KARACHI: Chairman All Pakistan Car Dealers & Importers Association (APCDIA) Mian Shoaib Ahmed has called for an end to “discriminatory” policies “favouring a handful of automobile assemblers”, stressing that allowing fair competition through regulated commercial imports of used vehicles would benefit consumers, create new business opportunities and compel local manufacturers to improve vehicle quality, safety standards and competitiveness.
Leading an APCDIA delegation to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Mian Shoaib Ahmed referred to the longstanding protection afforded to local assemblers and argued that prolonged protection had failed to deliver the desired improvements in vehicle quality, localisation and export performance.
He called for a competitive and transparent automotive market in which manufacturers would have to improve their products and efficiency rather than depend on restrictive policies.
Welcoming progress towards the commercial import of used vehicles, MianShoaib Ahmed appreciated KCCI’s support and its correspondence with the prime minister and relevant government officials on the issue.
He said that despite the notification having been issued earlier, implementation had faced delays; however, the association was now moving towards importing vehicles commercially in its own business name through formal banking channels and subject to applicable inspection, quality and regulatory requirements.
He said this would introduce greater competition and give consumers more choice.
Highlighting a broader opportunity to position Pakistan as a regional automotive and machinery trading hub, he referred to the proposed Pakistan Car and Machinery Zones project, which aims to bring used vehicles and machinery into Pakistan for refurbishment, value addition and re-export to international markets.
Drawing comparisons with Dubai’s established transit-trade model, he said Pakistan could leverage its strategic location, skilled workforce and comparatively competitive labour costs to develop a similar export-oriented ecosystem in Karachi.
The proposed project could also generate business for local auto-parts manufacturers, vendors and other supporting industries.
He expressed optimism that the project was approaching its final stages, with an ambition to attract approximately $400 million in foreign direct investment (FDI).
Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) ZubairMotiwala, who joined the meeting via zoom, strongly advocated the regulated import of used vehicles, stating that the move would provide Pakistani consumers access to better-quality cars at affordable prices, generate additional government revenue, conserve foreign exchange and introduce much-needed competition into the domestic automobile market.
He cautioned that the automobile manufacturing “lobby” was “influential and well-resourced”, making it essential for car dealers to pursue their case through strong, evidence-based arguments.
He stressed that consumers deserved better-quality vehicles, pointing to “concerns” about the “durability, performance and standards of certain locally assembled cars”.
Chairman BMG emphasised that the used-car market catered to a distinct segment of consumers who could not afford expensive new vehicles and should not be deprived of affordable alternatives. He maintained that used-car imports would not necessarily shut down local automobile manufacturing, as the two markets served different customer segments. He further highlighted the employment of thousands of people associated with car dealerships and related businesses, urging the government to consider the broader economic benefits of the policy, including foreign-exchange savings and increased revenue generation.
He assured the delegation that KCCI would continue to take up the association’s legitimate concerns with the relevant authorities.
Speaking on the occasion, President KCCI Talat Mahmood reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to supporting the All Pakistan Car Dealers & Importers Association in addressing its concerns regarding the commercial import of used vehicles, emphasising the importance of continued engagement with the government to ensure effective implementation of the notified policy and facilitate legitimate business activities.
He also invited the delegation to share recommendations with KCCI’s Executive Committee so that the Chamber could better understand the sector’s concerns and extend appropriate support.
Talat Mahmood emphasised the importance of keeping the business community informed about initiatives that could create new investment opportunities and strengthen commercial activity. Reaffirming KCCI’s supportive approach, he assured the delegation that the Chamber would remain engaged with the association in pursuing its legitimate business concerns.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026