ISLAMABAD(National Times)- The government on Wednesday justified its decision to purchase 45 bulletproof vehicles for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation\u2019s (SCO) Council of Heads of State moot in Islamabad next year, stressing the need for ensuring \u201cmaximum possible level of protection\u201d during the summit and citing Pakistan\u2019s \u201csecurity paradigm\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The justification came in a press release by the Cabinet Division, which said \u201ccertain sceptical and unwarranted comments have appeared in the press and social media on the purchase of 45 bulletproof vehicles [\u2026] which seem to have missed the context and perspective of the purchase\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The government had drawn criticism after the decision for the planned purchase. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet approved a supplementary grant of more than Rs6 billion to purchase the bulletproof vehicles earlier this month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In its press release, the Cabinet Division explained that the SCO\u2019s Council of Heads of State meeting was \u201camongst the most high-profile and prestigious of international events\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe summit, scheduled to be held in Islamabad during August-September 2027 will be the most high profile gathering, second only to 1973 Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Summit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This would give Pakistan an opportunity to \u201cfurther raise its stature and honour amongst the comity of nations\u201d, the press release added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe significance of the summit cannot be underestimated, trivialised or politicised,\u201d the statement said, noting that the summit would be attended by high-level foreign dignitaries including heads of state, government and international organisations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This made it \u201cimperative to ensure safe, secure and reliable logistics, well-aligned with the parameters defined as standard security protocols during the visits of heads of state, government and international organisations\u201d, it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEnsuring the maximum possible level of protection becomes all the more critical keeping in view Pakistan\u2019s security paradigm, in particular the threats posed by hostile external elements,\u201d it read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At present, the press release said, the latest model of bulletproof vehicles available with the Cabinet Division were from 2016, \u201cwhich are far below the standards required for the summit\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe decision to purchase 45 bulletproof vehicles of the requisite specifications was deliberated upon at several forums and the number has been determined on the basis of the bare minimum requirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll other non-bulletproof vehicles, around 300 in number, will be rented,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The press release further stated that as \u201cPakistanis, we should be proud of the honour conferred on Pakistan and support the government\u2019s effort to organise it in a befitting manner\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also shared the full text of the press release on his X account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The justification comes weeks after the government re-imposed austerity measures on Sept 17, in an effort to conserve fuel amid renewed tensions in the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As part of the austerity measures, the government also imposed a complete ban on the purchase of vehicles of all types, with the restriction not applicable to development projects.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD(National Times)- The government on Wednesday justified its decision to purchase 45 bulletproof vehicles for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation\u2019s (SCO) Council of Heads of State moot in Islamabad next year, stressing the need for ensuring \u201cmaximum possible level of protection\u201d during the summit and citing Pakistan\u2019s \u201csecurity paradigm\u201d. The justification came in a press release […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":134071,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-134070","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest_news","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n