The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has commenced the distribution of brand-new Honda City vehicles to its tax officers, with dozens of cars already delivered to the FBR’s Karachi headquarters.

The department plans to acquire a total of 1,010 vehicles worth approximately Rs. 6 billion, having already made an advance payment of Rs. 3 billion. The procurement agreement, signed in January 2025, secured the delivery of the first batch of 500 cars.

According to FBR officials, the vehicles are intended to enhance officer mobility during tax enforcement operations. The cars will be allocated exclusively to grade 17 and 18 officers posted in field offices, while officers of grade 19 and above are excluded from the scheme.

In a letter to a parliamentary committee, the FBR clarified that the vehicles will remain the property of the department, assigned to offices rather than individuals, and will bear official FBR stickers to prevent personal misuse.

Despite these assurances, the procurement has sparked significant criticism from parliamentarians and the public, who question the necessity of such an expensive purchase amid Pakistan’s ongoing economic challenges.