The Sindh government has decided to purchase four-by-four double-cabin vehicles for 138 newly appointed assistant commissioners in Grade 17, following a similar move by Punjab.
The procurement, expected to cost around Rs2 billion, marks a shift from the previously provided Suzuki Cultus cars for officers of this rank.
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According to a written response submitted by the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) to the Sindh High Court, these vehicles are now deemed necessary for state officers.
The statement highlighted that Punjab had already acquired 184 such vehicles for its officers last year. The models under consideration, including Toyota Hilux Revo, Isuzu D-Max, and Ford Ranger, range in price from Rs12 to 15 million.
Double-cabin vehicles, commonly known as “Dala,” have long been associated with status and influence, particularly among landlords, politicians, and bureaucrats. Political figures and landowners in Sindh often use these vehicles to project authority, as observed by Muhammad Ali Abro, a politician from Larkana.
In a significant policy change, the Sindh government has also reclassified double-cabin vehicles from commercial to private status, a move expected to increase tax revenues. Private vehicles are taxed at 5% of their value, compared to 2% for commercial ones.
