ISLAMABAD: While the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) has given three months to Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) to finalise automobile standards, the local industry has opposed the move.

The PSQCA, an attached department of MoST, held a meeting with representatives of Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (Pama) and Pakistan Automobiles Dealers Association in Karachi recently, chaired by Science Minister Fawad Chaudhry.

However, the manufacturers opposed the move saying the government should rather adopt international standards instead of framing new and local ones.

The assemblers and manufacturers asked the minister to upgrade the PSQCA and the Engineering Development of Pakistan (EDB) to the international standards, giving reference to the euro standards.

Representatives of auto sector said that even the Japanese and Korean standards were based on the EU ones.

Meanwhile, an official of Ministry of Industries and Production said the minister showed his concern over manufacturing of sub-standard vehicles in Pakistan and there were no checks on quality and safety since they are not followed.

The official added that the minister also expressed concerns over the high vehicle prices and reiterated that PSQCA would expedite the standardisation process so automobiles can be included in mandatory items list on fast track.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2020