Between 20 and 30 billion rupees are spent annually on government vehicles despite 50 percent austerity cuts
LAHORE:
Despite the Punjab government’s repeated austerity announcements, including a 50% cut in fuel expenses and the parking of unnecessary official vehicles, public doubts persist.
Citizens wonder why large numbers of vehicles with green license plates are still seen on highways, outside offices and in cities, if spending is really being reduced.
Estimates from official and financial sources suggest that thousands of government vehicles are still in operation across Punjab. These are used by district administrations, police, health, education, provincial secretariat, development authorities and autonomous institutions. This fleet costs billions a year to maintain, including fuel, maintenance, drivers, tires and general maintenance.
Official estimates put the annual expenditure on fuel and maintenance at between 20 and 30 billion rupees, although some reports suggest 50 million rupees, showing inconsistencies in the data. Under the austerity policy, the government announced a 50% cut in fuel subsidies, limits on the use of non-essential vehicles and suspension of new purchases, claiming potential savings of Rs 5,000-10,000 crore a year, although the results are not yet visible on the ground.
Public opinion reflects a gap between policy and practice. A retired senior bureaucrat, speaking anonymously, said the system reflects an old culture of privilege, in which some officials use multiple vehicles.
“True reform needs GPS tracking, digital logbooks, fuel audits and strict accountability as policy notifications alone are not enough without monitoring. In many countries, senior officials have limited transportation, unlike in Pakistan where multiple vehicles are often assigned to a single post,” the citizen shared.
Financial expert Dr Qais Aslam felt that significant savings could be achieved through centralized use of vehicles, ride-sharing groups, fewer official visits and greater use of virtual meetings. “These measures could save billions a year rather than just millions,” Dr. Aslam said.
Read more: Police ordered to reduce fuel use by 33% as part of austerity campaign
Public circles are demanding transparency, including disclosure of the total number of official vehicles, how many have been parked, departmental fuel savings and which institutions continue to spend high amounts. Currently, no documents provide consolidated figures, as vehicles are registered separately in all departments.
The government has ordered that 50% of vehicles be pooled and has suspended the purchase of between 300 and 400 new vehicles. However, implementation details have not been made public. While there have been some reductions in secretariat offices and during work-from-home periods, vehicles in operational departments such as police, health, engineering and district administration have largely remained active.
The Punjab cabinet also approved only 10 new vehicles instead of the proposed 108, presenting it as an austerity measure. However, the continued visibility of official vehicles has raised questions about the true magnitude of the reductions.
Under the Motor Transport Policy 2026, vehicle and fuel rights for senior officials have been defined. The chief secretary and inspector general of police are allowed three vehicles, while grade 21 and 22 officers can use two vehicles with fuel allowances for personal and official use. Grade 19 and 20 officers are entitled to 1,600 cc vehicles with 250 liters of fuel, and grade 17 officers are entitled to 1,500 cc vehicles with 175 liters per month.
Because departments manage separate budgets, a unified spending figure is rarely published. However, with thousands of vehicles in use, the cumulative cost of fuel, maintenance, personnel, insurance and replacement remains substantial.
Observers say there is a clear gap between official directives and the reality on the ground. If austerity measures are not applied equally, particularly to senior civil servants and ministers, public confidence will continue to decline. Effective reform will require strict monitoring, transparency and accountability.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Assembly has reported savings of more than Rs 770 million thanks to its austerity measures, although broader provincial results remain unclear.
