The federal government on Wednesday defended its purchase of 45 bulletproof vehicles for next year’s Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Islamabad, claiming it is necessary to protect visiting heads of state amidst ongoing security threats.
The clarification followed mounting criticism from both mainstream and social media, with detractors questioning the excessive funds allocated for the purchase amidst persistent economic concerns for the general public.
In a statement issued by the Cabinet Division—and shared by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on X—the government said next year’s summit would be one of Pakistan’s most significant international gatherings and should not be underestimated or politicized. It said heads of state and government, as well as senior representatives of international organizations, would attend the summit, requiring secure and reliable transport arrangements.
These requirements for enhanced security, it maintained, was particularly important given Pakistan’s security situation and threats posed by hostile external elements.
According to the Cabinet Division, the country last purchased bulletproof vehicles in 2016, which did not meet the security standards required for the SCO summit. It insisted the decision to purchase 45 vehicles with the required specifications was considered at several forums, adding the number had been fixed at the “bare minimum requirement.” To ensure proper arrangements, it said, the government would also hire around 300 non-bulletproof vehicles for the summit.
Major event
The Cabinet Division described the SCO Council of Heads of State summit as a highly significant international event, saying it would be Pakistan’s most high-profile gathering since the 1973 Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit.
Hosting the summit, it said, would provide Pakistan with an opportunity to enhance its standing and profile in the international community. “The significance of the summit cannot be underestimated, trivialized or politicized,” it said, adding it was imperative to ensure safe, secure and reliable logistics, well-aligned with the parameters defined as standard security protocols during visits of heads of state, government and international organizations.
“As Pakistanis we should be proud of the honor conferred on Pakistan and support government’s effort to organize it in a befitting manner,” it said.
Last month, the Economic Coordination Committee of the federal cabinet approved a supplementary grant of Rs. 6.6 billion for the purchase of 30 bulletproof vehicles, slashing the Cabinet Division’s initial demand of Rs. 12.6 billion for over 50 vehicles. In a subsequent meeting, the ECC approved Rs. 3 billion for the purchase of another 15 bulletproof sedans, saying the vehicles were necessary for the security of heads of state and stressing the need for timely preparations for the summit.
Cumulatively, the government is spending Rs. 9.6 billion for the 45 vehicles, ostensibly solely for the SCO event. However, questions persist over how these vehicles would be utilized after the event.