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Express Tribune
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Rs526m released to buy SUVs for top babus
The Sindh Finance Department has released Rs526 million to the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) for the procurement of new luxury vehicles for commissioners of the six divisions of Sindh and deputy commissioners (DCs) across the province. According to official documents, the funds will be utilised to purchase 35 vehicles with 2,755cc engine capacities, comprising six Toyota Fortuner diesel models and 29 Toyota Hilux Rocco pickups. The six Fortuners are designated for the province's commissioners, including Karachi, while the Hilux Roccos will be assigned to 29 DCs. There are six divisions in Sindh, Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Larkana and Shaheed Benaziraba (Nawabshah). There are 30 districts in Sindh. However, government will by one Rocco less because the DC of Keamari district is not included in this allotment. A new vehicle had already been procured earlier for the newly established district. The release of funds comes approximately one-and-a-half month prior to the presentation of the new fiscal year's budget. As per a letter issued by the Sindh Finance Department, the cost of each Fortuner vehicle for the commissioners is around Rs18 million, while each Hilux Rocco designated for DCs costs around Rs14.4 million. The Sindh cabinet had approved the procurement of these vehicles in January of this year. Earlier, the cabinet had also sanctioned the purchase of 138 double-cabin vehicles for ACs, a move that attracted significant public criticism. Detractors pointed out the contradiction between government calls for austerity and the large expenditure on luxury vehicles for officials. Despite the criticism, the Sindh government has defended its decision, stating that the purchase of new vehicles is essential for officers to effectively carry out their official responsibilities. The government has also emphasized that allocations for these purchases were duly made in the current fiscal year's budget.
Express Tribune
17-03-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Govt officers to flaunt double-cabin vehicles
While originally double-cabin vehicles were used for business purposes, over time they became a status symbol for the wealthy segments of society. However, like all icons of luxury, now these cars too will be flaunted by the province's bureaucrats during their routine inspection drives. After Punjab, the Sindh government has also decided to officially purchase four-by-four double cabin vehicles for 138 newly recruited assistant commissioners of Grade 17, which will cost approximately Rs2 billion. It should be noted that earlier, Suzuki Cultus vehicles were officially provided to the officers of Grade 17, but this time they are being provided with double cabin vehicles. The Services and General Administration Department Sindh (S&GAD), in its written reply submitted to the Sindh High Court (SHC) recently, has made the purchase of double cabin vehicles mandatory for state officers. The statement also mentioned that Punjab's government had already purchased 184 similar vehicles for its officers last October. The vehicles, which are sold popularly under the brand name of Toyota Hilux Revo, Isuzu D-Max, and Ford Ranger, have prices ranging from Rs12 to 15 million. Muhammad Ali Abro, a politician hailing from Larkana opined that the double-cabin vehicle, colloquially known as the "Dala" was considered a symbol of power and social status in the society. "Politicians, landlords, and influential figures in Sindh keep double-cabin vehicles because it increases their social standing. When a person drives around in a double-cabin vehicle with armed guards in the back, ordinary people perceive them as powerful and influential. Hence, police officers standing on the road are seen saluting the politician riding in a double-cabin vehicle," observed Abro. According to Rahmatullah Buriro, a Sukkur-based political activist, double-cabin vehicles were an expensive purchase, making them affordable only for a specific class. "Even if an ordinary person manages to buy a second-hand vehicle of this kind, it would still be impractical for them since it has a high fuel consumption and expensive maintenance. Without security guards, the rear compartment of a double-cabin vehicle serves no purpose. And security guards are not feasible for the common citizen," said Buriro. Across Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan, owning a double-cabin vehicle is a mark of affluence and power especially among landlords, feudal lords, and politicians. Ejaz Ahmed, a young man from Gulshan-e-Hadeed told the Express Tribune that double-cabin vehicles were fairly popular among youth belonging to affluent families in the city. "The youngsters use double-cabin vehicles as an alternative to Land Cruisers and Prado's," explained Ahmed. Reportedly, double cabin vehicles have finally been officially upgraded from the status of a commercial vehicle to a private vehicle in Sindh. Despite being in private use for the past three to four decades, their registration was previously classified as commercial. For the first time, they will now be registered as private vehicles. This change follows a recent decision by the Sindh cabinet. Apparently, this decision will increase the taxes collected by the province and the federal government on vehicles. According to Syed Ziauddin Shah, former Deputy Director of the Excise Department's Motor Registration Wing in Sindh, commercial vehicles are taxed at 2 per cent of their total value, whereas private vehicles are taxed at 5 per cent.
