Islamabad: Senator Aon Abbas chaired a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production at Parliament House, focusing on several significant policy discussions. The committee deliberated on recognizing cold storage as part of the industrial sector and addressed various aspects of Pakistan’s automobile policies, including safety regulations, export challenges, and consumer rights regarding vehicle deliveries.

According to Senate of Pakistan, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has approved the classification of ‘Cold Storage’ as an industrial sector, a matter now pending Cabinet approval. The meeting also covered the expansive growth of the automobile industry under the 2016-21 Auto Policy, which saw an increase from 3 to 13 companies, enhancing production capacity significantly. However, compliance issues with the new WP-29 safety regulations were highlighted, with Suzuki notably lagging, prompting regulatory scrutiny and discussion on the adequacy of penalties for non-compliance.

Additionally, the Senate Committee received updates on the compensation paid by car manufacturers for delivery delays, totaling Rs. 5.32 billion, and debated the effectiveness of current oversight mechanisms. The session also included a critical review of the newly implemented EV policy aimed at reducing customs duties to stimulate the adoption of electric vehicles, juxtaposed with concerns over the lack of supporting infrastructure.

The meeting was attended by prominent senators and senior officials, reflecting a concerted effort to address key industrial and production challenges.