KARACHI: All Pakistan Car Dealers & Importers Association (APCDIA) Chairman Mian Shoaib Ahmed has called for an end to policies that favour a limited number of automobile assemblers, arguing that regulated commercial imports of used vehicles could improve competition, expand consumer choice and create new business opportunities.
Leading an APCDIA delegation during a visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Shoaib said prolonged protection for local assemblers had failed to deliver the desired improvements in vehicle quality, localisation and export performance.
He called for a transparent and competitive automotive market in which manufacturers would be encouraged to improve vehicle quality, safety standards and efficiency rather than rely on restrictive import policies.
APCDIA Welcomes Progress on Commercial Imports
Shoaib welcomed progress towards allowing the commercial import of used vehicles and appreciated KCCI’s support, including its correspondence with the prime minister and relevant government officials on the issue.
He said implementation had faced delays despite the earlier issuance of a notification. However, the association was now moving towards importing vehicles commercially in its own business name through formal banking channels and subject to applicable inspection, quality and regulatory requirements.
According to Shoaib, the policy could introduce greater competition into the domestic market and give consumers access to a wider range of vehicles.
Pakistan Could Become a Regional Automotive Trading Hub
Shoaib also highlighted the proposed Pakistan Car and Machinery Zones project, which aims to bring used vehicles and machinery into Pakistan for refurbishment, value addition and re-export to international markets.
Drawing comparisons with Dubai’s established transit-trade model, he said Pakistan could use its strategic location, skilled workforce and comparatively competitive labour costs to develop a similar export-oriented ecosystem in Karachi.
The proposed project could also create business opportunities for local auto-parts manufacturers, vendors and other supporting industries.
Shoaib expressed optimism that the project was approaching its final stages, with an ambition to attract approximately $400 million in foreign direct investment (FDI).
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BMG Calls for Affordable Vehicles and Fair Competition
Chairman of the Businessmen Group (BMG) Zubair Motiwala, who joined the meeting via Zoom, strongly supported regulated used-car imports.
He said the policy could provide Pakistani consumers with access to better-quality vehicles at affordable prices, generate additional government revenue, conserve foreign exchange and introduce greater competition into the domestic automobile market.
Motiwala cautioned that the automobile manufacturing lobby was influential and well-resourced, making it important for car dealers to present strong, evidence-based arguments in support of their position.
He also raised concerns about the durability, performance and standards of certain locally assembled vehicles, arguing that consumers deserved better-quality products.
The BMG chairman said the used-car market served a distinct segment of consumers who could not afford expensive new vehicles and should not be deprived of affordable alternatives.
He maintained that used-car imports would not necessarily undermine domestic automobile manufacturing because the two markets served different customer groups.
Motiwala also highlighted the employment of thousands of people in car dealerships and related businesses. He urged the government to consider the policy’s potential effects on employment, foreign-exchange management and revenue generation.
He assured the delegation that KCCI would continue presenting the association’s legitimate concerns to the relevant authorities.
KCCI Pledges Support for the Business Community
KCCI President Talat Mahmood reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to supporting APCDIA in addressing concerns over the commercial import of used vehicles.
He emphasised the need for continued engagement with the government to ensure effective implementation of the notified policy and facilitate legitimate business activities.
Mahmood also invited the delegation to share its recommendations with KCCI’s Executive Committee so the Chamber could better understand the sector’s concerns and determine how best to support it.
He stressed the importance of keeping the business community informed about initiatives that could create investment opportunities and strengthen commercial activity.
Reaffirming KCCI’s supportive approach, Mahmood said the Chamber would remain engaged with APCDIA in pursuing its legitimate business concerns.
The discussions highlighted the competing considerations surrounding used-car imports, including consumer affordability, vehicle quality, domestic manufacturing, employment and foreign-exchange management. The proposed automotive and machinery zones could provide an additional avenue for investment and trade if the project advances under an appropriate regulatory framework
