ISLAMABAD, Aug 8: Overseas Pakistanis can now send cars to their blood relatives under a gift scheme announced as part of the new trade policy, a federal minister said on Monday. Earlier, only family members were eligible under the gift scheme, federal Industries and Production Minister Jehangir Khan Tareen told Pakistan Television (PTV).

The minister said a number of incentives had already been offered to Pakistanis living abroad and promised that the government would take more steps to remove procedural glitches in this connection.

In reply to a question, he said the production capacity of the automobile industry would be enhanced to maintain a balance between demand and supply. Until three to four years ago, Pakistan used to produce only 40,000 vehicles every year, but this year alone it will produce around 150,000 units.

The production target for the next financial year is 200,000 vehicles. Within the next five to seven years, the minister said, production figures will be set at 500,000 vehicles. The minister clarified that there was no ban on the import of new vehicles.—APP