- August 20, 2026
- Posted by: Tresmark
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The All Pakistan Car Dealers and Importers Association (APDA) has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to withdraw the one-year non-transfer restriction on vehicles imported by overseas Pakistanis under the Gift and Transfer of Residence schemes.
The restriction was introduced through SRO 61(I)/2026, requiring imported vehicles to remain non-transferable for one year from the date of import.
APDA Patron-in-Chief Mian Shoaib Ahmed said the rule could create difficulties for overseas Pakistanis who may need to sell their vehicles before the one-year period due to genuine financial or personal circumstances.
He also warned that the restriction could create a gap between a vehicle’s actual user and its official ownership record if vehicles change hands without registration records being updated.
According to APDA, inaccurate ownership information could affect Safe City surveillance, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems and law-enforcement databases, potentially complicating investigations into crimes such as terrorism, kidnapping, robbery and smuggling.
The association said the government should allow legitimate vehicle transfers while ensuring that ownership records remain accurate and updated.
APDA has called for a review of the restriction, arguing that maintaining reliable vehicle ownership data is important for law enforcement, traceability and national security.
