Pakistan’s auto industry may soon need to abide by safety standards

In the absence of a domestic testing facility, MoST wants overseas type approval for vehicular safety. Auto Manufacturers do not seem to like the idea

Pakistan’s domestic auto industry might soon face a safety reckoning, as the government looks to enforce international standards without the crucial infrastructure to do so at home. Without a local testing facility, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) is pushing for vehicles to be inspected overseas, a proposal that is rattling local automakers.

For years, consumers have driven vehicles that are not subject to third-party safety checks before or after assembly. While Pakistan’s auto sector has been churning out cars for decades, none of them fully comply with global safety standards. While some institutions are technically responsible for overseeing vehicle safety, they have been asleep at the wheel.

This neglect has persisted, despite Pakistan signing on to the WP.29 treaty in 2020—a global pact designed to harmonise vehicle regulations. Yet, since signing, local automakers and regulators alike have dragged their feet. Manufacturers argue the country does not have the necessary testing facilities, while the government’s oversight body, the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), admits it is ill-equipped to enforce the rules.

Still, the government is looking for a workaround.

 

To read the full article, subscribe and support independent business journalism in Pakistan

The content in this publication is expensive to produce. But unlike other journalistic outfits, business publications have to cover the very organizations that directly give them advertisements. Hence, this large source of revenue, which is the lifeblood of other media houses, is severely compromised on account of Profit’s no-compromise policy when it comes to our reporting. No wonder, Profit has lost multiple ad deals, worth tens of millions of rupees, due to stories that held big businesses to account.

Hence, for our work to continue unfettered, it must be supported by discerning readers who know the value of quality business journalism, not just for the economy but for the society as a whole.

(Already a subscriber? Click here to login)
  • Full Price Subscription Plans

    Not only will you be supporting independent journalism, 25% of the amount from your subscription will be used to subsidise those subscribers who cannot afford the full price of the subscription. Yearly full price subscription plans also include a complimentary annual subscription to The Wall Street Journal.

    +

  • Subsidised Subscription Plans

    Pay part of the full subscription price, if you cannot afford to pay all of it, and the rest will be subsidised by a full paying subscriber.

  • Free Student Subscriptions

    If you are currently a student, you can claim an already-paid-for digital subscription, courtesy

     

Ghulam Abbas
Ghulam Abbas
The writer is a member of the staff at the Islamabad Bureau. He can be reached at [email protected]

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Popular Posts