Islamabad, Pakistan (CU)_ A premium Mercedes-Benz S500 4MATIC sedan has left the Pakistani government in distress in the midst of escalating inflation. According to reports by the Pakistani media, the administration of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) is under strong criticism from civil society organizations and activists for purchasing a new luxury vehicle for its head, Barrister Sultan Mahmood, for more than Rs 100 million. The action comes as the Pakistani government faces criticism for budget cuts in the development of PoK.
According to a notification released by the services and general administration department (S&GAD), the PoK government had authorized an extra grant of Rs102.52 million in FY 2021-22 […] and its advance withdrawal for the purchase, with payment of local taxes and transportation costs, of a Mercedes-Benz S500 4MATIC Sedan Long (RHD) vehicle for the president.
Following the viral rounds of the notice on social media, it stimulate an outpouring of outraged reactions from individuals around the nation. The latest tweet from the well-known analyst Naila Altaf Kayani stated, “While the president is not legally barred from buying an even expensive car, it does not behove him to do so at a time when his party is crying hoarse about the budget cuts that it says will affect its plans to deliver in productive, social and development sectors”. Saad Maqsood, an activist from Saudi Arabia, wrote, “In Pakistan they don’t have money to consume even poison, but from Islamabad to Muzaffarabad, there is no end to the luxuries of the ruling elite.”
In addition, Pro-PTI activists requested the party leader Imran Khan to assess the situation. During a media interview, Syed Kamal Haider, the representative of PoK president, told the local media that the summary for the purchase of the new automobile had been initiated by the former government, but they had not yet seen it. In a similar approach, the PoK administration authorized an extra subsidy of Rs 20.34 million for the purchase of four new 1800cc Toyota Corolla vehicles for the territory’s previous prime ministers a few weeks ago.
