ISLAMABAD: The CPEC secretariat is purchasing a Rs95 million bulletproof car for visiting Chinese nationals. The secretariat will buy a Toyota Land Cruiser with a 3,500cc engine capacity through a local dealer.
Officials will invoke Rule 42-c (vii) of the Public Procurement Rules for the purchase. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan bears primary responsibility for protecting Chinese citizens.
The secretariat said the Cabinet Division could not provide vehicles when needed. Consequently, officials faced delays, rescheduling and cancellations of important engagements involving foreign delegations.
The Planning Ministry had arranged Rs58.3 million by reallocating funds from other projects. However, officials could not place the order before the end of the financial year because approvals remained pending.
Chinese Delegations Expected Amid CPEC Activities
The vehicle will supplement several bullet-proof vehicles and at least two helicopters purchased or being acquired by government departments.
Moreover, the CPEC secretariat frequently receives Chinese delegations and technical teams for meetings, inspections and project coordination.
Officials said regular vehicle rentals remained unreliable and expensive. Therefore, they argued that purchasing a dedicated vehicle would provide dependable transport while reducing long-term costs.
Pakistan and China are also marking 75 years of diplomatic relations this year. Consequently, officials expect several high-level Chinese delegations to visit Pakistan for CPEC-related engagements.
Meanwhile, the planning secretary directed officials to seek guidance from the Cabinet Division on the purchase procedure and required approvals.
