Lahore, Nov 20 (Online): As Pakistan Automotive Development Policy (ADP) 2016-2021 is going to expire next year while the new Auto Policy is in final process, the Pakistan Industrial and Traders Association Front (PIAF) has appealed the government to devise some mechanism to regulate the automotive sector in view of the quality as well as the prices in consultation with all stakeholders including the industry as well as the consumers.
PIAF Chairman Mian Nauman Kabir said that local manufactures revise their cars prices whenever they desire and that too without getting due approval from any authority, which affect the common people badly. The prices of all types of cars have skyrocketed along with illegal cost of premium or ‘on money’ and there is no authority to check this unlawful act of the auto dealers and car assemblers in the country.
The Engineering Development Board (EDB), which is the apex government body under the Ministry of Industries & Production, entrusted to strengthen and regulate engineering base in Pakistan, will have to devise some rules and regulations to benefit the consumers along with securing the interest of the auto assemblers in the upcoming auto policy, he said.
PIAF also suggests the Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production to take the notice of exorbitant and ever-soaring prices of cars in Pakistan along with illegal practice of charging ‘on money’ or premium, he added.
The Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production, the Engineering Development Board, FBR, Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association and major Consumers Welfare Associations should sit together and finalize some mechanism to bring down the prices of automobiles in line with the rates of international market, by revising profit margins and decreasing taxes and duties in the larger interest of the public.
