Karachi: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday stopped purchase of 183 double cabin vehicle worth a whopping sum of almost Rs two billion.
Jamat-e-Islami Member of provincial assembly Sindh (MPA) Muhammad Farooq approched the SHC today.
Muhammad Farooq filed the petition against buying the expensive vehicles.
The JI MPA appointed the view the purchase will spend a huge sum of two billion rupees.
Two days ago Sindh government plans to spend a whopping sum of Rs2 billion on 138 luxury 4×4 vehicles for assistant commissioners (ACs) across the province.
The luxurious step has been taken amid the country’s efforts to rightsize the government and tackle increasing fiscal challenges.
The Sindh government appears to be on a different page from the federation.
The federal government is actively pursuing economic reforms and rapidly implementing its rightsizing policy, under the direct supervision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. While the Centre aims to get rid of redundant ministries and departments to ease the burden on the exchequer,
According to sources, the Sindh Services, General Administration & Coordination Department, has already written to the Finance Department Government of Sindh, requesting the release of the amount for the procurement of these vehicles. The assistant commissioners will be provided with Toyota Hilux Revo vehicles, each costing over Rs10 million. These new vehicles are intended to facilitate the officers in carrying out their duties more effectively, the sources added.
The budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 has put immense pressure on the already struggling public and salaried class, as the government failed to provide any relief while avoiding austerity measures for its functionaries.
A copy of the letter issued by the Section Officer (Budget) for secretary of Government of Sindh, acquired by Abbtakk News, reads: “I am directed to refer to the subject noted above and to forward herewith a copy of an approved Summary for Chief Minister, Sindh bearing PS to CS Diary No. 4861, dated: 02nd September, 2024 regarding permission to procure 138 vehicles (4×4 Double Cabin) in respect of Assistant Commissioners from existing budgetary allocation, by Board of Revenue through centralised procurement mechanism in one go.”
“Finance Department, Government of Sindh, is therefore, requested to release the entire withheld funds amounting to Rs1,991,892,000 allocated under head of account “SC21114 (114)-Board of Revenue-A09501-Purchase of Transport” by placing the same at the disposal of Senior Member, Board of Revenue, Sindh, to procure 138 vehicles (4×4 Double Cabin) in respect of Assistant Commissioners through centralised procurement mechanism in one go, during current financial year, 2024-25, as per rules/policy,” the letter added.
Economists have time and again proposed a complete ban on the purchase of luxury items or vehicles for all government-run entities and advised against creating any administrative unit like a new district or town as long as the country was facing economic challenges.
“All luxury vehicles should be withdrawn from the ministers, advisers and bureaucrats, who would travel abroad only if inevitable and that too in economy class,” an analyst said.