Automotives show organised

Islamabad : An automotive show was inaugurated by Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari (President ICCI), Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan (President IDA), Dr. Akbar Nasir IG Islamabad, Dr. Rashid Ilyas Khan SVP and Group Director Centaurus, Nassie CEO cars of Pakistan, Saad (CEO Hazara Automotive Community), along with other dignitaries. This marks the inaugural car show of the season in Islamabad/Rawalpindi, where more than 800 cars across various categories participated, including vintage cars, luxury cars, sports cars, modified cars, and sports/heavy bikes. The event attracted over 150,000 visitors, especially car enthusiasts from across Pakistan.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the car show, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, CEO The Centaurus, articulated his concerns regarding the government’s policies towards electric vehicles and luxury car imports, emphasising that the current tax structures are highly discouraging. He highlighted that electric vehicles are being taxed at 64% and luxury cars with engine capacities exceeding 3000cc incur a hefty 424% tax burden. He stressed the need for consistent and predictable tax policies, suggesting that annual budgetary decisions should determine import taxes to avoid fluctuations caused by mini-budgets. He underscored the adverse effects of inconsistent taxation, noting that frequent changes in import duties often lead importers to face unexpected financial burdens, sometimes resulting in cars being auctioned at ports due to budgetary constraints. He proposed that the government streamline import taxes, setting them annually to prevent confusion and financial strain on importers. Due to the government’s discouraging policies towards luxury car imports, illegal imports and smuggling are on the rise.