IF newspaper reports are to be believed, the government has proposed to abolish protection provided to the local auto industry in order to provide fair competition to existing players which will go a long way in bringing down the prices of locally-produced vehicles.

The auto industry has expressed its deep concerns over the suggested government policy which is expected to have a major negative impact on the auto industry, the largest contributor to the national exchequer.

It is a myth that reducing tariff on the import of used cars will help to provide cheaper cars to consumers.

In fact, this measure, if implemented, will turn the country into a junkyard of old, used vehicles that have little useful life left.

Already, their exists statistics that suggest that used cars, with no or little warranty, are being sold at almost the same prices as brand new locally produced ones.

This government policy will also create unemployment in the country and prove the proverbial death-knell for the local automobile and auto-parts’ industry.

SYED OVAIS AKHTARKarachi