National Assembly Standing Committee on Industries and Production on Wednesday visited Pak Suzuki Motors assembly plant. Headed by Sajid Hussain Turi, the committee and officials were welcomed by management of Pak Suzuki Motors. The committee witnessed the manufacturing of different vehicles in the plant under the supervision of a well-experienced team of Pakistani and Japanese Suzuki engineers and workers.

The committee members expressed their well wishes for the improvement of Pak Suzuki plant which was established in 1992, after visiting the plant, The managing director, Pak Suzuki Motors, Pakistan warmly welcomed the Committee. Shafiq Shaikh, head of Public Relations and official spokesperson, briefed the Committee about the historical background of the institution. He appraised the Committee with regard to different cars launched by Suzuki Motors time to time in Pakistan, including some imported vehicles and newly introduced cars. The managing director responded the questions raised by the members regarding quality of products as compared to imported vehicles. the Committee expressed its satisfaction in this regard. Shafiq Shaikh explained the causes of increase in prices. He said high mark-up rates of banks loans, over burden of taxation, several additional duties, rupee devaluation, increase in fixed costs/utilities, high trend of inflation and non-implementation on Automotive Development Policy 2016-21 were the major reasons behind low production in the automotive sector, which also caused the price fluctuation in the market.

Additional Secretary, Ministry of Industries informed that taxation matters were taken up earlier with Ministry of Finance and Revenue but they didn't respond properly in that regard in last financial year. The Committee decided that an exclusive meeting may be convened with the FBR, and the Ministry of Finance to resolve the problems of ACD, FED, AST shortly.-PR