FBR criticised for buying 1,010 cars for employees amid tax shortfall

ISLAMABAD: The issue of vehicle purchases by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was brought to the Senate. Senator Faisal Vawda presented a call attention notice regarding the matter, questioning the transactions involved in the purchase.

Senator Vawda raised concerns about the FBR’s tax shortfall of Rs384 billion and suggested that vehicles may have been provided as rewards in light of this shortfall. He highlighted that no advertisements were published in newspapers for the vehicle purchases, further questioning the transparency of the process.

“The issue pertained to the Finance Minister, yet the Defence Minister became involved,” Vawda remarked, adding, “Perhaps we are unclear whether the Ministry of Defence is handling finances or the Ministry of Finance is responsible for defence.”

Vawda’s notice focused on the procurement of 1,010 vehicles for FBR employees. He criticised the decision, saying that the vehicles were being given as rewards despite the failure to meet tax targets. “No public advertisement was made for these vehicle purchases,” Vawda stressed.

He expressed frustration over the accusations against his party, stating, “We have been accused of interference, yet it is the Defence Minister defending the issue. We will not allow favouritism to prevail.”

According to Vawda, vehicles should only be allocated to those above grade 20, yet those in grade 16 and above were being awarded vehicles. He further lamented the increasing lawlessness in the country, saying, “Theft, robbery, and hooliganism have become the norm.”

The matter was further discussed by Senator Abdul Qadir, who estimated the vehicle contract to be worth Rs2 to 4 billion, with issues amounting to Rs100 to 200 million. He urged the Senate to focus on core issues, mentioning that capacity payments had reached Rs2,300 billion, and that it was reported that Rs15 billion in annual theft occurred at customs houses.

In his final remarks, Vawda noted that the FBR vehicle purchase issue involved Rs10 billion, expressing disappointment that large-scale corruption and theft were not being considered serious issues. He stressed the need for maintaining transparency in government affairs.

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