Karachi BRT buses stuck at port for 2 months amid tax-rate dispute
“Sindh officials say Karachi’s incoming BRT buses have been stuck at the port for two months over a tax disagreement, with talks underway with the FBR.”
Key points
- Sindh officials say Karachi’s incoming BRT buses have been stuck at the port for two months over a tax disagreement, with talks underway with the FBR.
- The provincial government is seeking parity with concessions reportedly granted for similar procurements elsewhere.
A new batch of buses intended for Karachi’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network has been held at Karachi Port for about two months due to a dispute over applicable taxes, according to Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon.
He said Sindh is being charged an 18% duty, while Punjab reportedly paid a lower rate for a similar procurement, arguing that the same concession should apply because the buses are comparable in specifications and capacity.
Memon said the Sindh government is engaged with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to resolve the disagreement and secure clearance of the vehicles.
During a review of the BRT Red Line project, he also discussed broader challenges affecting timelines and costs, citing inflation, currency pressure and higher input prices. He maintained that most spending has been directed toward infrastructure and that the provincial government is monitoring progress directly, while setting near-term targets for improvements on surrounding roads ahead of Eid and outlining expected completion windows for remaining stretches.
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