Used car imports to break monopolies

According to The Express Tribune, Mian Shoaib Ahmed, chairman of the All Pakistan Car Dealers & Importers Association (APCDIA), has urged an end to policies that give a small group of automobile assemblers preferential treatment. He said a fairer market, opened through controlled commercial imports of used vehicles, would benefit buyers and create fresh business openings. He added that such competition would push domestic carmakers to raise build quality, safety levels and competitive strength.

Speaking while leading a delegation to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Ahmed pointed out that long-standing protection has not produced better vehicle quality, localisation or export results. He called for a transparent market in which producers must lift their products and efficiency rather than lean on restrictive rules. Ahmed also welcomed progress on used vehicle imports, but said implementation has lagged even after a notification was issued.