The import of used cars is once again witnessing surge as the importers have found a way to misuse the current stringent import policy.

It has been learnt that importers are importing used cars on the passports of Pakistanis residing in Dubai but the government authorities have failed to notice it. Allegedly these cars are being imported using Pakistani passports in Dubai under gift scheme but the car reaches directly to Pakistan.

"The number of imported used cars has increased in the current financial year, as till date 1096 cars have been imported out of which more than 560 units were imported in the month of September this year," said sources.

It is pertinent to mention that after SRO52, misuse of used cars import schemes was successfully curtailed. It did not only stop the exploitation of schemes but halted hawala and hundi through which money is sent for these illegal imports.

"It is very alarming that the importers have once again found a way to continue with their nefarious plans of denting the local auto industry as the numbers of imported vehicles have increased substantially in the recent months," the sources said. "It will also impact the efforts Pakistan has made to get out of FATF grey list as used cars import was one of the biggest contributors to undocumented and illegal transactions."

The government should immediately look into this issue and must stop this practice in order to nip it in the bud, the sources said.

As per details made available, total 467 units of passenger cars were imported so far during this fiscal year, out of which more than 250 units were imported in the month of September.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019