Govt Hits Back at Vawda Over Allegations on Imported Car Restriction

The Ministry of Industries and Production has rejected allegations made by Senator Faisal Vawda during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee, saying its decisions were made in line with legal procedures and approved by the federal cabinet.

In a statement issued on Monday, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan and the ministry’s secretary presented documentary evidence before the committee to support the ministry’s position and counter the allegations.

The officials told lawmakers that all decisions taken by the ministry complied with the Rules of Business and were made after consultations with relevant stakeholders. They added that each decision was approved by the federal cabinet and followed the required legal and institutional processes.

Haroon Akhtar said Pakistan became a signatory to the United Nations WP.29 agreement in 2020, after which responsibility for developing vehicle safety standards and regulations was assigned to the Ministry of Industries and Production.

He informed the committee that the Motor Vehicle Development Bill has already been introduced in the National Assembly and approved by the relevant standing committee. Once enacted, implementation powers related to vehicle safety regulations will be transferred to the Engineering Development Board.

The SAPM also said the Ministry of Commerce directed the Engineering Development Board in September 2025 to ensure quality standards and safety measures for imported new and used vehicles.

According to the ministry, vehicle import schemes such as the Transfer of Residence Scheme, Gift Scheme, and Personal Baggage Scheme had been widely misused in the past. To address these concerns, the government introduced stricter eligibility requirements for imports under the Gift Scheme and Transfer of Residence Scheme.

Haroon Akhtar said improved vehicle quality and safety standards could help reduce road accidents, which claim around 25,000 lives annually in Pakistan.

The ministry said allegations raised by Senator Vawda were rejected with documentary evidence and claimed that the senator did not provide supporting documents to substantiate his assertions. It reiterated its commitment to transparency, regulatory compliance, and policymaking in consultation with all stakeholders.