As Pakistan grapples with severe fiscal constraints, Sindh’s decision to procure 138 double cabins vehicles worth Rs 2 billion for assistant commissioners (ACs) has raised concerns over government spending. The purchase of these double cabins highlights how bureaucracy continues to misuse limited national resources, despite the country’s efforts to curb unnecessary expenditures.
While the federal government is actively pursuing economic reforms and rightsizing under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, Sindh’s approach appears misaligned. The Sindh Services, General Administration & Coordination Department has already requested the Finance Department to release the funds for these double cabin vehicles, further fueling the controversy.
The procurement of these luxury double cabins, such as the Toyota Hilux Revo, which costs over Rs 10 million each, starkly contrasts the federal austerity measures. Last year, PM Shehbaz urged ministers to fly economy class and forgo luxury perks to save the government Rs 200 billion annually. Despite these efforts, the Sindh government’s decision contradicts the ongoing fiscal austerity drive.
The letter from the Sindh Finance Department confirmed the request for nearly Rs 2 billion to facilitate the purchase of these double cabin vehicles, with funds allocated from the Board of Revenue budget. Economists and analysts have repeatedly called for a ban on luxury vehicle purchases amid the country’s economic struggles, arguing that such decisions worsen the financial burden on an already struggling public.
The ongoing reforms led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb focus on broadening the tax base and downsizing the federal government to promote sustainable growth. However, the procurement of luxury vehicles by the Sindh government signals a disconnect between the federation and provincial administration, sparking debate on the need for more stringent measures.
