Why ban on imported cars?

E-Paper | June 13, 2026

It seems that the local auto industry just cannot digest the fact that the Pakistani customers are finally getting some choice in buying the car they want to with their hard-earned money.

As per PAAPAM's appeal, the cars being imported are 'defective and worn out'. Are they actually implying that their 'brand new' cars with Euro-II certifications are losing ground to 'defective' vehicles? Why don't they do introspection? Are they not aware of why the Pakistani customer is leaning towards imports? Can we, the customers, assume that the local auto industry does not care about what its customers want?

The customers are not being forced to buy these vehicles. The same cannot be said about the 'choice' offered by the local industry.

Furthermore, it claims that the local industry is a source of employment generation, government revenues and poverty alleviation in Pakistan.

Do these factors help someone when they get into an accident in a locally assembled car with no airbags? Instead of whining to the Government, the local auto industry should either shape up or ship out.

Maybe they can get their customers back if they listen to what the customers want for once. You demand an immediate ban on imports of used cars without even trying to know what the public wants. This just reeks of selfishness.

MUHID ZAKARIA Karachi

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Newspaper

KE monopoly has to come to an end

Private invigilators

Tragic disparity

Ahmad

Nov 23, 2012 06:25pm

them placing an ad in the newspaper and the ECC's action a day later only shows how the whole effort to 'save industry' is such a farce. i actually read in an article some PAAPAM rep whining that they rely on local consumers as their cars cant be exported due to inferior quality -_- they wont improve their own quality, instead force ppl to buy their inferior goods by lobbying and influencing policy makers #onlyinpakistan

Recommend 0

sami

Nov 23, 2012 09:15am

Local companies invest a lot of money to the policy makers, so we can not expect some thing good for the people.

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Ashraf

Nov 23, 2012 08:30am

Well said the plea of PAAPAM is motivated by their vested interests rather then those being claimed by them. Govt. may act in favor of public not in favor of few who are manipulating things and exploiting the people.

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Sajjad Memon

Nov 23, 2012 03:40pm

Its a shame that government has has bent towwards local assemblers mafia on the pretext of Job Opportunities and Revenue. However, it must be noted that imported cars generate more revenue as consumer has to pay hefty amounts to government in the form of taxes and duties. Pakistani customers consist of different sectors that contribute equally to the economy and that customer should have full right to choose an imported car no matter current duty/tax structure. I request President and Prime Minister to please review this decision on ban.

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Syed Bilal

Nov 23, 2012 01:10pm

I bought an imported car last year after buying and then quickly selling, a brand new local top model car that i used just for one week. And to date I am very satisfied with the Japanese used vehicle over local made that come from showroom. I believe that the local car industry deserves strong bashing by removing/reducing the duty further on these imported cars. As they say "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" so our auto industry needs this acid testing to either prove them self or die out!

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Sonia Rajpal

Nov 25, 2012 09:09am

Indeed its a fact that local car companies become a great source of employment and revenue generation but at the same time consumer rights shall be protected. It is a fact that the old imported cars are far better in luxury and quality than the new made local cars so rather being in view of cutting the industry, local industrialist can further borrow the quality gem and can work on increasing the output of industry.

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A.HAFEEZ

Dec 01, 2012 02:45pm

very right

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