Islamabad (Commerce Desk): The Government of Pakistan has decided to purchase a new bulletproof Toyota Land Cruiser worth approximately Rs95 million to further improve security arrangements for Chinese citizens.
According to officials, the vehicle will be acquired for the use of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Secretariat to provide secure transportation facilities for Chinese delegations and experts visiting Pakistan.
Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal said that the protection of Chinese citizens is the top priority of the Government of Pakistan, and the decision to purchase the bulletproof vehicle has been taken for this purpose.
According to official documents, the new Land Cruiser will be in addition to the existing bulletproof vehicles and at least two helicopters that various government institutions are using or are in the process of acquiring for the security of Chinese citizens.
The CPEC Secretariat stated that due to the limited vehicle fleet of the Cabinet Division, bulletproof vehicles are not always available when required, resulting in delays or sometimes cancellations of important government meetings, foreign delegation visits, and official sessions.
The documents stated that renting bulletproof vehicles from the private market is not only uncertain but also extremely expensive, creating an additional burden on the national treasury.
The government has decided to purchase the vehicle through a direct agreement under Rule 42(c)(vii) of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA).