Islamabad:
In a significant development, the federal cabinet on Wednesday approved Pakistan’s first law to ensure minimum security in local total and imported cars, suggesting up to three years in prison and fines of up to RS10 million for offenders.
ACT ACT ACT ACT OF Motor Vehicles was first cleared by the Cabinet Committee for regulatory cases (CCLC) and then ratified by the federal cabinet. A cabinet member said the law aims to enforce minimum security, quality, performance and environmental standards for all vehicles manufactured or imported to Pakistan. This will be the first legislation that requires vehicle mounting and all commercial importers that meet minimum security standards. Pakistan has so far only implemented 17 of the 163 UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) standards from 1958.
Despite many years of complaints from consumers and parliamentarians about the poor quality of local total cars, this is the first time that the Ministry of Industries and Production has recommended legally binding minimum security standards for vehicle users’ protection.
With cabinet approval secured, the bill will now be laid for parliamentary standing committees for review. These committees can change any clause before the bill is made to vote in both parliamentary houses.
The proposed law will apply to all motor vehicles in Pakistan, except those made or adapted to the use of the armed forces.
Transforms, including producers, collectors or importers, may face prison conditions of six months to three years and fines between RS500,000 and RS10 million, the draft of the bill said.
Under CCLC discussions, some members opposed prison conditions for offenders, but the ministry of the industry stood by its proposal, according to sources interested in the discussions.
Once adopted, no one is allowed to sell a vehicle without first registering under the new law. Anyone who manufactures, imports or offers for sale a vehicle in violation of the law may have up to one year in prison or a fine of at least RS500,000 or both.
Failure to issue a certificate of conformity will result in up to six months imprisonment or a fine of up to RS500,000 or both.
Another clause says anyone who does not remember a defective vehicle, part or component may have up to two years in prison or a fine of no less than RS5 million or both.
Failure to take corrective actions when directed by Engineering Development Board (EDB) will lead to a minimum three-year prison or a fine of RS10 million or both.
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mode also requires that all legislation needed to lift quantitative restrictions on imports of used vehicles will be submitted in July 2025. This will initially apply to vehicles less than five years old, subject to fulfilling security and environmental warders.
The government is now planning to implement the five-year-old import of the vehicle’s condition from September and full open import next year, provided that the minimum security and environmental standards are in place in accordance with the new legislation. The bill proposes that one year’s delivery period from the adoption of importers and local collectors comply with the security requirements.
The law states that no persons should import motor vehicles, parts or components that require repair and maintenance, unless they are a registered company, has vehicle import as their most important business, meets minimum paid capital set by the government and receive a license from EDB.
Imports under the luggage and gift forms will, according to officials, be exempt.
The bill also requires all manufacturers and importers to ensure that their vehicles, components and parts do not pose security risks to users or others.
No vehicle can be sold unless it shows key information such as height, length, weight, intended use, seating and load capacity, number of shafts and other information that computer finds it necessary for security and ease of use.
Similarly, electric vehicles must display information on battery type, performance, durability, recycling instructions and off-board charging standards.
All vehicles, components and parts must come up with a certificate of conformity before being sold for sale.
Manufacturers and importers will also be obliged to remember any vehicle or part that poses a significant security risk, whether or not it meets the type of approval or relevant standards.
Failure to issue a voluntary revocation can result in a fine of RS5 million and up to two years in prison.
If computer finds a security risk and the manufacturer or importer fails to act, the authority may order a recall. If this order is ignored, the board may remember the vehicle or part of itself through a surveillance agency or in other ways.
