As the common people of Pakistan reel from rising taxation and increasing costs of living, the country's premier tax collection agency, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), plans to buy more than one thousand brand-new Honda City 1.2L CVT cars worth almost six billion rupees.

 

A notification dated January 10, 2025, went viral on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), addressed to Honda Atlas Cars from the FBR with the subject: "Letter of Intent for the purchase of 1010 Honda City 1.2L CVT."

 

Social media users criticised the move, with many pointing out that the salaried class of Pakistan bear the brunt of the government's expenditure. One user wrote: "About Rs. 6 billion of the hard-earned money of taxpayers including salaried class (taxed oppressively up to 40%) is being spent on buying 1,010 Honda City cars for FBR officials. If you're a tax payer, you should know where your money is going."

 

The official letter also listed the following additional "add-ons" that would be included in the package: "Navigation system with reverse cameras, high-grade interior, free four periodic maintenance (20,000 KM or 12 months), 4th year extended warranty (4years or 100,000 KM subject to regular maintenance at Honda authorized 3S/2S dealership), FBR logos on both front doors and front windscreen, and installation of tracker system with one-year service charges @ Rs.8500/- in all cars for which the FBR will bear the cost."

 

The purchase of more than a thousand cars will be completed in two phases, beginning in January of this year and concluding in May 2025.

 

According to the notification, "FBR will upfront Rupees 3 billion for purchase of one thousand and ten vehicles (as full payment for 500 units and partial payment of balance amount for remaining 510 units) and the balance payment shall be made as and when delivery of the first batch is completed i.e. 500 vehicles. The first payment will be made once pre-receipted bill is received."

 

A social media user pointed out that no efficient department would need so many cars for tax collection in this century, writing, "On top of that, all these cars will be used for personal purposes. In today's digital world, no tax man needs vehicles to work effectively."

 

Another user wrote: "Is the salaried class paying taxes from their hard-earned money for this? What exactly has the FBR staff achieved to deserve this reward? Approximately 6B will be spent on purchasing these 1,010 Honda City cars. Take back this decision — it is unacceptable."

 

One user took a sigh of relief, adding, "We must be thankful that they booked Honda City and not Toyota Fortuners."