In a first, Pakistan has adopted some safety standards for locally manufactured vehicles, including electric vehicles (EVs). To put things in perspective, we have been operating without safety standards for the automobile sector for a little over 75 years. And what has been “adopted” is largely a set of recommendations which await the approval of the federal cabinet.
History and Chronology of Events
In 2020, Pakistan adopted the international safety standard regulations so the country’s automobile industry would conform to the global standards of automobile manufacturing and assembly.
Pakistan Standards & Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), a body which operates under the Federal Ministry of Science & Technology was tasked to develop safety standards for the local automotive sector. This body, initially failed to satisfy the concerns of the movers and shakers of the local automotive sector, hence resulting in differences developing between the automotive sector and the government.
Fast forward to January 2023, the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases (CCLC) has approved safety standards of some components of the locally assembled automobiles with the consensus of all major stockholders in Pakistan’s automotive sector. CCLC will now forward these recommendations to the federal cabinet for approval.
What Safety Standards Are Being Adopted?
PSQCA has developed safety standards for 8 out of 30 parts. These are:
- Air Bags
- Safety Belts
- Child Restraint System
- Motorcycle Helmets
- Electric Powertrain for EVs
It is claimed that these safety standards are in line with the international standards. CCLC has asked PSQCA to develop safety standards for the remaining 22 parts as well.
Will This Make Motorists and Commuters Safer?
Making laws or adopting international standards alone won’t cut it. Their enforcement and accountability of those who break them, are equally important. To simplify, there are Pure Food laws in the country, enacted with the intention of providing only pure food to the people. And yet, food unfit for human consumption is commonly sold with impunity (it seems) all across the country.
Some international automobile companies have a juggernaut over the local automobile industry as well the government’s decision making. Take Suzuki for example. These Suzuki vehicles are still being sold without airbags:
- Alto VX
- Cultus VXR
- Wagon R VXR/VXL
- Bolan
- Ravi
For all new and used Suzuki cars, their models and variants, check out OLX Pakistan’s listings.
Will the government be able to ask Suzuki to provide airbags or at least one airbag in these vehicles? Will Suzuki not raise the price of these vehicles in that case? These vehicles are largely bought by the middle classes in Pakistan. Will they not feel the pinch? Will Suzuki lose sales of these vehicles? Suzuki, by the way, is already not doing great in terms of sales for some time now.
So, it seems the government is in a tight spot. It is damned if it does and damned if it doesn’t. Nonetheless, it is a welcomed news that Pakistan has finally lurched forward in raising its automobile safety standards.
We are interested in your comments on this news. Kindly leave them in the comments section below.
For the sale and purchase of new and used cars in Pakistan, click on OLX Pakistan’s motors pages.
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