Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhry, has criticized the local auto industry for its slow adoption of modern technology and practices in comparison to the rest of the world.
During the “Gateway to Halal Accreditation for International Trade” seminar, the minister said that Pakistan can manufacture state of the art aircraft like JF-17 Thunder and battle tanks like Al-Khalid but the country is unable to manufacture cars.
ALSO READ
48% Petrol Pumps in Lahore are Using Tampered Nozzles & Measurement Scales
He said that the government will not allow the local auto industry to become isolated from the rest of the world.
Pakistani auto industry must forsake current practices and reconcile to modern international standards.
Fawad further added the manufacturing of 800cc Mehran was forsaken all over the world decades ago. However, the local auto industry continued its production for years and only abandoned it recently.
While envisioning the widespread availability of electric vehicles in the country in the future, he said that roadside mechanics will become unemployed with their current skills set.
ALSO READ
Import of Cars in Pakistan Drops to One-Fourth Since 2015-16
The minister stressed upon the auto industry to provide modern training to roadside mechanics to enable them to repair electric vehicles.
He suggested that the auto industry should soon start the manufacturing of lithium batteries that are used in electric vehicles.
He added that the auto industry must give up the idea of improving with the help of the government. The government can only legislate and accord the auto industry with a conducive business environment.
