Islamabad, June 17, 2025: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has officially begun handing over a fleet of brand-new Honda City vehicles to its tax officers, triggering widespread criticism. According to official sources, dozens of these cars have already reached the FBR’s Karachi headquarters, with the complete procurement plan covering 1,010 units worth an estimated Rs. 6 billion.
An initial payment of Rs. 3 billion was made earlier this year after the procurement deal was finalized in January 2025. The advance allowed FBR to secure delivery of the first batch of 500 cars. These vehicles, according to the department, aim to enhance mobility and operational efficiency for field officers involved in tax enforcement.
Despite the official reasoning, the initiative has drawn serious backlash. Members of Parliament and the general public have voiced concerns about the timing and scale of the procurement, especially amid Pakistan’s ongoing financial strain.
In an attempt to address these concerns, FBR submitted a formal clarification to a parliamentary committee. The document emphasized that only officers in grade 17 and 18, serving in field roles, are eligible to use these vehicles. Higher-grade officers are not part of the scheme.
The FBR further clarified that the vehicles are office assets — not personal property — and will be marked with official stickers to ensure transparency and prevent misuse.
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Still, despite these clarifications, the move has failed to silence criticism. Many see the decision as tone-deaf to the economic realities faced by millions of Pakistanis, making the FBR’s move a hot topic of national debate.
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