ISLAMABAD, Oct 14: The task force on car prices has failed to persuade the manufacturers to reduce prices instead it has proposed to reduce duty on imported cars by up to 50 per cent.

However, the report of the task force has not been submitted to the cabinet for consideration because the change in the duty structure would require further consultations between the relevant ministries, sources in the ministry of industries told Dawn.

The options for allowing import of reconditioned cars or registration of illegal and non-custom vehicles have been ruled out, the sources said.

The sources said the task force did not propose any strict action against the industry but suggested ways and means to remove the elements of premium and the middleman. Even these measures are already in vogue but the task force has asked for strengthening them further and their strict compliance.

The task force has asked the manufacturers to ensure that all particulars of the customers are available with them at the time of booking while relevant authorities would ensure that cars are registered in the name of original customers. The registration would be non-transferable for six months.

The task force comprising secretaries of industries, finance, commerce and chairman central board of revenue was constituted early last month by the cabinet to deliberate upon the car price issue.

The task force was required to submit its report to the cabinet by September 30. The federal cabinet had thoroughly debated the issue early last month and decided to give a month to the local car manufacturers before taking a policy decision.