Govt defends 45 bulletproof vehicles for SCO summit

The federal government has defended its decision to procure 45 bulletproof vehicles for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State summit, scheduled to be held in Islamabad in August-September 2027.

The Cabinet Division said the vehicles were necessary to meet the security requirements of the high-profile international gathering, which is expected to bring heads of state and government as well as senior representatives of international organisations to Pakistan.

The decision came after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the purchase of 45 vehicles against an initial requirement of 65. The Cabinet Division said the procurement had been considered at several forums and that the approved number represented the minimum requirement for the summit.

In a statement, the division rejected what it described as unwarranted criticism of the decision in the media and on social media. It said Pakistan’s current security environment required reliable and secure transportation for visiting dignitaries.

According to the government, the Cabinet Division’s existing fleet includes only a limited number of bulletproof vehicles, with some dating back to 2016. Officials said these vehicles no longer meet the standards required for hosting a summit of this scale.

The approved fleet will include 15 BMW 760i xDrive VR9 bulletproof sedans, estimated to cost around Rs3 billion. Another 30 Mercedes-Benz Maybach S680 Guard VR10 vehicles had already received approval through a supplementary grant of Rs6.60 billion.

The government clarified that the 45 bulletproof vehicles would be used only for essential security-related transport. Around 300 additional non-bulletproof vehicles are expected to be hired to meet other logistical and operational requirements during the summit.

Pakistan is currently chairing the SCO Council of Heads of State. The government has described the 2027 summit as a major diplomatic event and an opportunity to demonstrate the country’s ability to host large international gatherings.

The procurement has nevertheless drawn criticism from opposition figures and some former officials, who have questioned the expenditure at a time when the country continues to face significant security and economic challenges.