Pakistan plans to establish a dedicated automotive testing institute to improve vehicle safety, quality checks, and certification as part of its proposed Autos and Auto Parts Manufacturing Policy 2026–31.
The proposed Pakistan Automotive Testing Institute (PATI) will serve as a key facility for automotive type approval and verification of vehicles against prescribed safety, quality, and environmental standards.
According to Section 4.5.7 of the draft policy, the Ministry of Industries and Production and the Engineering Development Board (EDB) will be responsible for establishing the institute.
The government does not plan to develop every testing facility within PATI. Instead, the institute will focus on facilities that private third-party evaluators cannot establish commercially.
Pakistan Plans to Adopt 45 More Vehicle Safety Regulations
PATI is part of a broader effort to strengthen vehicle safety and regulatory compliance in Pakistan.
According to the draft policy, Pakistan joined the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) 1958 Agreement in April 2020 and has adopted 62 vehicle-related WP.29 regulations.
The government now proposes adopting 45 additional regulations by the fourth quarter of 2028. Existing safety and environmental requirements for imported and locally assembled vehicles cover areas such as braking systems, airbags, and occupant protection.
The draft policy also calls for a statutory framework covering conformity assessments, market surveillance, and vehicle recalls.
It further proposes using internationally accredited third-party providers for compliance audits where appropriate. PATI would provide part of the testing infrastructure needed to support this regulatory framework.
Rs. 1.7 Billion Proposed for the Testing Institute
The draft automotive policy proposes allocating Rs. 1.7 billion to establish PATI. Its budget appendix outlines the following spending plan:
| Financial Year | Proposed Allocation |
|---|---|
| 2026–27 | Rs. 200 million |
| 2027–28 | Rs. 500 million |
| 2028–29 | Rs. 1 billion |
| Total | Rs. 1.7 billion |
via: PakWheels
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