The Interior Ministry has approved the purchase of 20 double cabin vehicles for Islamabad, a decision that has sparked debate over spending priorities and the growing culture of perks in government. The allocation gives half of the vehicles to the Islamabad Police, with the other half assigned to the city administration.
Allocation of Vehicles
The Interior Ministry has divided the 20 double cabin vehicles equally between the Islamabad Police‘s and the city administration. This distribution is aimed at ensuring both law enforcement and administrative officers have the mobility required for field operations and day-to-day duties.
| Category | Recipients | Number of Vehicles |
| Islamabad Police | SPs, SSP Operations, SSP Investigation, SSP Security, Chief Traffic Officer (CTO), SP Dolphin | 10 |
| City Administration | 8 Assistant Commissioners, Additional Deputy Commissioner General | 10 |
Model and Delivery
Reports suggest the vehicles will be Toyota Revo Hilux double-cabin 4x4s, popularly known as “Dalas.”
- Improve operational mobility across urban and suburban areas
- Delivery is expected by October 2025
- Deployment will begin the following month
- For the Islamabad Police, the vehicles are expected to:
- Strengthen patrolling capacity
Purpose and Justification
Officials claim the decision will enhance administrative effectiveness and law enforcement readiness. The Islamabad Police often face challenges covering vast urban and suburban areas, making reliable off-road vehicles a necessity rather than a luxury. Similarly, assistant commissioners are frequently engaged in field inspections where dependable transport is essential.
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Procurement and Estimated Costs
The exact figures have not been released, but comparable government purchases indicate that a Toyota Hilux Revo-G 4×4 costs several million rupees per unit. Government procurement generally includes higher-spec variants and modifications, pushing prices above market averages. In contrast, used double-cabins are listed around PKR 4 million on consumer platforms, though these lack the specifications required by the Islamabad Police and city administration.
Broader Context and Precedent
This procurement follows a national pattern.
- In Sindh, 138 double cabin vehicles were approved for assistant commissioners, sparking a case in the Sindh High Court before being allowed to proceed.
- In Punjab, over Rs. 2.3 billion has been spent on similar vehicles for senior bureaucrats, fueling debate over government spending priorities.
The Islamabad decision places the Islamabad Police at the center of this ongoing discussion about resource allocation, public trust, and financial discipline.
Public Debate
Public opinion remains divided.
- Supporters argue that the Islamabad-Police require modern, high-performance vehicles to respond quickly to emergencies and conduct effective patrols.
- Critics see the move as yet another example of perks being extended to bureaucrats and officers, questioning whether the money could be better spent on healthcare, education, or flood relief.
Conclusion
The approval of 20 new double-cabin Toyota Hilux Revos — 10 for the Islamaba-Police and 10 for city administrators — highlights the tension between operational necessity and public perception. While officials defend the decision as crucial for law enforcement and administration, the optics of expensive vehicles in a struggling economy mean the debate is far from over.
