AGP Calls Out FIA for Purchase of 24 Unauthorized Vehicles

In recent news, the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) has raised a couple of red flags on the matter of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) purchasing 24 luxury vehicles, which were unauthorized. They were also called out for the maintenance and repair of around 169 vehicles, an action which was not approved by the Cabinet Division.

The supreme audit institution carried out an audit report for the year 2019 till 2020. In its report, it noted that the headquarters of the FIA acquired a total of 24 tampered vehicles, which included some luxury ones as well. Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Camry, Hilux Surf, and Mark X were some of the cars named in the report. These were sold by the office of the Director General of Pakistan Customs between the years 2017 and 2019.

The AGP went on to add that all the vehicles bought were not registered. Moreover, on the 9^th of October 2018, the report revealed that the FIA had surrendered a total of eight luxury vehicles out of the 24 bought. They were handed over to the DG Customs Intelligence and Investigation in Islamabad. However, the auditor did not receive any acknowledgement regarding the purchase or sale of the vehicle.

The AGP also made a reference to the letters of the Finance Division Expenditure Wing, which were issued in the year 2017 and 2018. They ruled that a complete ban is to be placed on the buying of all kinds of vehicles, except for motorcycles.

The supreme audit institution went on to observe that no officer was granted permission to maintain their luxury vehicles, as per the Rules of Staff Car. In addition, the FIA has been incurring this recurring liability due to the maintenance of the luxury vehicles, which goes against the financial prudence and propriety required from a government department.

According to the procedure, the divisions, departments, and ministries that require operational vehicles should get approval of the vehicles from the Vehicle Committee. This constitutes of a representative belonging to the Finance Division, Cabinet Division, as well as the respective division, department, and ministry.