September 3, 2003	Wednesday	Rajab 5, 1424

ISLAMABAD, Sept 2: Federal Minister for Industries and Production Liaquat Ali Jatoi has constituted a high-powered task force to look into the automobile sector to ascertain the possibility of reducing prices of locally manufactured cars/tractors, improving the delivery schedule and curbing the menace of premium and middleman profiteering.

According to a press release issued here on Tuesday taking cognizance of the reports appearing in the press with respect to higher prices, longer delivery period and charging of premium by the dealers for the locally manufactured cars/tractors, the minister constituted a task force.

This task force will comprise Secretary Industries and Production as convener and secretaries of Ministry of Finance, Commerce and Revenue Division as members.

The task force has been asked to make their recommendations by September 30, 2003, so that the policy regarding the automobile sector may be reviewed.

Sources said that the government would lift ban from free import of cars and tractors, if even after the implementation of task force’s recommendations things did not improve in the automobile sector.