NA panel raises concerns over absence of vehicle quality regulator in Pakistan

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Industries and Production has raised concerns over the absence of a regulatory or oversight body to monitor quality standards for locally manufactured cars, motorcycles, electric vehicles and auto parts.

The committee, chaired by Syed Hafeezuddin, reviewed the state of the auto sector, including electric vehicles and motorcycles.

Members noted that no dedicated authority was ensuring quality standards for vehicles and parts manufactured in the country.

Hafeezuddin questioned officials of the Engineering Development Board (EDB) over their role in monitoring motorcycle manufacturing units, saying he had visited three such units and found their manufacturing standards poor.

Committee members said weak manufacturing standards could pose serious risks in electric vehicles, e-bikes and charging units, particularly because battery explosions could give users little time to respond.

The panel also raised concerns over the quality of locally manufactured cars.

The chairman said the auto sector appeared to be dominated by a few manufacturers and asked whether licence agreements contained any provisions to check the quality of vehicles produced by Toyota, Suzuki and Honda.

The question was referred to Asim Ayaz, the longest-serving EDB official present at the meeting.

Ayaz told the committee that these companies had established operations in Pakistan before the EDB was created. He said the board did not know who had granted permission for the plants or under what terms.

The committee directed the Ministry of Industries and Production to obtain the licence agreements of the automakers and submit them at the next meeting.