Pakistan Automobile Manufacturers Association (PAMA) has objected to framing local standards for vehicles currently being produced in Pakistan, reported by Profit.
Furthermore, there is a dispute ongoing between the Ministry of Science & Technology (MoST) and manufacturers/assemblers of vehicles.
S&T Minister Fawad Chauhdry gave Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) and auto sector stakeholders three months to frame a uniform “automobile standard”, but manufacturers are not happy with this move.
“no checks on the quality and safety of vehicles in the country because standards were not being followed” – Fawad Chaudhry.
Manufacturers have to say that the government should adopt international standards instead of coming up with new ones.
A meeting was then conducted with the representatives of the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) and Pakistan Automobiles Dealers Association (PADA).
Reportedly, the meeting was chaired by Fawad Chaudhry and was attended by Engineering Development of Pakistan (EDB), MoST and PSQCA officials.
“Once these standards are regulated and implemented, they will bring an end not only to sub-standard vehicles being manufactured in Pakistan, but will also ensure a strict check on vehicles being imported into the country,” the minister emphasized while directing PSQCA to expedite the standardization process.
“It is imperative for Pakistan to adopt European Standard ‘WP29’ because the local standards, without recognizing the international norms/regulations, will roll back the existing content level and will make them techno-economically unviable,” PAMA Director-General Abdul Waheed had said after attending the meeting.
“Adoption of WP29 is the only way to obtain global recognition of Pakistani products – that they are made in compliance with European standards; hence the government needs to provide sustainable quality conformance and upgrade PSQCA testing facilities to supplement support to the national economy, which to date PSQCA has failed to build.”
“It is imperative for Pakistan to adopt European Standard ‘WP29’ because the local standards, without recognizing the international norms/regulations, will roll back the existing content level and will make them techno-economically unviable,” PAMA Director-General Abdul Waheed had said after attending the meeting.
“Adoption of WP29 is the only way to obtain global recognition of Pakistani products – that they are made in compliance with European standards; hence the government needs to provide sustainable quality conformance and upgrade PSQCA testing facilities to supplement support to the national economy, which to date PSQCA has failed to build.”
An EDB official has shared that the cabinet has approved the accession plan of European automotive regulations i.e. WP-29 agreement.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is expected to get its membership by the end of this year.
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Source: Profit