enhance tax collection. He reassured that the procurement process would remain impartial, noting that all vehicle suppliers involved in the process are based in Pakistan.
“No supplier will face unfair treatment,” he affirmed, reiterating the government’s commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent process.
