Islamabad, Jan 24: Saleem Mandviwalla, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, has strongly urged Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to immediately halt the procurement of over 1,000 vehicles by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
The vehicles, purportedly intended for operational purposes, have raised serious concerns regarding their acquisition process, and Mandviwalla has called for an investigation into the matter.
Mandviwalla expressed concerns in a letter to the finance minister about the FBR’s recent plan to buy 1,010 vehicles for its officers. This plan came to light during a recent committee session.
On January 13, 2025, the Senate Standing Committee issued a formal request to the FBR, asking for a detailed justification and comprehensive information on the procurement process
. This inquiry specifically sought clarity on the tendering, bidding procedures, and approvals involved in the purchase.
The scale and timing of this procurement raised suspicions about the transparency of the entire process. During a meeting on January 22, 2025, the committee uncovered troubling information, including the deliberate exclusion of potential competitors in the bidding process.
This exclusion has sparked allegations of mismanagement and suggests possible malintent, casting a shadow over the integrity of government procurement procedures.
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Mandviwalla emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that the purchase order had already been issued, and payments were on the verge of being processed by the Accountant General’s office.
As a result, the committee unanimously called for an immediate suspension of the procurement process. This pause is crucial to ensure a thorough investigation into the potential irregularities and to verify that all actions taken adhere to legal and ethical standards.
The senator highlighted the importance of conducting a detailed review to maintain public trust and government accountability.
He urged the finance minister to intervene and suspend the procurement to prevent any further reputational damage and to address any lapses or violations that may have occurred.
Ensuring transparency and fairness in this matter is vital not only for safeguarding public resources but also for upholding the integrity of government operations.
