The government has defended its decision to purchase 45 bulletproof vehicles for the upcoming SCO summit.
The vehicles are being procured for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Council of Heads of State Summit. The event is scheduled to take place in Islamabad in August-September 2027.
Pakistan is currently chairing the SCO Council of Heads of State. The government considers the summit an important international event for the country.
Heads of state, governments, and international organisations are expected to attend the summit. Their security and transportation arrangements are being planned ahead of the event.
The Cabinet Division said the vehicle purchase should not be politicized. It stated that security arrangements must meet international standards.
According to the government, visiting dignitaries will require secure transportation during the summit. The Cabinet Division highlighted Pakistan’s existing security situation.
It also referred to threats from hostile external elements. Officials said additional security measures are therefore required for the international gathering.
The Cabinet Division also discussed the condition of existing bulletproof vehicles. The latest vehicles currently available with the division are reportedly 2016 models.
Officials said these vehicles do not meet the standards required for the upcoming summit. The government therefore decided to arrange newer vehicles for visiting dignitaries.
The number of vehicles was also discussed at several official forums. Following these discussions, the requirement was finalized at 45 vehicles.
The government said 45 bulletproof vehicles represent the minimum requirement for the event. The vehicles are intended to support transportation and security arrangements for foreign guests.
However, not all vehicles required for the summit will be purchased. Around 300 additional vehicles are expected to be needed during the event.
According to the Cabinet Division, these vehicles will be rented instead. This approach will allow the authorities to meet additional transportation needs without purchasing the entire fleet.
The government has also urged the public to view the summit in a broader context. It described the event as an opportunity to improve Pakistan’s international profile.
The SCO summit is expected to bring several high-level international delegations to Islamabad. Security and logistical planning is therefore being carried out in advance.
The Cabinet Division said the event should not be trivialized or politicized. It maintained that the vehicle procurement is connected with summit security requirements.
The purchase forms part of wider preparations for hosting the international gathering. Other transportation and security arrangements are also expected to be finalized before the summit.
The government has emphasized that security remains a key consideration. It says the arrangements are intended to ensure safe movement of visiting dignitaries.
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The final preparations will continue as Pakistan moves closer to hosting the SCO Council of Heads of State Summit. Officials are expected to coordinate security and logistical requirements ahead of the event.
