FBR Starts Distributing New Honda City Cars Worth Rs. 6 Billion to Tax Officers

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has started distributing brand-new Honda City vehicles to tax officers. Dozens of these cars have already arrived at the FBR’s Karachi headquarters. The department plans to procure a total of 1,010 vehicles worth around Rs. 6 billion. An advance payment of Rs. 3 billion has already been made. The procurement agreement was signed in January 2025, and the initial payment secured delivery of the first batch of 500 vehicles. The cars are intended to improve officer mobility in tax enforcement operations, claims FBR. However, the move has sparked backlash from both parliamentarians and the public, with many questioning the rationale for such an expensive procurement amid ongoing economic challenges. FBR also issued an explanatory letter to a parliamentary committee a few months ago. The letter clarified that the vehicles are being allocated strictly to grade 17 and 18 officers posted in field offices. Officers of grade 19 and above are not included in the scheme. FBR said the cars will not be handed over to individuals but assigned to their respective offices, and all vehicles will display official FBR stickers to avoid personal misuse. Despite these assurances, the move continues to face strong public opposition.