Pakistan is phasing through one of its toughest times economically as it merely avoided bankruptcy after International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a loan worth $3 billion. But it seems the Punjab caretaker government is oblivious to this whole situation as it is spending Rs. 2.33 billion to purchase over 200 new vehicles for different government officials and bureaucrats.

The news started circulating on social media a few days ago when a couple of Twitter handles claimed that the government is taking this step while highlighting that its “country is barely surviving.” Another Twitter user highlighted the same news. But there were doubts about that claim.

Country is barely Surviving Why Would Punjab Govt orders 200 New Vehicles 🚗 Worth 2.3 billion 4 Bureaucrats doing good Job against (PTI To Crush)Them once for all 3 billion from IMF to Stable Countries Economy ? Not to buy Cars Why R they so Abnormal? Shame . https://t.co/UMvxcqjIFh

— Gladiator (@fngladiator) July 22, 2023

Are the Claims True? 

Now, a top private news channel in Pakistan has fact-checked these claims and found them to be true. According to the news channel, an anonymous senior government official has confirmed the news. “The additional commissions in the province will get Toyota Corolla 1.6 Altis CVT each, while the additional deputy commissioner (ADC) general of each district will get a Yaris ATIV 1.3L, and the assistant commissioner (AC) of each tehsil will get a luxury double cabin 4X4 Revo-G M/T.

For the record, Corolla 1.6 Altis CVT costs Rs. 6,769,000, the price of Yaris  ATIV 1.3 is Rs. 4,999,000, and lastly, the current rate of double cabin 4X4 Revo-G M/T is Rs. 12,409,000. It means this purchase will be a huge burden on the exchequer of the province.

The same official further told the news channel that although the notification circulating on social media is fake, the information in it is accurate. “The department has prepared a notification in this regard and will publish it soon,” he mentioned.

Under these orders, 146 assistant commissioners (tehsil), 36 additional deputy commissioners (district), and 27 additional commissioners (division) will receive these new vehicles, taking the total to 209 cars.

According to the report, the Punjab Board of Revenue (BOR) will purchase these vehicles by drawing from budget 2023-24.