KARACHI, July 11: The All Pakistan Motor Dealers Association (APMDA) has urged the government to allow the release of vehicles of less than five years old that were shipped prior to the announcement of budget 2006-07.

The government had issued an SRO696 (I) on July 1, under which less than five-year-old vehicles are not allowed in the personal baggage, gift and transfer of residence scheme.

APMDA Chairman H.M. Shahzad, in a letter to Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan, said that a sizable number of used vehicles of less than five years were in the process of shipping and they might arrive at the Karachi Port this month or next month.

The revised policy of allowing import of less than five-year-old used cars would cause hardships for importers whose vehicles shipped in May and June 2006 are in the process of being delivered.