ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) is framing standards for automobiles being manufactured in Pakistan and will be the first such move to have been initiated.
A recent report released by the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) highlighted that there were no standards in existence in Pakistan for vehicle assembly and parts manufactured, reports Dawn.
But stakeholders are afraid that the framing of standards could create hiccups in the manufacture of auto parts.
It was proposed that the government should set up national standards/safety authority for the auto industry.
MoST has instructed the Pakistan Standards and Quality/Control Authority (PSQCA) to devise standards for auto vehicles as well.
According to the CCP, “Realistically, they have no standards to meet or tests to pass,” adding that “car recalls for technical issues are purely at the discretion of the companies and there is no authority for consumers to go to if they are sold sub-standard products.”
Consequently, the Ministry of Science and Technology has brought up the issue pinpointed to the attention of PSQCA and highlighted there is a need to make legal and regulatory changes to set up independent, empowered vehicle standards and safety authority at the domestic level for dealing with consumer and technical aspects in the automobile sector.
Furthermore, the ministry has said frequent complaints are being filed against cars assembled in Pakistan.
It added, the CCP has mentioned in its report that a dearth of any standards remains one of the key reasons the car manufacturers are under no obligation to improve standards.
At present, PSQCA contains over 100 items on the compulsory list, including three-wheeler auto-rickshaws, motorcycles and tractors that got added under its purview in 2018.
The PSQCA has testing laboratories in Karachi and Lahore for auto rickshaws, motorcycles and setting up of facilities for tractors is ongoing, said an official of the authority.
