The government has defended its decision to acquire 45 bulletproof vehicles for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit scheduled for August or September 2027. It described the purchase as the minimum necessary to ensure the safety of visiting heads of state, dismissing the criticism as unfounded and overly skeptical.
In a statement released by the Cabinet Division and shared by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, officials highlighted the significance of the summit, calling it one of Pakistan’s most important international events. The government cautioned against politicizing or underestimating the scale and security demands of the gathering.
The Cabinet Division noted that the summit will host heads of state, government leaders, and senior representatives from various international organizations, making secure and dependable transportation arrangements imperative. This requirement is especially critical considering Pakistan’s current security challenges and the threats posed by hostile external forces.
It was pointed out that the existing fleet of bulletproof vehicles, dating back to 2016, does not meet the standards needed for the summit. After thorough consideration in several forums, the government fixed the number of new vehicles at 45, describing this as the bare minimum for adequate protection. Additionally, around 300 non-bulletproof vehicles will be hired to support the event’s logistics.
This clarification follows prior decisions by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) concerning funding for the vehicles. In September, the ECC approved a supplementary grant of Rs6.6 billion for 30 bulletproof vehicles after the Cabinet Division initially requested Rs12.6 billion for over 50 vehicles. The committee requested a detailed assessment before finalizing any additional needs.
Subsequently, the ECC approved another Rs3 billion technical supplementary grant for 15 more bulletproof sedans, emphasizing their necessity for the security of visiting dignitaries and the importance of timely preparations. The committee also reviewed security measures from the recent SCO summit in Kyrgyzstan and committed to implementing similar protocols.
Together, these approvals account for the total of 45 bulletproof vehicles now planned for procurement. The Cabinet Division described the SCO Council of Heads of State summit as a highly prestigious international event, marking Pakistan’s most prominent gathering since hosting the 1973 Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit.
Hosting the summit is seen as an opportunity to elevate Pakistan’s international profile. Having assumed the SCO chairmanship for 2026-27 during the Bishkek summit in September, Islamabad is set to host the next Council of Heads of State meeting in 2027. Given the scale of the event, security arrangements will adhere to the strict protocols typically observed during visits by heads of state and government.
Finally, the Cabinet Division called on the public to regard hosting the summit as an honor for Pakistan and to support the government’s efforts to organize the event with the appropriate security and logistical measures.
