Armoured ambitions: Curbs imposed on illegal conversion of vehicles

Minister warns local companies of punitive action in the wake of armoured car boom.

ISLAMABAD:

Federal authorities have imposed restrictions on the illegal conversion of standard vehicles into armoured or bomb and bullet-proof automobiles.

Describing these car makeovers as an “illegal activity”, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan warned local companies against carrying out this business or else the government would be forced to take punitive action against them. In the country’s largest city, Karachi, vehicle owners are increasingly fitting their cars out with windows that can stop a gun attack and engine and body frames that will survive a bomb explosion.

“[The government] will take action against the companies involved in this illegal business, extorting huge money from their customers,” said interior minister in an official statement.



The minister had learnt that the affluent class in Karachi and other mega cities were spending millions of rupees on transforming their luxury cars into armoured vehicles.

It costs between Rs4 million and Rs6 million to make a vehicle bulletproof and insert thick metal plates into the doors, reinforce the floor and reinforce the suspension. Despite the pricey fittings, the business of such companies is flourishing with every passing day.

“The elite are fast converting their luxury cars into bomb and bulletproof carriers to make their lives more secure,” the interior ministry’s spokesperson said.



He said the interior minister warned the general public against the activities of such companies, ‘which are not authentic and are operating illegally’.

“The level of safety in such converted vehicles is not guaranteed; rather they can put precious lives in danger,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11^th, 2014.