“Dear Manufacturers, Must Install Airbags In Every Vehicle” — Thanks, Lahore High Court
Lahore High Court (LHC) has recently issued an order to the Engineering Development Board (EDB). In the order, LHC has made it compulsory for the auto manufacturers to install airbags in locally manufactured vehicles. The auto manufacturers have asked for a grace period to implement this safety regulation.
The Auto Industry Development Committee (AIDC) conducted a meeting at the Board of Investment (BOI). Secretary AIDC informed the meeting that Pakistan has adopted WP.29 Regulations, but the auto industry is yet to implement those regulations. Ali Asghar Jamali, Chairman Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA), said the industry agrees to implement WP.29 regulations in a phase-wise manner.
As the meeting went along, Mr Tariq Ahmed Khan, Director (Technical) Indus Motors, supported the Chairman PAMA. He further added that the industry needs a grace period to implement the safety regulation of Airbags. Chairman Engineering Development Board (EDB) then asked the New Entrants for their opinion on the matter.
Upon agreement of all new entrants, Chairman PAMA allowed the implementation of 16 shortlisted regulations, including airbags, with timelines. The meeting was adjourned with the action item that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will include the 16 regulations, with the agreed timelines, in the Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) 656. The Lahore High Court directed the Engineering Development Board (EDB) to ensure the implementation of airbags and other safety regulations mentioned in the SRO 656.
WP.29 Vehicle Regulations
The UNECE World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) is a unique worldwide regulatory forum for vehicles and vehicle equipment. The WP.29 member countries follow three UN Agreements of 1958, 1997 and 1998. Pakistan has agreed to adopt vehicle regulations under the 1958 UN Agreement.
Last Words
Airbags is one of the standard safety features of a vehicle. Without airbags, cars are coffins on wheels, and local assemblers are the undertakers. Not too long ago, a citizen moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) to make airbags essential in passenger cars and other vehicles. The Auto Industry Development Committee (AIDC) and Lahore High Court (LHC) have done it right by ordering the auto manufacturers to install airbags in all locally assembled vehicles. Let’s see how long is the said “grace period” for the implementation of this regulation.
