Karachi, September 14, 2025 : Kaukab Iqbal, Chairman of the Consumers Association of Pakistan (CAP), has urged the Government of Pakistan to strictly implement the newly announced international car safety standards without any further delay. He emphasized that all car manufacturers and importers must be held fully responsible for compliance, as the lives and safety of millions of consumers are at stake.
Starting October 2025, Pakistan will enforce 57 new international safety standards on locally manufactured vehicles, replacing the existing 17 standards. This policy shift is part of commitments made under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program and is aimed at aligning Pakistan’s automotive industry with global safety benchmarks.
“The Consumers Association of Pakistan strongly supports this historic initiative and calls on the government to ensure that no exemptions or delays are granted. Car manufacturers and importers must comply fully, or face strict penalties,” Mr. Kaukab Iqbal stated.
Key reforms under the new policy include:
Establishment of the Pakistan Automotive Institute to monitor and certify the quality of locally manufactured auto parts.
Ban on the import of accidental ‘Type-D’ vehicles.
Changes to the Import Policy Order effective from September 30, preventing the entry of unverified new vehicles into the market.
Mandatory licensing for local manufacturers and importers through the Engineering Development Board (EDB).
Legal obligation for companies to recall defective vehicles or parts, with penalties including heavy fines and two to three years imprisonment for violators.
Implementation of the Motor Vehicle Industry Development Act 2025, which will regulate all new vehicles sold in Pakistan.
Mr. Kaukab Iqbal Chairman CAP further noted, “Consumers have long been deprived of internationally recognized safety standards in Pakistan’s auto industry. This reform is not just overdue—it is essential. We, as a consumer protection body, will continue to monitor the situation closely and will not hesitate to press the authorities to enforce these regulations in letter and spirit.”
The Consumers Association of Pakistan has reiterated its demand that the government ensures accountability of all manufacturers and importers, so that Pakistani consumers are finally protected under globally recognized standards of safety, quality, and fairness.
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