Auto manufacturers urge govt to suspend EDB’s used vehicle import 'relaxation'
The Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) on Tuesday urged the government to suspend implementation of the Engineering Development Board’s (EDB) revised framework for commercial imports of used vehicles, warning it could put domestic manufacturers at a disproportionate disadvantage. In a letter to Adviser to the Prime Minister for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan, PAMA…
The Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) has called on the government to suspend the Engineering Development Board’s (EDB) revised framework for importing used vehicles. Director General Razi ur Rahman warned that this relaxation could disadvantage domestic manufacturers significantly. In a letter to Haroon Akhtar Khan, PAMA urged a review of the September 30, 2026 notification and a consultation with industry stakeholders.
The removal of safeguards could lead to used vehicle imports exceeding Rs50 billion, causing losses to the domestic auto industry. The new framework dilutes safeguards introduced in 2025, including removing minimum capital requirements, after-sales service needs, and product recall mechanisms. Import volumes surged from 48 units in May 2026 to 2,276 units in September 2026, and PAMA fears this liberalisation will further accelerate this trend.
The domestic automotive industry faces uncertainty due to upcoming policies and tariff reductions, and local manufacturers pay high costs for technology and compliance. PAMA estimates a return to 2025–26 import volumes could result in over Rs50 billion losses for the industry and its vendors.
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