Used cars’ import: PAMA voices its concerns over EDB notification

Business Recorder reported that the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association has voiced serious worries about a recent EDB notification on commercial imports of second-hand vehicles. In a letter to the Adviser to the Prime Minister for Industries & Production, Director General Razi-ur-Rehman said the 30 September 2026 notification loosens safeguards that were put in place a year earlier. The revised version applies only to used vehicles, drops the minimum capital rule for importing firms, and moves pre- and post-shipment inspections from EDB to PSQCA.

The letter cites Ministry of Commerce figures showing that commercial used vehicle imports began at 48 units in May 2026 and reached 2,276 by September. The monthly tally was 843 in June, 1,938 in July and 1,445 in August. The letter also pointed to built-in cost advantages for imported used cars, including depreciation gains of as much as 36%. PAMA also estimated that a return to FY 2025-26 import levels would cost the domestic industry and its supplier base more than Rs50 billion.

DG PAMA warned that the rising trend could work against the government's aim of building a competitive and sustainable car manufacturing base driven by technology. The association has asked the government to review the notification and pause its implementation until there is proper consultation with industry and other stakeholders.