Relaxation from ban on new vehicles sought

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has turned down a proposal for the procurement of a large number of bulletproof vehicles for the heads of state who will arrive for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) next September. The Cabinet Division requested for the procurement of 65 bulletproof vehicles but the PM gave approval for 45 vehicles. The government decided to relax the ban on the purchase of new vehicles imposed by the cabinet under austerity measures to procure bulletproof vehicles. In a recent meeting, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) allowed procurement of 15 additional bulletproof vehicles costing Rs3 billion for the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit scheduled for September 2027. It directed the Cabinet Division to submit a case to the cabinet for relaxation in the ban on buying new vehicles. It also gave directives to prepare a case for exemption from duties and taxes under relevant provisions of the Customs Act 1969, Sales Tax Act 1990 and Federal Excise Act 2005. During discussions, the Cabinet Division said that the proposal was placed before the ECC in continuation of an earlier summary submitted on September 7, 2026 for provision of Rs12.61 billion through a technical supplementary grant for the purchase of bulletproof and soft-skin vehicles for the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit. In response, the ECC had approved a grant of Rs6.60 billion for 30 Mercedes Benz-Maybach S680 Guard (VR10) for VVIP security. The Cabinet Division explained that, in line with the ECC directive to resubmit the case for the remaining vehicles, after further review and following the PM's directive and consultation with the deputy PM, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Interior, their approval was taken for the procurement of additional vehicles. ECC members emphasised that highest-standard bulletproof vehicles were needed on account of high-level security arrangements, especially keeping in view the internal and external threats. The Cabinet Division shared that in a high-level meeting, chaired by the PM, to review the arrangements being made for the SCO Heads of State Summit, there was a unanimous agreement that 30 bulletproof vehicles would not suffice against the requirement of 65, particularly since the summit needed high-level security protocols. It was observed that the SCO summit was a historic opportunity for Pakistan to further highlight its international stature and influence for the promotion of national interests. It was also noted that the bulletproof vehicles would take a considerably long time in manufacturing, especially in the case of right-hand drive, and the matter had already been delayed. The Cabinet Division said that following the meeting, it was directed by the PM Office to place the case before the ECC, in consultation with the deputy PM and the ministries of foreign affairs and interior, at the earliest for an expeditious decision. Accordingly, the case was resubmitted for the PM's consideration prior to placement before the ECC. Following consideration of the case and endorsements by the deputy PM and the ministries of foreign affairs and interior, the PM gave directives that the number of vehicles to be purchased would be reduced from 65 and only 45 vehicles would be bought. The PM told the Cabinet Division to amend the cost estimates accordingly for submission of the case to the ECC. The Cabinet Division told the meeting that in compliance with the directive, 15 BMW 760i xDrive (VR9) bulletproof sedans, costing Rs3 billion, may be procured in addition to the 30 bulletproof Mercedes Benz Maybach S680 Guard (VR10) sedans, for which the ECC had already approved a supplementary grant of Rs6.60 billion.