FBR distributes 500 luxury cars to officers amid taxpayers' criticism

Despite growing public criticism over the use of taxpayer money to purchase luxury vehicles, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has begun distributing Honda City cars to its officers.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, dozens of these vehicles have arrived at the FBR headquarters in Karachi.

The department has decided to procure 1,010 brand-new Honda City cars for its officers, a move that has triggered widespread condemnation across the country.

The procurement is estimated to cost approximately Rs6 billion, out of which Rs3 billion has already been paid in advance.

The agreement for the 1,010 Honda City cars was signed in January 2025, with the initial Rs3 billion advance payment securing the delivery of 500 cars.

As part of the deal, the Honda vehicles come equipped with advanced features including navigation systems, reverse cameras, premium interiors, and complimentary maintenance for up to 20,000 kilometres.

In defence of the move, the FBR has stated that the car procurement aims to improve officers’ mobility, which is essential for curbing tax evasion. However, this explanation has not eased public anger.

Members of parliament and citizens alike have condemned the extravagant expenditure from the national treasury, especially during a time of economic difficulty.

On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like #BureaucraticLuxury have trended, reflecting the public’s frustration over unchecked government spending.

It is also worth mentioning that on January 27, the FBR has written an explanatory letter to the parliamentary committee regarding the purchase of 1,010 Honda City cars worth Rs 3 billion for the field officers.

According to the report, in the letter, the FBR clarified that the vehicles will be allocated only to grade 17 and 18 officers stationed at field offices, while officers of grade 19 and above will not receive these cars. To prevent misuse, all vehicles will carry FBR stickers.

The letter also assured that the cars are not being provided to individual officers but will be officially assigned to their respective offices. Additionally, the FBR highlighted a legal provision allowing the purchase of vehicles from local manufacturers or their agents.

Reporter: Ashraf Khan