National Assembly Standing Committee visits Indus Motor - May 22, 2006 The Standing Committee on Production met today in Indus Motor Co. (IMC) under the chairmanship of Malik Niaz Ahmad Jakhar MNA, to discuss the issues pertaining to the local automobile industry. The management of IMC briefed the Committee about the process of the manufacturing of Cars and highlighted the issues of the automobile industry. "Pakistan's Automobile Industry has developed substantially in recent years and I anticipate continued growth in the future", Malik Niaz Ahmad Jakhar said during the Committee’s visit. Mr Malik Niaz Ahmad Jakhar appreciated IMC’s performance and said, "Indus has played a key role in the growth of the automobile industry. This has led to increased employment opportunities, investment and transfer of technology. I am impressed by the plant and its efficient workers." While acknowledging the company for its efforts in enhancing production to meet demand, he said, “In the last four years, IMC has enhanced its production from 57 cars/day in 2002 to about 200 cars/day and delivery periods have reduced.” He also appreciated IMC’s plan for further production enhancement, as with economic growth and car financing, the market would grow further. Responding to a question on the negative impact of Used Car imports, Mr Malik Niaz Ahmed Jakhar mentioned that permission to import Used Cars was a temporary measure to meet the demand/supply gap which is now closing as the industry has increased capacity. He reiterated that instead of imports, we should encourage local car production by creating an environment that enhances the confidence of the auto industry and its vendors. The committee recommended that the local automobile industry may be given protection to further boost the industry and its vendors. In this connection, a long term policy and restriction on import of used cars is necessary. Other National Assembly Committee members at the plant visit included Mrs Riffat Javed Kahlon, Mr Saeed Ahmed, Ch., Dr Nasim Gul Afridi, Mr Sher Muhammad Baloch, Dr Fehmida Mirza, Mr Azhar Ahmed and Pir Muhammad Aslam Bodla. More Images