The government has begun drafting a tougher regime for used vehicle imports after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed officials to overhaul the existing framework to protect safety standards and reinforce domestic manufacturing.
The directive followed a meeting chaired by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan, who reviewed the issue with senior officials and leading auto sector representatives. Secretary Industries Saif Anjum and Engineering Development Board CEO Hammad Mansoor were also present.
Industry representatives told the government that the rising inflow of second hand vehicles posed a risk to the stability of local production. The Pakistan Auto Manufacturers Association urged the authorities to push through tax reforms and enforce tighter controls to prevent disruptions in large scale manufacturing.
Haroon Akhtar Khan said the auto industry remained a central component of Pakistan’s industrial base and needed a predictable policy environment. He confirmed that new legislation and regulatory measures were being prepared on the prime minister’s instructions.
He said only used vehicles that comply with the required safety and environmental criteria would be permitted for entry into Pakistan, adding that competition must support local manufacturing rather than erode it.
According to Secretary Industries Saif Anjum, the current conditions for commercial imports will remain in place. These include the requirement of at least three years of overseas residence and one year of registration in the importer’s name. He added that all imported vehicles will be subject to pre shipment inspections to verify quality and safety.
Haroon Akhtar Khan said the forthcoming framework aims to bring greater transparency and merit based competition while ensuring a more disciplined import environment for used cars.
