Senator Saleem Mandviwalla Calls for Halt to FBR’s Procurement of Over 1,000 Vehicles Amid Alleged Irregularities
Islamabad: Saleem Mandviwalla, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, has written to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, urging him to immediately stop the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) from procuring over 1,000 vehicles intended for the officers’ operational activities.
In his letter, Mandviwalla raised concerns regarding the procurement of 1,010 vehicles, which was recently highlighted in a Senate Standing Committee meeting. On January 13, 2025, the committee sent a letter to the FBR, requesting justifications for the acquisition, including details of the tendering and bidding procedures, as well as the approvals involved in the procurement process. The timing and scale of this purchase raised doubts about the transparency of the process, prompting further scrutiny in the January 22 meeting.
Read More: Car ownership is easier now with Interest-Free instalments
The committee identified concerns about the deliberate exclusion of potential competitors in the bidding process, describing it as a possible act of mismanagement and suggesting mala fide intentions that compromised the fairness of the procurement.
Given the urgency of the situation, with the purchase order already issued and payments set to be processed, Mandviwalla has called for an immediate suspension of the procurement. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation to ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards and to uphold accountability and transparency.
Mandviwalla’s letter also highlighted the financial implications of the procurement for the national exchequer and the potential reputational risks for the government. He stressed that halting the procurement is essential to restoring public trust in the government’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of governance.
