Automobile sector lashes out at Federal Cabinet for giving consent to “Electric Vehicle Policy”

November 6, 2019: The Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts & Accessories Manufacturers has taken strong exception to the cabinet decision and giving its consent to an “ELECTRIC VEHICLE POLICY” without taking the industry on board.

Chairman PAAPAM Mr. Muhammad Akram noted with concern that instead of supporting the already troubled local Auto Industry these type decisions send wrong signals. With an active Auto Development Policy in place already and with over 16 licenses issued to potential investors and new Auto Electric vehicle policy will only create more confusion.

Chairman PAAPAM reiterated that defective policy making results in industrial disasters. It is these types of adhoc decisions that result in excessive External debt creations and transfer of jobs to other countries rather than in Pakistan. Any policy making must evaluate the full value chain and cross value chains of other industrial supply chains.

Further the industry already has a forum which is the Engineering Development Board of Pakistan and we fail to understand how and why this policy has being pushed for approval without taking all the stake holders into the loop.

“As PAAPAM we fully support the induction of Electric Vehicles of all types into Pakistan. However we will not support 100% imported CKD and just screw driver assembly. It may be noted that more than 60 % parts for EV are common with IC engine vehicles and are being produced locally. We want a structured time framed localization policy that promotes local content. We want a Policy that shall create jobs in Pakistan and bring in technology.”