Govt defends purchase of 45 bulletproof vehicles for SCO summit

The Pakistani government defended the acquisition of 45 bulletproof vehicles for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State (CHS) Summit set to take place in Islamabad from August to September 2027. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif authorized the procurement of 45 vehicles instead of the initially demanded 65.

The cabinet division, in a statement, claimed that the move had been endorsed by the deputy Prime Minister and relevant ministries, and dismissed criticism from the press and social media as "sceptical and unwarranted."

The government stressed that the SCO summit would be Pakistan's most significant international event, with heads of state, government and senior representatives of international organizations set to attend. The summit's security requirements were deemed critical due to Pakistan's current security environment and threats from external hostile elements. Cabinet officials noted that the government's latest model bulletproof vehicles were dated 2016 and lacked the required standards for the summit.

The decision to purchase 45 bulletproof vehicles was discussed among several forums and determined based on the minimum requirement. The government explained that the bulletproof vehicles would only be part of the overall transport arrangements, with around 300 non-bulletproof vehicles being rented for logistical needs. The press release emphasized that the SCO summit represented an opportunity for Pakistan to enhance its international standing and showcase its capability to host major diplomatic events, urging citizens to view the hosting of the summit as an honor for the country.