ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Stand­ing Committee on Industries and Production on Tuesday observed that there was no regulatory or oversight body to ensure quality standards for cars, motorcycles and electric vehicles (EVs).

The committee, chaired by Syed Hafeezuddin, while reviewing the state of the auto sector, including EVs and motorcycles, noted the absence of any authority to ensure quality standards for vehicles and parts manufactured in the country.

“I visited three motorcycle manufacturing units. I was ashamed to see the standard of manufacturing in our country. Are you responsible for overseeing these units?” Mr Hafeez­uddin asked officials of the Engineering Development Board (EDB).

As the discussion progressed, other members pointed out that poor manufacturing standards could be particularly dangerous in the case of EVs, e-bikes and their charging units, as battery explosions could leave users with little or no time to escape.

Committee members also raised concerns over the quality of locally manufactured cars, with the chairman remarking that the system was “hostage to a few automakers”.

“Do you have any provision in the licence agreements to check the quality of products rolled out by Toyota, Suzuki and Honda?” the committee chairman asked the secretary for industries.

He referred the matter to Asim Ayaz, the longest-serving EDB official present at the meeting.

Mr Ayaz replied that these companies had estab­lished operations in Pakis­tan before the EDB came into existence, and therefore the board did not know who had granted permission for the manufacturing plants or under what terms.

The committee asked the ministry to obtain the licence agreements of these automakers and present them at its next meeting.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2026