ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, along with the Secretary, Ministry of Industries and Production, Saif Anjum firmly rejected the allegations raised by Senator Faisal Vawda during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee.
The Ministry presented comprehensive documentary evidence to clarify its position and address the concerns raised.
The SAPM and the Secretary informed the Committee that all decisions and actions undertaken by the Ministry have been carried out strictly in accordance with the Rules of Business and after extensive consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
They emphasised that every policy decision was duly approved by the Federal Cabinet and implemented through established legal and institutional procedures.
Haroon Akhtar Khan informed the Committee that following Pakistan’s accession to the United Nations WP.29 Agreement in 2020, the responsibility for formulating vehicle safety standards and related regulatory frameworks was entrusted to the Ministry of Industries and Production.
He further stated that the Motor Vehicle Development Bill has already been presented in the National Assembly and approved by the relevant Standing Committee. Upon enactment of the legislation, the authority for implementing vehicle safety regulations will be transferred to the Engineering Development Board (EDB).
The SAPM also highlighted that in September 2025, the Ministry of Commerce directed the Engineering Development Board to ensure the enforcement of quality and safety standards for imported new and used vehicles.
Referring to vehicle import schemes, he noted that the Transfer of Residence, Gift Scheme, and Personal Baggage Scheme had previously been subject to widespread misuse, raising concerns regarding transparency and regulatory compliance. To address these issues, the government introduced stricter conditions, and vehicle imports under the Gift and Transfer of Residence schemes are now permitted only under clearly defined requirements.
Haroon Akhtar Khan underscored the importance of enforcing vehicle quality and safety standards, stating that such measures would significantly contribute to reducing road accidents and saving thousands of lives each year. He noted that road accidents claim approximately 25,000 lives annually in Pakistan.
During the meeting, the Ministry effectively rebutted the allegations raised by Senator Faisal Vawda through documentary evidence. It was also highlighted that no supporting documentary evidence was presented to substantiate the allegations made against the Ministry.
The Ministry of Industries and Production reiterated its commitment to transparency, good governance, adherence to rules and regulations, and the formulation and implementation of policies through a consultative process involving all relevant stakeholders.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Comments