Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan on Thursday assured the representative of the auto industry to review key issues confronting the sector, saying that the government will ensure the safety and environmental compliance for all imported used vehicles.
Secretary Ministry of Industries and Production Saif Anjum and CEO Engineering Development Board (EDB) Hammad Mansoor also attended the meeting, said a news release.
During the meeting, the participants discussed the challenges facing the auto sector, the import of used vehicles, and matters related to local manufacturing.
Representatives of the Pakistan Auto manufacturers Association emphasized that tax reforms and effective control over used car imports could help stabilize domestic production.
They cautioned that liberal policies on used car imports could undermine the hard-earned gains made by the local auto industry.
Haroon Akhtar Khan said that the auto industry plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s large-scale manufacturing sector. He assured the delegation that the government is fully aware of the industry’s concerns regarding the import of used vehicles.
He further said that, on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, new legislation and regulatory frameworks will be introduced to address these issues comprehensively.
“Only those used vehicles that meet safety and environmental standards will be allowed to enter Pakistan,” Haroon Akhtar Khan emphasized.
He added that open competition would promote efficiency and lead the auto sector toward low-cost and competitive local manufacturing.
Secretary Industries Saif Anjum informed the meeting that for commercial imports, three years of overseas residency and one-year registration under the owner’s name will remain mandatory requirements.
He further said that the safety and quality standards of imported vehicles will be verified through pre-shipment inspections.
Haroon Akhtar Khan concluded that the new regulations will ensure transparency and merit-based competition in the auto market.