Key points

  • Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the final draft of Pakistan's Automotive Industry Policy on Saturday, according to Business Recorder.
  • The policy focuses heavily on domestic manufacturing, electric vehicles, and consumer protection.
  • Adviser on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan announced the development alongside Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has cleared the roadmap for a major overhaul of the nation's automotive sector, setting the stage for Cabinet review. According to Business Recorder, the move aims to pivot the industry away from import dependency toward sustainable domestic manufacturing.

Key details

The finalisation of the automotive policy was made public during a Saturday press conference held by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan and Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Business Recorder reported. Haroon Akhtar stated that the framework seeks to tackle structural shortcomings that have hindered the sector's growth over the past decade. The policy prioritises industrial localisation, electric vehicle adoption, and robust consumer safeguards, while moving away from reliance on completely built units and simple assembly of completely knocked-down kits.

Context and impact

Past policy measures failed to deliver desired export growth or build a self-reliant domestic manufacturing base, according to the Business Recorder report. The updated approach intends to translate official commitments into tangible economic progress, fostering job creation and industrial self-sufficiency.

Summary and what next

The policy document now awaits formal consideration by the Federal Cabinet before implementation steps begin. Further details regarding timelines and specific targets remain subject to subsequent official announcements.