Pakistani automakers are reportedly adhering to only 18 out of 200 global safety standards, completely disregarding the remaining 182, even as vehicle prices in the country remain above international levels. This alarming revelation was made by officials during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Industry and Production.
Committee members expressed serious concerns regarding the production of unsafe vehicles and demanded immediate and stringent action against companies that are failing to comply with global safety standards, The News reported.
Syed Hafeezuddin, Chairman of the committee, highlighted that major traffic accidents are frequently occurring in Pakistan, emphasizing that it is the responsibility of vehicle manufacturing companies to implement safety standards in their products.
He added, “Due to the decline in safety standards and quality in vehicles, we are not even able to export vehicles, while in our neighborhood, India and China have become major exporters of vehicles.”
The Secretary of Industries and Production informed the committee that the provision of two airbags in cars continues. However, the committee chairman noted that three foreign companies are not complying with existing rules.
Committee member Muhammad Ali Sarfaraz asserted that instead of granting more time to companies that have established plants in Pakistan for thirty to forty years and are still not following safety standards, decisive action should be taken against them.
