Pakistan’s Automotive Safety Standards Agreement

• Participants: The Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) met with SAPM on Industries & Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan.

• Key Agreements:

  • Equal safety and quality standards for both imported and locally manufactured cars.

  • Implementation aligned with WP-29 international vehicle regulations.

  • Coordination between Engineering Development Board (EDB) and automakers for enforcement.

• PAMA’s Requests:

  • 40% customs duty on all imported vehicles.

  • Lower depreciation allowance (from 1% to 0.5%).

  • Stronger testing regimes and proper dealership requirements.

  • Tariff adjustments aligned with the National Tax Policy.

  • Promotion of local parts manufacturing and export support.

  • Inclusion of detailed testing and implementation mechanisms in the Motor Vehicle Industry Development Act 2025.

Pakistan–Uzbekistan Bilateral Cooperation Talks

• Participants: SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan and Uzbek Ambassador Alisher Tukhtaev.

• Focus Areas:

  • Trade, investment, and logistics cooperation (including a warehouse in Peshawar).

  • Collaboration in tractors, mining, industry, agriculture, transport, and minerals.

  • Strengthening B2B engagements and aiming for $2 billion trade target.

  • Joint ventures in IT, e-commerce, and banking.

  • Pharmaceutical export opportunities (Uzbekistan imports $3B in pharma annually).

  • Cooperation in emerging tech fields like Artificial Intelligence.