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Pakistan Extends Auto Policy After Talks With IMF and Tariff Board Stall

The one-year extension reflects unresolved disputes over tariff authority and safety rules that threaten investor confidence and EV rollout.

Overview

  • Government officials agreed to extend the existing auto policy for one year after negotiations with the IMF and the Tariff Policy Board failed to produce a new framework on July 14, 2026.
  • A ministerial deadlock over who sets tariffs and duties — the Tariff Policy Board versus the proposed Automobile & Auto Parts Manufacturing Policy — has forced a panel to seek the prime minister’s guidance.
  • Ministries of Science and Technology and Industries disagree on which body should set vehicle safety standards for four-wheelers, and a parliamentary subcommittee criticised the lack of coordination.
  • Draft rules for EV charging stations prepared in 2024 remain blocked by coordination problems between the Engineering Development Board and NEECA, and no public charging stations have been built yet.
  • Local battery production supplies roughly 5 percent of demand, informal residential battery assembly raises safety concerns, and industry groups say persistent policy uncertainty is deterring investment in Pakistan’s bid to become a regional EV hub.