While the Prime minister is embarked on following newly announced austerity policy, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) carries different plans – geared to buy 155 luxury cars worth Rs 1.6 billion to facilitate taxpayers.
Media reports also make some shocking revelation narrating that the FBR planned to use 8.6% percent World Bank loan acquired to upgrade its obsolete information technology system. Mind you, a few years ago, FBR experienced one of the worst hacking incidents, and surprisingly it is yet to upgrade the network.
The documents FBR submitted to the Ministry of Planning for the investment Project Financing (IPF) revealed that the federal department is gearing up to buy 155 vehicles of 1500cc to 3000cc. FBR didn’t mention the make of these cars. And as per FBR’s guidelines, vehicles with the said engine capacity come under the “luxury” segment, subject to heavy taxation.
What’s more concerning is the whooping prices of these vehicles. As per FBR estimate, each of these vehicles costs $47000 or Rs. 10.3 million at the previous exchange rate of Rs. 220 to a dollar. And after the rupee has devalued against the dollar and car prices have also inched up by a big margin, the total cost of the purchase may exceed even 1.63 billion.
On the contrary, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has announced an austerity plan amid aggravating economic fuss in the country. Interestingly, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had already directed the FBR not to misuse Point of Sale funds for personal benefits.
What do you think about the FBR moves that don’t sit well with the Pakistani public? Tell us in the comments section.
