The federal government has defended its decision to purchase 45 bulletproof vehicles for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, which is scheduled to take place in Islamabad in August or September 2027.
According to the Cabinet Division, the summit is expected to bring heads of state, government officials and senior representatives of international organisations to Pakistan. The government said secure and reliable transportation would therefore be required for the visiting dignitaries.
The Cabinet Division stated that the latest bulletproof vehicles currently available with the government date from 2016 and do not meet the security standards considered necessary for the upcoming summit. It said the requirement for new vehicles had been discussed at several forums before the number was finalised at 45, which officials described as the minimum requirement.
In addition to the bulletproof vehicles, around 300 non-bulletproof vehicles will reportedly be hired to meet other transportation needs during the event.
The procurement follows decisions by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) regarding supplementary funding. The ECC approved Rs6.6 billion for 30 bulletproof vehicles and later approved another Rs3 billion for 15 bulletproof sedans. Together, these approvals correspond to the 45 vehicles cited by the Cabinet Division.
The government has also highlighted the importance of the 2027 SCO Summit, describing it as one of Pakistan’s most significant international gatherings. Islamabad is scheduled to host the Council of Heads of State meeting after Pakistan assumed the SCO chairmanship for 2026-27.
Officials have linked the enhanced security arrangements to Pakistan’s prevailing security environment and the presence of senior foreign dignitaries. The Cabinet Division has urged that preparations for the summit be viewed in the context of the security and logistical requirements associated with hosting such an event.
