CPEC secretariat to buy Rs95 million bulletproof vehicle for Chinese nationals 

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor secretariat plans to purchase a bulletproof Toyota Land Cruiser for Rs95.049 million to provide secure transport for visiting Chinese nationals, The Express Tribune reported. 

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the vehicle would be used exclusively for their protection, which remains the responsibility of the Government of Pakistan. Chinese nationals are not permitted to travel in non-bulletproof vehicles because of security risks.

The 3,500cc vehicle will be bought from M/s Toyota Central Motors through direct contracting under Rule 42(c)(vii) of the Public Procurement Rules. The Central Development Working Party has approved the procurement.

Toyota Central Motors submitted the lowest of three quotations at Rs95.049 million. M/s Toyota Port Qasim quoted Rs95.25 million, while M/s Toyota Society offered Rs95.45 million.

The CPEC secretariat said limited availability of vehicles from the Cabinet Division had caused delays, rescheduling and, at times, cancellation of engagements involving foreign delegations. Hiring suitable vehicles from the private market was described as expensive and unreliable.

The secretariat had no funds available for the purchase and sought the reappropriation of Rs58.3 million from other Ministry of Planning projects. However, the payment could not be processed before the close of the previous fiscal year because approvals were delayed.

The acting project director said the full amount would be paid at once, as instalments were not possible. The vehicle will undergo bulletproofing later under the Ministry of Interior’s standard operating procedures.