According to a recent report, the retired three- and four-star officers of the armed forces are now allowed to import duty-free bulletproof vehicles with engine displacements of up to 6,000cc under a policy approved by the federal cabinet but subject to approval from the premier.
The facility will also be available to all three service chiefs and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee soon after their retirement, according to the official, though no notification has been issued.
It remains to be seen whether the facility will be subject to any conditions or will only apply to retired offers. “We cannot share details at this time,” said the source, adding that everything would be clear once the notification was issued.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has delayed issuing the notification due to growing social media criticism of the government’s decision. According to the source, the notification will now be issued after approval from the Prime Minister’s Secretariat and the finance minister.
According to an in-principal decision by the federal cabinet, four-star armed forces officers can import two bulletproof vehicles with engine capacities of up to 6,000cc duty-free. After retirement, three-star officers will be able to import one duty-free bulletproof vehicle.
Without FBR approval, they would be unable to sell these vehicles in the market for the next five years. However, if they want to sell a vehicle before that time, they must pay all duties and taxes.
Furthermore, the import of these vehicles will be contingent on the recommendation of the defence ministry.
The decision was made with approval from the federal cabinet, which has the authority to waive duty and taxes on anything, according to a source citing a well-placed source in the FBR.
A finance ministry official said the IMF would have no issue with the individual’s exemptions. “We have recently revived the exemptions of international organizations as well as diplomats,” the official said.
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