ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government has immediately enacted a sweeping set of new regulations requiring all imported motor vehicles to meet dozens of United Nations international standards for safety, quality, and the environment.
The new rules, announced by the Ministry of Industries and Production’s Engineering Development Board in a notification dated Sept. 30, 2025, apply to a wide range of vehicle categories, from motorcycles and passenger cars to large commercial vehicles and trailers.
The policy shift follows decisions by the federal cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee and its ratification by the full cabinet in late September. The regulations adopted are based on the U.N. Economic Commission for Europe’s WP.29 agreements, a global benchmark for vehicle regulations.
The new standards cover 62 specific areas of vehicle performance and construction. Key requirements include enhanced braking systems for cars and trucks, regulations on door latches and seat belt anchorages, and specific crash protection standards for frontal and lateral collisions. The rules also set limits on emissions for gasoline-powered motorcycles and mopeds, and establish safety criteria for electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
In a significant move for the used car market, the notification imposes strict new conditions on the commercial import of second-hand vehicles. Only companies incorporated under the Companies Act, 2017, with vehicle import as their main business, will be permitted to import used cars commercially. These companies must meet a minimum capital requirement, to be set by the federal cabinet, and establish a robust after-sales service network.
Importers of used vehicles must provide a pre-shipment inspection certificate from an accredited body, such as the Japan Automotive Appraisal Institute or the Korean Testing Laboratory. The certificate must verify that the vehicle meets the new standards and confirm that it has not been in an accident, has not had its odometer tampered with, is in good physical and mechanical condition, and is roadworthy with the required number of airbags.
The Engineering Development Board reserves the right to require certification on other areas and will subject every imported used vehicle to a mandatory, importer-paid, post-shipment inspection.
The comprehensive adoption of these standards aims to bring Pakistan’s vehicle import regime in line with global practices, with the stated goals of improving road safety, reducing environmental impact, and ensuring vehicle quality for consumers.