The Ministry of Industries and Production has rejected allegations raised by Faisal Vawda during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee, stating that all of its decisions were made in accordance with legal procedures and approved by the federal cabinet.
In a statement issued on Monday, Haroon Akhtar Khan and the ministry’s secretary presented documentary evidence before the committee to support the ministry’s position and refute the allegations.
Officials told lawmakers that all decisions taken by the ministry complied with the Rules of Business and were made after consultations with relevant stakeholders. They added that every decision received federal cabinet approval and followed the required legal and institutional processes.
Haroon Akhtar informed the committee that Pakistan became a signatory to the United Nations WP.29 agreement in 2020, after which responsibility for developing vehicle safety standards and regulations was assigned to the Ministry of Industries and Production.
He further stated that the Motor Vehicle Development Bill has already been introduced in the National Assembly and approved by the relevant standing committee. Once enacted, authority for implementing vehicle safety regulations will be transferred to the Engineering Development Board.
The SAPM also noted that the Ministry of Commerce directed the Engineering Development Board in September 2025 to ensure quality standards and safety requirements for imported new and used vehicles.
According to the ministry, vehicle import schemes, including the Transfer of Residence Scheme, Gift Scheme, and Personal Baggage Scheme, had been widely misused in the past. To address these concerns, the government introduced stricter eligibility criteria for imports under the Gift and Transfer of Residence schemes.
Haroon Akhtar said improving vehicle quality and safety standards could help reduce road accidents in Pakistan, where approximately 25,000 people lose their lives annually in traffic-related incidents.
The ministry maintained that the allegations raised by Senator Vawda were effectively addressed through documentary evidence and claimed that no supporting documents were presented to substantiate the senator’s assertions.
Officials reiterated the ministry’s commitment to transparency, regulatory compliance, and policymaking through consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
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