All Pakistan Motor Dealers Association (APDMA) has urged the government to allow commercial import of used cars. "We are not asking for any reduction in duties despite the fact that substantial duty reduction has once again been approved for the local assemblers without any condition of consequent price reduction. Local assemblers have increased their prices recently," said Chairman APDMA H M Shahzad, in a letter to Minister for Finance Senator Ishaq Dar.
The Association is of the view that the government should allow used cars' import on commercial basis which is already allowed to the assemblers in the form of new CBUs. "The government also has reservations on the alleged misuse of the Baggage, Gift and Transfer of Residence (TR) schemes. We also want these misgiving to be removed and all importers be brought into documentation and in the tax net," H M Shahzad continued.
APDMA claimed that Finance Minister, Ministry of Industries and Production had given understanding that the issue of used cars imports would be taken care of in the Auto Policy. "Now, the policymakers are justifying that used cars import does not fall in the ambit of Auto Policy and will come through the Parliament, ie budget." It is worth mentioning that 80 percent of used car imports are of 660cc which are not assembled in the country. These cars give a mileage of almost 23 kilometres in one litre petrol. "We hope you will give due consideration to our proposals and allow commercial imports of used cars which will be a win-win arrangement for the government and the consumers who prefer to purchase used imported cars," he added.